FILED: SUFFOLK COUNTY CLERK 02/28/2023 12:56 PM
`NYSCEF DOC. NO. 15
`
`INDEX NO. 208905/2022
`
`RECEIVED NYSCEF: 02/28/2023
`
`THE
`
`STATE
`
`OF
`COURT
`SUPREME
`SUFFOLK
`OF
`COUNTY
`_________________________________________Ç
`GREG
`
`OF
`
`NEW YORK
`
`LOPEZ,
`
`Plaintiff,
`
`-
`
`-against
`
`VERIFIED
`
`ANSWER
`
`Index
`No.208905/2022
`
`FREDERICK
`HOSPITAL
`
`CUSHNER,
`FOR
`SPECIAL
`
`JESU
`
`M.D.,
`SURGERY,
`
`YSIT
`
`and
`
`Defendants.
`_________________________________________Ç
`
`Defendant,
`
`FRED
`
`CUSHNER,
`
`M.D.,
`
`s/h/a
`
`FREDERICK
`
`CUSHNER,
`
`M.D.,
`
`through
`
`his
`
`attorneys,
`
`DOPF,
`
`P.C.,
`
`Answers
`
`the
`
`Plaintiff's
`
`Complaint
`
`upon
`
`information
`
`and
`
`belief
`
`as
`
`follows:
`
`AS
`
`AND
`
`FOR
`
`A
`
`FIRST
`
`CAUSE
`
`OF ACTION
`
`1.
`
`Denies
`
`knowledge
`
`or
`
`information
`
`sufficient
`
`to
`
`form
`
`a
`
`belief
`
`as
`
`to
`
`each
`
`and
`
`every
`
`allegation
`
`contained
`
`in
`
`the
`
`paragraph
`
`of
`
`the
`
`Complaint
`
`designated
`
`"1".
`
`allegation
`
`contained
`
`2.
`
`Denies
`
`each
`
`and
`
`every
`
`in
`
`the
`
`paragraph
`
`of
`
`the
`
`Complaint
`
`designated
`
`"2",
`
`except
`
`begs
`
`leave
`
`to
`
`refer
`
`all
`
`questions
`
`of
`
`law
`
`to
`
`the
`
`Court
`
`and
`
`all
`
`questions
`
`of
`
`fact
`
`to
`
`the
`
`trier
`
`of
`
`fact.
`
`contained
`
`3.
`
`4.
`
`Admits
`
`upon
`
`information
`
`in
`
`the
`
`paragraph
`
`numbered
`
`and
`
`"3"
`
`belief
`
`the
`
`allegations
`
`of
`
`the
`
`Complaint.
`
`Denies
`
`knowledge
`
`or
`
`information
`
`sufficient
`
`to
`
`form
`
`a
`
`belief
`
`as
`
`to
`
`each
`
`and
`
`every
`
`allegation
`
`contained
`
`in
`
`the
`
`paragraph
`
`of
`
`the
`
`Complaint
`
`designated
`
`"4".
`
`1 of 12
`
`

