`NYSCEF DOC. NO. 25
`
`INDEX NO. 805166/2017
`
`RECEIVED NYSCEF: 04/18/2019
`
`SUPREME
`COUNTY
`----------
`NANCY
`
`-
`
`COURT
`OF THE
`OF NEW YORK
`--------------------------------
`
`STATE
`
`RUBINSTEIN,
`
`Plaintiff,
`
`OF NEW YORK
`
`----X
`
`Index
`
`No.:
`
`805166/2017
`
`AFFIRMATION
`OPPOSITION
`
`IN
`
`-against-
`
`LARRY
`
`COHEN,
`
`---------
`-------------
`C O U N S E L O R S :
`
`Defendant.
`
`-------------------------X
`
`John
`
`G. Tomaszewski,
`
`Esq.,
`
`an
`
`attorney
`
`duly
`
`admitted
`
`to
`
`practice
`
`law
`
`before
`
`the
`
`courts
`
`of
`
`this
`
`state,
`
`and
`
`being
`
`fully
`
`familiar
`
`with
`
`the
`
`facts
`
`and
`
`circumstances
`
`of
`
`the
`
`above
`
`entitled
`
`case
`
`having
`
`been
`
`trial
`
`attorney,
`
`duly
`
`affirms
`
`the
`
`following
`
`under
`
`the
`
`penalties
`
`of perjury:
`
`1.
`
`I am the
`
`attorney
`
`for
`
`defendant,
`
`Larry
`
`Cohen
`
`(a
`
`doctor
`
`of
`
`podiatric
`
`medicine)
`
`in
`
`the
`
`above
`
`entitled
`
`case,
`
`which
`
`was
`
`the
`
`subject
`
`of
`
`a
`
`Jury
`
`Verdict
`
`on
`
`February
`
`26,
`
`2019.
`
`in
`
`response
`
`plaintiff's
`
`show
`
`2.
`
`That
`
`this
`
`opposition
`
`is
`
`submitted
`
`to
`
`order
`
`to
`
`cause
`
`to
`
`set
`
`aside
`
`the
`
`jury's
`
`award
`
`of
`
`$30,000
`
`for
`
`past
`
`pain
`
`and
`
`suffering
`
`only,
`
`and
`
`no
`
`award
`
`for
`
`future
`
`pain
`
`and
`
`suffering,
`
`and
`
`for
`
`a new
`
`trial
`
`on
`
`damages
`
`only,
`
`or,
`
`in
`
`the
`
`alternative,
`
`for
`
`the
`
`award
`
`to
`
`be
`
`amended
`
`to
`
`include
`
`the
`
`sum of
`
`$250,000
`
`as
`
`to
`
`past
`
`pain
`
`and
`
`suffering
`
`and
`
`$200,000
`
`as
`
`to future
`
`pain
`
`and
`
`suffering.
`
`3.
`
`Presumably,
`
`plaintiff
`
`is seeking
`
`an
`
`order
`
`setting
`
`aside
`
`the
`
`verdict
`
`or,
`
`in the
`
`alternative,
`
`the
`
`court's
`
`directive
`
`that
`
`Dr.
`
`Cohen
`
`stipulate
`
`to
`
`the
`
`sought
`
`after
`
`modified,
`
`increased
`
`damage
`
`award.
`
`1 of 10
`
`
`
`FILED: NEW YORK COUNTY CLERK 04/18/2019 08:44 AM
`NYSCEF DOC. NO. 25
`
`INDEX NO. 805166/2017
`
`RECEIVED NYSCEF: 04/18/2019
`
`4.
`
`Pursuant
`
`to CPLR
`
`§4404
`
`(a)
`
`the
`
`court
`
`in its
`
`discretion
`
`may
`
`set
`
`aside
`
`a jury
`
`verdict
`
`and
`
`order
`
`a
`
`new
`
`trial
`
`where
`
`"...the
`
`verdict
`
`is
`
`contrary
`
`to
`
`the
`
`weight
`
`of
`
`the
`
`evidence,
`
`in the
`
`interest
`
`of
`
`justice..."
`
`5.
`
`The
`
`applicable
`
`stañdard
`
`of
`
`review
`
`is whether
`
`a jury's
`
`monetary
`
`award
`
`for
`
`past
`
`and
`
`future
`
`pain
`
`and
`
`suffering
`
`deviates
`
`materially
`
`from
`
`what
`
`would
`
`be
`
`reascriable
`
`2d
`
`94
`
`Dept.
