FILED: WESTCHESTER COUNTY CLERK 07/30/2019 05:34 PM
`NYSCEF DOC. NO. 405
`RECEIVED NYSCEF: 07/30/2019
`
`INDEX NO. 51356/2014
`
`Exhibit
`
`6
`
`

`

`FILED: WESTCHESTER COUNTY CLERK 07/30/2019 05:34 PM
`NYSCEF DOC. NO. 405
`RECEIVED NYSCEF: 07/30/2019
`INDEX
`NO.
`51356/2014
`NYSCEF:-
`
`NYSCEF
`
`DOC.
`
`NO.
`
`2 6
`
`INDEX NO. 51356/2014
`
`RECEIVED
`
`04/12/2019
`
`To mmman
`the 30-day
`tirne period for appeals as of right under CPLR 5513 (a), you are advised
`statutory
`this order, with notice
`a copy of
`upon all parties.
`ofentry,
`
`to serve
`
`SUPREME
`COUNTY
`
`OF THE STATE
`COURT
`OF WESTCHESTER
`
`OF NEW YORK
`
`....
`C L C Jr.jan
`SYLVIA
`GREEN,
`
`Infant
`
`.....
`
`by his Mother
`
`and Natural
`
`------------X
`Guardian
`
`Plaintiff,
`
`-against-
`
`'
`
`Index
`Motion
`Amended
`
`51356/14
`No.
`Seq. Nos.
`Decision
`
`·
`
`009
`008,
`and Order
`
`WESTCHESTER
`MEDICAL
`KESSLER
`MD, GEETHA
`ADVANCED
`OB/GYN
`
`CENTER,
`RAJENDRAN
`
`MICHAEL
`
`MD,
`
`ASSOCIATES,
`
`.---------
`
`EVERETT,
`
`J.
`
`Defendants,
`_ __.------------.·------X
`
`The
`Nbtice
`
`Reply
`
`were
`paners
`following
`of Motion/Affirmation
`Affirmation/Exhibit
`
`read
`
`on the motions,
`in Support/Exhibits
`D (does
`
`281-282)
`
`A-C
`
`(docs
`
`261-
`
`265)
`
`Notice
`
`Reply
`
`of Motion/Affirmation
`Affirmation/Exhibit
`
`in Support/Exhibit
`A (does
`
`279-280)
`
`A (does
`
`268-270)
`
`Affirmation
`
`in Opp
`
`(doe
`
`276)
`
`Irl'this
`
`action
`
`sounding
`
`in medical
`
`malpractice,
`
`defendant
`
`Westchester
`
`Medical
`
`Center
`
`under motion
`
`sequence
`
`number
`
`for
`
`(WMC)
`
`thoves,
`
`008,
`
`an order,
`
`pursuant
`
`to CPLR 4404
`
`(a),
`
`granting
`
`the
`
`following
`
`relief:
`
`(1)
`
`setting
`
`aside
`
`the jury's
`
`verdict
`
`in favor
`
`of plaintiff
`
`and
`
`directing
`
`judgment
`
`in favor
`
`of WMC;
`
`or
`
`(2)
`
`setting
`
`aside
`
`the jury's
`
`verdict
`
`in favor
`
`of plaintiff
`
`and
`
`directing|a
`
`new trial
`
`on all
`
`issues;
`
`(3)
`
`setting
`
`aside
`
`the jury's
`
`verdict
`
`in favor
`
`of plaintiff
`
`and
`
`directing
`
`a new trial
`
`on the issue
`
`of damages,
`
`unless
`
`plaintiff
`
`stipulates
`
`to a substantial
`
`redüction
`
`of
`
`the jury's
`
`awards;
`
`and
`
`(4) granting
`
`a hearing,
`
`pursuant
`
`to CPLR 4545,
`
`4546
`
`and
`
`50-A,
`
`for
`
`the
`
`1 of
`
`14
`
`

`

`FILED: WESTCHESTER COUNTY CLERK 07/30/2019 05:34 PM
`NYSCEF DOC. NO. 405
`RECEIVED NYSCEF: 07/30/2019
`INDEX
`NO.
`51356/2014
`
`INDEX NO. 51356/2014
`
`NYSCEF
`
`DOC.
`
`NO.
`
`286
`
`RECEIVED
`
`NYSCEF:
`
`04/12/2019
`
`purpose
`
`of
`
`identifying
`
`collateral
`
`sources
`
`and structuring
`
`a judgment;
`
`and
`
`(5)
`
`declaring
`
`that
`
`any
`
`judgment
`
`entered
`
`reflect
`
`that
`
`portion
`
`of
`
`the award
`
`that
`
`provides
`
`for
`
`future
`
`medical
`
`expenses
`
`to
`
`be paid
`
`in accordance
`
`with
`
`Public
`
`Health
`
`Law
`
`§§ 2999-g
`
`through
`
`2999-j.
`
`Defendants
`
`Michael
`
`Kessler,
`
`M.D.
`
`(Kessler),
`
`Geetha
`
`Rajendran,
`
`M.D.
`
`(Rajendran)
`
`and Advanced
`
`Ob/Gyn
`
`Associates
`
`(Ad vanced
`
`move,
`
`under motion
`
`sequence
`
`number
`
`for
`
`orders,
`
`pursuant
`
`to
`
`Ob/Gyn)
`
`jointly
`
`009,
`
`CPLR
`
`4404
`
`(a),
`
`5031
`
`and
`
`5501,
`
`granting
`
`the following
`
`relief:
`
`(1)
`
`setting
`
`aside
`
`the jury's
`
`verdict
`
`and awarding
`
`judgment
`
`to defendants
`
`as a matter
`
`of
`
`law,
`
`or directing
`
`a new trial
`
`on the ground
`
`that
`
`the ver,dict
`
`was
`
`not
`
`based
`
`on a rational
`
`view
`
`of
`
`the evidence,
`
`or was
`
`contrary
`
`to the weight
`
`of
`
`the evidence;
`
`or
`
`(2)
`
`setting
`
`aside
`
`the jury's
`
`verdict
`
`and
`
`directing
`
`a new trial;
`
`or
`
`(3)
`
`conditionally
`
`reducing
`
`the awards
`
`for
`
`past
`
`and
`
`future
`
`pain
`
`and suffering
`
`because
`
`they
`
`deviate
`
`from
`
`materially
`
`what would
`
`be reasonable
`
`compensation;
`
`and
`
`(4) granting
`
`a hearing,
`
`pursuant
`
`to CPLR 4545,
`
`4546
`
`and
`
`50-A,
`
`for
`
`the purpose
`
`of
`
`identifying
`
`collateral
`
`sources
`
`and
`
`structuring
`
`a judgment;
`
`(5) declaring
`
`that
`
`any judgment
`
`entered
`
`reflect
`
`that
`
`portion
`
`of
`
`the award
`
`that
`
`provides
`
`for
`
`future
`
`medical
`
`expenses
`
`to be paid
`
`in accordance
`
`with
`
`Public
`
`Health
`
`Law
`
`§§ 2999-g
`
`through
`
`2999-j;
`
`and (6)
`
`staying
`
`the entry
`
`ofjudgment
`
`pending
`
`a decisian
`
`on this motion
`
`and
`
`a hearing
`
`to
`
`determine
`
`the proper
`
`calculation
`
`of
`
`the judgment
`
`under
`
`CPLR 5031.
`
`The motions,
`
`under motion
`
`seqüence
`
`numbers
`
`008
`
`and 009,
`
`are consnHdated
`
`for disposition
`
`and
`
`upon
`
`the foregoing
`
`papers,
`
`the motions
`
`are decided
`
`as set
`
`forth
`
`below.
`
`The
`
`theory
`
`of plaintiff's
`
`case
`
`is that
`
`the proximate
`
`cause
`
`of her
`
`son's
`
`preterm
`
`delivery
`
`and
`
`pernmnent
`
`preterm
`
`birth
`
`related
`
`injuries
`
`and
`
`deficits
`
`were
`
`Kessler
`
`and/or
`
`Rajendran's
`
`respective
`
`departures
`
`from accepted
`
`medical
`
`practice
`
`by their
`
`failures
`
`to offer
`
`a cerclage
`
`to address
`
`her
`
`cervical
`
`insufficiency
`
`during
`
`any
`
`of her
`
`three
`
`hospital
`
`visits
`
`and/or
`
`adrnissinna
`
`in July
`
`2010.
`
`2
`
`2 of
`
`14
`
`