`

`FILED: SUFFOLK COUNTY CLERK 02/28/2023 12:56 PM
`NYSCEF DOC. NO. 15
`
`INDEX NO. 208905/2022
`
`RECEIVED NYSCEF: 02/28/2023
`
`5.
`
`Denies
`
`knowledge
`
`or
`
`information
`
`sufficient
`
`to
`
`form
`
`a
`
`belief
`
`as
`
`to
`
`each
`
`and
`
`every
`
`allegation
`
`contained
`
`in
`
`the
`
`paragraph
`
`of
`
`the
`
`Complaint
`
`designated
`
`"5".
`
`contained
`
`6.
`
`7.
`
`Admits
`
`upon
`
`information
`
`in
`
`the
`
`paragraph
`
`numbered
`
`and
`
`"6"
`
`belief
`
`the
`
`allegations
`
`of
`
`the
`
`Complaint.
`
`Denies
`
`knowledge
`
`or
`
`information
`
`sufficient
`
`to
`
`form
`
`a
`
`belief
`
`each
`
`contained
`
`as
`
`to
`
`and
`
`every
`
`allegation
`
`in
`
`the
`
`paragraph
`
`of
`
`the
`
`Complaint
`
`designated
`
`"7",
`
`except
`
`admits
`
`Defendant,
`
`FRED
`
`CUSHNER,
`
`M.D.,
`
`s/h/a
`
`FREDERICK
`
`CUSHNER,
`
`M.D.,
`
`was
`
`and
`
`is
`
`a
`
`board
`
`certified
`
`orthopedic
`
`surgeon
`
`licensed
`
`to
`
`practice
`
`medicine
`
`in
`
`the
`
`State
`
`of
`
`New
`
`York.
`
`8.
`
`Denies
`
`knowledge
`
`or
`
`information
`
`sufficient
`
`to
`
`form
`
`a
`
`and
`
`allegation
`
`contained
`
`in
`
`the
`
`paragraph
`
`belief
`
`as
`
`to
`
`each
`
`every
`
`of
`
`the
`
`Complaint
`
`designated
`
`"8",
`
`excepts
`
`admits
`
`Defendant,
`
`FRED
`
`CUSHNER,
`
`M.D.,
`
`s/h/a
`
`FREDERICK
`
`CUSHNER,
`
`M.D.,
`
`was
`
`and
`
`is
`
`board
`
`certified
`
`treatment
`
`in
`
`of
`
`the
`
`field
`
`of
`
`orthopedic
`
`surgery
`
`and
`
`provided
`
`care
`
`and
`
`plaintiff,
`
`within
`
`good
`
`and
`
`accepted
`
`medical
`
`practice.
`
`9.
`
`Denies
`
`knowledge
`
`or
`
`information
`
`sufficient
`
`to
`
`form
`
`a
`
`allegation
`
`contained
`
`the
`
`paragraph
`
`belief
`
`as
`
`to
`
`each
`
`and
`
`every
`
`in
`
`of
`
`the
`
`Complaint
`
`designated
`
`"9",
`
`except
`
`admits
`
`that
`
`Defendant,
`
`FRED
`
`CUSHNER,
`
`M.D.,
`
`s/h/a
`
`FREDERICK
`
`CUSHNER,
`
`M.D.,
`
`was
`
`and
`
`is
`
`an
`
`employee
`
`of
`
`Defendant,
`
`HOSPITAL
`
`FOR
`
`SPECIAL
`
`SURGERY.
`
`10.
`
`Denies
`
`each
`
`and
`
`every
`
`allegation
`
`contained
`
`in
`
`the
`
`paragraph
`
`of
`
`the
`
`Complaint
`
`designated
`
`"10",
`
`except
`
`begs
`
`leave
`
`to
`
`aR7Q-nn3A.073A v 1
`
`2
`
`2 of 12
`
`

`

`FILED: SUFFOLK COUNTY CLERK 02/28/2023 12:56 PM
`NYSCEF DOC. NO. 15
`
`INDEX NO. 208905/2022
`
`RECEIVED NYSCEF: 02/28/2023
`
`refer
`
`all
`
`questions
`
`of
`
`law
`
`to
`
`the
`
`Court
`
`and
`
`all
`
`questions
`
`of
`
`fact
`
`to
`
`the
`
`trier
`
`of
`
`fact.
`
`11.
`
`Denies
`
`each
`
`and
`
`every
`
`allegation
`
`contained
`
`in
`
`the
`
`paragraph
`
`of
`
`the
`
`Complaint
`
`designated
`
`"11".
`
`12.
`
`Denies
`
`each
`
`and
`
`every
`
`allegation
`
`contained
`
`in
`
`the
`
`paragraph
`
`of
`
`the
`
`Complaint
`
`designated
`
`"12".
`
`13.
`
`Denies
`
`knowledge
`
`or
`
`information
`
`sufficient
`
`to
`
`form
`
`a
`
`belief
`
`as
`
`to
`
`each
`
`and
`
`every
`
`allegation
`
`contained
`
`in
`
`the
`
`paragraph
`
`of
`
`the
`
`Complaint
`
`designated
`
`"13".
`
`14.
`
`Denies
`
`knowledge
`
`or
`
`information
`
`sufficient
`
`to
`
`form
`
`a
`
`belief
`
`as
`
`to
`
`each
`
`and
`
`every
`
`allegation
`
`contained
`
`in
`
`the
`
`paragraph
`
`Complaint
`
`designated
`
`"14".
`
`of
`
`the
`
`15.
`
`Denies
`
`knowledge
`
`or
`
`information
`
`sufficient
`
`to
`
`form
`
`a
`
`belief
`
`as
`
`to
`
`each
`
`and
`
`every
`
`allegation
`
`contained
`
`in
`
`the
`
`paragraph
`
`of
`
`the
`
`Complaint
`
`designated
`
`"15".
`
`16.
`
`Denies
`
`knowledge
`
`or
`
`information
`
`sufficient
`
`to
`
`form
`
`a
`
`belief
`
`as
`
`to
`
`each
`
`and
`
`every
`
`allegation
`
`contained
`
`in
`
`the
`
`paragraph
`
`of
`
`the
`
`Complaint
`
`designated
`
`"16".
`
`17.
`
`Denies
`
`knowledge
`
`or
`
`information
`
`sufficient
`
`to
`
`form
`
`a
`
`belief
`
`as
`
`to
`
`each
`
`and
`
`every
`
`allegation
`
`contained
`
`in
`
`the
`
`paragraph
`
`of
`
`the
`
`Complaint
`
`designated
`
`"17".
`
`18.
`
`Denies
`
`each
`
`and
`
`every
`
`allegation
`
`contained
`
`in
`
`the
`
`paragraph
`
`of
`
`the
`
`Complaint
`
`designated
`
`"18",
`
`except
`
`begs
`
`leave
`
`to
`
`4A7Q-003R-M3A v 1
`
`3
`
`3 of 12
`
`