`
`2001).
`
`compensation.
`
`See,
`
`Donlon
`
`v. City
`
`of New
`
`York,
`
`727
`
`N.Y.S.
`
`(1st
`
`Where
`
`a
`
`damage
`
`award
`
`deviates
`
`materially
`
`from
`
`what
`
`would
`
`be
`
`reasonable
`
`compensaticñ
`
`for
`
`comparable
`
`injuries,
`
`the
`
`court
`
`has
`
`the
`
`authority
`
`to
`
`order
`
`a new trial
`
`conditioned
`
`on
`
`the
`
`non-moving
`
`party
`
`stipulating
`
`to
`
`the
`
`additur
`
`or
`
`remittitur
`
`of
`
`the
`
`damages
`
`award.
`
`See,
`
`CPLR
`
`§5501
`
`(c); Ortiz
`
`v. 975
`
`LLC.
`
`N.Y.S.(1st
`
`Dept.
`
`2010).
`
`6.
`
`Generally,
`
`however,
`
`the
`
`amount
`
`of damages
`
`awarded
`
`for
`
`personal
`
`is primarily
`
`a question
`
`for
`
`the
`
`jury,
`
`the
`
`judgment
`
`of which
`
`is
`
`entitled
`
`to
`
`great
`
`deference
`
`based
`
`upon
`
`its
`
`evaluation
`
`of
`
`the
`
`evidence,
`
`including
`
`coññicting
`
`expert
`
`testimony.
`
`See
`
`Ortiz,
`
`supra;
`
`Vaval
`
`v. NYRAC,
`
`31AD3d
`
`438
`
`(2006).
`
`injury
`
`The
`
`Evidence
`
`As
`
`to Past
`
`Pain
`
`and
`
`Suffering/Injury
`
`Was
`
`Vaque,
`
`Inconsistent
`
`and
`
`Inconclusive
`
`and
`
`the
`
`Verdict
`
`of
`
`$30,000
`
`Should
`
`Stand
`
`7.
`
`In
`
`her
`
`order
`
`to
`
`show
`
`cause
`
`for
`
`additur
`
`to
`
`set
`
`aside
`
`the
`
`and,
`
`presumably,
`
`jury's
`
`verdict
`
`of
`
`no
`
`future
`
`pain
`
`and
`
`suffering,
`
`plaintiff
`
`cites
`
`to
`
`several
`
`cases
`
`in which
`
`juries
`
`awarded
`
`considerable
`
`sums
`
`to
`
`plaintiffs
`
`in
`
`podiatric
`
`surgical
`
`malpractice
`
`cases.
`
`For
`
`the
`
`reasons
`
`set
`
`forth
`
`below
`
`it
`
`is
`
`respectfully
`
`submitted
`
`that
`
`the
`
`specific
`
`facts
`
`and
`
`circumstances
`
`of
`
`this
`
`case,
`
`as
`
`revealed
`
`in the
`
`trial
`
`testimony,
`
`do
`
`not
`
`support
`
`any
`
`judicial
`
`modification
`
`of
`
`the
`
`jury's
`
`award
`
`and
`
`verdict.
`
`2
`
`2 of 10
`
`
`
`FILED: NEW YORK COUNTY CLERK 04/18/2019 08:44 AM
`NYSCEF DOC. NO. 25
`
`INDEX NO. 805166/2017
`
`RECEIVED NYSCEF: 04/18/2019
`
`8.
`
`In Caprara
`
`v. Chrysler
`
`Corporation,
`
`52 NY 2d
`
`114,
`
`the
`
`Court
`
`of Appeals
`
`expounded
`
`upon
`
`the
`
`unique
`
`situation
`
`faced
`
`the
`
`trial
`
`court
`
`in this
`
`instance:
`
`by
`
`"In
`
`no
`
`two
`
`cases
`
`are
`
`the
`
`quality
`
`and
`
`quantity
`
`of
`
`such
`
`damages
`
`identical.
`
`As
`
`has
`
`been
`
`pointed
`
`out
`
`by
`
`the
`
`pragmatists
`
`and
`
`thearists
`
`who
`
`have
`
`wrestled
`
`with
`
`the
`
`problem
`
`of how damages
`
`in such
`
`cases
`
`may
`
`justly
`
`be
`
`arrived
`
`at,
`
`evaluation
`
`does
`
`not
`
`lend
`
`itself
`
`to
`
`neat
`
`mathematical
`
`calculation"
`
`(id.
