`NYSCEF DOC. NO. 77
`RECEIVED NYSCEF: 07/20/2018
`
`INDEX NO. 50551/2013
`
`SUPREME
`COUNTY
`
`OF THE
`COURT
`OF WESTCHEESTER
`
`STATE
`
`OF NEW YORK
`
`Index
`
`No.
`
`50551/2013
`
`ANTHONY
`
`DALLI
`
`Plaintiff,
`
`-agaiñst-
`
`NOTICE
`
`OF ENTRY
`
`WESTCHESTER
`TRANSPORTATION
`
`COUNTY
`OF
`DEPARTMENT
`and ANTHONY
`MASSARO,
`
`JR.
`
`Defendant.
`
`That
`
`the within
`
`is a true
`
`copy
`
`of
`
`the ORDER
`
`signed
`
`on
`
`July
`
`19,
`
`2018
`
`and
`
`entered
`
`in the
`
`office
`
`of
`
`the
`
`clerk
`
`of
`
`the within
`
`ñamed
`
`Court
`
`on July
`
`20,
`
`2018.
`
`Dated:
`
`Queens,
`
`July
`
`20,
`
`New York
`2018
`
`Yours
`
`etc.,
`
`To:
`
`Beach,
`
`Harris
`Joseph
`
`PLLC
`Esq.
`
`Phelan,
`P. Chafizadeh,
`Darius
`Avenue
`445 Hamilton
`NY 10601
`White
`
`Esq.
`Suite
`
`Plains,
`
`Esq.
`
`ArthÊ
`
`A.G.
`3119
`
`G. Trakas,
`P.C.
`Trakas,
`Newtown
`Avenue,
`NY 11103
`Astoria,
`(718)718-721-7171
`
`Suite
`
`500
`
`1206
`
`1
`
`1 of 10
`
`
`
`FILED: WESTCHESTER COUNTY CLERK 07/20/2018 11:08 AM
`NYSCEF DOC. NO. 77
`RECEIVED NYSCEF: 07/20/2018
`
`INDEX NO. 50551/2013
`
`NYSCEF
`
`DOC.
`
`NO.
`
`7 6
`
`RECEIVED
`
`NYSCEF:
`
`07 /19/2018
`
`.
`
`for app.eals as of right
`the statutorytime
`To commence
`you are advised to serve a copy
`(CPLR 5513[a]),
`order, with notice of entry, upon all parties.
`ofthis
`
`SUPREME
`COUNTY
`
`OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK
`COURT
`OF WESTCHESTER
`
`ANTHONY
`
`DALLI,
`
`-against-
`
`Plaintiff,
`
`WESTCHESTER
`TRANSPORTATION
`
`OF
`DEPARTMENT
`COUNTY
`and ANTHONY
`MASSARO,
`
`Defendants.
`
`JR.,
`
`x
`
`RUDERMAN,
`
`J.
`
`DECISION
`Motion
`Index
`
`and ORDER
`Sequence
`No.
`2
`No.
`50551/2013
`
`The
`
`following
`
`papers
`
`were
`
`concidered
`
`in connection
`
`with def±w
`
`post-trial
`
`motion
`
`pursuant
`
`to CPLR 4404(a)
`
`for
`
`an order
`
`setting
`
`aside
`
`the jury
`
`verdict
`
`as to liability
`
`and damages,
`
`and
`
`granting
`
`judgment
`
`for
`
`defendant,
`
`or directing
`
`a new trial,
`
`or
`
`reducing
`
`the jury's
`
`damages
`
`award
`
`as excessive
`
`and contrary
`
`to the weight
`
`of
`
`the evidence,
`
`or,
`
`in the alternative,
`
`setting
`
`this
`
`matter
`
`down
`
`for
`
`a cellateral
`
`source
`
`and related
`
`relief:
`
`hearing
`
`Papers
`Affirmation
`to Show
`Order
`Cause,
`Affirmation
`in Opposition,
`Affirmation
`
`Reply
`
`Exhibits
`Supplemental
`
`A - S
`Affirmation
`
`in Opposition'
`
`Numbered
`
`1
`2
`3
`
`.
`
`.
`
`This
`
`action
`
`arose
`
`out
`
`of an accident
`
`that
`
`occurred
`
`on August
`
`16, 2011
`
`in which
`
`plaintiff
`
`was
`
`struck
`
`by a Liberty
`
`Lines
`
`bus driven
`
`by defendant
`
`Anthony
`
`Massaro,
`
`Jr.
`
`It was
`
`plaintif
`
`s
`
`paedon
`
`that
`
`at
`
`the time
`
`of
`
`the accident,
`
`while
`
`he was working
`
`within
`
`a cordoned-off
`
`work
`
`area
`
`' Plaintiffs
`"Supplemental
`and =+==d-d
`schedule
`of any perceptible
`prejudice
`
`agreed-on
`absence
`
`Affirmation
`
`in Opposition
`will
`be accepted
`pracedures,
`to defendan+¼.