`

`FILED: SUFFOLK COUNTY CLERK 02/28/2023 12:56 PM
`NYSCEF DOC. NO. 15
`
`INDEX NO. 208905/2022
`
`RECEIVED NYSCEF: 02/28/2023
`
`refer
`
`all
`
`questions
`
`of
`
`law
`
`to
`
`the
`
`Court
`
`and
`
`all
`
`questions
`
`of
`
`fact
`
`to
`
`the
`
`trier
`
`of
`
`fact.
`
`19.
`
`Denies
`
`each
`
`and
`
`every
`
`allegation
`
`contained
`
`in
`
`the
`
`paragraph
`
`of
`
`the
`
`Complaint
`
`designated
`
`"19".
`
`20.
`
`Denies
`
`knowledge
`
`or
`
`information
`
`sufficient
`
`to
`
`form
`
`a
`
`belief
`
`as
`
`to
`
`each
`
`and
`
`every
`
`allegation
`
`contained
`
`in
`
`the
`
`paragraph
`
`of
`
`the
`
`Complaint
`
`designated
`
`"20",
`
`except
`
`admits
`
`that
`
`Defendant,
`
`HOSPITAL
`
`FOR
`
`SPECIAL
`
`SURGERY,
`
`is
`
`a
`
`hospital
`
`facility
`
`which
`
`carries
`
`out
`
`functions
`
`consistent
`
`therewith
`
`located
`
`at
`
`535
`
`East
`
`70th
`
`Street,
`
`New
`
`York,
`
`New
`
`York
`
`10021.
`
`21.
`
`Denies
`
`knowledge
`
`or
`
`information
`
`sufficient
`
`to
`
`form
`
`a
`
`belief
`
`as
`
`to
`
`each
`
`and
`
`every
`
`allegation
`
`contained
`
`in
`
`the
`
`paragraph
`
`Complaint
`
`of
`
`the
`
`designated
`
`"21",
`
`except
`
`admits
`
`that
`
`Defendant,
`
`HOSPITAL
`
`FOR
`
`SPECIAL
`
`SURGERY,
`
`is
`
`a
`
`hospital
`
`facility
`
`which
`
`carries
`
`out
`
`functions
`
`consistent
`
`therewith
`
`located
`
`at
`
`535
`
`East
`
`70th
`
`Street,
`
`New
`
`York,
`
`New
`
`York
`
`10021.
`
`22.
`
`Denies
`
`knowledge
`
`or
`
`information
`
`sufficient
`
`to
`
`form
`
`a
`
`belief
`
`as
`
`to
`
`each
`
`and
`
`every
`
`allegation
`
`contained
`
`in
`
`the
`
`paragraph
`
`designated
`
`that
`
`of
`
`the
`
`Complaint
`
`"22",
`
`except
`
`admits
`
`Defendant,
`
`HOSPITAL
`
`FOR
`
`SPECIAL
`
`SURGERY,
`
`is
`
`a
`
`hospital
`
`facility
`
`which
`
`carries
`
`out
`
`functions
`
`consistent
`
`therewith
`
`located
`
`at
`
`535
`
`East
`
`70th
`
`Street,
`
`New
`
`York,
`
`New
`
`York
`
`10021.
`
`23.
`
`Denies
`
`knowledge
`
`or
`
`information
`
`sufficient
`
`to
`
`form
`
`a
`
`belief
`
`as
`
`to
`
`each
`
`and
`
`every
`
`allegation
`
`contained
`
`in
`
`the
`
`paragraph
`
`AA7Q-003A-M3A v 1
`
`4
`
`4 of 12
`
`