`
`at
`
`127).
`
`9.
`
`Despite
`
`testimony
`
`on
`
`direct
`
`examination
`
`by
`
`plaintiff
`
`that
`
`in the
`
`weeks
`
`and
`
`months
`
`after
`
`Dr.
`
`Cohen's
`
`surgery
`
`she
`
`experienced
`
`various
`
`symptoms
`
`and
`
`conditions,
`
`and
`
`eventually
`
`went
`
`on
`
`to
`
`undergo
`
`osteotomies
`
`to
`
`the
`
`left
`
`second
`
`and
`
`third
`
`toes,
`
`no
`
`testimony
`
`and
`
`opiñicñs
`
`were
`
`proffered
`
`by
`
`her
`
`expert,
`
`Dr.
`
`Joseph,
`
`causally
`
`relating
`
`any
`
`of
`
`her
`
`alleged
`
`symptoms
`
`and
`
`injuries,
`
`or
`
`the
`
`need
`
`for
`
`further
`
`surgery,
`
`specifica!!y
`
`to
`
`a
`
`on
`
`To
`
`Dr.
`
`Joseph
`
`was
`
`never
`
`asked
`
`departure
`
`the
`
`part
`
`of Dr.
`
`Cohen.
`
`reiterate,
`
`any
`
`questions
`
`to
`
`the
`
`effect:
`
`"do
`
`you
`
`have
`
`an
`
`apiñicñ
`
`with
`
`a reasonable
`
`degree
`
`of
`
`podiatric
`
`surgery
`
`as
`
`to whether
`
`a departure
`
`from
`
`accepted
`
`podiatric
`
`standards
`
`on
`
`the
`
`part
`
`of Dr.
`
`Cohen
`
`(in
`
`this
`
`case
`
`the
`
`only
`
`departure
`
`proven
`
`was
`
`an
`
`improper
`
`ostectomy
`
`angle)
`
`was
`
`a
`
`competent
`
`producing
`
`cause
`
`or
`
`substantial
`
`factor
`
`in
`
`plaintiff's
`
`injury/condition?"
`
`It
`
`is
`
`submitted
`
`that
`
`is
`
`not
`
`obligated
`
`to
`
`fill
`
`in
`
`the
`
`blañks,
`
`so
`
`to
`
`speak,
`
`left
`
`respec#ully
`
`a jury
`
`remaining
`
`by
`
`Dr.
`
`Joseph's
`
`incomplete
`
`and
`
`inadequate
`
`testimony.
`
`These
`
`injuries
`
`not
`
`causally
`
`related
`
`or
`
`adequately
`
`explain
`
`include
`
`right
`
`second
`
`metatarsal
`
`pain;
`
`left
`
`heel
`
`pain;
`
`outer
`
`part
`
`of
`
`foot
`
`pain;
`
`fourth
`
`and
`
`fifth
`
`toe
`
`pain;
`
`top
`
`of metatarsal
`
`pain;
`
`lump
`
`under
`
`second
`
`and
`
`third
`
`metatarsals
`
`and
`
`elevation
`
`of
`
`left
`
`big
`
`toe.
`
`Plaintiff
`
`also
`
`failed
`
`to
`
`offer
`
`to
`
`the
`
`jury
`
`an
`
`explanation
`
`of why
`
`she
`
`failed
`
`to
`
`consult
`
`any
`
`doctors
`
`for
`
`her
`
`alleged
`
`3
`
`3 of 10
`
`
`
`FILED: NEW YORK COUNTY CLERK 04/18/2019 08:44 AM
`NYSCEF DOC. NO. 25
`
`INDEX NO. 805166/2017
`
`RECEIVED NYSCEF: 04/18/2019
`
`complaintS
`
`between
`
`the
`
`time
`
`of
`
`her
`
`final
`
`visit
`
`to Dr.
`
`Cohen
`
`in August,
`
`2015
`
`and
`
`her
`
`first
`
`visit
`
`to Dr. Roberts
`
`in July,
`
`2016,
`
`a span
`
`of almost
`
`one
`
`year.
`
`10.
`
`It would
`
`seem
`
`reasonable,
`
`therefore,
`
`for
`
`the
`
`jury
`
`to
`
`be
`
`unimpressed
`
`with
`
`the
`
`long
`
`list
`
`of
`
`claimed
`
`symptoms
`
`experienced
`
`by
`
`the
`
`plaintiff,
`
`not
`
`only
`
`because
`
`of
`
`her
`
`credibility
`
`issues
`
`as
`
`described
`
`more
`
`fully
`
`below,
`
`but
`
`also
`
`based
`
`on
`
`the
`
`inadequacy
`
`of Dr.