`
`"
`
`submitted
`while
`and considered
`
`in violation
`this Court
`
`by
`
`the
`of
`in the
`
`.
`
`.
`
`.
`
`.
`
`.
`
`1 of
`
`8
`
`.
`
`2 of 10
`
`.
`
`..
`
`- ..
`
`..
`
`.
`
`-
`
`....--._...
`
`-.
`
`..-..
`
`
`
`FILED: WESTCHESTER COUNTY CLERK 07/20/2018 11:08 AM
`NYSCEF DOC. NO. 77
`RECEIVED NYSCEF: 07/20/2018
`
`INDEX NO. 50551/2013
`
`NYSCEF
`
`DOC.
`
`NO.
`
`76
`
`.
`
`RECEIVED
`
`NYSCEF:
`
`07/19/2018
`
`on Jemme
`
`Avenue
`
`near
`
`208th
`
`Street
`
`in the Bronx,
`
`a portion
`
`of
`
`defendants'
`
`bus
`
`entered
`
`the work
`
`area and struck
`
`him,
`
`knocking
`
`him down
`
`and casing
`
`injuries.
`
`Defendants
`
`took
`
`the position
`
`that
`
`Massaro
`
`was
`
`not
`
`negligent,
`
`and that
`
`the accident
`
`was
`
`caused
`
`when
`
`plaintiff
`
`unknowingly
`
`backed
`
`. into
`
`the street
`
`outside
`
`the cordoned-off
`
`area, where
`
`he was
`
`struck
`
`by the bus.
`
`The
`
`jury
`
`found
`
`that
`
`Massaro
`
`was
`
`negligent
`
`and that
`
`defendants
`
`were
`
`90% liable,
`
`while
`
`plaintiff
`
`was
`
`10% liable.
`
`In the damages
`
`portion
`
`of
`
`the trial,
`
`phiwiff
`
`presented
`
`his own
`
`tesdmony
`
`and that
`
`of his
`
`Dr..David
`
`of his claim
`
`that
`
`he suffered
`
`chronic
`
`treating
`
`physician,
`
`Zelefsky,
`
`in support
`
`back
`
`and neck
`
`injuries
`
`as a result
`
`of
`
`the accidentcHe
`
`also
`
`described
`
`that
`
`on December
`
`shoulder,
`
`14, 2014
`
`he experienced
`
`an exacerbation
`
`of his original
`
`back
`
`injury,
`
`such
`
`that
`
`he became
`
`unable
`
`to
`
`·
`
`comi==a
`
`working
`
`as he had up to that
`
`date.
`
`Defendants
`
`presented
`
`as witnesses
`
`orthopedist
`
`Dr.
`
`John Buckner
`
`and neurologist
`
`Dr, Adam
`
`Bender
`
`who
`
`testified
`
`as to their
`
`opinions
`
`that
`
`the
`
`accident
`
`had not
`
`caused
`
`plaintiff
`
`any
`
`significant
`
`physical
`
`injuries.
`
`The jury
`
`award
`
`in plaintiff's
`
`favor
`
`was
`
`as follows:
`
`past medical
`expenses
`past
`lost
`earnings
`. past
`and suffering
`pain
`future
`lost
`earnings
`future
`pain
`and
`
`suffering
`TOTAL
`
`65,500.00
`$
`207,500.00
`$
`·213,000.00
`$
`960,000.00
`$
`634,800.00
`$
`$2,080,800.002
`
`Defendants
`
`now move
`
`to set aside
`
`the verdicts.
`
`(for
`(for
`
`16 years)
`34 years)
`
`.
`
`.
`
`.
`
`2Defendants'
`
`for plaintiff's
`the award
`pain
`and suffering
`award
`than
`$2,080,800.
`rather
`
`papers
`moving
`past medical
`was
`$634,500
`
`have
`reported!the
`incorrectly
`rather
`expenses
`was $65,000
`rather
`$634,800,!and
`than
`
`verdict
`than
`that
`
`amounts:
`$65,500,
`the total
`
`state
`that
`they
`that
`the future
`is $2,079,500
`
`2
`
`.
`
`3 of 10
`
`
`
`FILED: WESTCHESTER COUNTY CLERK 07/20/2018 11:08 AM
`NYSCEF DOC. NO. 77
`RECEIVED NYSCEF: 07/20/2018
`· INDEX
`NO.
`
`(FILED
`NYSCEF
`
`: WESTCHESTER
`DOC.
`NO.
`76
`
`COUNTY
`
`CLERK
`
`07 / 20 / 2018.
