Vladenn Med. Supply, Corp. v American Commerce Ins. Co. (2016 NY Slip Op 50775(U))

Reported in New York Official Reports at Vladenn Med. Supply, Corp. v American Commerce Ins. Co. (2016 NY Slip Op 50775(U))

Vladenn Med. Supply, Corp. v American Commerce Ins. Co. (2016 NY Slip Op 50775(U)) [*1]
Vladenn Med. Supply, Corp. v American Commerce Ins. Co.
2016 NY Slip Op 50775(U) [51 Misc 3d 147(A)]
Decided on May 17, 2016
Appellate Term, First 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This opinion is uncorrected and will not be published in the printed Official Reports.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 May 17, 2016

SUPREME COURT, APPELLATE TERM, FIRST DEPARTMENT
PRESENT: Shulman, J.P., Hunter, Jr., Ling-Cohan, JJ.
570430/15
Vladenn Medical Supply, Corp. a/a/o Jocelyn Noel, Plaintiff-Respondent,

against

American Commerce Ins. Co., Defendant-Appellant.

Defendant appeals from an order of the Civil Court of the City of New York, Bronx County (Joseph E. Capella,, J.), entered May 24, 2013, which denied its motion for summary judgment dismissing the complaint.

Per Curiam.

Order (Joseph E. Capella,, J.), entered May 24, 2013, affirmed, without costs.

We sustain the denial of defendant-insurer’s motion for summary judgment dismissing this first-party, no-fault action. Defendant failed to “meet its burden by proof in admissible form, because it submitted no evidence from anyone with personal knowledge of the nonappearances [at the scheduled examinations under oath (EUOs)]” (Stephen Fogel Psychological, P.C. v Progressive Cas. Ins. Co., 35 AD3d 720, 721 [2006]). In this regard, we note that while the affirmation of defendant’s attorney described the office procedures for contacting a claimant 48 hours prior to the scheduled EUO to confirm the appearance, it failed to demonstrate personal knowledge of the office procedures when a claimant failed to appear for the EUOs on the scheduled dates (see American Tr. Ins. Co. v Lucas, 111 AD3d 423 [2013]). Nor did the affiant state that he was the attorney assigned to conduct the EUOs, (cf. Hertz Corp. v Active Care Med. Supply Corp., 124 AD3d 411 [2015]).

Insofar as the motion court also concluded that the claims were untimely denied, we note that the defense of failure to appear for EUOs may be asserted by an insurer regardless of the timeliness of the denial (see Allstate Ins. Co. v Pierre, 123 AD3d 618 [2014]; Unitrin Advantage Ins. Co. v Bayshore Physical Therapy, PLLC, 82 AD3d 559, 560 [2011], lv denied 17 NY3d 705 [2011]). .

THIS CONSTITUTES THE DECISION AND ORDER OF THE COURT.


I concur I concur I concur
Decision Date: May 17, 2016
Sutphin Complete Med. Care v Hereford Ins. Co. (2016 NY Slip Op 50763(U))

Reported in New York Official Reports at Sutphin Complete Med. Care v Hereford Ins. Co. (2016 NY Slip Op 50763(U))

Sutphin Complete Med. Care v Hereford Ins. Co. (2016 NY Slip Op 50763(U)) [*1]
Sutphin Complete Med. Care v Hereford Ins. Co.
2016 NY Slip Op 50763(U) [51 Misc 3d 147(A)]
Decided on May 13, 2016
Appellate Term, First 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 May 13, 2016

SUPREME COURT, APPELLATE TERM, FIRST DEPARTMENT
PRESENT: Lowe, III, P.J., Hunter, Jr., Ling-Cohan, JJ.
16-101
Sutphin Complete Medical Care, a/a/o Rafael D. Baez-Villar, Plaintiff-Appellant,

against

Hereford Ins. Co., Defendant-Respondent.

Plaintiff appeals from an order of the Civil Court of the City of New York, New York County (Tanya R. Kennedy, J.), entered November 12, 2014, which granted defendant’s motion for summary judgment dismissing the complaint and denied plaintiff’s cross motion for summary judgment.

Per Curiam.

