FILED: BRONX COUNTY CLERK 08/22/2018 05:06 PM
`NYSCEF DOC. NO. 54
`
`INDEX NO. 25303/2015E
`
`RECEIVED NYSCEF: 08/22/2018
`
`Index
`
`No.
`
`25303/2015E
`
`SUPREME
`COUNTY
`
`OF THE STATE
`COURT
`OF BRONX
`---------------------------
`
`OF NEW YORK
`
`KENIA
`
`L. CABRERA,
`
`Plaintiff,
`
`-against-
`
`AUTHORITY
`THE PORT
`and MAGHNOS
`JERSEY
`
`OF NEW YORK AND NEW
`A. ASHBY,
`
`Defendants.
`
`--
`
`X
`
`X
`
`MEMORANDUM
`THE VERDICT
`
`OF DEFENDANTS'
`OF LAW IN SUPPORT
`MOTION
`OR IN THE ALTERNATIVE,
`AND ORDER
`A NEW TRIAL,
`AWARD
`REMITTITUR
`OF THE JURY
`
`TO SET ASIDE
`A DRASTIC
`
`Esq.
`of New York
`
`N. Alterman,
`Cheryl
`The Port
`Authority
`and New Jersey
`4 World
`Trade
`150 Greenwich
`New York,
`Telephone
`
`Center
`
`Street,
`New York
`No.:
`
`(212)
`
`24th FlOOT
`10007
`435-3431
`
`1 of 42
`
`

`

`FILED: BRONX COUNTY CLERK 08/22/2018 05:06 PM
`NYSCEF DOC. NO. 54
`
`INDEX NO. 25303/2015E
`
`RECEIVED NYSCEF: 08/22/2018
`
`TABLE
`
`OF CONTENTS
`
`Page(s)
`
`Preliminary
`
`Statement.................................................
`
`.........................................
`
`Legal
`
`Argument
`
`........
`
`I.
`
`II.
`
`THE JURY AWARD
`OR, AT A MINIMUM,
`THE COURT
`SHOULD
`THE VERDICT
`ASIDE
`A NEW TRIAL
`THE CUMULATIVE
`BECAUSE
`OF A FAIR
`ERRORS
`DEPRIVED
`DEFENDANTS
`
`IS EXCESSIVE
`A DRASTIC
`
`SET
`
`.................................................................
`A NEW TRIAL
`AND REQUIRES
`REMITTITUR
`..........................
`AND ORDER
`EFFECT
`OF THE COURT'S
`TRIAL.................................
`AND ORDER
`PRECLUDED
`BELLIZZI
`
`A.
`
`THE COURT
`NEW TRIAL
`DEFENDANTS'
`
`SHOULD
`BECAUSE
`LIABILITY
`
`THE VERDICT
`ASIDE
`SET
`THE COURT
`IMPROPERLY
`NICHOLAS
`
`EXPERT,
`
`A
`
`i.
`
`ii.
`
`iii.
`
`Bellizzi's
`Mr.
`honest
`
`reckoning
`
`testimony
`with
`
`The Court
`Grounds
`
`the jury
`for
`was
`necessary
`the proof...................................................
`Defendants'
`
`to have
`
`a fair
`
`and
`
`from
`Expert
`Testifying
`Notice
`Was Deficient....................
`
`Precluded
`Incorrectly
`the CPLR 3101(d)(1)(i)
`that
`Defendants'
`
`The Court
`the Grounds
`Support
`His
`
`Incorrectly
`that Mr.
`Analysis
`
`Precluded
`from
`Testifying
`Bellizzi
`Scientific
`to Offer
`Failed
`Literature
`any
`and
`the Conclusion
`He Reached
`................................
`
`Expert
`
`on the
`
`on
`to
`
`7
`
`9
`
`.... 9
`
`18
`
`.... 19
`
`.... 19
`
`C.
`
`Numerous
`
`Prejudicial
`
`Rulings
`
`Resulted
`
`in a Miscarriage
`
`of Justice
`
`i.
`
`ii.
`
`iii.
`
`Plaintiff's
`Summation
`
`Counsel
`
`Prevented
`
`Defendants
`
`from
`
`Utilizing
`
`their
`
`Exhibits
`
`during
`.......
`32
`
`Be Set Aside
`Should
`The Verdict
`Because
`Jury Was
`the
`Improperly
`Tampering.....................................
`
`Jury
`
`and A New Trial
`When
`Tainted
`
`Be Ordered
`Should
`Mr.
`It Accused
`Ashby
`......................................
`
`of
`
`The Verdict
`Should
`Because
`of Plaintiff's
`
`Be Set Aside
`Counsel's
`
`and A New Trial
`Misconduct
`
`During
`
`Should
`Trial.
`
`Be Ordered
`.........................
`
`Conclusion.......
`
`............
`
`2 of 42
`
`Be Set Aside
`Defendants'
`
`B.
`
`The Verdict
`
`Improperly
`Recklessness
`Law § 1103(b)
`Inapplicable
`
`Should
`Denied
`Standard
`and
`Incorrectly
`to the Facts
`of
`
`of Care
`
`and
`Motion
`Pursuant
`Charged
`this Case.
`
`the Court
`
`a New Trial
`Ordered
`Because
`to Charge
`the
`the
`Jury with
`to New York
`Vehicle
`and Traffic
`a Statutory
`Violation
`that
`is
`.................
`
`..
`
`............
`
`23
`
`26
`
`29
`
`32
`
`34
`
`37
`
`40
`
`

`

`FILED: BRONX COUNTY CLERK 08/22/2018 05:06 PM
`NYSCEF DOC. NO. 54
`
`INDEX NO. 25303/2015E
`
`RECEIVED NYSCEF: 08/22/2018
`
`TABLE
`
`OF AUTHORITIES
`
`Page(s)
`
`Cases
`
`Allen
`
`v. Amzoski,
`No.
`Index
`
`26419/1999,
`
`2004 WL 354208
`
`(Sup.
`
`Ct. Bronx
`
`Cty.
`
`Feb.
`
`16, 2004)
`
`..........10
`
`Alvarez
`
`v. CMS Transportation
`Inc.,
`2014 WL 7463355
`
`0027335/2011,
`
`et al.,
`(Sup.
`
`Ct. Queens
`
`Cty. Nov.
`
`21,
`
`2014).............................14
`
`Arellano
`No.
`
`v. New York
`
`102336/02,
`
`& Hosps.
`City Health
`2004 WL 2624395
`(Sup.
`
`Corp.,
`Ct. NY Cty.
`
`Feb.
`
`23,
`
`2004)
`
`.....................26
`
`Baja
`
`et. al,
`v. Rufle,
`No.
`0000555/2015,
`
`2017 WL 3381735
`
`(Sup.
`
`Ct. Queens
`
`Cty. May
`
`16, 2017).....
`
`Conlon
`v. Foley,
`73 A.D.3d
`
`836
`
`(2d Dep't
`
`2010)
`
`D'Onofrio-Ruden
`29 A.D.3d
`
`v. Town
`(2d Dep't
`
`of Hempstead,
`2006).
`
`512
`
`....
`
`.....
`
`___.........
`
`..........14
`
`....................
`
`v. Town
`Dance
`95 A.D.2d
`
`of Southampton,
`442
`(2d Dep't
`
`1983)........
`
`...................
`
`17
`
`22
`
`22
`
`De La Cruz
`
`v. Berroa,
`0305827/2009,
`
`et. al,
`2015 WL 10569707
`
`v. New York
`Deleon
`35 N.E.3d
`448
`
`City
`(2015)
`
`Sanitation
`
`Dep't,
`.......
`
`v. New York
`Dibble
`272
`76 A.D.3d
`
`Tr. Auth.,
`City
`2010).......
`(1st Dep't
`
`v. City
`Donlon
`284 A.D.2d
`
`of New York,
`13 (1st Dep't
`
`2001)
`
`(Sup.
`
`Ct. Bronx
`
`Cty. Oct.
`
`2, 2015)
`
`.....14
`
`...................
`
`...............
`
`30
`
`39
`
`..................................................11
`
`v. T.E. Conklin
`Brass
`Doolittle
`722
`(1st Dep't
`103 A.D.2d
`
`& Copper
`Co.,
`1984)........................
`
`..
`
`...
`
`....32
`
`Einheber
`No.
`
`v. Bodenheimer,
`2006 WL 1835019
`114682/01,
`
`(Sup.
`
`Ct. NY Cty. May
`
`5, 2006).....................................26
`
`2
`
`3 of 42
`
`