`

`FILED: WESTCHESTER COUNTY CLERK 07/30/2019 05:34 PM
`-
`------
`NYSCEF DOC. NO. 405
`RECEIVED NYSCEF: 07/30/2019
`INDEX
`NO.
`51356/2014
`
`INDEX NO. 51356/2014
`
`NYSCEF
`
`DOC.
`
`NO.
`
`286
`
`RECEIVED
`
`NYSCEF:
`
`04/12/2019
`
`Plaintiff
`
`seeks
`
`to hold WMC vicari
`
`usly
`
`liable
`
`for
`
`the negligent
`
`acts
`
`and/or
`
`omissions
`
`of
`
`the
`
`defendant
`
`physicians.
`
`The
`
`case was
`
`tried
`
`before
`
`a jury.
`
`During
`
`the
`
`course
`
`of
`
`the
`
`trial,
`
`the parties
`
`produced
`
`evidence
`
`relating
`
`to the
`
`central.issues
`
`of:
`
`(1) whether
`
`Rajendran
`
`departed
`
`from
`
`accepted
`
`medical
`
`practice
`
`by failing
`
`to offer
`
`plaintiff
`
`Sylvia
`
`Green
`
`(Green)
`
`a cerclage
`
`ditring
`
`the July
`
`9-10
`
`admission;
`
`(2) wh^ether
`
`Kessler
`
`departed
`
`from
`
`accepted
`
`medical
`
`practice
`
`by
`
`failing
`
`to timely
`
`obtaiiiamaternal
`
`fetal medicine
`
`(MFM)
`
`consult
`
`during
`
`the July
`
`13-14
`
`admission
`
`and
`
`during
`
`the
`
`15-16
`
`such
`
`were
`
`the proximate
`
`cause
`
`of
`
`the preterm
`
`July
`
`admission;
`
`(3) whether
`
`departures
`
`delivery
`
`àfplaintiff's
`
`son at 24 weeks
`
`gestation,
`
`and his
`
`related
`
`injuries
`
`and
`
`deficits;
`
`and
`
`(4)
`
`whether
`
`Green
`
`reaseñably
`
`believed,
`
`based
`
`on the words
`
`or conduct
`
`of WMC,
`
`that Rajendran
`
`and
`
`Kessler
`
`were
`
`employees/agents
`
`of WMC,
`
`and accepted.their
`
`services
`
`in reliance
`
`on the perceived
`
`relationsÈip,
`
`and not
`
`in reliance
`
`upon
`
`the
`
`skill
`
`of Rajendran
`
`and Kesslér.
`
`The
`
`jury's
`
`verdict,
`
`as
`
`recorded-in
`
`the
`
`extract
`
`of May
`
`17, 2018,
`
`provides
`
`in relevant
`
`part:
`
`departed
`
`- Rajendran
`from
`her
`2010
`9-10,
`July
`of
`the infant
`plaintiff's
`
`during
`cause
`h
`
`accepted
`
`admission,
`injuries.
`
`by not
`practice
`and that
`such
`
`offering
`departure
`
`Green
`was
`
`a cerclage
`a proximate
`
`- Kessler
`consult
`departure
`
`.
`
`from
`departed
`Green's
`a proxirfiate
`
`during
`was
`
`accepted
`
`July
`
`13-14,
`cause
`
`practice
`by failing
`2010
`and
`15-16,
`plaintiff's
`the infant
`
`of
`
`to timely
`admissions,
`injuries.
`
`obtain
`and
`
`a MFM
`such
`that
`
`The jury
`
`apportioned
`
`fault
`
`to Rajendran
`
`and Kessler
`
`equally.
`
`- Greert
`Rajendran
`their
`services
`and WMC,
`
`believed,
`reasonably
`were
`and Kessler
`in reliance
`upon
`in reliance
`and not
`
`on the words
`based
`or agents
`employees
`the perceived
`their
`upon
`
`that
`of WMC,
`or conduct
`that
`she accepted
`and
`of WMC,
`physiciarss
`between
`these
`relationship
`as physicians.
`skills
`
`3
`
`3 of
`
`14
`
`

