`FILED: ROCKLAND COUNTY CLERK 10/05/2023 02:05 PMFILED: ROCKLAND COUNTY CLERK 04/12/2024 09:42 AM
`
`NYSCEF DOC. NO. 3NYSCEF DOC. NO. 18
`
`
`
`INDEX NO. 034434/2023INDEX NO. 034434/2023
`
`
`
`RECEIVED NYSCEF: 10/05/2023RECEIVED NYSCEF: 04/12/2024
`
`OF THE STATE
`COURT
`SUPREME
`COUNTY
`OF ROCKLAND
`___________________________________________________________________________Ç
`DOUGLAS
`
`OF NEW YORK
`
`GOTAY,
`
`- against
`
`-
`
`Plaintiffs,
`
`Index
`
`No.
`
`034434/2023
`
`VERIFIED
`
`ANSWER
`
`LAWRENCE
`F. SIMON,
`M.D.,
`NYACK
`And MONTEFIORE
`
`HIGHLAND
`HOSPITAL,
`
`MEDICAL,
`
`P.C.,
`
`___________________________________________________________________________Ç
`
`Defendants.
`
`Defendant,
`
`LAWRENCE
`
`F.
`
`LOHRFINK,
`
`McANDREW,
`
`MEISNER
`
`SIMON,
`M.D.,
`& ROBERTS,
`
`by
`
`his
`
`attorneys,
`
`VOUTÉ,
`
`LLP,
`
`answering
`
`the
`
`plaintiff's
`
`complaint:
`
`1.
`
`Denies
`
`any
`
`knowledge
`
`or
`
`information
`
`sufficient
`
`to
`
`form
`
`a belief
`
`as
`
`to
`
`each
`
`and
`
`in paragraphs
`
`9 of
`
`the
`
`verified
`
`complaint.
`
`every
`
`allegation
`
`contained
`
`1, 8 and
`
`2.
`
`Denies
`
`each
`
`and
`
`every
`
`allegation
`
`contained
`
`in
`
`paragraph
`
`2
`
`of
`
`the
`
`verified
`
`complaint
`
`in the
`
`form
`
`alleged
`
`and
`
`otherwise
`
`begs
`
`leave
`
`to refer
`
`all
`
`questions
`
`of
`
`law
`
`to the
`
`court
`
`and
`
`all
`
`questions
`
`of
`
`fact
`
`to the
`
`triar
`
`thereof,
`
`except
`
`admits
`
`that
`
`at all
`
`relevant
`
`times
`
`LAWRENCE
`
`F.
`
`M.D.
`
`was
`
`and
`
`is
`
`a physician
`
`licensed
`
`to
`
`practice
`
`herein,
`
`SIMON,
`
`medicine
`
`in the
`
`state
`
`of New York.
`
`3.
`
`Denies
`
`each
`
`and
`
`every
`
`allegation
`
`contained
`
`in
`
`paragraphs
`
`3,
`
`4
`
`and
`
`11
`
`of
`
`the
`
`verified
`
`complaint
`
`in
`
`the
`
`form
`
`alleged
`
`and
`
`otherwise
`
`begs
`
`leave
`
`to
`
`refer
`
`all
`
`questions
`
`of
`
`law
`
`to the
`
`court
`
`and
`
`all
`
`questions
`
`of
`
`fact
`
`to the
`
`triar
`
`thereof.
`
`and
`
`allegation
`
`contained
`
`in
`
`paragraphs
`
`7 and
`
`12
`
`of
`
`the
`
`4.
`
`Denies
`
`each
`
`every
`
`5,
`
`6,
`
`verified
`
`complaint
`
`in
`
`the
`
`form
`
`alleged
`
`and
`
`otherwise
`
`begs
`
`leave
`
`to
`
`refer
`
`all
`
`questions
`
`of
`
`law
`
`to the
`
`court
`
`and
`
`all
`
`questions
`
`of
`
`fact
`
`to the
`
`triar
`
`thereof.
`
`5.
`
`Denies
`
`any
`
`knowledge
`
`or
`
`information
`
`sufficient
`
`to
`
`form
`
`a belief
`
`as
`
`to
`
`each
`
`and
`
`every
`
`allegation
`
`contained
`
`in paragraphs
`
`8, of
`
`the
`
`verified
`
`complaint.
`
`1
`
`1 of 5
`
`
`
`
`FILED: ROCKLAND COUNTY CLERK 10/05/2023 02:05 PMFILED: ROCKLAND COUNTY CLERK 04/12/2024 09:42 AM
`
`NYSCEF DOC. NO. 3NYSCEF DOC. NO. 18
`
`
`
`INDEX NO. 034434/2023INDEX NO. 034434/2023
`
`
`
`RECEIVED NYSCEF: 10/05/2023RECEIVED NYSCEF: 04/12/2024
`
`6.