`
`to
`
`a coherent
`
`and
`
`credible
`
`medical
`
`explanation
`
`of
`
`Joseph's
`
`testimony
`
`in failing
`
`provide
`
`plaintiff's
`
`claimed
`
`injuries,
`
`and
`
`to
`
`attribute
`
`them
`
`to malpractice
`
`on
`
`the
`
`part
`
`of Dr. Cohen.
`
`11.
`
`Notably,
`
`the
`
`suspect
`
`and
`
`questionable
`
`nature
`
`of
`
`plaintiff's
`
`alleged
`
`elevated
`
`left
`
`great
`
`toe,
`
`particularly
`
`to what
`
`extent,
`
`if any
`
`the
`
`condition
`
`existed
`
`or
`
`continues
`
`exist,
`
`was
`
`vigorously
`
`contested
`
`by
`
`the
`
`defense.
`
`indeed,
`
`despite
`
`being
`
`in possession
`
`to
`
`of
`
`the
`
`report
`
`and
`
`x-rays
`
`of
`
`the
`
`defense
`
`examining
`
`podiatrist
`
`Dr. Wolf,
`
`which
`
`raised
`
`major
`
`questions
`
`of
`
`an
`
`elevated
`
`left
`
`great
`
`Mrs.
`
`Rubinstein
`
`and
`
`disputed
`
`the
`
`existence
`
`toe,
`
`never
`
`stood
`
`before
`
`the
`
`jury
`
`and
`
`exilibited
`
`her
`
`left
`
`foot
`
`to
`
`permit
`
`the
`
`jurors
`
`to make
`
`up
`
`their
`
`own minds
`
`as
`
`to
`
`the
`
`legitimacy,
`
`or
`
`lack
`
`thereof,
`
`of her
`
`allegation
`
`of
`
`an
`
`elevated
`
`left
`
`great
`
`toe.
`
`12.
`
`It must
`
`be
`
`emphasized
`
`that
`
`scant
`
`evidence
`
`was
`
`brought
`
`forth
`
`by
`
`plaintiff
`
`the
`
`trial
`
`that
`
`that
`
`she
`
`experienced
`
`any
`
`temporary
`
`or
`
`permanent,
`
`significant
`
`injury
`
`symptoms
`
`attributable
`
`to
`
`the
`
`left
`
`foot
`
`bunion
`
`performed
`
`Dr.
`
`during
`
`or
`
`coñtiñuing
`
`surgery
`
`by
`
`Cohen.
`
`Indeed,
`
`many
`
`of
`
`the
`
`references
`
`to medical
`
`records
`
`set
`
`forth
`
`by
`
`plaintiff
`
`in the
`
`instant
`
`order
`
`to
`
`show
`
`cause,
`
`including
`
`the
`
`entirety
`
`of
`
`the
`
`contents
`
`of
`
`orthopedist
`
`Dr.
`
`Matthews
`
`chart,
`
`and
`
`Hospital
`
`for
`
`Special
`
`Surgery
`
`medica!
`
`and
`
`physical
`
`therapy
`
`records,
`
`were
`
`never
`
`referred
`
`to,
`
`explained
`
`or
`
`read
`
`by
`
`any
`
`of
`
`plaintiff's
`
`witnesses
`
`during
`
`evidentiary
`
`portion
`
`of
`
`the
`
`trial,
`
`and
`
`were
`
`only
`
`referred
`
`to
`
`by
`
`Mr.
`
`Karam
`
`during
`
`the
`
`his
`
`4
`
`4 of 10
`
`
`
`FILED: NEW YORK COUNTY CLERK 04/18/2019 08:44 AM
`NYSCEF DOC. NO. 25
`
`INDEX NO. 805166/2017
`
`RECEIVED NYSCEF: 04/18/2019
`
`summation.
`
`It would
`
`not
`
`be
`
`unreasonable
`
`to
`
`surmise
`
`that
`
`an
`
`intuitive
`
`and
`
`perceptive
`
`jury
`
`would
`
`look
`
`askance
`
`at
`
`that
`
`omission
`
`in
`
`plaintiff's
`
`prima
`
`facie
`
`case,
`
`and
`
`give
`
`those
`
`records
`
`little
`
`or
`
`no weight
`
`in their
`
`decision.