`

`FILED: SUFFOLK COUNTY CLERK 02/28/2023 12:56 PM
`NYSCEF DOC. NO. 15
`
`INDEX NO. 208905/2022
`
`RECEIVED NYSCEF: 02/28/2023
`
`of
`
`the
`
`Complaint
`
`designated
`
`"23",
`
`except
`
`admits
`
`Defendant,
`
`FRED
`
`CUSHNER,
`
`M.D.,
`
`s/h/a
`
`FREDERICK
`
`CUSHNER,
`
`M.D.,
`
`was
`
`and
`
`is
`
`a
`
`board
`
`certified
`
`orthopedic
`
`surgeon
`
`licensed
`
`to
`
`practice
`
`medicine
`
`in
`
`the
`
`State
`
`of
`
`New
`
`York,
`
`and
`
`that
`
`Defendant,
`
`FRED
`
`CUSHNER,
`
`M.D.
`
`s/h/a
`
`FREDERICK
`
`CUSHNER,
`
`M.D.,
`
`provided
`
`care
`
`and
`
`treatment
`
`to
`
`plaintiff
`
`within
`
`good
`
`and
`
`accepted
`
`medical
`
`practice.
`
`24.
`
`Denies
`
`knowledge
`
`or
`
`information
`
`sufficient
`
`to
`
`form
`
`a
`
`belief
`
`as
`
`to
`
`each
`
`and
`
`every
`
`allegation
`
`contained
`
`in
`
`the
`
`paragraph
`
`of
`
`the
`
`Complaint
`
`designated
`
`"24".
`
`25.
`
`Denies
`
`knowledge
`
`or
`
`information
`
`sufficient
`
`to
`
`form
`
`a
`
`belief
`
`as
`
`to
`
`each
`
`and
`
`every
`
`allegation
`
`contained
`
`in
`
`the
`
`paragraph
`
`Complaint
`
`designated
`
`of
`
`the
`
`"25",
`
`excepts
`
`admits
`
`Defendant,
`
`FRED
`
`CUSHNER,
`
`M.D.,
`
`s/h/a
`
`FREDERICK
`
`CUSHNER,
`
`M.D.,
`
`was
`
`and
`
`is
`
`board
`
`certified
`
`treatment
`
`in
`
`the
`
`field
`
`of
`
`orthopedic
`
`surgery
`
`and
`
`provided
`
`care
`
`and
`
`of
`
`Plaintiff,
`
`GREG
`
`LOPEZ,
`
`within
`
`good
`
`and
`
`accepted
`
`medical
`
`practice.
`
`26.
`
`Denies
`
`each
`
`and
`
`every
`
`allegation
`
`contained
`
`in
`
`the
`
`paragraph
`
`designated
`
`except
`
`admits
`
`of
`
`the
`
`Complaint
`
`"26",
`
`Defendant,
`
`FRED
`
`CUSHNER,
`
`M.D.,
`
`s/h/a
`
`FREDERICK
`
`CUSHNER,
`
`M. D.,
`
`provided
`
`care
`
`and
`
`treatment
`
`from
`
`time
`
`to
`
`time
`
`to
`
`Plaintiff,
`
`GREG
`
`LOPEZ.
`
`27.
`
`Denies
`
`knowledge
`
`or
`
`information
`
`sufficient
`
`to
`
`form
`
`a
`
`belief
`
`as
`
`to
`
`each
`
`and
`
`every
`
`allegation
`
`contained
`
`in
`
`the
`
`paragraph
`
`of
`
`the
`
`Complaint
`
`designated
`
`"27".
`
`4A7Q-003R-073R u 1
`
`5
`
`5 of 12
`
`