`
`09
`
`: 43
`
`-Aly
`
`INDEX NO. 50551/2013
`
`50551/2013
`
`RECEIVED
`
`NYSCEF:
`
`07/19/2018
`
`.
`
`The
`
`Liability
`
`Verdict
`
`DiSCuSSiOn
`
`Turning
`
`first
`
`to the liability
`
`verdict,
`
`it was
`
`not against
`
`the weight
`
`of
`
`the evidence,
`
`of
`
`verdict
`when
`the evidence
`to the weight
`is contrary
`"A jury
`could
`the verdict
`the movant
`that
`of
`in favor
`so preponderates
`evidence
`Whether
`of
`the evidence.
`interpretation
`fair
`been
`on any
`a jury
`reached
`not
`should
`to the weight
`be set aside
`as contrary
`the evidence
`of
`does
`question
`of
`rather
`but
`requires
`a discretionary
`of many
`law,
`balancing
`We accord
`deference
`to the credibility
`deter---4W±ns
`of
`the factfinders,
`the witnesses"
`to see and hear
`the opportunity
`
`the
`have
`not
`verdict
`involve
`factors.
`who
`
`a
`
`had
`
`(Peterson
`
`v MTA,
`
`155 AD3d
`
`795,
`
`798
`
`[2d Dept
`
`2017]).
`
`.
`
`Plaintiff
`
`and two
`
`of his
`
`co-workers,
`
`John Delligatti
`
`and Jesus Garcia
`
`te=*ined
`
`that
`
`.
`
`defendants'
`
`bus
`
`swerved
`
`into
`
`the area
`
`in which
`
`plaintiff
`
`was working,
`
`which
`
`area was marked
`
`traffic
`
`cones,
`
`and
`
`struck
`
`plaintiff
`
`within
`
`that
`
`area.
`
`Another
`
`eyewitness,
`
`Bart
`
`Xhackli,
`
`te*ined
`
`defendants'
`
`case that
`
`it was
`
`plaintiff
`
`who
`
`backed
`
`into
`
`the bus's
`
`path while
`
`it was within
`
`the
`
`by
`
`on
`
`roadway.
`
`While
`
`defendants
`
`challenged
`
`the credibility
`
`of plaintifFs
`
`witnesses
`
`and empha.cized
`
`,
`
`the elishility
`
`of
`
`the neutral
`
`eyewitness
`
`in support
`
`of
`
`their
`
`argument
`
`that
`
`plaintiff
`
`was
`
`actually
`
`cutside
`
`the marked-off
`
`area when
`
`the bus
`
`struck
`
`him,
`
`"[i]ssues
`
`of credibility
`
`are for
`
`the jury,
`
`.
`
`.
`
`which
`
`had the opportunity
`
`to observe
`
`the witnesses
`
`and the evidence[,]
`
`[and]
`
`[i]ts
`
`resolution
`
`is
`
`entitled
`
`to
`
`deference"
`
`(Cicola
`
`v County
`
`ofSuffolk,
`
`120 AD3d
`
`1379,
`
`1382
`
`[2d Dept
`
`2014]),
`
`quoting
`
`Lalla
`
`v Connolly,
`
`17 AD3d
`
`322,
`
`323
`
`[2d Dept
`
`2005]).
`
`Defendmate'
`
`arguments
`
`do not
`
`justify
`
`a rejection
`
`by this Court
`
`of
`
`the testimony
`
`of plaintiff
`
`and his
`
`co-workers
`
`as a matter
`
`of
`
`law;
`
`nor may
`
`it be said
`
`that
`
`the liability
`
`verdict
`
`could
`
`not have
`
`been
`
`reached
`
`on any
`
`fair
`
`interpretation
`
`of
`
`the evidence.
`
`There.
`
`is no merit
`
`to defendants'
`
`other
`
`arguments
`
`ch±!!enging
`
`the
`
`liability
`
`verdict.
`
`3
`
`3 of
`
`8
`
`4 of 10
`
`
`
`FILED: WESTCHESTER COUNTY CLERK 07/20/2018 11:08 AM
`NYSCEF DOC. NO. 77
`RECEIVED NYSCEF: 07/20/2018
`·
`INDEX
`NO.
`50551/2013
`: WESTCHESTER
`DOC. NO.
`76
`
`IFILED
`NYSCEF
`
`COUNTY
`
`CLERK
`
`07720/201
`
`INDEX NO. 50551/2013
`
`09:
`
`43
`
`AN|
`. RECEIVED
`
`NYSCEF:
`
`07/19/2.018
`
`Damages
`
`Verdict
`
`.
`
`The
`
`verdict
`
`in favor
`
`of plaintiff
`
`on damages
`
`was
`
`supp
`
`rted
`
`by plaintiff's
`
`teeimony
`
`and
`
`.
`
`that
`
`of his
`
`treating
`
`physician,
`
`Dr. David
`
`Zelefsky.