`

`FILED: WESTCHESTER COUNTY CLERK 07/30/2019 05:34 PM
`NYSCEF DOC. NO. 405
`RECEIVED NYSCEF: 07/30/2019
`INDEX
`NO.
`51356/2014
`
`INDEX NO. 51356/2014
`
`NYSCEF
`
`DQC.
`
`NO.
`
`286
`
`RECEIVED
`
`NYSCEF:
`
`04/12/2019
`
`The jury
`
`awarded:
`
`$5 million
`
`for past
`
`pain
`
`and suffering;
`
`$15 million
`
`for
`
`future
`
`pain
`
`and suffering
`
`for
`
`69 years;
`
`Future
`on July
`
`lost
`
`earnings
`1, 2032;
`
`in an annual
`
`amount
`
`of $1 13,000
`
`for
`
`39 years
`
`dommcñciñg
`
`Home
`
`care
`
`(until
`
`age 21)
`
`in the annual
`
`amount
`
`of $54,000
`
`for
`
`13.17
`
`years;
`
`Resiantia/Home
`56 years;
`
`care
`
`(starting
`
`at age 21)
`
`in the annual
`
`amount
`
`of $163,199
`
`for
`
`Physical
`
`therapy
`
`in the annual
`
`amount
`
`of $13,104
`
`for
`
`13.17
`
`years;
`
`Occupational
`
`therapy
`
`in the annual
`
`amount
`
`of $17,004
`
`for
`
`13.17
`
`years;
`
`Speech
`
`therapy
`
`in the annual
`
`amount
`
`of $17,784
`
`for
`
`13.17
`
`years.
`
`defendañts'
`
`As
`
`to
`
`contentions
`
`that
`
`the verdict
`
`should
`
`be set aside
`
`because
`
`it was
`
`not
`
`based
`
`on a rational
`
`view
`
`of
`
`the evidence,
`
`or was
`
`contrary
`
`to the weight
`
`of
`
`the
`
`evidence,
`
`it
`
`is well
`
`settled
`
`that:
`
`"a jury
`
`verdict
`
`should
`
`not
`
`be set aside
`
`as contrary
`
`to the weight
`
`of
`
`the
`
`evidence
`
`unless
`
`the
`
`jury
`
`could
`
`not have
`
`reached
`
`the verdict
`
`by any
`
`fair
`
`interpretation'
`
`evidence"
`
`of
`
`the
`
`(Victoria
`
`H v
`
`Board
`
`of Educ.
`
`of City
`
`of N.Y.,
`
`129 AD3d
`
`912,
`
`912
`
`[2d Dept
`
`2015]
`
`[internal
`
`quotation
`
`marks
`
`and
`
`citations
`
`omitted]).
`
`Furthermore:
`
`"[fjor
`sufficient
`
`[people]
`at
`those
`of our
`
`a court
`a jury
`law that
`of
`as a matter
`to conclude
`supported
`is not
`verdict
`evidence
`.
`conclude
`first
`. . [it must]
`no valid
`is simply
`line
`that
`there
`which
`could
`and
`permissible
`lead
`rational
`inferences
`reasoning
`possibly
`to the conclusion
`of
`the evidence
`on the basis
`reached
`by the jury
`presented
`trial.
`criteria
`to be applied
`are essentiM1y
`The
`this
`assessment
`in making
`It
`required
`of a Trial
`Judge
`asked
`to direct
`a verdict.
`is a basic
`principle
`law that
`it cannot
`be correctly
`case where
`the right
`said
`in any
`of
`trial
`by jury
`exists
`and the evidence
`presents
`an actual
`of
`that
`the court may
`issue
`fact,
`properly
`the evidence
`in any
`case
`in which
`it can be said
`that
`direct
`a verdict.
`Similarly,
`to reach
`the result
`it has
`for
`such
`it would
`irrational
`not
`be utterly
`a jury
`that
`
`by
`of
`
`is
`
`4
`
`4 of
`
`14
`
`

`

`FILED: WESTCHESTER COUNTY CLERK 07/30/2019 05:34 PM
`NYSCEF DOC. NO. 405
`RECEIVED NYSCEF: 07/30/2019
`INDEX
`NO.
`51356/2014
`
`INDEX NO. 51356/2014
`
`.NYSCEF
`
`DOC.
`
`NO.
`
`286
`
`RECEIVED
`
`NYSCEF:
`
`04/12/2019
`
`determined
`conclude
`
`and
`u15on,
`that
`the verdict
`
`thus
`
`question
`a valid
`of
`is as a matter
`
`of
`fact
`law not
`
`does
`
`exist,
`supported·by
`
`the court may
`evidence"
`the
`
`not
`
`.(Cohen
`
`v Hallmark
`
`Cards,
`
`45 NY2d
`
`493,
`
`499
`
`[1978]
`
`[internal
`
`quotation
`
`marks
`
`and
`
`citations
`
`omitted]).
`
`Having
`
`presided
`
`at
`
`the trial,
`
`and upon
`
`review
`
`of
`
`the evidence
`
`in conjunction
`
`with
`
`the
`
`instant
`
`meticüs,
`
`the Court
`
`finds
`
`that
`
`the jury's
`
`verdict
`
`on liability
`
`was
`
`neither
`
`against
`
`the weight
`
`interpretation
`
`In
`
`of
`
`the evidence,
`
`nor was
`
`it
`
`inconsistent
`
`with
`
`a fair
`
`of
`
`the
`
`evidence.
`
`circumstances
`
`such
`
`as this,
`
`"[w]here
`
`. .
`
`. confÛcting
`
`expert
`
`testimony
`
`is presented,
`
`the jury
`
`is
`
`entitled
`
`to accept
`
`one expert's
`
`opinion
`
`and reject
`
`that
`
`of another
`
`expert"
`
`(Ferreira
`
`v Wyckoff
`
`Hgts. Med.
`
`Ctr.,
`
`81 AD3d
`
`587,
`
`588
`
`[2d Dept
`
`2011]).
`
`To find,
`
`as defendants
`
`ask,
`
`that
`
`the jury's
`
`verdict
`
`was
`
`unsupported
`
`or against
`
`the weight
`
`of
`
`the evidence
`
`presented,
`
`wotdd-require
`
`the Court
`
`experts
`
`were
`
`to find
`
`that
`
`plaintifPs
`
`not wórtliy
`
`of belief.
`
`This
`
`Court,
`
`having
`
`heard
`
`the evidence,
`
`is not willing
`
`to make
`
`that
`
`finding
`
`(see Loughman
`
`v Flint
`
`Co.,
`
`i32 AD2d
`
`507,
`
`510
`
`{1s Dept
`
`.
`
`1987]).
`
`As
`
`to those
`
`aspects
`
`of
`
`the consolidated
`
`motions
`
`which
`
`seek
`
`a reduction
`
`of
`
`the jury's
`
`awards
`
`on the ground
`
`that
`
`the
`
`awards
`
`for past
`
`pain
`
`and suffering
`
`($5 million),
`
`future
`
`pain
`
`and
`
`suffering.($15
`
`million
`
`over
`
`earnings
`
`($113,000
`
`for
`
`and
`
`future
`
`medical
`
`69 years),
`
`lost
`
`39 years)
`
`expenses
`
`(as broken
`
`down
`
`above)
`
`are excessive,
`
`the motion
`
`is resolved
`
`as follows.
`
`In New York,."[t]he
`
`amuüüt
`
`of damages
`
`to be awarded
`
`to a plaintiff
`
`for
`
`personal
`
`injuries
`
`is a question
`
`for
`
`the jury,
`
`and
`
`its determination
`
`will
`
`not
`
`be disturbed
`
`tinless
`
`the
`
`award
`
`deviates
`
`materially
`
`from
`
`what
`
`would
`
`be reasonable
`
`compensation"
`
`(Peterson
`
`v MTA,
`
`155 AD3d
`
`795,
`
`798
`
`[2nd Dept
`
`2017]),
`
`and
`
`"[t]he
`
`reasonableness
`
`of compensation
`
`must
`
`be measured
`
`against
`
`relevant
`
`5
`
`5 of
`
`14
`
`