`

`FILED: BRONX COUNTY CLERK 08/22/2018 05:06 PM
`NYSCEF DOC. NO. 54
`
`INDEX NO. 25303/2015E
`
`RECEIVED NYSCEF: 08/22/2018
`
`v. Vill.
`Freitag
`155 A.D.3d
`
`of Potsdam,
`1227
`(3d Dep't
`
`2017)
`
`.....................................
`
`Fried
`
`v. Signe
`943 N.Y.S.2d
`
`Nielsen
`791
`
`Landscape
`Architect,
`(Sup.
`Ct. King
`
`Cty
`
`PC,
`2012)........................................................
`
`v. New York
`Glover
`60 A.D.3d
`587
`
`Transit
`City
`(1st Dep't
`
`Auth.,
`2009)............................
`
`v. G.E.
`Godfrey
`89 A.D.3d
`
`Auto
`Capital
`471
`(1st Dep't
`
`Lease,
`2011)..
`
`Inc.,
`
`Grunenthal
`393 U.S.
`
`Island
`v. Long
`156
`(1968).........
`
`R. Co.,
`
`...................
`
`............................22
`
`....
`
`...................9
`
`30
`
`21
`
`71
`
`Hage
`
`v. State,
`966 N.Y.S.2d
`
`346
`
`(Ct. Cl.
`
`2013)......................................
`
`.................................21
`
`Haulotte
`
`102687,
`
`v. Chemical
`Bank,
`1997 WL 851020
`
`(Sup.
`
`Ct. NY Cty.
`
`Jan.
`
`1994)......
`
`.......
`
`15
`
`v. W 50th
`Higgins
`930 N.Y.S.2d
`
`St. Assocs.,
`174
`(Sup.
`
`LLC,
`Ct. NY Cty
`
`2011)
`
`In Eberle
`No.
`
`et. al,
`2017 WL 1787842
`
`(Sup.
`
`Ct. NY Cty.
`
`..............21
`
`16
`
`v. Boeschl,
`106528/11,
`
`Feb.
`
`7, 2017)...............
`
`v. 630
`Konstantin
`Ave.
`Third
`2012 WL 4748316
`(Sup.
`New York
`Asbestos
`59 N.E.3d
`(2016).......
`
`City
`1197
`
`Assocs.,
`Ct., NY Cty.,
`Sept.
`20,
`121 A.D.3d
`Litigation.,
`
`2012),
`230
`
`aff'd
`(1st Dep't
`
`sub
`
`nom.
`
`In re
`
`2014),
`
`aff'd,
`
`12
`
`Krygier
`v. Airweld,
`176 A.D.2d
`
`700
`
`Inc.,
`(2d Dep't
`
`1991)............
`
`....
`
`...
`
`......25
`
`Lamaruggine
`No.
`
`5865/92,
`
`v. Chelsea
`Motor
`1994 WL 77129
`
`Rental,
`(Sup.
`
`et. al,
`Ct. NY Cty,
`
`Feb.
`
`1994)....................
`
`Lamy
`
`v. Stewart,
`002310/2010,
`
`No.
`
`2013 WL 5405680
`
`(Sup.
`
`Ct. Kings
`
`Cty.
`
`July
`
`18, 2013)
`
`.............17
`
`16
`
`28
`
`.......14
`
`Lara
`
`v. New York
`305 A.D.2d
`
`City Health
`(1st Dep't
`106
`
`& Hosps.
`
`Corp.,
`
`2003)
`
`v. Variety
`Lifshits
`5 A.D.3d
`566
`
`Bags,
`Poly
`(2d Dep't
`
`2004)...............................
`
`....
`
`......
`
`3
`
`4 of 42
`
`

`

`FILED: BRONX COUNTY CLERK 08/22/2018 05:06 PM
`NYSCEF DOC. NO. 54
`
`INDEX NO. 25303/2015E
`
`RECEIVED NYSCEF: 08/22/2018
`
`Lupo
`
`v. Pro
`No.
`
`Foods,
`107565/06,
`
`et. al,
`LLC,
`2010 WL 4079815
`
`(Sup.
`
`Ct. NY Cty.
`
`Aug.
`
`2, 2010)
`
`...........16
`
`v. Smyth,
`Marsh
`12 A.D.3d
`
`307
`
`(1st Dep't
`
`2004)....................................................
`
`................27,
`
`28
`
`McCrae
`No.
`
`v. Popular
`
`Ford
`
`0007387/2007,
`
`et al.,
`Sales,
`2013 WL 6384458
`
`v. New York
`State
`Mickle
`Thruway
`701 N.Y.S.2d
`182 Misc.
`2d 967,
`
`Auth.,
`782
`
`(Sup.
`
`Ct. Kings
`
`Cty.
`
`Sept.
`
`30,
`
`2013)
`
`.......17
`
`(Ct. Cl.
`
`1999)
`
`...............................................21
`
`Moller
`No.
`
`of New York,
`v. City
`2009 WL 32747
`108756/04,
`
`v. Bisorni,
`Morgan
`100 A.D.2d
`
`956
`
`(2d Dep't
`
`1984)
`
`(Sup.
`
`Ct. NY Cnty.
`
`Jan.
`
`7, 2009)
`
`...............11
`
`......
`
`........
`
`.....
`
`32
`
`"The
`v.
`Morsette
`309 A.D.2d
`
`Final
`Call,
`249
`(1st Dep't
`
`",
`
`2003)..............
`
`.......................
`
`.....11
`
`(Marshall),
`
`In re New York
`28 AD3d
`
`Litigation
`Asbestos
`255
`(1st Dep't
`2006).....
`
`..........
`
`..............
`
`......11
`
`In re New York
`Index
`No.
`
`Asbestos
`City
`122340/99
`(Sup.
`
`Litigation
`Ct., N.Y.
`
`(Koczur),
`Cty.,
`
`2011)
`
`.........................11
`
`In re New York
`Index
`No.
`
`City Asbestos
`(Sup.
`100490/99
`
`Litigation
`(McCarthy),
`Ct., NY Cty.,
`
`2011)
`
`.........
`
`..
`
`Nieves
`No.
`
`v. MTA Bus Company,
`et. al,
`2014 WL 8098434
`0008883/2012,
`
`(Sup.
`
`Ct. Queens
`
`Cty.
`
`Dec.
`
`19, 2014)...........
`
`..11
`
`17
`
`Penn
`
`v. Amchem
`85 AD3d
`475
`
`Products,
`(1st Dep't
`
`2011).................................
`
`............
`
`........11
`
`v. Heidgen,
`People
`87 A.D.3d
`1016
`
`(2d Dep't
`
`2011),
`
`aff'd,
`
`3 N.E.3d
`
`657
`
`(2013).............
`
`.............22
`
`v. Scalzo,
`People
`176 A.D.2d
`
`363
`
`(2d Dep't
`
`1991)
`
`.......
`
`22
`
`People
`v. Silverman,
`252 A.D.
`149
`
`(2d Dep't
`
`1937)....................
`
`.....
`
`............35
`
`v. Mezzacappa,
`Ramirez
`121 A.D.3d
`770
`
`(2d Dep't
`
`2014)......
`
`.........................8
`
`4
`
`5 of 42
`
`