`
`Plaintiff
`
`testified
`
`regarding.his
`
`injuries,
`
`the
`
`treatments
`
`he underwent
`
`and the pain
`
`he experienced;
`
`Zelefsky
`
`introduced
`
`and
`
`explened
`
`medical
`
`records
`
`regarding
`
`plaintiff's
`
`testing,
`
`diagriosis
`
`and treatment
`
`Several
`
`of
`
`defendants'
`
`chahnees
`
`verdict
`
`are related
`
`to plaintiff's
`
`claim
`
`to the damages
`
`that
`
`his original
`
`injuries
`
`caused
`
`by the subject
`
`accident
`
`were
`
`e acerbated
`
`or ar,g.vated
`
`while
`
`he
`
`.
`
`was working
`
`on December
`
`14, 2014,
`
`after which
`
`he became
`
`unable
`
`to work
`
`at all. Dd
`
`eñ±
`
`that
`
`this was
`
`actually
`
`a new injury
`
`caused
`
`by a subse
`
`luent
`
`accident,
`
`for which
`
`plaintiff
`
`is not
`
`entitled
`
`to any
`
`damages
`
`here.
`
`Defendants
`
`contend
`
`that
`
`plaintiff
`
`should
`
`have
`
`been
`
`pracluded
`
`from making
`
`a claim
`
`at
`
`trial
`
`for
`
`an award
`
`of damages
`
`for
`
`the period
`
`after
`
`the Decemb
`
`relying.on
`
`the
`
`.
`
`r 14, 2014
`
`incident,
`
`decision
`
`and order
`
`issued
`
`in this
`
`case on October
`
`24, 2017
`
`(Jo,an
`
`Lefkowitz,
`
`J.), denying
`
`plaintiff's
`
`=-½=
`
`to strike
`
`the note
`
`of
`
`issue
`
`in order
`
`to permit
`
`additiand
`
`discovery.
`
`However,
`
`that
`
`decision
`
`and order
`
`explained
`
`that
`
`plaintiff
`
`had failed
`
`to e tablish
`
`that
`
`unusual
`
`or
`
`.
`
`unanticipated
`
`circrÄnces
`
`had
`
`arisen
`
`since.the
`
`note
`
`of
`
`issuelwas
`
`filed,
`
`justifying
`
`a need
`
`for
`
`further
`
`discovery.
`
`Nothing
`
`in the lañg-:age
`
`of
`
`that
`
`order
`
`precl
`
`ded plaintiff
`
`from clai±g
`
`that
`
`damages
`
`for
`
`his
`
`injury
`
`was
`
`exacerbated
`
`or aggravated
`
`on December
`
`14, 2014,
`
`or
`
`from seeking
`
`pain
`
`and suffering
`
`and lost
`
`earnings,
`
`for
`
`the period
`
`after Dece
`
`Iber.14,
`
`2014.
`
`Defendants
`
`alsö
`
`rely
`
`on a deter-
`
`::tian
`
`of
`
`the Social
`
`Security
`
`Administation
`
`dated
`
`-
`
`December
`
`5, 2017,
`
`which
`
`determinatics
`
`was
`
`not
`
`received
`
`in evidence,
`
`in.which
`
`the agency
`
`found
`
`that
`
`plaintiff
`
`has been
`
`disabled,
`
`for purposes
`
`of
`
`the Social
`
`Security
`
`Act
`
`sectics
`
`216(i)
`
`and
`
`.
`
`4
`
`.
`
`.
`
`4 of
`
`8
`
`5 of 10
`
`
`
`FILED: WESTCHESTER COUNTY CLERK 07/20/2018 11:08 AM
`NYSCEF DOC. NO. 77
`RECEIVED NYSCEF: 07/20/2018
`
`INDEX NO. 50551/2013
`
`NYSCEF
`
`DOC.
`
`NO.
`
`76
`
`RECEIVED
`
`NYSCEF:
`
`07/19./2018
`
`223(d),
`
`since December
`
`12, 20143.
`
`That
`
`deter¬in=tion
`
`specifically
`
`acknowledged
`
`that
`
`plaintiff
`
`was
`
`initially
`
`injured
`
`in April
`
`2011
`
`when
`
`he was
`
`struck
`
`by a vehicle
`
`in the course
`
`of his
`
`.-
`
`employment,
`
`but had been.able
`
`to return
`
`to work
`
`before
`
`being
`
`reinjured
`
`on December
`
`12, 2014.
`
`It does
`
`not
`
`find
`
`that
`
`the December
`
`12, 2014
`
`injury
`
`is a new injury
`
`restiting
`
`from a separate
`
`.
`
`t
`
`.
`
`rather
`
`than
`
`a
`
`aggravation
`
`o·f
`
`injuries.