`

`FILED: WESTCHESTER COUNTY CLERK 07/30/2019 05:34 PM
`NYSCEF DOC. NO. 405
`RECEIVED NYSCEF: 07/30/2019
`INDEX
`NO.
`51356/2014
`
`INDEX NO. 51356/2014
`
`NYSCEF
`
`DOC.
`
`NO.
`
`286
`
`RECEIVED
`
`NYSCEF:
`
`04/12/2019
`
`precedent
`
`of comparable
`
`cases"
`
`(Halsey
`
`v New York City
`
`Tr. Auth.,
`
`114 AD3d
`
`726,
`
`727
`
`[2014]
`
`[internal
`
`quotation
`
`marks
`
`and citations
`
`omitted]).
`
`.
`
`In Sence
`
`v Atoynatan
`
`(142 AD3d
`
`600
`
`[2d Dept.2016]);'a
`
`medical
`
`nialpractice
`
`case cited
`
`by both
`
`plaintiff
`
`and defendants
`
`involved
`
`a large
`
`jury
`
`verdict,
`
`including
`
`$4 million
`
`for past
`
`pain
`
`and
`
`auffering
`
`and
`
`$7,015,000
`
`for
`
`future
`
`pain
`
`and
`
`suffering.
`
`the
`
`case
`
`centered
`
`on evidence
`
`that
`
`an infant
`
`sustained
`
`severe
`
`and pennanent
`
`brain
`
`damage,
`
`with
`
`related
`
`deficits,
`
`as a result
`
`of
`
`the
`
`defendants'
`
`deviations
`
`from
`
`accepted
`
`standards
`
`of medical
`
`care. On appeal,
`
`the Appellate
`
`Division,
`
`Second
`
`Department,
`
`finding
`
`that
`
`the award
`
`for past
`
`pain
`
`and
`
`suffering
`
`deviated
`
`materially
`
`from what
`
`would
`
`be reasonable
`
`compensation,
`
`modified
`
`the entered
`
`judgment,
`
`and
`
`directed
`
`the parties
`
`to stipulate
`
`to reducing
`
`the amount
`
`to $2 million
`
`within
`
`a given
`
`perio2
`
`of
`
`and·in
`
`the absence.of
`
`such
`
`the matter
`
`to trial
`
`court
`
`for
`
`on
`
`time,
`
`stipulation,
`
`remitting
`
`a new trial
`
`damages
`
`on the question
`
`of past
`
`pain
`
`and suffering.
`
`.
`
`While
`
`plaintiff
`
`cites
`
`to a series
`
`of cases which
`
`precede
`
`Sence
`
`by not
`
`less
`
`than
`
`10 years,
`
`and prior,to
`
`the creation
`
`of
`
`the New York
`
`Medical
`
`Indemnity
`
`Fund
`
`(MIF)
`
`in 201 1, defendants
`
`point
`
`to Reilly
`
`v St. Charles
`
`Hosp.
`
`& Rehabilitation
`
`Center
`
`(143 AD3d
`
`692
`
`[2d Dept
`
`2016]),'
`
`another
`
`medical
`
`malpractice
`
`action
`
`involving
`
`a jury
`
`finding
`
`of
`
`liability
`
`for
`
`the
`
`severe
`
`birth-related
`
`neurological
`
`sustained
`
`appeal
`
`decided
`
`the
`
`injuries
`
`by an infant
`
`plaintiff.
`
`The Reilly
`
`was
`
`by
`
`Appellate
`
`Division,
`
`Second
`
`Department
`
`apprnyimweJy
`
`two
`
`rñonths
`
`after
`
`Sence,
`
`albeit
`
`by a
`
`different
`
`panel.
`
`In its decision,
`
`the Appellate
`
`Court
`
`beld
`
`in relevant
`
`part,
`
`that
`
`the awards
`
`for
`
`past
`
`and future
`
`pain
`
`and
`
`suffering
`
`($10 million
`
`past,
`
`and
`
`$82.5
`
`r
`
`illion
`
`future,
`
`for
`
`a total
`
`of $92.5
`
`1 Plaintiff
`cites
`Reilly
`verdict
`that
`the jury's
`medical
`malpractice
`
`v St. Charles
`action
`in this
`case involving
`
`Hosp.
`is not
`a seve
`
`showing
`another
`
`& Rehabilitation
`line with.the
`out
`of
`jury
`sustained
`e brain
`
`Center
`
`injury
`
`purpose
`rendered
`
`of
`
`in
`
`the
`for
`verdict
`at birth.
`
`6
`
`6 of
`
`14
`
`

`

`FILED: WESTCHESTER COUNTY CLERK 07/30/2019 05:34 PM
`NYSCEF DOC. NO. 405
`RECEIVED NYSCEF: 07/30/2019
`INDEX
`51356/2014
`NO.
`
`INDEX NO. 51356/2014
`
`NYSCEF
`
`DOC.
`
`NO.
`
`286
`
`RECEIVED
`
`NYSCEF:
`
`04/12/2019
`
`million)
`
`were
`
`excessive
`
`and
`
`deviated
`
`materially
`
`from what
`
`would
`
`be reasonable
`
`coinpensation.
`
`After
`
`downward
`
`modification,
`
`the
`
`awards
`
`came
`
`to $750,000
`
`past
`
`and
`
`$3.5 million
`
`future
`
`for
`
`a
`
`total
`
`of $4,250,000.
`
`Defendants
`
`argue
`
`that,
`
`because
`
`the neurologic
`
`injuries
`
`sustained
`
`by the
`
`anstant
`
`infant
`
`plaintiff
`
`are less
`
`severe
`
`than
`
`those
`
`smtained
`
`by the Reilly
`
`infant
`
`plaintiff,
`
`the
`
`damages
`
`must
`
`be reduced
`
`to a commensurate
`
`level
`
`awards
`
`In view
`
`of
`
`the
`
`nature
`
`and extent
`
`of
`
`the injuries
`
`süsteñed
`
`by
`
`the infant
`
`in this
`
`action,
`
`and
`
`upon
`
`uumpmison
`
`to the pain
`
`and
`
`suffering
`
`awards
`
`rendered
`
`in this
`
`action
`
`to the pain
`
`and
`
`suffering
`
`awards
`
`rendered
`
`in other
`
`recent
`
`medical
`
`malpractice
`
`cases
`
`involving
`
`infants
`
`who
`
`sustained
`
`brain
`
`injury
`
`at birth,
`
`the Court
`
`finds
`
`that
`
`the
`
`awards
`
`of $5 million
`
`(past)
`
`and
`
`$15
`
`million
`
`(future)
`
`materially
`
`deviate
`
`from what would·be
`
`considered
`
`reassnâbic
`
`compensation
`
`(see
`
`Halsey
`
`v New York City
`
`Tr. Auth.;
`
`Quijano
`
`v American
`
`Tr.
`
`Ins. Co.
`
`155 AD3d
`
`981,
`
`983-984
`
`[2d
`
`Dept
`
`2017]).
`
`It
`
`is suggested
`
`that
`
`the parties
`
`consider
`
`stipulating
`
`to reducing
`
`the awards
`
`to $2
`
`m'lli=
`
`for past
`
`pain
`
`and suffering
`
`and $7 million
`
`for
`
`future
`
`pain
`
`and
`
`suffering,
`
`sums
`
`which
`
`would
`
`be more
`
`reasonable
`
`in light
`
`of other
`
`similar
`
`medical
`
`malpractice
`
`actions.
`
`As
`
`to the jury's
`
`award
`
`for
`
`future
`
`lost
`
`earning,
`
`dcfcndants'
`
`motions
`
`are denied,
`
`as the
`
`evidence
`
`presented
`
`substantial
`
`did
`
`by plaintiff's
`
`expert
`
`was
`
`and contpelling,
`
`and
`
`defeñdâñts,
`
`who
`
`not
`
`offer
`
`an expert
`
`to address
`
`this
`
`issue,
`
`failed
`
`to adequately
`
`refute
`
`plaintiff's
`
`evidence.
`
`The
`
`inotions
`
`to set aside
`
`the balance
`
`of
`
`the jury
`
`award
`
`are also
`
`denied,
`
`as the awards,
`
`to the
`
`extent
`
`they
`
`are not
`
`reduced
`
`by
`
`virtue
`
`of
`
`the MIF,².which
`
`provides
`
`funds
`
`for
`
`future
`
`health
`
`care
`
`2
`
`.
`
`paid
`
`out
`
`Assuming
`the MIF,
`of
`
`plaintiff
`rather
`
`the MIF,
`for
`qualifies
`than
`by the defendants,
`
`to the extent
`their
`payout
`
`his
`will
`
`future
`medical
`be reduced.
`
`expenses
`
`are
`
`7
`
`7 of
`
`14
`
`