`
`Denies
`
`each
`
`and
`
`every
`
`allegation
`
`contained
`
`in
`
`paragraphs
`
`10
`
`of
`
`the
`
`verified
`
`complaint
`
`in the
`
`form
`
`alleged
`
`and
`
`otherwise
`
`begs
`
`leave
`
`to refer
`
`all
`
`questions
`
`of
`
`law
`
`to the
`
`court
`
`and
`
`all
`
`questions
`
`of
`
`fact
`
`to
`
`the
`
`triar
`
`thereof,
`
`as
`
`to
`
`defendant,
`
`LAWRENCE
`
`F.
`
`SIMON,
`
`M.D.
`
`15
`
`of
`
`the
`
`7.
`
`Denies
`
`each
`
`and
`
`every
`
`allegation
`
`contained
`
`in
`
`paragraphs
`
`13,
`
`14
`
`and
`
`verified
`
`complaint.
`
`Any
`
`and
`
`all
`
`paragraphs
`
`not
`
`answered
`
`herein
`
`are
`
`deemed
`
`denied.
`
`AS AND FOR A FIRST
`THE
`DEFENSE,
`UPON INFORMATION
`ALLEGES
`of
`condition
`plaintiff
`was
`not
`
`8.
`
`The
`
`physical
`
`ANSWERING
`AND BELIEF
`about
`
`by
`
`brought
`
`DEFENDANT
`
`any
`
`negligence
`
`on
`
`the
`
`part
`
`of
`
`defendant(s),
`
`but
`
`rather
`
`due
`
`to
`
`the
`
`physical
`
`condition,
`
`illness,
`
`contributory
`
`culpable
`
`conduct
`
`attributable
`
`to
`
`negligence,
`
`assumption
`
`of
`
`risk,
`
`contributory
`
`fault
`
`and/or
`
`plaintiff
`
`to
`
`the
`
`extent
`
`of
`
`total
`
`and/or
`
`partial
`
`diminution
`
`of
`
`the
`
`damages
`
`alleged
`
`in
`
`the
`
`complaint.
`
`AS AND FOR A SECOND
`THE
`DEFENSE3
`UPON INFORMATION
`ALLEGES
`Law
`Health
`provisions
`of Public
`
`The
`
`§2805-d(4)
`
`9.
`
`DEFENDANT
`
`ANSWERING
`AND BELIEF
`constitute
`an absolute
`
`defense
`
`to the
`
`cause
`
`of
`
`action
`
`for
`
`lack
`
`of
`
`informed
`
`consent.
`
`AS AND FOR A THIRD
`THE
`DEFENSE,
`UPON INFORMATION
`ALLEGES
`
`ANSWERING
`AND BELIEF
`
`DEFENDANT
`
`action
`
`must
`
`be
`
`dismissed
`
`as barred
`
`the
`
`applicable
`
`statute
`
`of
`
`limitations.
`
`10. This
`
`by
`
`AS AND FOR A FOURTH
`THE
`DEFENSE,
`UPON INFORMATION
`ALLEGES
`plaintiff
`caused
`to
`sustain
`personal
`was
`
`11.
`
`If
`
`the
`
`ANSWERING
`AND BELIEF
`injuries
`and
`
`DEFENDANT
`
`resulting
`
`damages
`
`at
`
`the
`
`time
`
`and
`
`place
`
`set
`
`forth
`
`in the
`
`plaintiff's
`
`complaint
`
`and
`
`in the manner
`
`alleged
`
`therein
`
`through
`
`any
`
`carelessness,
`
`recklessness,
`
`acts,
`
`omissions,
`
`negligence
`
`and/or
`
`breaches
`
`of
`
`duty
`
`and/or
`
`warranty
`
`and/or
`
`contract
`
`other
`
`than
`
`of
`
`the
`
`plaintiff,
`
`then
`
`the
`
`said
`
`injuries
`
`and
`
`2
`
`2 of 5
`
`
`
`
`FILED: ROCKLAND COUNTY CLERK 10/05/2023 02:05 PMFILED: ROCKLAND COUNTY CLERK 04/12/2024 09:42 AM
`
`NYSCEF DOC. NO. 3NYSCEF DOC. NO. 18
`
`
`
`INDEX NO. 034434/2023INDEX NO. 034434/2023
`
`
`
`RECEIVED NYSCEF: 10/05/2023RECEIVED NYSCEF: 04/12/2024
`
`damages
`
`arose
`
`out
`
`of
`
`the
`
`several
`
`and
`
`joint
`
`carelessness,
`
`recklessness,
`
`acts,
`
`omissions,
`
`negligence
`
`and
`
`breaches
`
`of
`
`duty
`
`and/or
`
`obligation
`
`and/or
`
`statute,
`
`and/or
`
`warranty
`
`and/or
`
`contract
`
`in
`
`fact
`
`or
`
`implied
`
`in
`
`law,
`
`upon
`
`the
`
`part
`
`of
`
`non-parties
`
`subject
`
`to
`
`in personam
`
`jurisdiction,
`
`and
`
`if
`
`this
`
`pleading
`
`defendant(s)
`
`is found
`
`negligent
`
`as to the
`
`plaintiff
`
`for
`
`the
`
`and
`
`injuries
`
`damages
`
`set
`
`forth
`
`in
`
`the
`
`plaintiff's
`
`complaint,
`
`then
`
`and
`
`in
`
`that
`
`event,
`
`relative
`
`responsibilities
`
`of
`
`said
`
`pleading
`
`defendant(s)
`
`must
`
`be
`
`apportioned
`
`by
`
`the
`
`the
`
`percentage
`
`of
`
`liability
`
`of
`
`said
`
`nonparties
`
`subject
`
`to
`
`in personam
`
`jurisdiction.