`

`FILED: BRONX COUNTY CLERK 08/22/2018 05:06 PM
`NYSCEF DOC. NO. 54
`
`INDEX NO. 25303/2015E
`
`RECEIVED NYSCEF: 08/22/2018
`
`Ramona
`No.
`
`Ulerio
`
`23888/03,
`
`v. New York
`Transit
`2007 WL 4247102
`
`Authority,
`(Sup.
`
`Ct. Bronx
`
`Cty. Oct.
`
`25,
`
`2007).................................15
`
`v. New York
`Ramos
`935 N.Y.S.2d
`
`Transit
`City
`6 (1st Dep't
`
`Auth.,
`2011)..
`
`Rodriguez
`v. City
`67 A.D.3d
`884
`
`of New York,
`(2d Dep't
`
`2009).
`
`........
`
`.........................................13
`
`..............................
`
`...
`
`...........18
`
`Rzymski
`No.
`
`v. Metropolitan
`
`104591/07,
`
`Life
`Tower
`2013 WL 3214180
`
`Insurance
`(Sup.
`
`Company,
`Ct. NY Cty. March
`
`7, 2013)
`
`v. New York
`Searcy
`294
`20 N.Y.S.3d
`
`City
`(Sup.
`
`Transit
`Auth.,
`Ct. Kings
`
`Cty
`
`2015)
`
`...........
`
`...16
`
`................21
`
`Selig
`
`v. Pfizer,
`290 A.D.2d
`
`Inc.,
`319
`
`(1st Dep't
`
`2002),
`
`lv denied,
`
`98 NY2d
`
`603
`
`(1st Dep't
`
`2002).........................28
`
`Seon
`
`Dep't
`State
`74 N.Y.S.3d
`
`of Motor
`Vehicles,
`20 (1st Dep't
`
`2018)....................
`
`71
`
`v. New York
`159 A.D.3d
`
`607,
`
`v. James
`Sitaras
`154 A.D.2d
`
`& Sons,
`Ricardi
`Inc.,
`1989)...........................
`451
`(2d Dep't
`
`.............
`
`.........................22
`
`v. New York
`Stewart
`82 A.D.3d
`438
`
`v. Egeland,
`Suanez
`353 N.J.
`Super.
`
`Transit
`City
`(1st Dep't
`
`2011)
`
`Auth.,
`
`191
`
`(N.J.
`
`Super.
`
`2002)......................
`
`13
`
`28
`
`Tammy
`No.
`
`Jones
`
`18061/06,
`
`v. Ann-Gur
`Corp.,
`Realty
`2009 WL 2385215
`
`et. al,
`Ct. Bronx
`(Sup.
`
`Cty.
`
`June
`
`17, 2009)..........
`
`........15
`
`v. MTA New York
`Tate-Mitros
`454
`144 A.D.3d
`(1st Dep't
`
`Transit,
`
`City
`2016)
`
`United
`678
`
`v. Ruggiero,
`States
`F. Supp.
`46 (E.D.N.Y.
`
`1988)
`
`Valenzuela
`59 A.D.3d
`
`of New York,
`v. City
`2008)........
`40 (1st Dep't
`
`Statutes
`
`21
`
`A4
`
`38
`
`............
`
`.............................
`
`New York
`
`Vehicle
`
`and Traffic
`
`Law § 1103(b)
`
`..
`
`..........
`
`19, 29,
`
`30,
`
`31
`
`VTL
`
`passim
`
`5
`
`6 of 42
`
`

`

`FILED: BRONX COUNTY CLERK 08/22/2018 05:06 PM
`NYSCEF DOC. NO. 54
`
`INDEX NO. 25303/2015E
`
`RECEIVED NYSCEF: 08/22/2018
`
`Other
`
`Authorities
`
`CPLR 3101(d)(1)(i)
`
`.............................................
`
`..... passim
`
`CPLR 4404(a).................
`
`.............................
`
`............
`
`CPLR
`
`§ 5501
`
`...............
`
`.........
`
`.....
`
`.................................10,
`
`18
`
`11
`
`6
`
`7 of 42
`
`

`

`FILED: BRONX COUNTY CLERK 08/22/2018 05:06 PM
`NYSCEF DOC. NO. 54
`
`INDEX NO. 25303/2015E
`
`RECEIVED NYSCEF: 08/22/2018
`
`Index
`
`No.
`
`25303/2015E
`
`SUPREME
`COUNTY
`------------
`
`OF THE STATE
`COURT
`OF BRONX
`
`---------------------
`
`OF NEW YORK
`
`KENIA
`
`L. CABRERA,
`
`- against
`
`-
`
`Plaintiff,
`
`AUTHORITY
`THE PORT
`and MAGHNOS
`JERSEY
`
`OF NEW YORK and NEW
`A. ASHBY
`
`-----
`
`-----------
`
`Defendants.
`----------------------------
`
`X
`
`X
`
`PRELIMINARY
`
`STATEMENT
`
`Defendants
`
`The
`
`Port
`
`Authority
`
`of New York
`
`and New Jersey
`
`and Maghnos
`
`A. Ashby
`
`(collectively
`
`"Defendants")
`
`submit
`
`this memorandum
`
`of
`
`law in support
`
`of
`
`their motion
`
`for
`
`an order
`
`setting
`
`aside
`
`the verdict
`
`and
`
`granting
`
`Defendants
`
`a new trial
`
`to rectify
`
`the biased
`
`and
`
`insupportable
`
`outcome
`
`that
`
`resulted
`
`in a windfall
`
`for Plaintiff
`
`at
`
`the
`
`expense
`
`of a public
`
`agency.
`
`Plaintiff's
`
`automobile
`
`collided
`
`with
`
`Defendant's
`
`snow
`
`truck
`
`eñgaged
`
`in salting
`
`a parking
`
`lot
`
`on January
`
`6, 2015;
`
`following
`
`the minor
`
`motor
`
`vehicle
`
`accident,
`
`Plaintiff
`
`got
`
`up
`
`and walked
`
`without
`
`assistance.
`
`After
`
`a trial
`
`which
`
`commenced
`
`and
`
`lasted
`
`away
`
`three
`
`weeks,
`
`during
`
`which
`
`Defendants
`
`were
`
`repeatedly
`
`limited
`
`in presenting
`
`their
`
`case,
`
`the
`
`jury
`
`on July
`
`5, 2018
`
`approximately
`
`returned
`
`a flawed
`
`verdict
`
`that
`
`Defendants
`
`were
`
`entirely
`
`at
`
`fault.
`
`Influenced
`
`by
`
`a one-sided
`
`presentation
`
`of
`
`the
`
`facts
`
`by Plaintiff
`
`and
`
`erroneously
`
`charged,
`
`the jury
`
`rendered
`
`an outsized
`
`award
`
`on Plaintiff,
`
`$4 million
`
`in past
`
`pain
`
`and
`
`suffering
`
`and
`
`$12 million
`
`in future
`
`pain
`
`and
`
`suffering
`
`over
`
`the
`
`next
`
`three
`
`years
`
`for
`
`a total
`
`award
`
`of $16 million.
`
`The
`
`award
`
`is unjustifiable
`
`when
`
`compared
`
`to customary
`
`damages
`
`for
`
`similar
`
`injuries
`
`-the
`
`largest
`
`award
`
`which
`
`Defendants
`
`could
`
`find
`
`in New
`
`York
`
`for
`
`non-disabling
`
`back
`
`and
`
`neck
`
`injuries.
`
`Defense
`
`counsel
`
`immediately
`
`informed
`
`the Court
`
`8 of 42
`
`