`

`FILED: WESTCHESTER COUNTY CLERK 07/30/2019 05:34 PM
`NYSCEF DOC. NO. 405
`RECEIVED NYSCEF: 07/30/2019
`NO.
`51356/2014
`INDEX
`
`INDEX NO. 51356/2014
`
`NYSCEF
`
`DOC.
`
`NO.
`
`286
`
`RECEIVED
`
`NYSCEF:
`
`04/12/2019
`
`.
`
`costs
`
`associated
`
`with
`
`birth-related
`
`neurological
`
`injuries
`
`resulting
`
`from medical
`
`malpractice,
`
`are
`
`supported
`
`by the evidence.
`
`Regarding
`
`the jury's
`
`finding
`
`against WMC on the question
`
`of vicarious
`
`liability,
`
`it
`
`is well
`
`settled
`
`that
`
`a medical
`
`facility,
`
`such
`
`as WMC,
`
`may
`
`be held
`
`liable,
`
`under
`
`the theory
`
`of vicarious
`
`liability,
`
`for
`
`the negligent
`
`acts
`
`or omissions
`
`of
`
`its employees,
`
`but
`
`not
`
`those
`
`of
`
`independent
`
`are not
`
`It
`
`that
`
`a hospital
`
`or medical
`
`contractors/physicians
`
`who
`
`in its employ.
`
`is also well
`
`settled
`
`facility
`
`(a principal)
`
`can,
`
`under
`
`the theory
`
`of apparent
`
`agency,
`
`and
`
`under
`
`certairi
`
`circumstances,
`
`be held
`
`liable
`
`for
`
`the negligent
`
`acts
`
`or omissions
`
`of
`
`iñdepeñdent
`
`contractors/physicians
`
`who
`
`are
`
`not
`
`in its employ
`
`(see Hill
`
`v St. Clare's
`
`Hosp.,
`
`67 NY2d
`
`72,
`
`79-81
`
`[1986]).
`
`"Èssential
`
`to the
`
`creation
`
`of apparent
`
`authority
`
`are words
`
`or conduct
`
`of
`
`the principal
`
`commmitated
`
`to a third
`
`party,
`
`that
`
`give
`
`rise
`
`to the appearañce
`
`and
`
`belief
`
`that
`
`the
`
`agent
`
`possesses
`
`authority
`
`'
`
`to act on behalf
`
`of
`
`the
`
`principal
`
`(Hallock
`
`v State
`
`of New York,
`
`64 NY2d
`
`224,
`
`231
`
`[1984];
`
`see Merrell-Benco
`
`Agency,
`
`LLC v HSBC Bank
`
`USA.
`
`20 AD3d
`
`605,
`
`608
`
`[2005),
`
`lv
`
`dismissed
`
`and
`
`denied
`
`6 NY3d
`
`742
`
`[2005]).
`
`A plaintiff
`
`seeking
`
`to hold
`
`a medical
`
`facility
`
`vicariously
`
`liable
`
`for
`
`the
`
`acts
`
`or omissions
`
`of a physician
`
`not
`
`in its employ
`
`must
`
`àhow
`
`that
`
`he or
`
`she reasonably
`
`relied
`
`on the appearance
`
`of authority
`
`based
`
`on "some
`
`misleading
`
`conduct
`
`on the
`
`part
`
`the agent"
`
`(Ford
`
`see
`
`of
`
`the principal-not
`
`v Unity
`
`Hosp.,
`
`32 NY2d
`
`464,
`
`473
`
`[1973];
`
`Merrell-Benco
`
`Agency,
`
`LLC v HSBC Bank
`
`USA,
`
`supra),
`
`and
`
`that
`
`he or she accepted
`
`the
`
`services
`
`of
`
`the ostensible
`
`agent
`
`in reliance,
`
`not upon
`
`that
`
`person's
`
`skill,
`
`but
`
`based
`
`on his
`
`or her
`
`relationship
`
`with
`
`the principal
`
`(see Hill
`
`v St. Clare's
`
`Hosp.,
`
`67 NY2d
`
`at 82; Nagengast
`
`v
`
`Samaritan
`
`Hosp.,
`
`21 I AD2d
`
`878,
`
`880
`
`[1995]).
`
`Únder
`
`the leading
`
`case of Mduba
`
`v Benedictine
`
`Hosp.
`
`(52 AD2d
`
`450
`
`[3d Dept
`
`1976])
`
`the
`
`8
`
`8 of
`
`14
`
`