`

`FILED: SUFFOLK COUNTY CLERK 02/28/2023 12:56 PM
`NYSCEF DOC. NO. 15
`
`INDEX NO. 208905/2022
`
`RECEIVED NYSCEF: 02/28/2023
`
`28.
`
`Denies
`
`each
`
`and
`
`every
`
`allegation
`
`contained
`
`in
`
`the
`
`paragraph
`
`of
`
`the
`
`Complaint
`
`designated
`
`"28",
`
`except
`
`admits
`
`Plaintiff,
`
`GREG
`
`LOPEZ,
`
`GREG
`
`LOPEZ,
`
`was
`
`treated
`
`at
`
`Defendant,
`
`HOSPITAL
`
`FOR
`
`SPECIAL
`
`SURGERY,
`
`from
`
`time
`
`to
`
`time.
`
`29.
`
`Denies
`
`each
`
`and
`
`every
`
`allegation
`
`contained
`
`in
`
`the
`
`paragraph
`
`of
`
`the
`
`Complaint
`
`designated
`
`"29".
`
`30.
`
`Denies
`
`each
`
`and
`
`every
`
`allegation
`
`contained
`
`in
`
`the
`
`paragraph
`
`of
`
`the
`
`Complaint
`
`designated
`
`"30".
`
`31.
`
`Denies
`
`each
`
`and
`
`every
`
`allegation
`
`contained
`
`in
`
`the
`
`paragraph
`
`of
`
`the
`
`Complaint
`
`designated
`
`"31".
`
`AND
`
`A
`
`SECOND
`
`CAUSE
`
`OF
`
`ACTION
`
`AS
`
`FOR
`
`32.
`
`Repeats
`
`and
`
`reiterates
`
`each
`
`and
`
`every
`
`admission
`
`denial
`
`to
`
`the
`
`allegation
`
`set
`
`forth
`
`in
`
`the
`
`paragraph
`
`numbered
`
`and
`
`"32"
`
`of
`
`the
`
`Complaint.
`
`33.
`
`Denies
`
`each
`
`and
`
`every
`
`allegation
`
`contained
`
`in
`
`the
`
`paragraph
`
`of
`
`the
`
`Complaint
`
`designated
`
`"33",
`
`as
`
`to
`
`this
`
`answering
`
`Defendant.
`
`34.
`
`Denies
`
`each
`
`and
`
`every
`
`allegation
`
`contained
`
`in
`
`the
`
`paragraph
`
`of
`
`the
`
`Complaint
`
`designated
`
`"34",
`
`as
`
`to
`
`this
`
`answering
`
`defendant.
`
`35.
`
`Denies
`
`each
`
`and
`
`every
`
`allegation
`
`contained
`
`in
`
`the
`
`paragraph
`
`of
`
`the
`
`Complaint
`
`designated
`
`"35",
`
`as
`
`to
`
`this
`
`answering
`
`Defendant.
`
`4A7Q.003A-093A v 1
`
`6
`
`6 of 12
`
`