`

`FILED: BRONX COUNTY CLERK 08/22/2018 05:06 PM
`NYSCEF DOC. NO. 54
`
`INDEX NO. 25303/2015E
`
`RECEIVED NYSCEF: 08/22/2018
`
`that
`
`it would
`
`file
`
`a motion
`
`to set aside
`
`the
`
`verdict
`
`and
`
`requested
`
`a two-week
`
`extension
`
`of
`
`time
`
`to
`
`do so, which
`
`was
`
`granted
`
`on July
`
`25,
`
`2018.
`
`Thus,
`
`this motion
`
`is timely.
`
`The
`
`interest
`
`of
`
`justice
`
`demands
`
`that
`
`the Court
`
`set aside
`
`the
`
`verdict
`
`and
`
`order
`
`a new
`
`trial
`
`because
`
`a substantial
`
`injustice
`
`was
`
`done
`
`when
`
`the
`
`jury
`
`awarded
`
`the
`
`Plaintiff,
`
`an
`
`ambulatory,
`
`gainfully
`
`employed,
`
`and
`
`seemingly
`
`pain-free
`
`individual
`
`$16 million
`
`for
`
`a minor
`
`motor
`
`vehicle
`
`that
`
`Defendants
`
`accident
`
`in
`
`a parking
`
`lot.
`
`The
`
`cumulative
`
`effects
`
`of
`
`the Court's
`
`errors
`
`require
`
`receive
`
`a new
`
`trial
`
`and
`
`the
`
`right
`
`to present
`
`their
`
`complete
`
`case
`
`before
`
`a jury,
`
`ready,
`
`willing
`
`and
`
`able
`
`to
`
`consider
`
`the matter
`
`in
`
`an
`
`unbiased
`
`fashion,
`
`which
`
`this
`
`jury
`
`was
`
`not.
`
`There
`
`can
`
`be
`
`no
`
`question
`
`that
`
`the
`
`range
`
`of
`
`jury
`
`awards
`
`across
`
`comparable
`
`cases
`
`is far
`
`less
`
`than
`
`what
`
`was
`
`awarded
`
`$16 million
`
`deviates
`
`from
`
`awards
`
`where
`
`a
`
`by
`
`the
`
`jury
`
`in this matter.
`
`The
`
`award
`
`of
`
`materially
`
`plaintiff
`
`did
`
`not
`
`suffer
`
`permañênt
`
`disability,
`
`underwent
`
`two
`
`surgical
`
`procedures
`
`without
`
`complication
`
`and
`
`successfully
`
`recovered.
`
`There
`
`is
`
`"simply
`
`no
`
`valid
`
`line
`
`of
`
`reasoning
`
`and
`
`permissible
`
`inferences
`
`which
`
`could
`
`possibly
`
`lead
`
`...
`
`to the
`
`conclusion
`
`reached
`
`by
`
`the jury
`
`on the
`
`basis
`
`of
`
`the
`
`evidence
`
`presented
`
`at
`
`trial".
`
`Ramirez
`
`v. Mezzacappa,
`
`121 A.D.3d
`
`770,
`
`772
`
`(2d Dep't
`
`permitted
`
`a biased
`
`atmosphere
`
`to exist
`
`from
`
`Plaintiff's
`
`then
`
`2014).
`
`The Court
`
`failed
`
`to allow
`
`Defendants'
`
`expert
`
`to interpret
`
`the
`
`physical
`
`evidence
`
`to show
`
`that
`
`the Plaintiff
`
`was
`
`opening
`
`statement,
`
`responsible
`
`for
`
`the
`
`accident,
`
`and
`
`finally
`
`chose
`
`to instruct
`
`the jury
`
`using
`
`an inapplicable
`
`statute.
`
`light
`
`of
`
`this
`
`error-laden
`
`proceeding,
`
`perhaps
`
`it
`
`is not
`
`surprising
`
`that
`
`the jury
`
`got
`
`it
`
`so wrong.
`
`In
`
`It
`
`would
`
`be a great
`
`injustice
`
`to the
`
`traveling
`
`public
`
`to squander
`
`their
`
`fares
`
`and
`
`tolls
`
`by
`
`transferring
`
`them to Plaintiff
`
`in defiance
`
`of
`
`logic
`
`and
`
`custom.
`
`8
`
`9 of 42
`
`

`

`FILED: BRONX COUNTY CLERK 08/22/2018 05:06 PM
`NYSCEF DOC. NO. 54
`
`INDEX NO. 25303/2015E
`
`RECEIVED NYSCEF: 08/22/2018
`
`LEGAL
`
`ARGUMENT
`
`I.
`
`THE JURY
`MINIMUM,
`
`AWARD
`IS EXCESSIVE
`A DRASTIC
`REMITTITUR
`
`AND REQUIRES
`
`A NEW TRIAL
`
`OR,
`
`AT A
`
`This
`
`is the
`
`case
`
`of a runaway
`
`jury
`
`which
`
`did
`
`not
`
`draw
`
`reasonable
`
`conclusions
`
`about
`
`the
`
`relative
`
`fault
`
`of
`
`the
`
`parties
`
`and
`
`even
`
`after
`
`it
`
`found
`
`the
`
`Defendants'
`
`fully
`
`liable
`
`despite
`
`physical
`
`evidence
`
`to
`
`the
`
`contrary,
`
`did
`
`not
`
`accurately
`
`assess
`
`Plaintiff's
`
`pain
`
`and
`
`suffering.
`
`This
`
`jury's
`
`misperceptions
`
`were
`
`compounded
`
`when
`
`the Court
`
`would
`
`not
`
`allow
`
`the Defendants
`
`to
`
`counter
`
`instruct
`
`Plaintiff's
`
`version
`
`of
`
`the
`
`facts
`
`and
`
`failed
`
`to accurately
`
`them
`
`as to the
`
`law to apply
`
`to the
`
`facts.
`
`The
`
`astronomical
`
`damages
`
`award
`
`demands
`
`that
`
`the verdict
`
`be found
`
`"untoward,
`
`inordinate,
`
`unreasonable
`
`...
`
`outrageous
`
`...
`
`indicative
`
`of a runaway
`
`jury,
`
`one
`
`that
`
`lost
`
`its head-in
`
`its
`
`reflected
`
`resolution
`
`to so
`
`respond."
`
`Grunenthal
`
`v. Long
`
`Island
`
`R. Co.,
`
`393 U.S.
`
`156,
`
`160
`
`(1968).
`
`The
`
`jury
`
`award,
`
`$4 million
`
`for
`
`past
`
`pain
`
`and
`
`suffering
`
`(i.e.
`
`2015
`
`to date)
`
`and
`
`$12 million
`
`for
`
`three
`
`years
`
`of
`
`substantial
`
`future
`
`pain
`
`and
`
`suffering,
`
`is clearly
`
`excessive
`
`and requires
`
`a new trial
`
`or at a minimum,
`
`remittitur
`
`of
`
`the
`
`award
`
`the Court.
`
`by
`
`Even
`
`accepting
`
`Plaintiff's
`
`theory
`
`of
`
`liability,
`
`the
`
`award
`
`is completely
`
`disproportionate
`
`to
`
`the damages
`
`suffered
`
`in a relatively
`
`minor
`
`motor
`
`vehicle
`
`accident
`
`that
`
`occurred
`
`on January
`
`6, 2015.
`
`This
`
`is evident
`
`by
`
`the
`
`fact
`
`that
`
`Plaintiff
`
`refused
`
`medical
`
`attention
`
`immediately
`
`after
`
`the
`
`accident
`
`occurred
`
`and
`
`did
`
`not
`
`go to the
`
`hospital
`
`until
`
`approximately
`
`two
`
`weeks
`
`after
`
`the
`
`accident.
`
`In fact,
`
`after
`
`advice.
`
`Plaintiff
`
`only
`
`sought
`
`medical
`
`treatment
`
`from
`
`an orthopedic
`
`surgeon
`
`receiving
`
`legal
`
`What
`
`is more
`
`egregious
`
`is
`
`that
`
`she
`
`ignored
`
`the
`
`advice
`
`of
`
`her
`
`pain
`
`management
`
`doctor,
`
`Leon
`
`Reyfman,
`
`M.D.
`
`to be
`
`"patient"
`
`and
`
`allow
`
`the
`
`epidural
`
`injections
`
`to work
`
`and
`
`instead
`
`elected
`
`to
`
`proceed
`
`with
`
`a lumbar
`
`fusion
`
`surgery
`
`on April
`
`2, 2015,
`
`just
`
`a mere
`
`three months
`
`post-accident
`
`and
`
`three
`
`weeks
`
`after
`
`receiving
`
`an epidural
`
`injection.
`
`Plaintiff
`
`testified
`
`that
`
`she worked
`
`at
`
`the
`
`same
`
`9
`
`10 of 42
`
`