`

`FILED: WESTCHESTER COUNTY CLERK 07/30/2019 05:34 PM
`NYSCEF DOC. NO. 405
`RECEIVED NYSCEF: 07/30/2019
`INDEX
`NO .
`5135 6 / 2 014
`
`INDEX NO. 51356/2014
`
`NYS CE F DOC . NO . 2 8 6
`
`RE CE IVED
`
`NYS CEF :
`
`0 4 /12 / 2 019
`
`appellate
`
`court
`
`addressed
`
`the question
`
`of vicarious
`
`liability,
`
`and
`
`citing
`
`the Restatement
`
`of Torts,3
`
`determined
`
`that,
`
`because
`
`the defendant
`
`hospital
`
`held
`
`itself
`
`out
`
`to the public
`
`as a facility
`
`that
`
`furnishes
`
`doctors,
`
`staff
`
`and facilities
`
`for
`
`emergency
`
`treatment,
`
`it was:
`
`"under
`of
`those
`
`Certainly,
`satisfactory
`
`services
`those
`to perform
`a duty
`and staff
`by the doctors
`services
`himself
`the person
`who
`avails
`treatment
`any personnel
`from
`
`performance
`the negligent
`for
`and is liable
`plaintiffj.
`and furnished
`it hired
`to [the
`of ho<:pital
`to expect
`has a right
`facilities
`hospital"
`are furnished
`the
`who
`
`by
`
`(id.
`
`at 454).
`
`Upon
`
`a review
`
`of
`
`the evidence,
`
`the Court
`
`finds
`
`no cause
`
`to vacate
`
`the jury
`
`verdict
`
`ascribing;vicarious
`
`liability
`
`to WMC for
`
`the actions
`
`of Kessler
`
`and Rajendran.
`
`The
`
`evidence
`
`presented
`
`to the jury
`
`was
`
`that Green
`
`presented
`
`to nonparty
`
`ob/gyn
`
`Dr. Helen
`
`Hostin
`
`(Dr.
`
`Hostin)
`
`on July
`
`1, 2010,
`
`with
`
`corñplaints
`
`of
`
`right
`
`lower
`
`quadrant
`
`pain.
`
`Dr. Hostin
`
`referred
`
`Green
`
`to a
`
`for
`
`an ultrasound
`
`and
`
`based
`
`on these
`
`maternal
`
`fetal medicine
`
`(MFM)
`
`specialist
`
`and evaluation,
`
`results
`
`together
`
`with
`
`her
`
`own
`
`examination
`
`of Green
`
`several
`
`days
`
`later
`
`on July
`
`6, 2010,
`
`Dr. Hostin
`
`admitted
`
`her
`
`to Nyack
`
`Hospital.
`
`Green
`
`was
`
`treated
`
`at Nyack
`
`Hospital
`
`until
`
`July
`
`9, 2010,
`
`when
`
`Dr. Hostin
`
`transferred
`
`her,
`
`by ambulano,
`
`to WMC,
`
`because
`
`it was
`
`better
`
`equipped
`
`to treat
`
`Green's
`
`symptoms
`
`and a significantly
`
`premature
`
`infant.
`
`pon
`
`her arrival
`
`at WMC,
`
`Green
`
`was
`
`seen
`
`by Rajendran,
`
`an MFM specialist.
`
`On the
`
`evening
`
`of July
`
`10, 2010,
`
`Green,
`
`who
`
`was
`
`not offered
`
`a cerclage
`
`by Rajendran,
`
`was
`
`subsequently
`
`discharged
`
`by Kessler
`
`(who
`
`did not
`
`acteâlly
`
`see or examine
`
`her),
`
`and
`
`a staff
`
`nurse
`
`gave
`
`her an
`
`3 "One
`an indepcadcñt
`employs
`who
`belief
`that
`the
`the reasorsa'ule
`accepted·in
`physical
`for
`is subject
`to liability
`extent
`to the same
`such
`services,
`servants"
`Torts
`(Restatement,
`
`servants,
`
`supplying
`or by his
`
`services
`to perform
`contractor
`readen ed by
`are being
`services
`the negligence
`harm caused
`by
`the employer
`were
`as though
`§ 429).
`
`2d,
`
`are
`
`which
`another
`for
`or by his
`the employer
`in
`the contractor
`of
`them himself
`
`supplying
`
`9
`
`9 of
`
`14
`
`

`

`FILED: WESTCHESTER COUNTY CLERK 07/30/2019 05:34 PM
`NYSCEF DOC. NO. 405
`RECEIVED NYSCEF: 07/30/2019
`INDEX
`NO.
`51156/2014
`
`INDEX NO. 51356/2014
`
`NYSCEF
`
`DOC.
`
`NO.
`
`286
`
`RECEIVED
`
`NYSCEF:
`
`04/12/2019
`
`appointment
`
`to see Rajendran
`
`approximately
`
`one week
`
`later.
`
`On the evening
`
`of July
`
`13, Green,
`
`who was
`
`experiencing
`
`certain
`
`symptoms
`
`(some
`
`spotling/bleeding)
`
`went
`
`to WMC.
`
`She was
`
`discharged
`
`several
`
`hours
`
`later
`
`(at approximately
`
`3:30
`
`a.m.,
`
`on July
`
`14, 2010)
`
`by Kessler,
`
`who
`
`was
`
`on call,
`
`but who
`
`did
`
`not
`
`actually
`
`see or exami'ne
`
`her.
`
`On the
`
`evening
`
`of July
`
`15, 2010,
`
`Green
`
`presented
`
`to WMC's
`
`emergency
`
`room complaining
`
`of
`
`contractions
`
`and
`
`vaginal
`
`spotting.
`
`Rajendran
`
`Kessler,
`
`who was
`
`again
`
`on call,
`
`examined
`
`her,
`
`and
`
`admitted
`
`her
`
`to-labor
`
`and
`
`delivery.
`
`saw Green
`
`at approximately
`
`9:00
`
`a.m.,
`
`the
`
`next morning,
`
`and
`
`spoke
`
`with
`
`her
`
`about
`
`the
`
`circumstances
`
`surrounding
`
`her preterm
`
`labor.
`
`The
`
`infant
`
`plaintiff,
`
`who
`
`was
`
`born
`
`at
`
`approximately
`
`10:40
`
`a.m., was
`
`delivered
`
`by Kessler.
`
`WMC argues
`
`that,
`
`because
`
`the treatment
`
`Green
`
`received
`
`from Rajendran
`
`and
`
`from
`
`Kessler
`
`was
`
`initiated
`
`by herprivatephysician,
`
`Dr. Hostin
`
`who
`
`had advised
`
`Green
`
`that
`
`she (Dr.
`
`Hostin)
`
`was
`
`going
`
`to contact
`
`her
`
`"colleagues"
`
`at W1ŸIC,
`
`the-logical
`
`conclusion
`
`is that Green's
`
`private
`
`physician
`
`was
`
`referring
`
`her
`
`to private
`
`attending
`
`physicians
`
`at WMC. WMC also
`
`points
`
`to
`
`the fact
`
`that Green
`
`was
`
`given
`
`a follow-up
`
`appointment
`
`with
`
`Rajendran
`
`at Rajendran's
`
`off-
`
`premises
`
`office
`
`as further
`
`evidence
`
`that Green
`
`should
`
`have
`
`been
`
`aware
`
`that Rajendran
`
`was
`
`not
`
`on
`
`WMC's
`
`staff
`
`of employees.
`
`Finally, WMC argues
`
`that
`
`the inclusion
`
`of WMC's
`
`name
`
`on the
`
`of
`
`provided
`
`out with
`
`respect.to
`
`the different
`
`medical
`
`services
`
`letterhead
`
`forms
`
`to Green
`
`to fill
`
`being
`
`provided
`
`to her,
`
`is inadequate
`
`to establish
`
`that
`
`either
`
`Kessler'or
`
`Rajendran
`
`was
`
`acting
`
`on its
`
`behalf,
`
`sufficient
`
`to confer
`
`an agency
`
`relationship.
`
`Although
`
`neither
`
`Rajendran
`
`nor Kdssler
`
`were
`
`actually
`
`employed
`
`by WMC,
`
`the jury
`
`rnade
`
`a determination
`
`that
`
`the
`
`circumitances
`
`surrounding
`
`Green's
`
`care
`
`and treatment
`
`at WMC were
`
`sufficient
`
`to find
`
`that
`
`she could
`
`have
`
`reasonably
`
`believed
`
`that
`
`these
`
`physicians
`
`were
`
`employees
`
`or
`
`10
`
`10
`
`of
`
`14
`
`.
`
`.
`
`