`
`13.
`
`The
`
`jury may
`
`have
`
`also
`
`focused
`
`on what
`
`became
`
`a major
`
`issue
`
`during
`
`the
`
`trial
`
`of
`
`plaintiffs
`
`in
`
`to
`
`her
`
`inconsistent
`
`as
`
`to
`
`the
`
`credibility,
`
`regard
`
`profoundly
`
`testimony
`
`circumstances
`
`surrounding
`
`her
`
`review
`
`and
`
`signing
`
`of
`
`the
`
`surgical
`
`consent
`
`forms
`
`contained
`
`in Dr. Cohen's
`
`medical
`
`chart.
`
`14.
`
`The
`
`Court's
`
`Jury
`
`Charge
`
`correctly
`
`included
`
`the
`
`Falsus
`
`In Uno
`
`instruction:
`
`PJI
`
`1:22
`
`Falsus
`
`in Uno
`
`"If
`
`you
`
`find
`
`that
`
`any
`
`witness
`
`has
`
`willfully
`
`testified
`
`falsely
`
`as
`
`to
`
`any
`
`material
`
`fact,
`
`that
`
`to
`
`an
`
`important
`
`law
`
`you
`
`to
`
`the
`
`entire
`
`is as
`
`matter,
`
`the
`
`permits
`
`discard
`
`completely
`
`testimony
`
`of
`
`that
`
`witness
`
`upon
`
`the
`
`principle
`
`that
`
`one
`
`who
`
`testifies
`
`falsely
`
`about
`
`one
`
`material
`
`fact
`
`is likely
`
`to testify
`
`falsely
`
`about
`
`everything..."
`
`Specifically,
`
`on
`
`her
`
`direct
`
`examination
`
`by Mr.
`
`Karam,
`
`Mrs.
`
`Rubinstein
`
`testified
`
`that
`
`the
`
`surgical
`
`consent
`
`forms
`
`were
`
`presented
`
`to
`
`her
`
`by
`
`a nurse
`
`at
`
`the
`
`surgery
`
`center,
`
`across
`
`street
`
`from
`
`Dr.
`
`office
`
`direct
`
`the
`
`Cohen's
`
`just
`
`prior
`
`to
`
`the
`
`surgery,
`
`see
`
`plaintiffs
`
`testimony
`
`at page
`
`24.
`
`Mrs.
`
`Rubinstein
`
`went
`
`on
`
`to testify
`
`in response
`
`to Mr.
`
`Karam's
`
`questioning:
`
`"It
`
`(the
`
`consent
`
`form)
`
`was
`
`given
`
`to me
`
`right
`
`before
`
`surgery";
`
`Q:
`
`did
`
`you
`
`read
`
`any
`
`part
`
`of
`
`the
`
`form
`
`when
`
`you
`
`signed
`
`it?
`
`A:
`
`I don't
`
`think
`
`I did.
`
`Q:
`
`is there
`
`a reason
`
`why
`
`you
`
`didn't
`
`read
`
`it?
`
`5
`
`5 of 10
`
`
`
`FILED: NEW YORK COUNTY CLERK 04/18/2019 08:44 AM
`NYSCEF DOC. NO. 25
`
`INDEX NO. 805166/2017
`
`RECEIVED NYSCEF: 04/18/2019
`
`A:
`
`It was
`
`just
`
`too much
`
`to
`
`read
`
`in a short
`
`time
`
`that
`
`I had.
`
`(See
`
`plaintiff's
`
`direct
`
`examination
`
`testimony
`
`at
`
`page
`
`18,
`
`lines
`
`11 -
`
`25.)
`
`15.
`
`Despite
`
`the
`
`above
`
`testimony
`
`by
`
`the
`
`plaintiff
`
`on
`
`direct
`
`examination,
`
`on
`
`cross-examination
`
`she
`
`changed
`
`her
`
`story
`
`utterly
`
`and
`
`completely
`
`as
`
`to
`
`her
`
`claim
`
`for,
`
`and
`
`the
`
`element
`
`of,
`
`Lack
`
`of
`
`Informed
`
`Consent
`
`in
`
`the
`
`case
`
`(the
`
`claim
`
`for
`
`which
`
`was
`
`prior
`
`to
`
`summations):
`
`eventually
`
`discontinued
`
`Mrs.