`

`FILED: BRONX COUNTY CLERK 08/22/2018 05:06 PM
`NYSCEF DOC. NO. 54
`
`INDEX NO. 25303/2015E
`
`RECEIVED NYSCEF: 08/22/2018
`
`job
`
`following
`
`the
`
`accident
`
`up until
`
`the
`
`time
`
`of her
`
`first
`
`surgery
`
`and
`
`is currently
`
`employed.
`
`(See
`
`Alterman
`
`Aff.,
`
`Ex. A, Tr.:
`
`596-600.)
`
`Plaintiff
`
`did
`
`not
`
`request
`
`any
`
`accommodations
`
`or
`
`restrictions
`
`during
`
`the
`
`three-month
`
`period
`
`that
`
`she worked
`
`approximately
`
`40 hours
`
`per week
`
`from
`
`January
`
`to
`
`April
`
`2015.
`
`Indeed,
`
`Plaintiff
`
`did
`
`not
`
`seek
`
`damages
`
`for
`
`lost
`
`earnings
`
`and
`
`never
`
`provided
`
`any
`
`testimony
`
`as to her
`
`a permanent
`
`disability.
`
`Her
`
`pain
`
`and
`
`arising
`
`out
`
`of
`
`two
`
`suffering
`
`suffering
`
`surgical
`
`proceedings,
`
`might
`
`have
`
`been
`
`entirely
`
`avoided
`
`had
`
`she
`
`heeded
`
`Dr.
`
`Reyfman's
`
`advice.
`
`Before
`
`proceeding
`
`with
`
`the second
`
`surgery
`
`on March
`
`1, 2016,
`
`Plaintiff
`
`did
`
`not
`
`seek
`
`treatment
`
`from
`
`her
`
`pain management
`
`doctor
`
`for
`
`an entire
`
`year.
`
`The
`
`$12 million
`
`award
`
`for
`
`future
`
`pain
`
`and
`
`suffering
`
`is also
`
`beyond
`
`shocking,
`
`in light
`
`of
`
`Plaintiff's
`
`counsel's
`
`failure
`
`to
`
`elicit
`
`any
`
`testimony
`
`that
`
`Plaintiff
`
`expected
`
`to undergo
`
`any
`
`future
`
`surgery.
`
`There
`
`was
`
`no
`
`from
`
`consider
`
`simply
`
`proof
`
`Plaintiff
`
`that
`
`she would
`
`undergoing
`
`future
`
`treatment
`
`or surgery.
`
`Instead,
`
`the
`
`credible
`
`evidence
`
`suggests
`
`that
`
`she had
`
`successfully
`
`recovered
`
`and
`
`did
`
`not
`
`require
`
`future
`
`treatment.
`
`The
`
`last
`
`time
`
`Plaintiff
`
`saw Dr. Reyfman
`
`was
`
`on May
`
`8, 2017
`
`and the
`
`last
`
`visit
`
`she had with
`
`her
`
`orthopedic
`
`surgeon,
`
`Vadim
`
`Lerman,
`
`was
`
`on June
`
`19, 2017.
`
`During
`
`the
`
`course
`
`of
`
`this
`
`three-week
`
`trial,
`
`Plaintiff
`
`was
`
`able
`
`to
`
`ambulate
`
`without
`
`the
`
`assistance
`
`device
`
`and
`
`that
`
`she is able
`
`to care
`
`for
`
`herself.
`
`What
`
`of any
`
`testified
`
`is telling
`
`as to her
`
`lack
`
`of pain,
`
`is that Plaintiff
`
`was
`
`able
`
`to sit
`
`in the
`
`courtroom
`
`for
`
`the
`
`entire
`
`trial,
`
`never
`
`requesting
`
`a
`
`break
`
`or
`
`interruption
`
`while
`
`she testified
`
`for more
`
`than
`
`one
`
`day.
`
`In
`
`determining
`
`whether
`
`a jury
`
`award
`
`is excessive,
`
`the Court
`
`must
`
`evaluate
`
`whether
`
`the
`
`award
`
`"deviates
`
`materially
`
`from
`
`what
`
`would
`
`be reasonable
`
`compêñsation."
`
`See CPLR
`
`§ 5501(c);
`
`Donlon
`
`v. City
`
`of New York,
`
`284 A.D.2d
`
`13,
`
`14 (1st Dep't
`
`2001).1
`
`In making
`
`such
`
`an evaluation,
`
`__
`1Although
`everturñ
`Ammetri
`
`set forth
`the standard
`damage
`a jury's
`verdict,
`Index No. 26419/1999,
`
`the Appellate
`addresses
`in CPLR 5501(c)
`Division's
`expressly
`deviation"
`its "material
`standard
`has been adopted
`by the trial
`2004 WL 354208,
`at *2 (Sup. Ct. Bronx Cty. Feb. 16, 2004)
`
`authority
`courts.
`("Although
`
`to
`v.
`See Allen
`CPLR §
`
`10
`
`11 of 42
`
`