`

`FILED: SUFFOLK COUNTY CLERK 02/28/2023 12:56 PM
`NYSCEF DOC. NO. 15
`
`INDEX NO. 208905/2022
`
`RECEIVED NYSCEF: 02/28/2023
`
`36.
`
`Denies
`
`each
`
`and
`
`every
`
`allegation
`
`contained
`
`in
`
`the
`
`paragraph
`
`of
`
`the
`
`Complaint
`
`designated
`
`"36",
`
`as
`
`to
`
`this
`
`answering
`
`Defendant.
`
`37.
`
`Denies
`
`each
`
`and
`
`every
`
`allegation
`
`contained
`
`in
`
`the
`
`paragraph
`
`of
`
`the
`
`Complaint
`
`designated
`
`"37",
`
`as
`
`to
`
`this
`
`answering
`
`Defendant.
`
`38.
`
`Denies
`
`each
`
`and
`
`every
`
`allegation
`
`contained
`
`in
`
`the
`
`paragraph
`
`of
`
`the
`
`Complaint
`
`designated
`
`"38",
`
`as
`
`to
`
`this
`
`answering
`
`Defendant.
`
`39.
`
`Denies
`
`each
`
`and
`
`every
`
`allegation
`
`contained
`
`in
`
`the
`
`paragraph
`
`of
`
`the
`
`Complaint
`
`designated
`
`"39".
`
`40.
`
`Denies
`
`each
`
`and
`
`allegation
`
`contained
`
`in
`
`the
`
`paragraph
`
`of
`
`the
`
`Complaint
`
`designated
`
`"40",
`
`as
`
`to
`
`this
`
`answering
`
`every
`
`Defendant.
`
`41.
`
`Denies
`
`each
`
`and
`
`every
`
`allegation
`
`contained
`
`in
`
`the
`
`paragraph
`
`of
`
`the
`
`Complaint
`
`designated
`
`"41",
`
`as
`
`to
`
`this
`
`answering
`
`Defendant.
`
`42.
`
`Denies
`
`each
`
`and
`
`every
`
`allegation
`
`contained
`
`in
`
`the
`
`paragraph
`
`of
`
`the
`
`Complaint
`
`designated
`
`"42".
`
`43.
`
`Denies
`
`each
`
`and
`
`every
`
`allegation
`
`contained
`
`in
`
`the
`
`paragraph
`
`of
`
`the
`
`Complaint
`
`designated
`
`"43",
`
`as
`
`to
`
`this
`
`answering
`
`Defendant.
`
`44.
`
`Denies
`
`each
`
`and
`
`every
`
`allegation
`
`contained
`
`in
`
`the
`
`paragraph
`
`of
`
`the
`
`Complaint
`
`designated
`
`"44".
`
`dA70-0038-093A
`
`v 1
`
`7
`
`7 of 12
`
`

`

`FILED: SUFFOLK COUNTY CLERK 02/28/2023 12:56 PM
`NYSCEF DOC. NO. 15
`
`INDEX NO. 208905/2022
`
`RECEIVED NYSCEF: 02/28/2023
`
`45.
`
`Denies
`
`each
`
`and
`
`every
`
`allegation
`
`contained
`
`in
`
`the
`
`paragraph
`
`of
`
`the
`
`Complaint
`
`designated
`
`"45".
`
`46.
`
`Denies
`
`each
`
`and
`
`every
`
`allegation
`
`contained
`
`in
`
`the
`
`paragraph
`
`of
`
`the
`
`Complaint
`
`designated
`
`"46".
`
`AS
`
`AND
`
`FOR
`
`A THIRD
`
`CAUSE
`
`OF ACTION
`
`47.
`
`Repeats
`
`and
`
`reiterates
`
`each
`
`and
`
`every
`
`admission
`
`denial
`
`to
`
`the
`
`allegation
`
`set
`
`forth
`
`in
`
`the
`
`paragraph
`
`numbered
`
`and
`
`"47"
`
`of
`
`the
`
`Complaint.
`
`48.
`
`Denies
`
`each
`
`and
`
`every
`
`allegation
`
`contained
`
`in
`
`the
`
`paragraph
`
`of
`
`the
`
`Complaint
`
`designated
`
`"48".
`
`49.
`
`Denies
`
`each
`
`and
`
`every
`
`allegation
`
`contained
`
`in
`
`the
`
`paragraph
`
`of
`
`the
`
`Complaint
`
`designated
`
`as
`
`to
`
`this
`
`"49",
`
`answering
`
`Defendant.
`
`50.
`
`Denies
`
`each
`
`and
`
`every
`
`allegation
`
`contained
`
`in
`
`the
`
`paragraph
`
`of
`
`the
`
`Complaint
`
`designated
`
`"50",
`
`as
`
`to
`
`this
`
`answering
`
`Defendant.
`
`51.
`
`Denies
`
`each
`
`and
`
`every
`
`allegation
`
`contained
`
`in
`
`the
`
`paragraph
`
`of
`
`the
`
`Complaint
`
`designated
`
`"51".
`
`52.
`
`Denies
`
`each
`
`and
`
`every
`
`allegation
`
`contained
`
`in
`
`the
`
`paragraph
`
`of
`
`the
`
`Complaint
`
`designated
`
`"52".
`
`AS
`
`AND
`
`FOR
`
`A FIRST
`
`AFFIRMATIVE
`
`DEFENSE
`
`53.
`
`Whatever
`
`injuries
`
`Plaintiff,
`
`GREG
`
`LOPEZ,
`
`may
`
`sustained
`
`at
`
`the
`
`time
`
`and
`
`place
`
`alleged
`
`in
`
`the
`
`Complaint
`
`have
`
`were
`
`caused
`
`in
`
`whole
`
`or
`
`in
`
`part
`
`or
`
`were
`
`contributed
`
`to
`
`by
`
`the
`
`culpable
`
`4A7Q.003A-073A v 1
`
`8
`
`8 of 12
`
`