`

`FILED: WESTCHESTER COUNTY CLERK 07/30/2019 05:34 PM
`NYSCEF DOC. NO. 405
`RECEIVED NYSCEF: 07/30/2019
`51356/2014
`INDEX
`NO.
`
`INDEX NO. 51356/2014
`
`NYSCEF
`
`DOC.
`
`NO.
`
`286
`
`RECEIVED
`
`NYSCEF:
`
`04/12/2019
`
`agents
`
`of WMC.
`
`Supporting
`
`the view
`
`that Green
`
`reasonably
`
`believed
`
`that, when
`
`she received
`
`treatment
`
`from Rajendran
`
`and Kessler,
`
`she was
`
`being
`
`treated
`
`by WMC employees,
`
`is Rajendran
`
`s
`
`trial
`
`testirnony
`
`that:
`
`(1) when
`
`a patient
`
`cornes
`
`to the hospital
`
`and needs
`
`a consult
`
`by an MFM,
`
`the MFM who
`
`attends
`
`that
`
`patient
`
`is the MFM on duty
`
`at
`
`that
`
`particular
`
`time
`
`(tr at 305);
`
`(2)
`
`she (Rajendran)
`
`was
`
`an employee
`
`of WMC (tr at 109), which
`
`she changed
`
`several
`
`days
`
`later
`
`cross
`
`whether
`
`run
`
`during
`
`examination;
`
`(3)
`
`she was
`
`uncertain
`
`Advanced
`
`Ob/Gyn
`
`was
`
`by
`
`employees
`
`of WMC (tr at 306);
`
`and
`
`(4)
`
`it was her understanding
`
`that Advanced
`
`Ob/Gyn
`
`was
`
`the
`
`faculty
`
`practice
`
`for WMC,
`
`and
`
`the teaching
`
`faculty
`
`for
`
`the hospital
`
`(tr at 305).
`
`Kessler
`
`was
`
`also
`
`unable
`
`to state with
`
`certainty
`
`the nature
`
`of his
`
`relatinmbip
`
`with WMC,
`
`testifying
`
`that Advanced
`
`Ob/Gyn
`
`was
`
`"a group
`
`created
`
`just
`
`to be,
`
`I guess,
`
`a subgroup
`
`of
`
`the
`
`hospital,"
`
`when
`
`he was
`
`asked
`
`whether
`
`of
`
`the exact
`
`affiliation
`
`between
`
`he was
`
`aware
`
`in 2010,
`
`the group
`
`and WMC (tr at 138).
`
`Moreover,
`
`Dr. Blanchette,
`
`whose
`
`pretrial
`
`deposition
`
`testimony
`
`was,
`
`in part,
`
`read
`
`into
`
`the record
`
`during
`
`trial,
`
`provided
`
`evidence
`
`about
`
`the close
`
`nature
`
`of
`
`the relationship
`
`between WMC and the
`
`individual
`
`defendants
`
`when
`
`he acknowledged
`
`that
`
`he was,
`
`<:inmltaneously,
`
`the
`
`director
`
`of
`
`Ob/Gyn
`
`at WMC and the director
`
`of Advanced
`
`Ob/Gyn
`
`(tr at 1052).
`
`In rendering
`
`its
`
`verdict,
`
`the jury might
`
`have
`
`also
`
`considered
`
`the facts
`
`that:
`
`(1) Green
`
`was
`
`brought
`
`frorn Nyack
`
`was
`
`sent
`
`to WMC for
`
`the
`
`to WMC by arnbulance
`
`Hospital;
`
`(2) Green
`
`specialized
`
`prenatal
`
`services
`
`it could
`
`provide,
`
`and not
`
`for
`
`treatment
`
`by any
`
`particular
`
`physician,
`
`regardless
`
`of whether
`
`Dr. Hostin
`
`told
`
`her
`
`that
`
`she was
`
`going
`
`to contact
`
`her
`
`"colleagues"
`
`at
`
`WMC;
`
`(3) when
`
`asked
`
`what
`
`her understanding
`
`was
`
`as to where
`
`the doctors
`
`who
`
`treated
`
`her were
`
`working,
`
`Green
`
`stated
`
`that
`
`she believed
`
`them to be working
`
`she was
`
`being
`
`cared
`
`for;
`
`(4) Green
`
`was
`
`treated
`
`for WMC, b-w
`at WMC by physicians
`
`assigned
`
`that was where
`
`to her on the
`
`!
`
`11
`
`of
`
`14
`
`

`

`FILED: WESTCHESTER COUNTY CLERK 07/30/2019 05:34 PM
`NYSCEF DOC. NO. 405
`RECEIVED NYSCEF: 07/30/2019
`IÑDEX
`NO.
`5135
`6 /2014
`
`INDEX NO. 51356/2014
`
`NYSCEF
`
`DOC.
`
`NO.
`
`286
`
`RECEIVED
`
`NYSCEF:
`
`04/12/2019
`
`basis
`
`of
`
`their
`
`scheduled
`
`shifts/on
`
`call
`
`status
`
`at WMC,
`
`and
`
`not
`
`because
`
`she chose
`
`either
`
`of
`
`them,
`
`had a prior
`
`relationsliip
`
`with
`
`either
`
`of
`
`thern,
`
`or was
`
`a private
`
`patient
`
`of either
`
`of
`
`them;
`
`(5)
`
`prior
`
`to
`
`the evening
`
`of July
`
`15, 2010,
`
`Green
`
`had never met Kessler,
`
`the physician
`
`who
`
`discharged
`
`her
`
`twice
`
`without
`
`ever
`
`speaking
`
`with
`
`her or enmining
`
`her;
`
`(6)
`
`it was WMC staff,
`
`and not Green,
`
`off-premises
`
`(an
`
`appointment
`
`she never
`
`kept
`
`that
`
`set up the appointment
`
`for
`
`her
`
`to see Rajendran
`
`because
`
`she delivered
`
`her
`
`son
`
`days
`
`before
`
`the scheduled
`
`appointment);
`
`(7)
`
`the
`
`consent
`
`forms
`
`displaying
`
`authorizing
`
`the WMC letterhead,
`
`which
`
`were
`
`given
`
`to Green
`
`by WMC staff,
`
`state
`
`that Green
`
`was
`
`Rajendran
`
`and Kessler
`
`and
`
`"associates
`
`or assistants
`
`of his/her
`
`[the
`
`physician's]
`
`choice
`
`at Westchester
`
`Medical
`
`Center
`
`('WMC')
`
`perform"
`
`to
`
`certain
`
`procedures
`
`on her, without
`
`any explanation
`
`regarding
`
`the relationship
`
`between
`
`the
`
`facility,
`
`the treaters
`
`and
`
`the medi'cal
`
`services
`
`being
`
`authorized
`
`and provided;
`
`neither
`
`nor Rajendran,
`
`nor WMC
`
`and (8)
`
`Kessler,
`
`offered
`
`proof
`
`that
`
`they made
`
`any
`
`effort
`
`to dispel
`
`any
`
`(mis)understanding
`
`Green
`
`might
`
`have
`
`had
`
`as
`
`to the nature
`
`of
`
`their
`
`professional
`
`relationship.
`
`Based
`
`on the
`
`evidence
`
`before
`
`the jury,
`
`the Coùrt
`
`cannot
`
`find
`
`that
`
`the jury's
`
`finding
`
`of vicarious
`
`liability
`
`is against
`
`the weight
`
`of
`
`the evidence.
`
`As
`
`to that
`
`aspect
`
`of
`
`defendants'
`
`motion
`
`that
`
`seeks
`
`a mistrial
`
`on the
`
`grounds
`
`of plaintiff
`
`counsel's
`
`summation,
`
`the motion
`
`is denied.
`
`To the extent
`
`the
`
`defense's
`
`objections
`
`were
`
`that
`
`plaintiff
`
`comment
`
`on the
`
`overruled
`
`on the ground
`
`counsel's
`
`statemcats
`
`constituted
`
`fair
`
`evidence,
`
`which
`
`did
`
`not exceed
`
`the wide
`
`bounds
`
`of
`
`latitude
`
`afforded
`
`to attorneys
`
`during
`
`summation,
`
`the Court
`
`stands
`
`by
`
`those
`
`rulings.
`
`Granted,
`
`however,
`
`are those
`
`aspects
`
`of
`
`defendants'
`
`motions
`
`that
`
`seek:
`
`(1)
`
`a hearing,
`
`pursuant
`
`to CPLR 4545,
`
`4546
`
`and Article
`
`50-A,
`
`for
`
`the
`
`purpose
`
`of
`
`identifying
`
`collateral
`
`sources
`
`and structuring
`
`a judgment;
`
`(2)
`
`an order
`
`declaring
`
`that
`
`any judgment
`
`entered
`
`reflect
`
`that
`
`portion
`
`12
`
`12
`
`of
`
`14
`
`.
`
`

