`NYSCEF DOC. NO. 7
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`
`INDEX NO. 2023-54954
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`RECEIVED NYSCEF: 03/28/2024
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`SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK
`COUNTY OF DUTCHESS
`-----------------------------------------------------------------------X
`ELDA PANCIONE, as Executrix of the Estate of
`ANTHONY F. PANCIONE, and ELDA PANCIONE,
`Individually,
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Index No.: 2023-54954
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`VERIFIED ANSWER
`
`Plaintiffs,
`
`
`
`against
`
`
`ATLANTICARE MANAGEMENT, L.L.C., d/b/a
`PUTNAM RIDGE NURSING HOME, AMBULNZ
`NY 2, LLC, and BREWSTER SOUTHEAST EMS,
`INC.,
`
`
`Defendants.
`-----------------------------------------------------------------------X
`
`
`Defendant AMBULNZ NY 2, LLC, by its attorneys, HEIDELL, PITTONI,
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`MURPHY & BACH, LLP, upon information and belief, answers the Verified Complaint herein
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`as follows:
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`AS AND FOR A FIRST CAUSE OF ACTION
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`FIRST: Denies knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the
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`allegations contained in the paragraphs of the Verified Complaint designated “FIRST” through
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`“SEVENTIETH”.
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`AS AND FOR A SECOND CAUSE OF ACTION
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`SECOND: Denies knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the
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`allegations contained in the paragraphs of the Verified Complaint designated “SEVENTY-
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`FIRST” through “EITHTY-SEVENTH”.
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`2872175.1
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`FILED: DUTCHESS COUNTY CLERK 03/28/2024 12:07 PM
`NYSCEF DOC. NO. 7
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`INDEX NO. 2023-54954
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`RECEIVED NYSCEF: 03/28/2024
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`AS AND FOR A THIRD CAUSE OF ACTION
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`THIRD: Denies knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the
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`allegations contained in the paragraphs of the Verified Complaint designated “EIGHTY-
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`EIGHTH” through “NINTY-EIGHTH”.
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`AS AND FOR A FOURTH CAUSE OF ACTION
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`FOURTH: Denies knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the
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`allegations contained in the paragraphs of the Verified Complaint designated “NINETY-
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`NINTH” through “ONE HUNDRED FOURTEENTH”.
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`AS AND FOR A FIFTH CAUSE OF ACTION
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`FIFTH: Denies knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the
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`allegations contained in the paragraphs of the Verified Complaint designated “ONE HUNDRED
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`FIFTEENTH”.
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`SIXTH: Denies the allegations contained in the paragraphs of the Verified
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`Complaint designated “ONE HUNDRED SIXTEENTH” except admits that Defendant
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`AMBULNZ NY 2, L.L.C., maintains a place of business in the State of New York, County of
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`Albany, located at 187 Wolf Road, Albany NY 12205, and begs leave to refer all questions of
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`law to the court and all questions of fact to the trier thereof.
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`SEVENTH: Denies knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the
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`allegations contained in the paragraph of the Verified Complaint designated “ONE HUNDRED
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`SEVENTEENTH”
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`2872175.1
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`2 of 12
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`FILED: DUTCHESS COUNTY CLERK 03/28/2024 12:07 PM
`NYSCEF DOC. NO. 7
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`INDEX NO. 2023-54954
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`RECEIVED NYSCEF: 03/28/2024
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`EIGHTH: Denies the allegations contained in the paragraphs of the Verified
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`Complaint designated “ONE HUNDRED EIGHTEENTH” through “ONE HUNDRED
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`THIRTY-FOURTH”, except admits that AMBULNZ NY 2, L.L.C. is a foreign limited liability
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`company, and otherwise denies knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the
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`allegations within these paragraphs and begs leave to refer all questions of law to the court and
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`all questions of fact to the trier thereof.
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`NINTH: Denies knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the
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`allegations contained in the paragraphs of the Verified Complaint designated “ONE HUNDRED
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`THIRTY-FIFTH” “ONE HUNDRED FIFTY-FIRST”.