`
`E en if
`
`accident,
`
`.
`
`.
`
`the original
`
`the agency
`
`had so found,
`
`plaintiff
`
`would
`
`not
`
`be pree!üded
`
`from claiming
`
`ds:ps
`
`for
`
`tlie period
`
`after December
`
`12, 2014
`
`based
`
`on the application
`
`of
`
`the doctrine
`
`of co
`
`==1 estoppel,)since
`
`defendant
`
`has
`
`failed
`
`to
`
`establish
`
`that
`
`the issue
`
`decided
`
`in the agency
`
`proceeding
`
`was
`
`identical
`
`to that
`
`presented
`
`in the
`
`personal
`
`injury
`
`action
`
`(see Auqui
`
`v Seven
`
`Thirty
`
`One Ltd. Partnership,
`
`22 NY3d
`
`246,
`
`255
`
`.
`
`.
`
`[2013])
`
`.
`
`.
`
`..
`
`.
`
`.
`
`coateñd
`
`a awed
`
`without
`
`Defendants
`
`next
`
`that Dr. Zelefsky
`
`was
`
`improperly
`
`to testify
`
`MRI
`
`films
`
`in evidencei
`
`This
`
`contention
`
`is built
`
`on a false
`
`pre nise.
`
`Review
`
`of
`
`the trial
`
`transcript
`
`confirms
`
`that
`
`the MRI
`
`films
`
`were
`
`admitted
`
`in evidence
`
`(see
`
`Defendants'
`
`Exhibit
`
`B, Trial
`
`Transcript
`
`at 175).
`
`It
`
`is worth
`
`noting
`
`that
`
`ddandants'
`
`medical
`
`experts
`
`also
`
`testified
`
`with
`
`respect
`
`to the MRIs.
`
`Accordingly,
`
`Wagman
`
`v Bradshaw
`
`(292
`
`AD2d
`
`Ó4, 87 [2d Dept
`
`2002]),
`
`upon
`
`defendants
`
`not
`
`require
`
`the yerdict
`
`The Court
`
`there
`
`ordered
`
`a
`
`which
`
`rely,
`
`does
`
`setting
`
`aside
`
`here:
`
`new trial
`
`on the issue
`
`of damages
`
`because
`
`"[t]he
`
`plaintiff
`
`was
`
`.. allowed
`
`to place
`
`iri evidence,
`
`by
`
`way
`
`of
`
`the treating
`
`chiropractor,
`
`a subjective
`
`interpretation
`
`of
`
`{unproduced]
`
`MRI
`
`films,
`
`from an
`
`inadmissible
`
`report
`
`written
`
`by a nontestifying
`
`healthcare
`
`prof
`
`ssional"
`
`(id
`
`at.86).
`
`While
`
`defcñdañts.challenged
`
`Zelefsky's
`
`expertise,
`
`the doctor
`
`was
`
`properly
`
`permitted
`
`to
`
`5 The SSA determi==tion
`refers
`on D~·ember
`that
`it occurred
`is immaterial.
`
`testified
`
`discrepancy
`
`to the reinjury
`date as pecem
`14, 2014.
`the Court
`However,
`
`r 12, 2014,
`concludes
`
`plaintiff
`while
`that
`the minor
`
`.
`
`.
`
`5
`
`.5 of
`
`8
`
`6 of 10
`
`
`
`FILED: WESTCHESTER COUNTY CLERK 07/20/2018 11:08 AM
`NYSCEF DOC. NO. 77
`RECEIVED NYSCEF: 07/20/2018
`FILED:
`WESTCHESTER
`INDEX
`NO..
`50551/2013
`NYSCEF
`DOC.
`NO.
`76
`
`0 9:
`
`43
`
`AN|
`RECEIVED
`
`NYSCEF:
`
`07/19/2018
`
`COUNTY
`
`CLERK
`
`07/20/2018
`
`INDEX NO. 50551/2013
`
`testify,
`
`and the jury
`
`was
`
`entitled
`
`to credit
`
`his opinions
`
`as it saw fit.
`
`With
`
`regard
`
`to plaintiff's
`
`lost
`
`earnings
`
`award,
`
`da'^··'^-"
`
`protest
`
`that
`
`the evidence
`
`was
`
`.
`
`insufficient
`
`to establish
`
`those
`
`claims
`
`in the absence
`
`of an expert
`
`ecenemist.
`
`However,
`
`daS=d==+•
`
`acknowledge
`
`that
`
`a plaintiff's
`
`burden
`
`of proving
`
`past
`
`and
`
`future
`
`lost
`
`earnings
`
`may
`
`be
`
`accesp!i±ed
`
`with
`
`evidence
`
`such
`
`as tax
`
`returns
`
`and W-2s
`
`(see Karwacki
`
`v Astoria
`
`Med
`
`Anesthesia
`
`[2d Dept
`
`Assoc.,
`
`P.C.,
`
`23 AD3d
`
`438
`
`2005]).