`
`Rubinstein
`
`testified
`
`on
`
`cross-examination
`
`that
`
`she was met
`
`by Dr. Cohen
`
`at
`
`his
`
`office
`
`(not
`
`the
`
`surgery
`
`center)
`
`the
`
`morning
`
`of
`
`surgery,
`
`and
`
`was
`
`taken
`
`into
`
`a
`
`treatment
`
`room
`
`where
`
`she
`
`sat
`
`and
`
`he
`
`placed
`
`surgical
`
`markings
`
`on
`
`her
`
`foot
`
`following
`
`which
`
`he
`
`took
`
`a
`
`photograph
`
`of
`
`her
`
`foot
`
`(Mrs.
`
`Rubinstein's
`
`cross-examination
`
`at
`
`page
`
`64);
`
`Dr.
`
`Cohen
`
`presented
`
`her
`
`with
`
`the
`
`consent
`
`forms
`
`(not
`
`while
`
`she
`
`was
`
`at
`
`a nurse)
`
`his
`
`office
`
`in the
`
`treatment
`
`room
`
`(not
`
`at
`
`the
`
`surgery
`
`center);
`
`At
`
`Dr.
`
`Cohen's
`
`office
`
`she
`
`had
`
`plenty
`
`of
`
`time
`
`to
`
`review
`
`and
`
`sign
`
`the
`
`forms:
`
`"I
`
`would
`
`say
`
`20 minutes,
`
`maybe
`
`a half
`
`hour";
`
`(at
`
`page
`
`68
`
`line
`
`17);
`
`The
`
`plaintiff
`
`spent
`
`at
`
`least
`
`20 minutes
`
`sitting
`
`down
`
`and
`
`discussing
`
`the
`
`surgery
`
`about
`
`to
`
`be
`
`done
`
`with
`
`Dr. Cohen
`
`(see
`
`page
`
`69,
`
`lines
`
`1-13).
`
`16.
`
`based
`
`on
`
`the
`
`inconsistent
`
`of
`
`plaintiff's
`
`Accordingly,
`
`extraordinarily
`
`nature
`
`testimony,
`
`described
`
`above,
`
`a jury
`
`would
`
`be
`
`well
`
`entitled
`
`to
`
`disregard
`
`some
`
`or
`
`all
`
`of
`
`Mrs.
`
`Rubinstein's
`
`testimony,
`
`including
`
`that
`
`with
`
`reference
`
`to
`
`her
`
`claimed
`
`injuries,
`
`symptoms,
`
`complaints
`
`and
`
`limitations,
`
`both
`
`past
`
`and
`
`present.
`
`17.
`
`Based
`
`on
`
`a
`
`review
`
`of
`
`the
`
`entire
`
`trial
`
`record,
`
`it
`
`is
`
`quite
`
`apparent
`
`that
`
`Mr.
`
`Karam
`
`spent
`
`the
`
`overwhelming
`
`majority
`
`of
`
`his
`
`focus
`
`on
`
`attempting
`
`to
`
`prove
`
`departures
`
`6
`
`6 of 10
`
`
`
`FILED: NEW YORK COUNTY CLERK 04/18/2019 08:44 AM
`NYSCEF DOC. NO. 25
`
`INDEX NO. 805166/2017
`
`RECEIVED NYSCEF: 04/18/2019
`
`from
`
`accepted
`
`podiatric
`
`practice
`
`in
`
`the
`
`manner
`
`in which
`
`Dr.
`
`Cohen
`
`performed
`
`the
`
`bunion
`
`surgery,
`
`with
`
`very
`
`little,
`
`minimal
`
`emphasis
`
`in
`
`plaintiffs
`
`case
`
`to
`
`offering
`
`proof
`
`on
`
`the
`
`elements
`
`of damages/past
`
`and
`
`future
`
`pain
`
`and
`
`suffering
`
`and
`
`causation.
`
`18.
`
`Based
`
`on Mrs.
`
`Rubinstein's
`
`credibility
`
`problem
`
`created
`
`by
`
`her
`
`own
`
`trial
`
`testimony,
`
`described
`
`above,
`
`it would
`
`seem entirely
`
`reasonable
`
`and
`
`within
`
`the
`
`realm
`
`of a
`
`some
`
`all
`
`of her
`
`that
`
`conscieñticus
`
`and
`
`intelligent
`
`jury
`
`to
`
`disregard
`
`or
`
`testimony,
`
`including
`
`as
`
`to the
`
`extent
`
`and
`
`significance
`
`of
`
`her
`
`claimed
`
`past
`
`and
`
`future
`
`pain
`
`and
`
`suffering.