Order (Tanya R. Kennedy, J.), entered November 12, 2014, modified to deny defendant’s motion for summary judgment and to reinstate the complaint; as modified, order affirmed, with $10 costs.

This action, seeking recovery of assigned first-party no-fault benefits, is not ripe for summary disposition. While defendant established that it properly mailed the notices for independent medical examinations (IMEs) to plaintiff’s assignor and his attorney (see American Tr. Ins. Co. v Marte-Rosario, 111 AD3d 442 [2013]), the record raises triable issues as to whether the assignor failed to appear for the scheduled IMEs (see Stephen Fogel Psychological, P.C. v Progressive Cas. Ins. Co., 35 AD3d 720, 721 [2006]; Village Med. Supply, Inc. v Travelers Prop. Cas. Co. of Am., 51 Misc 3d 126[A], 2016 NY Slip Op 50339[U] [App Term, 1st Dept 2016]; Metro 8 Med. Equip., Inc. v ELRAC, Inc., 50 Misc 3d 140[A], 2016 NY Slip Op 50174[U] [App Term, 1st Dept 2016]). The existence of triable issues precludes an award of summary judgment to either party.

Plaintiff’s remaining contentions are unpreserved and/or without merit.

THIS CONSTITUTES THE DECISION AND ORDER OF THE COURT.


I concur I concur I concur
Decision Date: May 13, 2016
Omega Diagnostic Imaging, P.C. v Praetorian Ins. Co. (2016 NY Slip Op 50762(U))

Reported in New York Official Reports at Omega Diagnostic Imaging, P.C. v Praetorian Ins. Co. (2016 NY Slip Op 50762(U))

Omega Diagnostic Imaging, P.C. v Praetorian Ins. Co. (2016 NY Slip Op 50762(U)) [*1]
Omega Diagnostic Imaging, P.C. v Praetorian Ins. Co.
2016 NY Slip Op 50762(U) [51 Misc 3d 147(A)]
Decided on May 13, 2016
Appellate Term, First 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 May 13, 2016

SUPREME COURT, APPELLATE TERM, FIRST DEPARTMENT
PRESENT: Lowe, III, P.J., Hunter, Jr., Ling-Cohan, JJ.
571068/15
Omega Diagnostic Imaging, P.C. a/a/o Unique Pettway, Plaintiff-Respondent,

against

Praetorian Insurance Company, Defendant-Appellant.

Defendant appeals from an order of the Civil Court of the City of New York, Bronx County (Paul L. Alpert, J.), entered June 8, 2015, which denied its motion for summary judgment dismissing the complaint.

Per Curiam.

Order (Paul L. Alpert, J.), entered June 8, 2015, affirmed, with $10 costs.

While defendant-insurer established that it timely and properly mailed the notices for examinations under oath to plaintiff’s assignor and his attorney, and that the assignor failed to appear at the initial and follow-up EUOs (see Allstate Ins. Co. v Pierre, 123 AD3d 618 [2014]; see also Hertz Corp. v Active Care Med. Supply Corp., 124 AD3d 411 [2015]), the limited record so far developed presents triable issues as to whether the assignor’s failure to appear was excusable (see IDS Prop. Cas. Ins. Co. v. Stracar Med. Servs., P.C., 116 AD3d 1005, 1007 [2014]). In this regard, defendant’s moving submission, which contains letters from its no-fault examiner and no-fault supervisor acknowledging the assignor’s incarceration, creates rather than eliminates genuine triable issues. We note that the exact period of the assignor’s incarceration remain unclear on this record.

We have considered and rejected defendant’s remaining contentions.

THIS CONSTITUTES THE DECISION AND ORDER OF THE COURT.


I concur I concur I concur
Decision Date: May 13, 2016
Brand Med. Supply, Inc. v Infinity Ins. Co. (2016 NY Slip Op 50739(U))

Reported in New York Official Reports at Brand Med. Supply, Inc. v Infinity Ins. Co. (2016 NY Slip Op 50739(U))

Brand Med. Supply, Inc. v Infinity Ins. Co. (2016 NY Slip Op 50739(U)) [*1]
Brand Med. Supply, Inc. v Infinity Ins. Co.
2016 NY Slip Op 50739(U) [51 Misc 3d 145(A)]
Decided on May 5, 2016
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 May 5, 2016

SUPREME COURT, APPELLATE TERM, SECOND DEPARTMENT, 2d, 11th and 13th JUDICIAL DISTRICTS


PRESENT: : WESTON, J.P., ALIOTTA and ELLIOT, JJ.
2014-2068 K C
Brand Medical Supply, Inc., as Assignee of VLADIMIR JEAN, Respondent,

against

Infinity Ins. Co., Appellant.