`

`FILED: SUFFOLK COUNTY CLERK 02/28/2023 12:56 PM
`NYSCEF DOC. NO. 15
`
`INDEX NO. 208905/2022
`
`RECEIVED NYSCEF: 02/28/2023
`
`conduct
`
`and
`
`want
`
`of
`
`care
`
`on
`
`the
`
`part
`
`of
`
`the
`
`Plaintiff
`
`and
`
`without
`
`any
`
`negligence
`
`or
`
`fault
`
`or
`
`want
`
`of
`
`care
`
`on
`
`the
`
`part
`
`of
`
`the
`
`defendant
`
`and
`
`that
`
`any
`
`award
`
`will
`
`thereby
`
`be
`
`proportionately
`
`diminished
`
`or
`
`barred.
`
`AS
`
`AND
`
`FOR
`
`A
`
`SECOND
`
`AFFIRMATIVE
`
`DEFENSE
`
`54.
`
`Defendant
`
`the
`
`protection
`
`of
`
`Law
`
`2805-
`
`invokes
`
`Public
`
`d(4)
`
`with
`
`respect
`
`to
`
`the
`
`alleged
`
`cause
`
`of
`
`action
`
`for
`
`informed
`
`consent,
`
`and
`
`reserves
`
`all
`
`their
`
`rights
`
`pursuant
`
`thereto.
`
`AS
`
`AND
`
`FOR
`
`A
`
`THIRD
`
`AFFIRMATIVE
`
`DEFENSE
`
`55.
`
`Whatever
`
`non-economic
`
`injuries
`
`Plaintiff,
`
`GREG
`
`LOPEZ,
`
`may
`
`have
`
`sustained
`
`as
`
`a
`
`result
`
`of
`
`the
`
`wrongdoing
`
`alleged
`
`in
`
`the
`
`will
`
`be
`
`limited
`
`as
`
`to
`
`the
`
`Defendant
`
`Article
`
`Complaint
`
`answering
`
`by
`
`16
`
`of
`
`the
`
`New
`
`York
`
`State
`
`Civil
`
`Practice
`
`Law
`
`and
`
`Rules.
`
`AS
`
`AND
`
`FOR
`
`A FOURTH
`
`AFFIRMATIVE
`
`DEFENSE
`
`56.
`
`Any
`
`damages
`
`awarded
`
`to
`
`Plaintiff,
`
`GREG
`
`LOPEZ,
`
`is
`
`subject
`
`to
`
`a
`
`set-off
`
`pursuant
`
`to
`
`CPLR
`
`4545,
`
`to
`
`the
`
`extent
`
`Plaintiff,
`
`GREG
`
`LOPEZ,
`
`received
`
`any
`
`reimbursement
`
`of
`
`his
`
`damages
`
`collateral
`
`source
`
`provider
`
`but
`
`not
`
`limited
`
`through
`
`any
`
`including
`
`to
`
`insurer,
`
`Workers'
`
`Compensation
`
`or
`
`Social
`
`Security/Disability.
`
`AS
`
`AND
`
`FOR
`
`A
`
`FIFTH
`
`AFFIRMATIVE
`
`DEFENSE
`
`57.
`
`This
`
`action
`
`is
`
`barred
`
`or
`
`the
`
`Defendant
`
`is
`
`entitled
`
`a
`
`a
`
`set-off
`
`against
`
`any
`
`award
`
`herein,
`
`including
`
`but
`
`not
`
`limited
`
`set-off
`
`pursuant
`
`to
`
`GOL
`
`§
`
`15-108,
`
`to
`
`the
`
`extent
`
`that
`
`Plaintiff,
`
`to
`
`to
`
`dA7Q-007R-093R v i
`
`9 of 12
`
`9
`
`