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`TENTH: Denies knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the
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`allegations contained in the paragraphs of the Verified Complaint designated “ONE HUNDRED
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`FIFTY SECOND” through “ONE HUNDRED FIFTY-FIFTH” and otherwise begs leave to refer
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`all questions of law to the court and all questions of fact to the trier thereof.
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`ELEVENTH: Denies the allegations contained in the paragraphs of the Verified
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`Complaint designated “ONE HUNDRED FIFTY-SIXTH” through “ONE HUNDRED FIFTY-
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`NINTH” and otherwise begs leave to refer all questions of law to the court and all questions of
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`fact to the trier thereof.
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`AS AND TO A SIXTH CAUSE OF ACTION
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`TWELFTH: Answering the paragraph of the Verified Complaint designated
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`“ONE HUNDRED SIXTIETH” Defendant repeats and realleges each and every denial and
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`admission in answer to the paragraphs of the Verified Complaint designated “FIRST” through
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`“ONE HUNDRED SIXTIETH” with the same force and effect as if herein set forth at length.
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`THIRTEENTH: Denies the allegations contained in the paragraphs of the
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`Verified Complaint designated “ONE HUNDRED SIXTY-FIRST” through “ONE HUNDRED
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`2872175.1
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`3 of 12
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`FILED: DUTCHESS COUNTY CLERK 03/28/2024 12:07 PM
`NYSCEF DOC. NO. 7
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`INDEX NO. 2023-54954
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`RECEIVED NYSCEF: 03/28/2024
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`SIXTY-FOURTH” and otherwise begs leave to refer all questions of law to the court and all
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`questions of fact to the trier thereof.
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`AS AND TO A SEVENTH CAUSE OF ACTION
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`FOURTEENTH: Answering the paragraph of the Verified Complaint designated
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`“ONE HUNDRED SIXTY-FIFTH” Defendant repeats and realleges each and every denial and
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`admission in answer to the paragraphs of the Verified Complaint designated “FIRST” through
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`“ONE HUNDRED SIXTY-FOURTH” with the same force and effect as if herein set forth at
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`length.
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`FIFTEENTH: Denies the allegations contained in the paragraphs of the Verified
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`Complaint designated “ONE HUNDRED SIXTY-SIXTH”, ONE HUNDRED SIXTY-EIGHTH”
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`and “ONE HUNDRED SIXTY-NINTH” and otherwise begs leave to refer all questions of law to
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`the court and all questions of fact to the trier thereof.
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`SIXTEENTH: Denies knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to
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`the allegations contained in the paragraphs of the Verified Complaint designated “ONE
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`HUNDRED SIXTY-SEVENTH” and otherwise begs leave to refer all questions of law to the
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`court and all questions of fact to the trier thereof.
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`AS AND TO AN EIGHTH CAUSE OF ACTION
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`SEVENTEENTH: Answering the paragraph of the Verified Complaint
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`designated “ONE HUNDRED SEVENTIETH” Defendant repeats and realleges each and every
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`denial and admission in answer to the paragraphs of the Verified Complaint designated “FIRST”
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`through “ONE HUNDRED SIXTY-NINTH” with the same force and effect as if herein set forth
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`at length.
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`EIGHTEENTH: Denies knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as
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`to the allegations contained in the paragraphs of the Verified Complaint designated “ONE
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`2872175.1
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`4 of 12
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`FILED: DUTCHESS COUNTY CLERK 03/28/2024 12:07 PM
`NYSCEF DOC. NO. 7
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`INDEX NO. 2023-54954
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`RECEIVED NYSCEF: 03/28/2024
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`HUNDRED SEVENTY-FIRST” and otherwise begs leave to refer all questions of law to the
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`court and all questions of fact to the trier thereof.
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`NINETEENTH: Denies the allegations contained in the paragraphs of the
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`Verified Complaint designated “ONE HUNDRED SEVENTY-SECOND” and “ONE
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`HUNDRED SEVENTY-THIRD” and otherwise begs leave to refer all questions of law to the
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`court and all questions of fact to the trier thereof.