`

`FILED: BRONX COUNTY CLERK 08/22/2018 05:06 PM
`NYSCEF DOC. NO. 54
`
`INDEX NO. 25303/2015E
`
`RECEIVED NYSCEF: 08/22/2018
`
`courts
`
`are required
`
`to look
`
`at awards
`
`in comparable
`
`cases.
`
`See id. at 16-19;
`
`Morsette
`
`v.
`
`"The
`
`Final
`
`Call,
`
`", 309 A.D.2d
`
`249,
`
`256
`
`(1st Dep't
`
`2003)
`
`("In
`
`order
`
`for
`
`us to determine
`
`whether
`
`the
`
`award
`
`this matter
`
`'deviates
`
`materially
`
`from
`
`what
`
`would
`
`be reasonable
`
`compensation,'
`
`we
`
`are required
`
`in
`
`to
`
`review
`
`awards
`
`approved
`
`in similar
`
`cases,
`
`while
`
`mindful
`
`of
`
`the
`
`fact
`
`that
`
`personal
`
`injury
`
`awards,
`
`opinions
`
`which
`
`are formulated
`
`without
`
`the
`
`especially
`
`those
`
`for
`
`pain
`
`and
`
`suffering,
`
`are subjective
`
`availability,
`
`or
`
`guidance,
`
`of
`
`precise
`
`mathematical
`
`quantification.")
`
`(internal
`
`citations
`
`omitted);
`
`Allen
`
`v. Amzoski,
`
`2004 WL 354208,
`
`at
`
`*2 (Sup
`
`Ct., Bronx
`
`Cty.,
`
`Feb.
`
`16, 2004).
`
`The
`
`$16 million
`
`award
`
`by
`
`this
`
`jury
`
`award
`
`is even
`
`excessive
`
`in cases where
`
`plaintiffs
`
`suffer
`
`from
`
`terminal
`
`illnesses,
`
`for
`
`example,
`
`as a result
`
`of
`
`asbestos
`
`exposure.
`
`Recent
`
`decisions
`
`which
`
`where
`
`plaintiffs
`
`suffered
`
`from
`
`mesothelioma
`
`have
`
`sustained
`
`address
`
`the measure
`
`of
`
`damages
`
`awards
`
`of $3.5 million,
`
`Penn
`
`v. Amchem
`
`Products,
`
`85 AD3d
`
`475
`
`(1st Dep't
`
`2011);
`
`$3 million
`
`and
`
`$4.5 million
`
`respectively
`
`for
`
`plaintiffs
`
`Noah
`
`Pride
`
`and Bernard
`
`Mayer,
`
`In re New York
`
`Asbestos
`
`Litigation
`
`(Marshall),
`
`28 AD3d
`
`255
`
`(1st Dep't
`
`2006).
`
`In two
`
`decisions
`
`issued
`
`in December
`
`2011,
`
`where
`
`plaintiff
`
`developed
`
`lung
`
`cancer
`
`from
`
`exposure
`
`to asbestos,
`
`the
`
`trial
`
`court
`
`sustained
`
`awards
`
`of
`
`In
`
`re New York
`
`Asbestos
`
`Litigation
`
`Index
`
`No.
`
`100490/99
`
`(Sup.
`
`$8 million,
`
`City
`
`(McCarthy),
`
`Ct., NY Cty.,
`
`2011),
`
`and
`
`$6 million,
`
`In re New York
`
`City
`
`Asbestos
`
`Litigation
`
`(Koczur),
`
`Index
`
`No.
`
`122340/99
`
`(Sup.
`
`Ct., N.Y.
`
`Cty.,
`
`2011).
`
`An example
`
`of
`
`the
`
`pain
`
`and
`
`suffering
`
`plaintiffs
`
`experience
`
`in asbestos
`
`related
`
`cases
`
`is as
`
`follows:
`
`plaintiff,
`
`Konstatin,
`
`had
`
`six weeks
`
`of
`
`radiation
`
`and two
`
`courses
`
`of chemotherapy
`
`and was
`
`only
`
`given
`
`a 1-2 year
`
`life
`
`expectancy
`
`to survive
`
`the
`
`cancer.
`
`Konstantin
`
`v. 630
`
`Third
`
`Ave. Assocs.,
`
`to overturn
`Division's
`the Appellate
`addresses
`its "material
`damage verdict,
`a jury's
`authority
`5501(c)
`expressly
`deviation"
`2009 WL 32747,
`v. City of New York, No. 108756/04,
`courts."); Moller
`has been applied
`to trial
`standard
`at *2 (Sup. Ct. NY Cty. Jan. 7, 2009)
`this is the basis by which
`an Appellate
`Court
`decides whether
`("Because
`to
`the conscience"
`on damages,
`the trial
`courts have largely
`uphold
`a trial
`court's
`verdict
`abandoned
`the "shocks
`of CPLR § 5501.").
`standard
`and have also adopted
`the standard
`
`11
`
`12 of 42
`
`

`

`FILED: BRONX COUNTY CLERK 08/22/2018 05:06 PM
`NYSCEF DOC. NO. 54
`
`INDEX NO. 25303/2015E
`
`RECEIVED NYSCEF: 08/22/2018
`
`2012 WL 4748316,
`
`at
`
`*15
`
`(Sup.
`
`Ct., NY Cty.,
`
`Sept.
`
`20,
`
`2012),
`
`affd
`
`sub
`
`nom.
`
`In re New York
`
`City
`
`Asbestos
`
`Litigation.,
`
`121 A.D.3d
`
`230
`
`(1st Dep't
`
`2014),
`
`affd,
`
`59 N.E.3d
`
`1197
`
`(2016),
`
`and affd,
`
`59
`
`N.E.3d
`
`458
`
`(2016).
`
`Konstantin
`
`testified
`
`that
`
`the radiation
`
`treatments
`
`burned
`
`his back
`
`and affected
`
`his
`
`throat
`
`and
`
`intestines
`
`and the
`
`chemotherapy
`
`treatment
`
`caused
`
`nausea,
`
`confusion,
`
`groin
`
`pain
`
`and
`
`shortness
`
`of breath.
`
`Id. He
`
`also
`
`testified
`
`that
`
`he received
`
`injections
`
`of anesthesia
`
`in his
`
`groin
`
`and
`
`took
`
`pain
`
`which
`
`resulted
`
`in
`
`other
`
`side
`
`effects.
`
`Id.
`
`Konstantin's
`
`narcotic
`
`drugs
`
`for
`
`breakthrough
`
`further
`
`medical
`
`treatment
`
`included
`
`a biopsy,
`
`procedures
`
`to drain
`
`fluid
`
`from
`
`his
`
`lungs
`
`to address
`
`and
`
`a disease-related
`
`hernia
`
`to remedy
`
`scarring
`
`from
`
`his
`
`previous
`
`surgeries,
`
`and
`
`a second
`
`course
`
`of
`
`chemotherapy.
`
`Id. As
`
`a result
`
`of
`
`the
`
`disease
`
`and
`
`treatment,
`
`Konstantin
`
`testified
`
`that
`
`he
`
`slept
`
`most
`
`of
`
`the
`
`day,
`
`was
`
`unable
`
`to work,
`
`needed
`
`a cane
`
`to walk,
`
`and was
`
`unable
`
`to participate
`
`in
`
`activities
`
`he
`
`previously
`
`enjoyed
`
`including
`
`community
`
`events.
`
`Evidence
`
`indicated
`
`that
`
`as
`
`the
`
`disease
`
`the cancer
`
`will
`
`lymph
`
`and
`
`he will
`
`progressed,
`
`spread
`
`to his groin,
`
`nodes,
`
`chest,
`
`lose weight
`
`and muscle
`
`mass
`
`and will
`
`be unable
`
`to fight
`
`infection
`
`and
`
`eventually
`
`pass
`
`away
`
`from
`
`the
`
`disease
`
`in
`
`one
`
`to
`
`two
`
`years.
`
`Id.
`
`Notwithstanding
`
`this
`
`testimony,
`
`the motion
`
`by
`
`defendant
`
`Tishman
`
`Liquidating
`
`Corporation
`
`to set aside
`
`the
`
`verdict
`
`was
`
`granted
`
`to the
`
`extent
`
`of
`
`vacating
`
`the
`
`awards
`
`of $7 million
`
`for past
`
`pain
`
`and
`
`suffering
`
`and
`
`$12 million
`
`for
`
`future
`
`pain
`
`and
`
`suffering
`
`as excessive,
`
`and
`
`ordering
`
`a new trial
`
`on the
`
`issue
`
`of damages
`
`unless
`
`plaintiff
`
`stipulated
`
`to reduce
`
`the awards
`
`to
`
`$3.5 million
`
`for
`
`pain
`
`suffering.
`
`$4.5 million
`
`for
`
`past
`
`pain
`
`and
`
`suffering
`
`and
`
`future
`
`and
`
`Id.
`
`at
`
`*17.
`
`Here,
`
`in contrast,
`
`the testimony
`
`elicited
`
`from Plaintiff
`
`revealed
`
`that
`
`she is a mobile,
`
`healthy
`
`individual
`
`in
`
`no
`
`distress
`
`and
`
`able
`
`to work.
`
`The
`
`slight
`
`effect
`
`of
`
`the
`
`alleged
`
`injuries
`
`Plaintiff
`
`sustained
`
`as a result
`
`of
`
`the motor
`
`vehicle
`
`accident
`
`is best
`
`evidenced
`
`in
`
`the Montefiore
`
`Moses
`
`Emergency
`
`Department
`
`records
`
`wherein
`
`Plaintiff's
`
`physical
`
`exmaination
`
`was
`
`all within
`
`normal
`
`limits,
`
`her
`
`neck
`
`was
`
`described
`
`as supple
`
`(i.e.
`
`no restrictions),
`
`and
`
`the
`
`x-rays
`
`taken
`
`of her
`
`cervical
`
`12
`
`13 of 42
`
`

