July 21, 2005

Ocean Diagnostic Imaging P.C. v Allstate Ins. Co. (2005 NYSlipOp 51181(U))

Headnote

The court considered a case where Ocean Diagnostic Imaging P.C. sought summary judgment in a dispute with Allstate Insurance Company over the payment of a claim for diagnostic imaging services. The main issue decided was whether the court erred in ordering an assessment of damages after awarding summary judgment in favor of the plaintiff. The holding of the case was that the court did err in setting the matter down for an assessment of damages, as the plaintiff had met the burden of proof for their claim and the calculation of interest and attorney's fees was prescribed by statute. The court remanded the matter for a calculation of statutory interest and an assessment of attorney's fees in accordance with the relevant laws and regulations, and did not address any other issues.

Reported in New York Official Reports at Ocean Diagnostic Imaging P.C. v Allstate Ins. Co. (2005 NYSlipOp 51181(U))

Ocean Diagnostic Imaging P.C. v Allstate Ins. Co. (2005 NYSlipOp 51181(U)) [*1]

Ocean Diagnostic Imaging P.C. v Allstate Ins. Co.

2005 NYSlipOp 51181(U)

Decided on July 21, 2005

Appellate Term, Second Department

Published by New York State Law Reporting Bureau pursuant to Judiciary Law § 431.

This opinion is uncorrected and will not be published in the printed Official Reports.

Decided on July 21, 2005

SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK

APPELLATE TERM: 2nd and 11th JUDICIAL DISTRICTS

PRESENT: GOLIA, J.P., RIOS and BELEN, JJ.
2004-1037 K C NO. 2004-1037 K C

Ocean Diagnostic Imaging P.C., a/a/o Volmar Volcy, Appellant,
against
Allstate Insurance Company, Respondent.

Appeal by plaintiff from so much of an order of the Civil Court, Kings County (D. Kurtz, J.), entered on June 4, 2004, as granted its motion for summary judgment to the extent of ordering an assessment of damages.

Order modified by providing that plaintiff’s motion for summary judgment is granted, by deleting therefrom the provision requiring an assessment of damages and by remanding the matter to the court below for a calculation of the statutory interest and an assessment of attorney’s fees; as so modified, affirmed without costs.

In awarding summary judgment in favor of plaintiff, the court erroneously set the
matter down for an assessment of damages. Inasmuch as plaintiff made out a prima facie case by the submission of proof of the claim and the amount of the loss sustained (Insurance Law § 5106), and the calculation of interest and attorney’s fees is prescribed by statute (Insurance Law § 5106 [a]) and the regulations promulgated thereunder (11 NYCRR 65-3.9 [a]; 65-3.10 [a]), there was no basis for the court to direct an assessment of damages (cf. S & M Supply Inc. v Dollar Rent A Car Sys., 5 Misc 3d 36 [App Term, 2d & 11th Jud Dists 2004]).Accordingly, the matter is remanded to the court below for a calculation of statutory interest and an assessment of attorney’s fees pursuant to Insurance Law § 5106 (a) and the regulations promulgated thereunder.

We pass on no other issue.

Rios, J. and Belen, J., concur.

Golia, J.P., concurs in a separate memorandum. [*2]
SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK
APPELLATE TERM : 2nd and 11th JUDICIAL DISTRICTS
PRESENT: GOLIA, J.P., RIOS and BELEN, JJ.
OCEAN DIAGNOSTIC IMAGING P.C.
a/a/o Volmar Volcy,

Appellant,

-against-
ALLSTATE INSURANCE COMPANY,

Respondent.

Golia, J.P., concurs with the result only, in the following memorandum:

While I agree with the ultimate disposition in the decision reached by the majority, I wish to emphasize that I disagree with certain propositions of law set forth in cases cited therein which are inconsistent with my prior expressed positions and generally contrary to my views.

I simply do not understand, and indeed marvel at, the failure of the defendant either to respond to or to include any affidavits by individuals with personal knowledge of the facts.
Decision Date: July 21, 2005