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`TWENTIETH: All paragraphs not responded to are herein deemed denied.
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`FOR A FIRST DEFENSE
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`TWENTY-FIRST: That this action was not commenced against Defendant until
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`after the expiration of the time period specified in the applicable statute of limitations and any
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`recovery based on the alleged causes of action herein is barred.
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`FOR A SECOND DEFENSE
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`TWENTY-SECOND: That whatever damages may have been sustained at the
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`time and place alleged in the Verified Complaint by Plaintiffs were caused, in whole or in part,
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`by the culpable conduct of the Plaintiffs and without any negligence on the part of Defendant.
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`Damages, if any, are to be diminished proportionally to the culpable conduct of the Plaintiffs.
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`FOR A THIRD DEFENSE
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`TWENTY-THIRD: That as to the cause of action set forth in the Verified
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`Complaint based upon alleged failure to obtain an informed consent, Defendant pleads the
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`defenses in Public Health Law, §2805-d.
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`FOR A FOURTH DEFENSE
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`TWENTY-FOURTH: That the equitable share of liability, if any, of Defendant,
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`AMBULNZ NY 2, L.L.C., shall be determined pursuant to the provisions of Article 16 of the
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`CPLR.
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`2872175.1
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`5 of 12
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`FILED: DUTCHESS COUNTY CLERK 03/28/2024 12:07 PM
`NYSCEF DOC. NO. 7
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`INDEX NO. 2023-54954
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`RECEIVED NYSCEF: 03/28/2024
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`FOR A FIFTH DEFENSE
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`TWENTY-FIFTH: That one or more causes of action in the Verified Complaint
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`fails to state a cause of action upon which relief may be granted.
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`FOR A SIXTH DEFENSE
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`TWENTY-SIXTH: That this Defendant reserves the right to amend its answers
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`and/or affirmative defenses that may be determined applicable in the future by discovery in this
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`matter.
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`FOR A SEVENTH DEFENSE
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`TWENTY-SEVENTH: To the extent Plaintiffs release or otherwise settle with
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`any other person/entity relative to the alleged injuries/damages in this action, the answering
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`Defendant will be entitled to have any claim for damages asserted against it reduced to the extent
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`permitted by operation of New York General Obligations Law Section 15-108 or any other
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`applicable law.
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`FOR A EIGHTH DEFENSE
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`TWENTY-EIGHTH: Plaintiffs have failed to mitigate their alleged damages
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`claimed herein.
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`FOR A NINTH DEFENSE
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`TWENTY-NINTH: The amount of alleged damages claimed by Plaintiffs should
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`be reduced pursuant to CPLR § 4545 to the extent of any collateral source benefits, remuneration
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`or compensation received.
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`FOR A TENTH DEFENSE
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`THIRTIETH: That the care rendered to the Plaintiffs at issue in this case by the
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`Defendant was impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak and in support of the State’s directives and,
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`2872175.1
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`6 of 12
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`NYSCEF DOC. NO. 7
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`INDEX NO. 2023-54954
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`RECEIVED NYSCEF: 03/28/2024
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`therefore, the Defendant is immune from liability under Article 30-D of the Public Health Law as
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`it existed at the time care was rendered to the patient at issue in this case.
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`FOR A ELEVENTH DEFENSE
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`THIRTY-FIRST: The Defendant is immune from liability for the acts, omissions
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`and injuries alleged in the Verified Complaint, pursuant to Executive Order (A. Cuomo) 2020 et
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`seq. (N.Y. Comp. Codes R & Regs. tit. 9. §8.202 et seq.), including but not limited to Executive
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`Order (A. Cuomo) 202.10 (N.Y. Comp. Codes R & Regs. tit. 9. §8.202.10 et seq.), and/or Article
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`30-D of the Public Health Law and/or pursuant to the United States Public Readiness and
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`Emergency Preparedness (“PREP”) Act (42 U.S.C.A. §247d-6d et seq.) and/or the Coronavirus
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`Aid Relief, and Economic Security (“CARES”) Act of 2020, §4113c (42 U.S.C.A. §247d-
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`6d[i][1], as added by Pub. L. 116-136, 116 U.S. Stat. 3548).