`
`Sufficisñt
`
`Evidence
`
`Was
`
`Introduced
`
`To Support
`
`a Jury
`
`Verdict
`
`Of No
`
`Future
`
`Pain
`
`and
`
`Suffering
`
`Arld
`
`the
`
`Jury's
`
`Verdict
`
`of
`
`$0 Must
`
`Stand
`
`19.
`
`Edwin
`
`Wolf,
`
`D.P.M.,
`
`the
`
`final
`
`witness
`
`in the
`
`trial,
`
`testified
`
`as
`
`to
`
`his
`
`podiatric
`
`examination
`
`and
`
`observations
`
`of
`
`plaintiff,
`
`her
`
`to walk
`
`as
`
`including
`
`ability
`
`unimpeded,
`
`well
`
`as
`
`about
`
`his
`
`photographs,
`
`x-rays
`
`and
`
`written
`
`report.
`
`In
`
`contrast
`
`to
`
`the
`
`vague
`
`testimony
`
`on
`
`the
`
`part
`
`of
`
`plaintiffs
`
`expert,
`
`Dr.
`
`Joseph,
`
`as
`
`to
`
`permanency,
`
`Dr. Wolf
`
`testified
`
`in no
`
`uncertain
`
`terms:
`
`Q. And
`
`you
`
`have
`
`an
`
`opinion,
`
`with
`
`a reasonable
`
`degree
`
`of
`
`podiatric
`
`certainty,
`
`as
`
`to whether
`
`Ms.
`
`Rubinstein
`
`has
`
`any
`
`permanent
`
`injury
`
`or
`
`significant
`
`functional
`
`abnormality
`
`in her
`
`left
`
`foot
`
`related
`
`to Dr. Cohen's
`
`surgery?
`
`I do.
`
`was
`
`A.
`
`There
`
`certainly
`
`no
`
`functicñal
`
`loss
`
`as
`
`result
`
`of
`
`the
`
`surgery.
`
`To
`
`the
`
`contrary,
`
`the
`
`foot
`
`looked
`
`in
`
`good
`
`position,
`
`sesamoid
`
`in
`
`good
`
`position,
`
`great
`
`toe
`
`straight,
`
`range
`
`of
`
`motion
`
`of
`
`the
`
`first
`
`metatarsal
`
`phalangal
`
`joint,
`
`no
`
`atrophy
`
`muscu!ature
`
`and
`
`the
`
`things
`
`we
`
`spoke
`
`about
`
`this
`
`morning
`
`showed
`
`no
`
`functional
`
`loss.
`
`is
`
`in
`
`(See
`
`Dr. Wolfs
`
`testimony
`
`at
`
`page
`
`543,
`
`lines
`
`9 -
`
`18.)
`
`7
`
`7 of 10
`
`
`
`FILED: NEW YORK COUNTY CLERK 04/18/2019 08:44 AM
`NYSCEF DOC. NO. 25
`
`INDEX NO. 805166/2017
`
`RECEIVED NYSCEF: 04/18/2019
`
`20.
`
`Finally,
`
`defense
`
`liability
`
`expert,
`
`podiatrist
`
`Thomas
`
`DeLauro,
`
`D.P.M.,
`
`testified
`
`without
`
`contradictiüñ:
`
`"...I
`
`had
`
`the
`
`opportunity
`
`to
`
`observe
`
`the
`
`plaintiff
`
`ambulate
`
`outside
`
`the
`
`courtroom
`
`a good
`
`75
`
`feet
`
`in each
`
`direction,
`
`I detect
`
`no
`
`abnormalities."
`
`(See
`
`Dr. DeLauro's
`
`testimony
`
`at
`
`page
`
`587,
`
`lines
`
`19 -
`
`20.)
`
`WHEREFORE,
`
`it
`
`is
`
`respectfully
`
`requested
`
`based
`
`on
`
`the
`
`reasoning,
`
`arguments
`
`order
`
`show
`
`in the
`
`and
`
`citations
`
`set
`
`forth
`
`above,
`
`that
`
`plaintiff's
`
`to
`
`cause
`
`for
`
`additur
`
`or,
`
`alternative,
`
`a new trial
`
`on
`
`damages
`
`only,
`
`be
`
`denied
`
`in all
`
`respects,
`
`and
`
`the
`
`court
`
`order
`
`such
`
`other
`
`and
`
`further
`
`relief
`
`as
`
`it deems
`
`just
`
`and
`
`proper.