Appeal from a decision of the Civil Court of the City of New York, Kings County (Carol Ruth Feinman, J.), dated April 18, 2013, deemed from a judgment of the same court entered May 30, 2014 (see CPLR 5512 [a]). The judgment, after a nonjury trial, awarded plaintiff the principal sum of $1,150.

ORDERED that the judgment is reversed, with $30 costs, and the matter is remitted to the Civil Court for a new trial.

In this action by a provider to recover assigned first-party no-fault benefits, the Civil Court, following a nonjury trial, awarded plaintiff judgment in the principal sum of $1,150.

For the reasons stated in Brand Med. Supply, Inc., as Assignee of Steven Thomas v Infinity Ins. Co. (— Misc 3d &mdash, 2016 NY Slip Op — [appeal No. 2014-2032 K C], decided herewith), the judgment is reversed and the matter is remitted to the Civil Court for a new trial.

Weston, J.P., Aliotta and Elliot, JJ., concur.


Decision Date: May 05, 2016
Brand Med. Supply, Inc. v Infinity Ins. Co. (2016 NY Slip Op 50738(U))

Reported in New York Official Reports at Brand Med. Supply, Inc. v Infinity Ins. Co. (2016 NY Slip Op 50738(U))

SUPREME COURT, APPELLATE TERM, SECOND DEPARTMENT, 2d, 11th and 13th JUDICIAL DISTRICTS

Brand Medical Supply, Inc., as Assignee of STEVEN THOMAS, Respondent,

against

Infinity Ins. Co., Appellant.

Appeal from a decision of the Civil Court of the City of New York, Kings County (Carol Ruth Feinman, J.), dated April 18, 2013, deemed from a judgment of the same court entered May 30, 2014 (see CPLR 5512 [a]). The judgment, after a nonjury trial, awarded plaintiff the principal sum of $1,772.59.

ORDERED that the judgment is reversed, with $30 costs, and the matter is remitted to the Civil Court for a new trial.

Following a nonjury trial in this action by a provider to recover assigned first-party no-fault benefits, the Civil Court awarded judgment to plaintiff in the principal sum of $1,772.59. In reviewing a determination made after a nonjury trial, the power of this court is as broad as that of the trial court, and this court may render the judgment it finds warranted by the facts, bearing in mind that the determination of a trier of fact as to issues of credibility is given substantial deference, as a trial court’s opportunity to observe and evaluate the testimony and demeanor of the witnesses affords it a better perspective from which to assess their credibility (see Northern Westchester Professional Park Assoc. v Town of Bedford, 60 NY2d 492 [1983]; Hamilton v Blackwood, 85 AD3d 1116 [2011]; Zeltser v Sacerdote, 52 AD3d 824 [2008]).

Contrary to defendant’s assertion, plaintiff established its prima facie case, inasmuch as plaintiff’s bill and proof of mailing were admitted into evidence through the testimony of plaintiff’s owner, who testified that he had personally mailed the bill and that the bill had not been paid (see Viviane Etienne Med. Care., P.C. v Country-Wide Ins. Co., 25 NY3d 498, 502 [2015]; V.S. Med. Servs., P.C. v Travelers Ins. Co., 49 Misc 3d 152[A], 2015 NY Slip Op 51760[U] [App Term, 2d Dept, 2d, 11th & 13th Jud Dists 2015]).