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`FOR A TWELFTH DEFENSE
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`THIRTY-SECOND: The court lacks jurisdiction over the subject matter of
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`Plaintiffs’ claim and the state law claims must be dismisses, as they are preempted by the United
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`States Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness (“PREP”) Act of 2020, §4113c (42
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`U.S.C.A. §247d-6d[i][1], as added by Pub. L. 116-136, 116 U.S. Stat. 3548).
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`FOR A THIRTEENTH DEFENSE
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`THIRTY-THIRD: The court does not have jurisdiction of the person of the
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`Defendant because Defendant was not properly served with a copy of the summons and Verified
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`Complaint.
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`FOR A FOURTEENTH DEFENSE
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`THIRTY-FOURTH: That the Verified Complaint was served in contravention of
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`CPLR §3012-a and therefore the action is a nullity.
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`2872175.1
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`7 of 12
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`FILED: DUTCHESS COUNTY CLERK 03/28/2024 12:07 PM
`NYSCEF DOC. NO. 7
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`INDEX NO. 2023-54954
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`RECEIVED NYSCEF: 03/28/2024
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`WHEREFORE, Defendant AMBULNZ NY 2, L.L.C. demands judgment
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`dismissing the Verified Complaint herein, together with the costs and disbursements of this
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`action.
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`Dated: White Plains, New York
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`March 28, 2024
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`By:
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`Yours, etc.,
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`HEIDELL, PITTONI, MURPHY & BACH, LLP
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`
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`______________________________
`JENNIFER J. BENNICE
`81 Main Street
`White Plains, New York 10601
`(914) 559-3100
`jbennice@hpmb.com
`
`Attorneys for Defendant
`AMBULNZ NY 2, L.L.C.
`
`
`TO: VIA NYSCEF
`MEAGHER & MEAGHER, P.C.
`Attorneys for Plaintiffs
`111 Church Street
`White Plains, New York 10601
`(914) 328-8844
`
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`2872175.1
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`8 of 12
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`FILED: DUTCHESS COUNTY CLERK 03/28/2024 12:07 PM
`NYSCEF DOC. NO. 7
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`INDEX NO. 2023-54954
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`RECEIVED NYSCEF: 03/28/2024
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`
`SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK
`COUNTY OF DUTCHESS
`-----------------------------------------------------------------------X
`ELDA PANCIONE, as Executrix of the Estate of
`ANTHONY F. PANCIONE, and ELDA PANCIONE,
`Individually,
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`
`
`Index No.: 2023-54954
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`VERIFICATION
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`Plaintiffs,
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`
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`against
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`ATLANTICARE MANAGEMENT, L.L.C., d/b/a
`PUTNAM RIDGE NURSING HOME, AMBULNZ
`NY 2, LLC, and BREWSTER SOUTHEAST EMS,
`INC.,
`
`
`Defendants.
`-----------------------------------------------------------------------X
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`I, the undersigned, an attorney admitted to practice law in the Courts of New York
`
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`State, state that I am a Partner of the firm HEIDELL, PITTONI, MURPHY & BACH, LLP, the
`attorneys of record for Defendant, AMBULNZ NY 2, L.L.C., that I have read the foregoing
`ANSWER and know the contents thereof; the same is true to my own knowledge, except as to
`the matters therein stated to be alleged upon information and belief, and as to those matters, I
`believe them to be true.
`The reason this verification is made by me and not by Defendants, is because
`Defendant, AMBULNZ NY 2, L.L.C., is not present within the County of Westchester which is
`where this attorney maintains her office.
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`The grounds of my belief as to all matters not stated upon my own knowledge are
`as follows:
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`Dated: White Plains, New York
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`March 28, 2024
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`Papers and records of said Defendant.
`I affirm that the foregoing statements are true, under the penalties of perjury.