`
`Dated:
`
`New York,
`April
`17,
`
`New York
`2019
`
`M. KARAM,
`Plaintiff
`
`TO:
`LAWRENCE
`for
`Attorney
`41 West
`72nd
`Street,
`New York,
`New York
`712-0008
`(212)
`
`Yours,
`
`etc.,
`
`MARULLl,
`
`LINDENBAUM
`
`& TOMASZ
`
`SKI,
`
`LLP
`
`BY:
`
`I,
`
`SQ.
`
`G. TOMASZE
`JOHN
`for Defendant
`Attorneys
`LARRY
`D.P.M.
`COHEN,
`COHEN
`LARRY
`s/h/a
`4"'
`5 Hanover
`Square,
`New York
`New York,
`553-3200
`(212)
`
`Floor
`10004
`
`P.C.
`
`1-F
`
`Suite
`10023
`
`8
`
`8 of 10
`
`
`
`FILED: NEW YORK COUNTY CLERK 04/18/2019 08:44 AM
`NYSCEF DOC. NO. 25
`
`INDEX NO. 805166/2017
`
`RECEIVED NYSCEF: 04/18/2019
`
`AFFIDAVIT
`
`OF SERVICE
`
`BY MAIL
`
`& ELECTRONIC
`
`FILING
`
`SS.:
`
`) )
`
`)
`
`STATE
`
`OF NEW YORK
`
`COUNTY
`
`OF NEW YORK
`
`I ToniMarie
`am
`over
`action,
`LINDENBAUM
`
`Feldis,
`18
`years
`& TOMASZEWSKI,
`
`being
`of
`
`duly
`age
`
`sworn,
`and
`
`an
`
`LLP,
`
`attomeys
`
`deposes
`employee
`for
`
`and
`
`the
`
`says
`in
`the
`defendant.
`
`I am not
`office
`
`to
`
`a party
`of
`MARULLI,
`
`this
`
`On
`
`the
`following
`Electronic
`a post-paid
`the
`United
`
`April
`
`atto
`
`, 2019,
`neys
`system
`Filing
`wrapper
`States
`
`by
`and
`by
`in the
`Official
`Postal
`Service
`
`I served
`electronic
`
`the
`
`within
`
`delivery
`
`depositing
`
`Depository
`directed
`to
`
`a true
`copy
`maintained
`attorneys
`
`said
`
`of
`
`AFFIRMATION
`pursuant
`to
`the
`and
`at:
`
`IN OPPOSITION
`upon
`New
`Courts
`the
`York
`State
`same
`enclosed
`controlled
`
`securely
`exclusively
`
`in
`
`by
`
`Lawrence
`41 West
`New York,
`
`M. Karam,
`72nd
`Street,
`New York
`
`P.C.
`Suite
`
`10023
`
`1-F
`
`S
`
`rn to
`
`ay
`
`before
`f April,
`
`me this
`201
`
`TONI
`
`ARI
`
`FELDIS
`
`c
`
`Pu
`O
`e of New York
`
`ta
`JE NIFE
`E. A
`N
`blic, St
`6114401
`N . 01
`ed in Richmond
`Q
`County
`Commission
`Expires August
`
`16, 2020
`
`9
`
`9 of 10
`
`
`
`FILED: NEW YORK COUNTY CLERK 04/18/2019 08:44 AM
`NYSCEF DOC. NO. 25
`
`INDEX NO. 805166/2017
`
`RECEIVED NYSCEF: 04/18/2019
`
`Index
`
`No.:
`
`805166
`
`Year:
`
`2017
`
`SUPREME
`COUNTY
`
`COURT
`OF THE
`OF NEW YORK
`
`STATE
`
`OF NEW YORK
`
`NANCY
`
`RUBINSTEIN,
`
`Plaintiff,
`
`-against-
`
`LARRY
`
`COHEN,
`
`Defendant.
`
`AFFIRMATION
`
`IN OPPOSITION
`
`thf arnfi,
`
`& Tomaszewski,
`Lindenbaum
`- 4** Floor
`Square
`5 Hanover
`New York,
`New York
`looo4
`(212) 553-32oo
`
`LLP
`
`Attorneys
`
`for Defendant
`
`LARRY
`
`COHEN,
`
`D.P.M.
`
`10 of 10
`
`