`
`Plaintiff's
`
`showing
`
`on that
`
`issue was
`
`supported
`
`by his W-2s
`
`and tax
`
`records,
`
`=·bmined
`
`in evidence,
`
`and his.testimony
`
`regarding
`
`missed
`
`months
`
`of work
`
`after
`
`the subject
`
`accident.
`
`Defe
`
`dants
`
`have
`
`not
`
`provided
`
`authority
`
`for
`
`.
`
`their
`
`suggestion
`
`that
`
`it
`
`is necessary
`
`to provide
`
`the testimony
`
`of an economist.
`
`Nor
`
`is there
`
`a lack
`
`of evidence
`
`linking
`
`his
`
`injuries
`
`to his
`
`inability
`
`to work.
`
`.
`
`To be entitled
`
`to an award
`
`of daiñages
`
`for past medical
`
`expe=•es,
`
`a plaintiff
`
`must
`
`submit
`
`for
`
`past medical
`
`expenses
`
`is
`
`medical
`
`bills;
`
`in the absence
`
`of such
`
`proof,
`
`an award
`
`of damages
`
`unsupported
`
`by competent
`
`evidence
`
`(see O'Connor
`
`v Rosenbla::,
`
`276 AD2d
`
`610,
`
`611
`
`[2d Dept
`
`2000]).
`
`The
`
`evidence
`
`of plaintiff's
`
`past medical
`
`expenses
`
`consisted
`
`solely
`
`of his
`
`testimony
`
`that
`
`he received
`
`medical
`
`bills
`
`for
`
`his
`
`treatment
`
`as a result
`
`of
`
`this
`
`accident,
`
`totaling
`
`$66,000.
`
`Aaa==H=gly,
`
`the claim
`
`was
`
`unsupported
`
`by competent
`
`evidence,
`
`and that
`
`aspect
`
`of
`
`the jury
`
`verdict
`
`must
`
`be vacated.
`
`Finally,
`
`daS=d==+s
`
`contend
`
`that
`
`the verdict
`
`for past
`
`pain
`
`of $213,000
`
`and
`
`.
`
`and suffering
`
`future
`
`pain
`
`and
`
`suffering
`
`of $634,800
`
`for
`
`34 years
`
`is excessive.
`
`This
`
`Court
`
`is not
`
`convinced
`
`that
`
`plaintiff's
`
`injuries
`
`are comparable
`
`to the
`
`cases
`
`cited
`
`by
`
`defendants,
`
`such
`
`as the rinird!y
`
`displaced
`
`clavicle
`
`fracture
`
`and nondi•placed
`
`hip
`
`fracture
`
`in
`
`Perone
`
`v City
`
`of New York
`
`(86 AD3d
`
`600
`
`[2d Dept
`
`2011]),
`
`where
`
`an award
`
`of $115,000
`
`for
`
`.
`
`.
`
`future
`
`pain
`
`and suffering
`
`was
`
`reduced
`
`to $30,000.
`
`Nor
`
`is this matter
`
`comparable
`
`to Nichols
`
`v
`
`6
`
`........
`
`..
`
`6 of
`
`8
`
`7 of 10
`
`. ..
`
`
`
`FILED: WESTCHESTER COUNTY CLERK 07/20/2018 11:08 AM
`NYSCEF DOC. NO. 77
`RECEIVED NYSCEF: 07/20/2018
`.
`INDEX
`NO.
`50551/2013
`ILED:
`WESTCHESTER
`NYSCEF
`DOC.
`76
`NO.
`
`09:
`
`43
`
`AN|
`
`RECEIVED
`
`NYSCEF:
`
`07/19/2018
`
`COUNTY
`
`CLERK
`
`07/20/2018
`
`INDEX NO. 50551/2013
`
`C&F
`
`Trading
`
`Co.
`
`(107 AD3d
`
`769
`
`[2d Dept
`
`2013]),
`
`which
`
`upheld
`
`an award
`
`of $100,000
`
`for
`
`future
`
`pain
`
`and
`
`suffering
`
`relating
`
`to a shesider
`
`injury.
`
`In'
`
`McEachin
`
`v City
`
`of New York
`
`(137
`
`AD3d
`
`753,
`
`754
`
`[2d Dept
`
`2016]),
`
`the plaintiff
`
`was diagnosed
`
`with
`
`low back
`
`pain
`
`secondazy
`
`to
`
`low lumbar
`
`post-traumatic
`
`pathology
`
`and lower
`
`radicalspathy,
`
`and an implanted
`
`spinal
`
`cord
`
`.