`

`FILED: BRONX COUNTY CLERK 08/22/2018 05:06 PM
`NYSCEF DOC. NO. 54
`
`INDEX NO. 25303/2015E
`
`RECEIVED NYSCEF: 08/22/2018
`
`spine
`
`were
`
`all
`
`normal.
`
`See Alterman
`
`Aff.,
`
`Ex.
`
`B. While
`
`no
`
`two
`
`cases
`
`are
`
`identical,
`
`there
`
`are
`
`multiple
`
`cases
`
`presented
`
`below
`
`wherein
`
`plaintiffs
`
`with
`
`compara'cle
`
`injuries
`
`were
`
`awarded
`
`far
`
`less
`
`for
`
`past
`
`and
`
`future
`
`pain
`
`and
`
`suffering
`
`(and where
`
`future
`
`pain
`
`and
`
`suffering
`
`was
`
`calculated
`
`over
`
`a
`
`far
`
`longer
`
`period
`
`of
`
`time
`
`than
`
`the three
`
`years
`
`in this matter).
`
`Moreover,
`
`in many
`
`of
`
`the
`
`cases
`
`cited
`
`below,
`
`where
`
`the jury
`
`awards
`
`were
`
`far
`
`less
`
`than what
`
`was
`
`provided
`
`for
`
`here,
`
`the plaintiffs
`
`claimed
`
`to work.
`
`to have
`
`suffered
`
`permanent
`
`disabilities
`
`or
`
`impairments
`
`that
`
`prevented
`
`them from returning
`
`In Ramos
`
`v. New
`
`York City
`
`Transit
`
`Auth.,
`
`935 N.Y.S.2d
`
`6, 8 (1st Dep't
`
`2011),
`
`the
`
`appellate
`
`court
`
`found
`
`that
`
`"the
`
`evidence
`
`showed
`
`that
`
`as a result
`
`of
`
`the
`
`accident,
`
`plaintiff,
`
`who
`
`was
`
`59 years
`
`old
`
`at
`
`the
`
`time,
`
`sustained
`
`multiple
`
`disc
`
`herniations
`
`in his
`
`lumbar
`
`spine,
`
`and
`
`four
`
`years
`
`after
`
`the
`
`accident
`
`underwent
`
`a combined
`
`discectomy,
`
`laminectomy
`
`and
`
`spinal
`
`fusion
`
`of his
`
`lumbar
`
`spine,
`
`with
`
`insertion
`
`of metal
`
`plates
`
`and
`
`which
`
`did
`
`not
`
`provide
`
`relief."
`
`There
`
`the
`
`court
`
`held
`
`that
`
`screws,
`
`awards
`
`of
`
`$270,000
`
`for
`
`past
`
`pain
`
`and
`
`suffering
`
`and
`
`$325,000
`
`for
`
`future
`
`pain
`
`and
`
`suffering
`
`over
`
`nine
`
`years
`
`did
`
`not
`
`deviate
`
`materially
`
`from
`
`what
`
`would
`
`be reasonable
`
`compensation.
`
`In Stewart
`
`v. New York
`
`City
`
`Transit
`
`Auth.,
`
`82 A.D.3d
`
`438,
`
`440-41
`
`(1st Dep't
`
`2011),
`
`the
`
`appellate
`
`court
`
`found
`
`that where
`
`plaintiff
`
`underwent
`
`a cervical
`
`fusion,
`
`a lumbar
`
`fusion,
`
`the surgical
`
`implantation
`
`of pump
`
`medication
`
`to plaintiff's
`
`legs,
`
`and where
`
`plaintiff
`
`could
`
`no longer
`
`work
`
`due
`
`to his
`
`injuries,
`
`and reported
`
`constant
`
`pain
`
`in his
`
`lower
`
`back
`
`that
`
`radiated
`
`down
`
`both
`
`legs,
`
`an award
`
`pain
`
`of
`
`$2 million
`
`for
`
`past
`
`pain
`
`and
`
`suffering
`
`and
`
`$2.7 million
`
`for
`
`future
`
`and
`
`suffering
`
`over
`
`20
`
`years
`
`did
`
`not materially
`
`deviate
`
`from
`
`reasonable
`
`awards.
`
`In Lifshits
`
`v. Variety
`
`Poly
`
`Bags,
`
`5 A.D.3d
`
`566,
`
`566-67
`
`(2d Dep't
`
`2004),
`
`the
`
`court
`
`held
`
`that
`
`where
`
`plaintiff
`
`underwent
`
`a spinal
`
`fusion
`
`surgery,
`
`the jury
`
`award
`
`for
`
`future
`
`pain
`
`and
`
`suffering
`
`of
`
`$825,000
`
`was
`
`excessive
`
`(reducing
`
`it
`
`to $500,000)
`
`and
`
`that
`
`the
`
`$200,000
`
`award
`
`for
`
`past
`
`pain
`
`and
`
`suffering
`
`did
`
`not
`
`deviate
`
`materially
`
`from
`
`what
`
`would
`
`be reasonable
`
`compensation.
`
`13
`
`14 of 42
`
`