`

`FILED: WESTCHESTER COUNTY CLERK 07/30/2019 05:34 PM
`NYSCEF DOC. NO. 405
`RECEIVED NYSCEF: 07/30/2019
`INDEX
`NO.
`51356/2014
`
`INDEX NO. 51356/2014
`
`NYSCEF
`
`DOC.
`
`NO.
`
`286
`
`RECEIVED
`
`NYSCEF:
`
`04/12/2019
`
`of
`
`the
`
`award
`
`that
`
`provides
`
`for
`
`future
`
`medical
`
`expenses
`
`shall
`
`be paid
`
`in accordance
`
`with
`
`Public
`
`Health
`
`Law
`
`§§ 2999-g
`
`through
`
`2999-j.
`
`Accordingly,
`
`it
`
`is
`
`ORDERED
`
`that
`
`defendants'
`
`motions
`
`are granted
`
`to the extent
`
`that:
`
`(1) unless
`
`plaintiff
`
`files
`
`a written
`
`stipulation
`
`consenting
`
`to a specific
`
`reduction
`
`of
`
`the
`
`amount
`
`of damages
`
`for
`
`past
`
`and future
`
`pain
`
`and
`
`suffering
`
`to $2 million
`
`and
`
`$7 million
`
`respectively,
`
`within
`
`30 days
`
`of entry
`
`of
`
`this
`
`decision
`
`and
`
`order,
`
`the verdict
`
`is set aside
`
`to the
`
`extent
`
`that
`
`a new trial
`
`shall
`
`be held
`
`on the
`
`questioi
`
`of damages;
`
`shall
`
`be conducted
`
`for
`
`the purpose
`
`of
`
`(2) a hearing
`
`identifying
`
`collateral
`
`sources
`
`and
`
`structuring
`
`a judgment;
`
`and
`
`(3 with
`
`respect
`
`to any judgment
`
`entered
`
`in this
`
`action,
`
`the portion
`
`of
`
`the award
`
`that
`
`provides
`
`for
`
`future
`
`reedical
`
`expenses
`
`must
`
`be paid
`
`in accordance
`
`with
`
`Public
`
`Health
`
`Law §§
`
`2999-g
`
`through
`
`2999-j,
`
`and the motions
`
`are otherwise
`
`denied;
`
`and
`
`it
`
`is further
`
`O
`
`ERED that
`
`the parties
`
`are directed
`
`to appear
`
`in the Settlement
`
`Conference
`
`Part
`
`on
`
`Tuesday,
`
`June
`
`4, 2019
`
`at 9:15
`
`a.m.,
`
`to schedule
`
`a date
`
`for
`
`a new trial
`
`on damages
`
`and
`
`a date
`
`for
`
`a
`
`collateral
`
`source
`
`hearing.
`
`This
`
`consti†ntes
`
`the decision
`
`and order
`
`of
`
`the Court.
`
`Dated:
`
`White
`April
`
`Plains,
`12, 2019
`
`New York
`
`ENTER:
`
`HOKi)AVID
`
`F. EVERETT,
`
`J.S.C.
`
`13
`
`13
`
`of
`
`14
`
`

`

`FILED: WESTCHESTER COUNTY CLERK 07/30/2019 05:34 PM
`NYSCEF DOC. NO. 405
`RECEIVED NYSCEF: 07/30/2019
`IÈTDEX NO.
`51356/2014
`
`INDEX NO. 51356/2014
`
`NYSCEF
`
`DOC.
`
`NO.
`
`286
`
`RECEIVED
`
`NYSCEF:
`
`04/12/2019
`
`Lilling
`Pittoni,
`
`Naparty
`Murphy
`
`Heidell,
`
`The Fitzgerald
`Martin
`Clearwater
`Mauro
`
`Law
`
`P.C.
`
`Firm,
`and Bell
`
`& Bach
`
`14
`
`

`

`FILED: WESTCHESTER COUNTY CLERK 07/30/2019 05:34 PM
`NYSCEF DOC. NO. 405
`RECEIVED NYSCEF: 07/30/2019
`
`INDEX NO. 51356/2014
`
`SUPREME
`COUNTY
`---------------
`
`C---L---C---,
`Guardian,
`
`OF THE STATE
`COURT
`OF WESTCHESTER
`--------------
`
`OF NEW YORK
`
`JR.,
`SYLVIA
`
`an Infant,
`GREEN,
`
`By His Mother
`
`And Natural
`
`--X
`
`Index
`
`No.:
`
`51356/2014
`
`-
`
`_y.
`
`WESTCHESTER
`
`KESSLER,
`ADVANCED
`
`MEDICAL
`GEETHA
`M.D.,
`OB/GYN
`
`CENTER,
`RAJENDRAN,
`ASSOCIATES,
`
`Plaintiff(s),
`
`MICHAEL
`M.D.
`
`and
`
`Defendant(s).
`
`----
`
`---
`
`--------------------------------------X
`
`NOTICE
`
`OF SETTLEMENT
`
`OF JUDGMENT
`
`P.C.
`
`The
`
`Law Firm,
`Fitzgerald
`for
`Attorneys
`Plaintiff(s)
`Avenue
`538 Riverdale
`New York
`10705
`378-1010
`378-1092
`
`Yonkers,
`Tel:
`
`Fax:
`
`(914)
`(914)
`
`4
`
`