`
`AS AND FOR A FIFTH
`THE
`DEFENSE,
`UPON INFORMATION
`ALLEGES
`discontinuance
`or
`agreement
`
`settlement,
`
`12. Any
`
`DEFENDANT
`
`ANSWERING
`AND BELIEF
`sue, made
`to
`
`not
`
`with
`
`responsible
`
`or potentially
`
`responsible
`
`persons
`
`and/or
`
`entitles,
`
`shall
`
`constitute
`
`a set
`
`off
`
`and
`
`reduction
`
`of
`
`against
`
`any
`
`recovery
`
`the
`
`answering
`
`defendant(s)
`
`pursuant
`
`to the
`
`provisions
`
`of General
`
`Obligations
`
`Law
`
`§ 15-108,
`
`CPLR
`
`Article
`
`14 and/or
`
`CPLR
`
`Article
`
`16.
`
`AS AND FOR A SIXTH
`THE
`DEFENSE,
`UPON INFORMATION
`ALLEGES
`complaint
`fails
`to state
`sufficient
`facts
`
`13. The
`
`to
`
`which
`
`relief
`
`can
`
`be
`
`granted.
`
`ANSWERING
`AND BELIEF
`constitute
`cause
`
`any
`
`DEFENDANT
`
`of
`
`action
`
`upon
`
`AS AND FOR AN SEVENTH
`DEFENSE,
`UPON INFORMATION
`ALLEGES
`to
`plaintiffs
`for
`cost
`the
`
`award
`
`14. Any
`
`THE
`
`of
`
`ANSWERING
`AND BELIEF
`medical
`
`care,
`
`DEFENDANT
`
`custodial
`
`care
`
`or
`
`rehabilitation
`
`services,
`
`loss
`
`of
`
`earnings
`
`or
`
`other
`
`economic
`
`loss
`
`should
`
`be
`
`reduced
`
`the
`
`amount
`
`such
`
`expense
`
`has
`
`been
`
`or will
`
`be
`
`replaced
`
`or
`
`indemnified
`
`in whole
`
`or
`
`in
`
`part
`
`by
`
`from
`
`any
`
`collateral
`
`CPLR
`
`4545.
`
`source
`
`in
`
`accordance
`
`with
`
`the
`
`provisions
`
`and
`
`limitations
`
`set
`
`forth
`
`in
`
`AS AND FOR AN EIGHTH
`THE
`DEFENSE,
`UPON INFORMATION
`ALLEGES
`to the
`"Coronavirus
`Relief
`and
`
`15. Pursuant
`
`Aid,
`
`ANSWERING
`AND BELIEF
`Economic
`
`Security
`
`DEFENDANT
`
`Act"
`
`signed
`
`into
`
`law
`
`on March
`
`27,
`
`2020,
`
`the
`
`defendant(s)
`
`are
`
`immune
`
`from
`
`any
`
`cause
`
`of
`
`action
`
`arising
`
`3
`
`3 of 5
`
`
`
`
`FILED: ROCKLAND COUNTY CLERK 10/05/2023 02:05 PMFILED: ROCKLAND COUNTY CLERK 04/12/2024 09:42 AM
`
`NYSCEF DOC. NO. 3NYSCEF DOC. NO. 18
`
`
`
`INDEX NO. 034434/2023INDEX NO. 034434/2023
`
`
`
`RECEIVED NYSCEF: 10/05/2023RECEIVED NYSCEF: 04/12/2024
`
`under
`
`Federal
`
`or State
`
`law,
`
`for
`
`any
`
`harm
`
`caused
`
`by
`
`an act
`
`or omission
`
`of
`
`the
`
`professional
`
`in the
`
`provision
`
`of
`
`health
`
`care
`
`services
`
`during
`
`the COVID-19
`
`public
`
`health
`
`emergency.