`
`but
`
`not
`
`climinate
`
`the Court
`
`reduced
`
`the past
`
`pain
`
`and
`
`st -
`
`etor
`
`reduced
`
`did
`
`the pain,
`
`suffering
`
`award
`
`from $600,000
`
`to $400,000,
`
`and the future
`
`pain
`
`and suffering
`
`award
`
`from
`
`$500,000
`
`to
`
`$350,000.
`
`.
`
`Of greater
`
`relevance
`
`is Peterson
`
`v MTA (155 AD3d
`
`795,
`
`798
`
`[2d Dept
`
`2017]),
`
`where
`
`the
`
`Court
`
`upheld
`
`an award
`
`of past
`
`pain
`
`and suffering
`
`of $800,000
`
`and reduced
`
`the award
`
`for
`
`future
`
`pain
`
`and suffering
`
`from $1,500,000
`
`to $800,000,
`
`where
`
`the plair-tiff
`
`sustained
`
`injuries
`
`to both
`
`of
`
`her
`
`sh~3dem
`
`and her
`
`lower
`
`back;
`
`and continued
`
`to experience
`
`intense
`
`pain
`
`and did
`
`not
`
`regain
`
`and physical
`
`therapy..
`
`full
`
`range
`
`of motion
`
`in either
`
`sheülder,
`
`even
`
`after
`
`surgery
`
`Here,
`
`plaintiff
`
`sustained
`
`injuries
`
`to his shoulders
`
`and discs
`
`in his
`
`luinhar
`
`and cervical
`
`spine,
`
`which,
`
`despite
`
`treatment
`
`and medication,
`
`continue
`
`to cause
`
`him pain
`
`and to limit
`
`his
`
`range
`
`of motion,
`
`and prevent
`
`him from engaging
`
`in the normal
`
`activities
`
`of his pre-accident
`
`life,
`
`such
`
`as working
`
`on his house,
`
`hiking,
`
`and fishing.
`
`.
`
`.
`
`In is apparent
`
`from the jury's
`
`notes,
`
`and from almost
`
`two
`
`full
`
`days
`
`it
`
`took
`
`to reach
`
`iti
`
`.
`
`.
`
`that
`
`took
`
`particular
`
`care with
`
`its calculation
`
`of each
`
`aspect
`
`of
`
`its
`
`verdict
`
`on damages,
`
`the jury
`
`award.· When
`
`it began
`
`its deliberations
`
`midday
`
`on December
`
`18, 2017
`
`it
`
`first
`
`asked
`
`for
`
`all
`
`the
`
`exhibits,
`
`then
`
`for plaintiff's
`
`employment
`
`records.
`
`The
`
`next morning
`
`it asked
`
`for
`
`a calculator.
`
`It
`
`asked
`
`for
`
`a read-back
`
`of certain
`
`testimony,
`
`including
`
`plaintiff's
`
`testimony
`
`regarding
`
`the hours
`
`he
`
`worked.
`
`Given
`
`plaintiff's
`
`evidence
`
`regarding
`
`his
`
`injuries,
`
`and his testimony
`
`regarding
`
`the pain
`
`they
`
`caused,
`
`the awards
`
`of $213,000
`
`for past
`
`pain
`
`and suffering
`
`and $634,800
`
`for
`
`future
`
`pain
`
`and
`
`7
`
`7 of
`
`8
`
`8 of 10
`
`
`
`FILED: WESTCHESTER COUNTY CLERK 07/20/2018 11:08 AM
`NYSCEF DOC. NO. 77
`RECEIVED NYSCEF: 07/20/2018
`INDEX
`NO.
`50551/2013
`: WESTCHESTER
`DOC.
`NO.
`76
`
`INDEX NO. 50551/2013
`
`ANG
`RECEIVED
`
`NYSCEF:
`
`07/19/2018
`
`IFILED
`NYSCEF
`
`COUNTY
`
`CLERK
`
`07/20/2018
`
`09 : 43
`
`suffering
`
`initially,
`
`appear
`
`to be commananzate
`
`with
`
`the level
`
`of pain
`
`plaintiff
`
`subjectively.experienced
`
`the length
`
`of
`
`time
`
`he will
`
`have
`
`to endure
`
`it, and the possibility
`
`of
`
`its tapering
`
`off
`
`over
`
`time.
`
`It
`
`is not
`
`excessive.
`
`The Collateral
`
`Source
`
`Issue
`
`.
`
`With
`
`regard
`
`to
`
`defend-ts'
`
`claim that
`
`they
`
`are eñtitled
`
`to discovery
`
`on the issue
`
`of
`
`of
`
`for plaintiff's
`
`economic
`
`fallswad
`
`collateral
`
`sources
`
`recovery
`
`losses,
`
`by a hearing
`
`on the issue,
`
`plaintiff's
`
`only
`
`response
`
`is that
`
`defendan's
`
`should
`
`not
`
`have
`
`included
`
`that
`
`request
`
`for
`
`relief
`
`within
`
`the present
`
`motion.