`

`FILED: SUFFOLK COUNTY CLERK 02/28/2023 12:56 PM
`NYSCEF DOC. NO. 15
`
`INDEX NO. 208905/2022
`
`RECEIVED NYSCEF: 02/28/2023
`
`GREG LOPEZ, has previously recovered a sum for all or part of the
`damages claimed herein.
`
`AS AND FOR A SIXTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE
`This action is barred, in whole or in part, by the
`58.
`Emergency or Disaster Treatment Act, PHL 3080 et seq. Answering
`Defendant has immunity from any liability for any alleged harm or
`damages alleged to have been sustained as a result of an alleged
`act or omission in the course of providing health care services in
`accordance with applicable law or COVID-19 emergency rule. Said
`alleged act or omission occurred in the course of providing health
`care services to Plaintiff. Said treatment was impacted by
`Defendant's professional decisions or activities in response to
`or as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak and in support of the
`state's directives. Defendant provide9 said health care services
`in good faith.
`AS AND FOR A SEVENTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE
`Plaintiff has failed to comply with CPLR 3012-a.
`59.
`WHEREFORE, FRO CUSHNER, M.D., s/h/a FRDERICK CUSHNER, M.D.,
`demands judgment dismissing the Complaint together with costs and
`disbursements of this action.
`Dated: New York, New York
`February 7, 2023
`
`10
`
`10 of 12
`
`

`

`FILED: SUFFOLK COUNTY CLERK 02/28/2023 12:56 PM
`NYSCEF DOC. NO. 15
`
`INDEX NO. 208905/2022
`
`RECEIVED NYSCEF: 02/28/2023
`
`Yours,
`
`etc.,
`
`DOPF,
`
`P.C.
`
`YSIT
`JESU
`SURGERY
`1555
`
`Rey
`
`for
`
`Defendants
`M.D.
`s/h/a
`M.D.
`SPECIAL
`
`Street,
`York
`
`Suite
`10120
`
`New
`York,
`244-9090
`
`L.
`Ruby
`Attorneys
`FRED
`CUSHNER,
`FREDERICK
`CUSHNER,
`HOSPITAL
`and
`FOR
`34th
`112
`West
`New
`
`(212)
`
`TO:
`
`DELL
`Attorneys
`1225
`Suite
`Garden
`
`(516)
`
`& DEAN,
`
`for
`
`Franklin
`450
`
`City,
`880-9700
`
`PLLC
`Plaintiff
`Avenue
`
`New
`
`York
`
`11530
`
`,
`
`.
`
`11
`
`4 A7Q.003A.M3A
`
`v 1
`
`11 of 12
`
`

`

`FILED: SUFFOLK COUNTY CLERK 02/28/2023 12:56 PM
`NYSCEF DOC. NO. 15
`
`INDEX NO. 208905/2022
`
`RECEIVED NYSCEF: 02/28/2023
`
`VERIFICATION
`
`ss.:
`
`) )
`
`)
`
`STATE
`
`OF NEW YORK
`
`COUNTY
`
`OF
`
`NEW YORK
`
`FRED
`
`CUSHNER,
`
`M.D.,
`
`being
`
`duly
`
`sworn
`
`deposes
`
`and
`
`says:
`
`am a
`
`defendant
`
`in
`
`the
`
`within
`
`action.
`
`have
`
`read
`
`the
`
`foregoing
`
`Answer
`
`and
`
`know
`
`the
`
`contents
`
`I
`
`I
`
`thereof.
`
`The
`
`same
`
`is
`
`true
`
`to
`
`my
`
`own
`
`knowledge,
`
`except
`
`as
`
`to
`
`the
`
`matters
`
`therein
`
`stated
`
`to
`
`be
`
`alleged
`
`on
`
`information
`
`and
`
`belief,
`
`and
`
`as
`
`to
`
`those
`
`matters
`
`I
`
`believe
`
`it
`
`to
`
`be
`
`true.
`
`FRED
`
`CUSHNER,
`
`M. D.
`
`Sworn
`
`to
`
`before
`
`me
`
`this
`
`day
`
`of
`
`///
`
`,
`
`2023.
`
`NOT
`
`R
`
`LIC
`
`NOTARY
`
`JENNIFERJOHNSON
`STATE OF NEW YORK
`PUBLIC,
`No. 01JO6181010
`Qualified
`In New York County
`Commission
`Expires
`June
`26, 2024
`
`4A7Q.003A-093A v 1
`
`12 of 12
`
`12
`
`