`

`FILED: BRONX COUNTY CLERK 08/22/2018 05:06 PM
`NYSCEF DOC. NO. 54
`
`INDEX NO. 25303/2015E
`
`RECEIVED NYSCEF: 08/22/2018
`
`In Conlon
`
`v. Foley,
`
`73 A.D.3d
`
`836,
`
`837-38
`
`(2d Dep't
`
`2010),
`
`the
`
`plaintiff
`
`sustained
`
`two
`
`herniated
`
`discs,
`
`which
`
`were
`
`deemed
`
`to
`
`be
`
`causally
`
`related
`
`to
`
`her
`
`automobile
`
`accident.
`
`She
`
`ultimately
`
`underwent
`
`a spinal
`
`laminectomy
`
`and
`
`fusion
`
`and was
`
`able
`
`to work
`
`full-time,
`
`although
`
`she
`
`testified
`
`that
`
`her
`
`pain
`
`never
`
`went
`
`away
`
`completely
`
`and
`
`that
`
`she
`
`received
`
`regular
`
`epidural
`
`injections
`
`relief.
`
`The
`
`court
`
`found
`
`that
`
`the
`
`award
`
`for
`
`past
`
`pain
`
`and
`
`in the
`
`for
`
`pain
`
`jury
`
`suffering
`
`principal
`
`sum of $5,000,000
`
`was
`
`excessive,
`
`and
`
`that
`
`reducing
`
`the
`
`award
`
`to $700,000
`
`"would
`
`not
`
`deviate
`
`materially
`
`from
`
`what
`
`would
`
`be reasonable
`
`compensation."
`
`Id
`
`In addition
`
`to the
`
`aforementioned
`
`appellate
`
`decisions,
`
`the
`
`following
`
`jury
`
`awards
`
`illustrate
`
`the
`
`range
`
`of
`
`jury
`
`awards
`
`that
`
`have
`
`been made
`
`in comparable
`
`cases:
`
`In Alvarez
`
`v. CMS Transportation
`
`Inc.,
`
`et al.,
`
`0027335/2011,
`
`2014 WL 7463355
`
`(Sup.
`
`Ct.
`
`Queens
`
`Cty.
`
`Nov.
`
`21,
`
`2014),
`
`the
`
`plaintiff,
`
`a 46-year-old
`
`male,
`
`sustained
`
`injuries
`
`from
`
`an
`
`at L4-Sl
`
`automobile
`
`accident
`
`that
`
`included
`
`disc
`
`herniations
`
`at C4-C6,
`
`disc
`
`herniations
`
`that were
`
`treated
`
`with
`
`lumbar
`
`fusion,
`
`laminectomy
`
`and discectomy,
`
`cervical
`
`and
`
`lumbosacral
`
`radiculopathy,
`
`and
`
`a partial
`
`supraspinatus
`
`tear
`
`of
`
`the
`
`left
`
`shoulder.
`
`The
`
`jury
`
`awarded
`
`plaintiff
`
`$50,000
`
`for
`
`his
`
`past
`
`pain
`
`and
`
`suffering
`
`and
`
`$400,000
`
`for
`
`his
`
`future
`
`pain
`
`and
`
`suffering.
`
`In De
`
`La Cruz
`
`v. Berroa,
`
`et. al,
`
`0305827/2009,
`
`2015 WL 10569707
`
`(Sup.
`
`Ct. Bronx
`
`Cty.
`
`Oct.
`
`2, 2015),
`
`plaintiff
`
`suffered
`
`the following
`
`injuries
`
`arising
`
`from an automobile
`
`accident:
`
`cervical
`
`disc
`
`protrusions
`
`and
`
`bulging
`
`with
`
`radiculopathy
`
`and
`
`stenosis
`
`necessitating
`
`discectomy
`
`and
`
`fusion
`
`surgery;
`
`lumbar
`
`disc
`
`herniation
`
`leading
`
`to radiculopathy;
`
`cartilage
`
`and
`
`ligament
`
`damage
`
`to her
`
`right
`
`knee
`
`which
`
`required
`
`arthroscopic
`
`surgery;
`
`and
`
`a slap
`
`tear
`
`and
`
`ligament
`
`damage
`
`to her
`
`right
`
`shoulder
`
`which
`
`required
`
`arthroscopic
`
`debridement
`
`and
`
`distal
`
`clavicle
`
`resection,
`
`all
`
`of which
`
`left
`
`her
`
`permanently
`
`impaired.
`
`The
`
`jury
`
`awarded
`
`plaintiff
`
`$1,000,000
`
`in past
`
`and
`
`future
`
`pain
`
`and
`
`suffering
`
`damages.
`
`14
`
`15 of 42
`
`

`

`FILED: BRONX COUNTY CLERK 08/22/2018 05:06 PM
`NYSCEF DOC. NO. 54
`
`INDEX NO. 25303/2015E
`
`RECEIVED NYSCEF: 08/22/2018
`
`In Tammy
`
`Jones
`
`v. Ann-Gur
`
`Realty
`
`Corp.,
`
`et. al, No.
`
`18061/06,
`
`2009 WL 2385215
`
`(Sup.
`
`Ct. Bronx
`
`Cty.
`
`June
`
`17, 2009),
`
`plaintiff
`
`smtained
`
`multi-level
`
`cervical
`
`and
`
`lumbar
`
`disc
`
`herniations.
`
`Plaintiff
`
`ultimately
`
`underwent
`
`an L4-5
`
`and
`
`L5-S1
`
`spinal
`
`fusion
`
`surgery
`
`with
`
`two
`
`rods
`
`and
`
`pedicle
`
`screw
`
`fixation
`
`from
`
`L4 to the
`
`sacrum.
`
`Plaintiff
`
`sought
`
`recovery
`
`for
`
`her past medical
`
`expenses
`
`and
`
`for
`
`her
`
`past
`
`and
`
`future
`
`pain
`
`and
`
`suffering.
`
`The
`
`jury
`
`awarded
`
`plaintiff
`
`$585,000
`
`in damages.
`
`Ulerio
`
`No.
`
`In Ramona
`
`v. New York
`
`Transit
`
`Authority,
`
`23888/03,
`
`2007 WL 4247102
`
`(Sup.
`
`Ct. Bronx
`
`Cty. Oct.
`
`25,
`
`2007),
`
`the plaintiff
`
`alleged
`
`that
`
`as a result
`
`of
`
`the
`
`subject
`
`accident,
`
`she had
`
`to undergo
`
`a discectomy
`
`and
`
`laminectomy
`
`at both
`
`the
`
`L4-5
`
`and
`
`L5-S1
`
`levels,
`
`followed
`
`by
`
`fusion
`
`surgery
`
`to the
`
`L5-S1
`
`level.
`
`Plaintiff
`
`also
`
`alleged
`
`that
`
`she continues
`
`to require
`
`epidural
`
`injections.
`
`Plaintiff
`
`sought
`
`recovery
`
`for
`
`her
`
`past
`
`and
`
`future
`
`pain
`
`and
`
`suffering
`
`and
`
`past
`
`and
`
`future
`
`medical
`
`expenses.
`
`awarded
`
`which
`
`was
`
`The jury
`
`plaintiff
`
`$1.5 million,
`
`offset
`
`(as a result
`
`of a liability
`
`split)
`
`to a net
`
`award
`
`of $1.05
`
`million.
`
`In Haulotte
`
`v. Chemical
`
`Bank,
`
`102687,
`
`1997 WL 851020
`
`(Sup.
`
`Ct. NY Cty.
`
`Jan.
`
`1994),
`
`the
`
`plaintiff,
`
`a 35-year
`
`old male,
`
`suffered
`
`two
`
`herniated
`
`discs
`
`and
`
`aggravation
`
`of
`
`spinal
`
`stenosis,
`
`resulting
`
`in a lumbar
`
`discectomy
`
`and
`
`fusion,
`
`and
`
`an inability
`
`to return
`
`to work.
`
`The
`
`jury
`
`awarded
`
`plaintiff
`
`$1,000,000
`
`in pain
`
`and
`
`suffering.
`
`In Eberle
`
`v. Boeschl,
`
`et. al, No.
`
`106528/11,
`
`2017 WL 1787842
`
`(Sup.
`
`Ct. NY Cty.
`
`Feb.
`
`7,
`
`the
`
`a 32-year-old
`
`suffered
`
`several
`
`cervical
`
`and
`
`thoracic
`
`2017),
`
`plaintiff,
`
`female,
`
`compression
`
`fractures
`
`and
`
`a cervical
`
`herniation
`
`that would
`
`probably
`
`require
`
`surgery
`
`in the
`
`future.
`
`Plaintiff
`
`also
`
`underwent
`
`a lumbar
`
`fusion,
`
`and was
`
`unable
`
`to continue
`
`working
`
`despite
`
`attempts
`
`to do so.
`
`The
`
`jury
`
`awarded
`
`$631,750
`
`fo