`
`No opposition
`
`on the merits
`
`is offered.
`
`Accordingly,
`
`since
`
`the relief
`
`appears
`
`to be appropriate
`
`(see Firmes
`
`v Chase Mañhat:ân
`
`Automotive
`
`Finance
`
`Corp.,
`
`50 AD3d
`
`18 [2d
`
`Dept
`
`2008]),
`
`defendants'
`
`mouen
`
`is granted
`
`to that extent.
`
`Defendants
`
`shall
`
`serve
`
`on ;!±tiff
`
`a
`
`to which
`
`plaintiff
`
`s compliance
`
`danand
`
`for
`
`the discovery
`
`they
`
`are entitled,
`
`and following
`
`therewith,
`
`a hearing
`
`will
`
`be held
`
`before
`
`this Court
`
`on September
`
`14, 2018
`
`at 9:30
`
`a.m.
`
`to
`
`determine
`
`the amount,
`
`if any,
`
`by which
`
`the damages
`
`verdict
`
`should
`
`be reduced.
`
`Based
`
`upon
`
`the foregoing,
`
`it
`
`is hereby,
`
`ORDERED
`
`that
`
`defendants'
`
`motion
`
`to set aside
`
`the verdict
`
`is granted
`
`to the extent
`
`that
`
`the jury's
`
`award
`
`for
`
`past medical
`
`expanses
`
`is vacated,
`
`and is otherwise
`
`denied;
`
`and
`
`it
`
`is further
`
`ORnEPED
`
`defendants'
`
`that
`
`the branch
`
`of
`
`motion
`
`seeking
`
`a collateral
`
`source
`
`hearing
`
`is
`
`granted,
`
`and the parties
`
`are directed
`
`to appear
`
`before
`
`this Court
`
`on September
`
`14, 2018
`
`at 9:30
`
`a.m.
`
`for a hearing
`
`to determine
`
`the amount,
`
`if any,
`
`by which
`
`the damages
`
`verdict
`
`should
`
`be
`
`reduced.
`
`.
`
`.
`
`.
`
`This
`
`constitutes
`
`the Decision
`
`and Order
`
`of
`
`the Court.
`
`Dated: White
`
`Plains,
`
`July
`
`New York
`, 2018
`
`HON.
`
`T
`
`JAN
`
`DERMAN,
`
`J.S.C.
`
`8
`
`8 of
`
`8
`
`9 of 10
`
`
`
`INDEX NO. 50551/2013
`
`Index
`
`No.:
`
`50551/2013
`
`FILED: WESTCHESTER COUNTY CLERK 07/20/2018 11:08 AM
`NYSCEF DOC. NO. 77
`RECEIVED NYSCEF: 07/20/2018
`OF THE STATE
`SUPREME
`COURT
`OF NEW YORK
`COUNTY
`
`NEW YORK
`
`ANTHONY
`
`DALLI
`
`Plaintiff(s),
`
`-against-
`
`WESTCHESTER
`OF TRANSPORTATION
`ANTHONY
`MASSARO
`
`COUNTY
`
`and
`JR.
`
`Defendant.
`
`DEPARTMENT
`
`NOTICE
`
`OF ENTRY
`
`ARTHUR
`
`G. TRAKAS,
`
`ESQ.
`
`A.G.
`
`TRAKAS,
`
`PC
`
`Attorney
`Newtown
`
`31-19
`
`for:
`
`Plaintiff
`
`Avenue,
`
`Suite
`
`500
`
`Astoria,
`
`NY 11102
`
`Tel:
`
`Fax:
`
`(718)
`
`(718)
`
`721-7171
`
`204-2310
`
`led that,
`I certif
`circumstances,
`(c) of section
`
`to the best of my kñüw|édgé,
`the presentation
`this paper
`of
`130-1.1
`the Rules
`the Chief
`
`of
`
`of
`
`and
`information
`the con=eakms
`or
`Administrator
`
`formed
`belief
`herein
`are
`
`after
`not
`
`an inquiry
`frivolou:
`
`reasonable
`as defined
`
`under
`in subsection
`
`the
`
`Service
`Dated:
`
`of a copy
`
`of
`
`the within
`, 2011
`
`is hereby
`
`admitted
`
`SIR:-PLEASE
`
`TAKE
`
`NOTICE
`
`ARTHE
`
`G. TRARAS,
`
`ESQ.
`
`Attorney
`
`for Defcñdonis
`
`Notice
`That
`named
`
`o f Entry
`the within
`Court
`
`on
`
`is a (certified)
`
`true
`
`copy
`
`of a
`
`entered
`
`in the ofice
`
`the clerk
`
`of
`
`the within
`
`of
`
`10 of 10
`
`