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`
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`JENNIFER BENNICE
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`2872175.1
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`FILED: DUTCHESS COUNTY CLERK 03/28/2024 12:07 PM
`NYSCEF DOC. NO. 7
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`INDEX NO. 2023-54954
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`RECEIVED NYSCEF: 03/28/2024
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`
`SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK
`COUNTY OF DUTCHESS
`-----------------------------------------------------------------------X
`ELDA PANCIONE, as Executrix of the Estate of
`ANTHONY F. PANCIONE, and ELDA PANCIONE,
`Individually,
`
`
`Plaintiffs,
`
`
`
`
`
`Index No.: 2023-54954
`
`NOTICE OF DEPOSITION
`
`
`
`against
`
`
`ATLANTICARE MANAGEMENT, L.L.C., d/b/a
`PUTNAM RIDGE NURSING HOME, AMBULNZ
`NY 2, LLC, and BREWSTER SOUTHEAST EMS,
`INC.,
`
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`Defendants.
`-----------------------------------------------------------------------X
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`PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that, pursuant to Article 31 of the Civil Practice Law
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`and Rules, the deposition upon oral questions of the Plaintiffs, will be taken on the 30th day of
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`April, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. in the forenoon of that day, before a Notary Public of the State of
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`New York at the office of HEIDELL, PITTONI, MURPHY & BACH, LLP, 81 Main Street,
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`White Plains New York 10601. That said party is to be examined on all evidence material and
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`necessary in the defense of this action.
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`Dated: White Plains, New York
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`March 28, 2024
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`Yours, etc.,
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`HEIDELL, PITTONI, MURPHY & BACH, LLP
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`By:
`
`
`
`______________________________
`JENNIFER J. BENNICE
`81 Main Street
`White Plains, New York 10601
`(914) 559-3100
`jbennice@hpmb.com
`
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`2872175.1
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`10 of 12
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`FILED: DUTCHESS COUNTY CLERK 03/28/2024 12:07 PM
`NYSCEF DOC. NO. 7
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`INDEX NO. 2023-54954
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`RECEIVED NYSCEF: 03/28/2024
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`Attorneys for Defendant
`AMBULNZ NY 2, L.L.C.
`
`TO: VIA NYSCEF
`MEAGHER & MEAGHER, P.C.
`Attorneys for Plaintiffs
`111 Church Street
`White Plains, New York 10601
`(914) 328-8844
`
`
`
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`2872175.1
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`11 of 12
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`FILED: DUTCHESS COUNTY CLERK 03/28/2024 12:07 PM
`NYSCEF DOC. NO. 7
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`INDEX NO. 2023-54954
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`RECEIVED NYSCEF: 03/28/2024
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`Index No.: 2023-54954
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`SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK
`COUNTY OF DUTCHESS
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`ELDA PANCIONE, as Executrix of the Estate of
`ANTHONY F. PANCIONE, and ELDA PANCIONE,
`Individually,
`
`
`
`Plaintiffs,
`
`- against –
`ATLANTICARE MANAGEMENT, L.L.C., d/b/a
`PUTNAM RIDGE NURSING HOME, AMBULNZ
`NY 2, LLC, and BREWSTER SOUTHEAST EMS,
`INC.,
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`Defendants.
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`HEIDELL, PITTONI, MURPHY & BACH, LLP
`Counsel for AMBULNZ NY, 2 L.L.C.
`81 Main Street – Ste. 112
`White Plains, New York 10601
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`VERIFIED ANSWER AND NOTICE OF DEPOSITION
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`Service of a copy of the within
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`Dated:
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`PLEASE TAKE NOTICE
`□ NOTICE OF ENTRY
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`Signature:
`Attorney(s) for
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`that the within is a (certified) true copy of a
`in the office of the clerk of the within named Court on
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` is hereby admitted.
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`, 20 .
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` NOTICE OF SETTLEMENT
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`Dated:
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`2541540.1
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`that an Order of which the within is a true copy will be presented for settlement to the
`Hon.
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` one of the judges of the within named Court,
`at
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` on ,
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`. 20 . at
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`12 of 12
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