`
`AS AND FOR A NINTH
`DEFENDANT
`ALLEGES
`
`AFFIRMATIVE
`DEFENSE,
`UPON INFORMATION
`
`ANSWERING
`THE
`AND BELIEF
`
`16. The
`
`Court
`
`lacks
`
`jurisdiction
`
`over
`
`the
`
`person
`
`of
`
`the
`
`defendant
`
`and/or
`
`this
`
`action
`
`has
`
`not
`
`been
`
`properly
`
`commenced
`
`for,
`
`among
`
`other
`
`reasons,
`
`plaintiff's
`
`failure
`
`to comply
`
`with
`
`CPLR
`
`306-a
`
`305,
`
`and/or
`
`306-b
`
`and
`
`the
`
`action
`
`is thereby
`
`dismissed.
`
`WHEREFORE,
`
`the
`
`defendant,
`
`Lawrence
`
`F. Simon,
`
`M.D.,
`
`demands
`
`judgement
`
`dismissing
`
`the
`
`plaintiff's
`
`complaint
`
`with
`
`the
`
`costs
`
`and
`
`disbursements
`
`of
`
`this
`
`action.
`
`Dated:
`
`White
`
`October
`
`Plains,
`3, 2023
`
`New York
`
`Yours,
`
`etc.
`
`VOUTÉ,
`LOHRFINK,
`& ROBERTS,
`LLP
`
`McANDREW,
`
`MEISNER
`
`David
`
`M.
`
`Javer
`
`Attorneys
`LAWRENCE
`170 Hamilton
`
`White
`
`Tel.
`
`for Defendant
`F. SIMON,
`Avenue
`New York
`946-1400
`
`(914)
`
`Plains,
`No.:
`
`M.D.
`
`10601-1789
`
`TO:
`
`NEIMARK
`Attorneys
`
`37 Congers
`New City,
`Tel.
`No.:
`
`COFFINAS
`Plaintiff
`
`for
`
`Road
`New York
`638-3012
`
`(845)
`
`& LAPP,
`
`LLP
`
`10956-5135
`
`4
`
`4 of 5
`
`
`
`
`FILED: ROCKLAND COUNTY CLERK 10/05/2023 02:05 PMFILED: ROCKLAND COUNTY CLERK 04/12/2024 09:42 AM
`
`NYSCEF DOC. NO. 3NYSCEF DOC. NO. 18
`
`
`
`INDEX NO. 034434/2023INDEX NO. 034434/2023
`
`
`
`RECEIVED NYSCEF: 10/05/2023RECEIVED NYSCEF: 04/12/2024
`
`Attorney's
`
`Verification
`
`by Affirmation
`
`DAVID
`
`M.
`
`JAVER,
`
`an
`
`attorney
`
`admitted
`
`to practice
`
`in the
`
`courts
`
`of
`
`the
`
`State
`
`of New
`
`York,
`
`hereby
`
`affirms
`
`the
`
`truth
`
`of
`
`the
`
`following
`
`under
`
`penalty
`
`of perjury:
`
`Your
`
`affirmant's
`
`office
`
`is
`
`the
`
`attorney
`
`of
`
`record
`
`for
`
`defendant,
`
`LAWRENCE
`
`F.
`
`SIMON,
`
`M.D.
`
`Your
`
`affirmant
`
`has
`
`read
`
`the
`
`annexed
`
`VERIFIED
`
`ANSWER
`
`and
`
`knows
`
`the
`
`contents
`
`thereof
`
`and
`
`the
`
`same
`
`are
`
`true
`
`to
`
`his/her
`
`knowledge,
`
`except
`
`those
`
`matters
`
`therein
`
`which
`
`and
`
`matters
`
`your
`
`affirmant
`
`are
`
`stated
`
`to be
`
`alleged
`
`on
`
`information
`
`and
`
`belief,
`
`as to those
`
`believes
`
`them
`
`to
`
`be
`
`true.
`
`Your
`
`affirmant's
`
`belief,
`
`as to
`
`those
`
`matters
`
`therein
`
`not
`
`stated
`
`upon
`
`knowledge,
`
`is based
`
`upon
`
`the materials,
`
`information
`
`and
`
`reports
`
`contained
`
`in the
`
`file,
`
`which
`
`is maintained
`
`in your
`
`affirmant's
`
`office.
`
`The
`
`reason
`
`that
`
`your
`
`affirmant
`
`makes
`
`this
`
`affirmation
`
`instead
`
`of
`
`defendant,
`
`LAWRENCE
`
`F. SIMON,
`
`M.D.,
`
`because
`
`said
`
`defendant
`
`is not
`
`in
`
`the
`
`county
`
`in which
`
`your
`
`affirmant
`
`is
`
`located.
`
`Dated:
`
`White
`
`October
`
`Plains,
`3, 2023
`
`New York
`
`David
`
`M.
`
`Javer
`
`5
`
`5 of 5
`
`