In support of its defense of exhaustion of the policy limits, defendant unsuccessfully attempted to have the applicable insurance policy’s declaration page, which set forth, among other things, the coverage limits of the policy (see e.g. Matter of Government Empls. v Ally, 106 AD3d 736 [2013]; Matter of State Farm Mut. Auto. Ins. Co. v Gray, 68 AD3d 1002 [2009]), admitted into evidence. Upon a review of the record, we find that the Civil Court erred in excluding the insurance policy declaration page from evidence. Defendant was not required to lay a CPLR 4518 (a) foundation for the declaration page, since a declaration page is not hearsay, but rather, as part of an insurance contract, it “has independent legal significance and need only be authenticated to be admissible” (All Borough Group Med. Supply, Inc. v GEICO Ins. Co., 43 [*2]Misc 3d 27, 28-29 [App Term, 2d Dept, 2d, 11th & 13th Jud Dists 2014], citing Kepner-Tregoe, Inc. v Leadership Software, Inc., 12 F3d 527, 540 [5th Cir 1994] and Beal-Medea Prods., Inc. v NY Cent. Mut. Fire Ins. Co., 36 Misc 3d 135[A], 2012 NY Slip Op 51347[U] [App Term, 2d Dept, 2d, 11th & 13th Jud Dists 2012]). Here, the testimony of defendant’s senior no-fault representative sufficiently identified the document as an accurate representation of the declaration page which defendant maintained electronically (see CPLR 4539 [a]; Kaliontzakis v Papadakos, 69 AD3d 803 [2010]). Furthermore, in describing defendant’s procedure for generating a declaration page, defendant’s witness satisfactorily set forth the “manner or method in which tampering or degradation of the reproduction is prevented” (CPLR 4539 [b]). Consequently, in view of the Civil Court’s improper exclusion of the declaration page, a new trial is warranted. Accordingly, the judgment is reversed and the matter is remitted to the Civil Court for a new trial.

Weston, J.P., Aliotta and Elliot, JJ., concur.


Decision Date: May 05, 2016
New Age Acupuncture, P.C. v 21st Century Ins. Co. (2016 NY Slip Op 50737(U))

Reported in New York Official Reports at New Age Acupuncture, P.C. v 21st Century Ins. Co. (2016 NY Slip Op 50737(U))

New Age Acupuncture, P.C. v 21st Century Ins. Co. (2016 NY Slip Op 50737(U)) [*1]
New Age Acupuncture, P.C. v 21st Century Ins. Co.
2016 NY Slip Op 50737(U) [51 Misc 3d 145(A)]
Decided on May 5, 2016
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 May 5, 2016

SUPREME COURT, APPELLATE TERM, SECOND DEPARTMENT, 2d, 11th and 13th JUDICIAL DISTRICTS


PRESENT: : ELLIOT, J.P., WESTON and SOLOMON, JJ.
2014-1999 K C
New Age Acupuncture, P.C., as Assignee of SEBASTIAN MONTOYA, Appellant,

against

21st Century Insurance Company, Respondent.

Appeal from an order of the Civil Court of the City of New York, Kings County (Katherine A. Levine, J.), entered July 23, 2014. The order, insofar as appealed from, granted the branch of defendant’s motion seeking summary judgment dismissing so much of the complaint as sought to recover for services billed using CPT code 97026.

ORDERED that the order, insofar as appealed from, is reversed, with $30 costs, and the branch of defendant’s motion seeking summary judgment dismissing so much of the complaint as sought to recover for services billed using CPT code 97026 is denied.

In this action by provider to recover assigned first-party no-fault benefits, defendant moved for summary judgment dismissing the complaint. Plaintiff appeals from so much of an order of the Civil Court as granted the branch of defendant’s motion seeking summary judgment dismissing the portion of the complaint as sought to recover for services billed using CPT code 97026.

Upon a review of the record, we find that defendant’s moving papers failed to demonstrate defendant’s prima facie entitlement to summary judgment with respect to so much of the complaint as sought to recover for services billed using CPT code 97026 (Rogy Med., P.C. v Mercury Cas. Co., 23 Misc 3d 132[A], 2009 NY Slip Op 50732[U] [App Term, 2d Dept, 2d, 11th & 13th Jud Dists 2009]; see generally Sunrise Acupuncture PC v Tri-State Consumer Ins. Co., 42 Misc 3d 151[A], 2014 NY Slip Op 50435[U] [App Term, 1st Dept 2014]).

Accordingly, the order, insofar as appealed from, is reversed and the branch of defendant’s motion seeking summary judgment dismissing so much of the complaint as sought to recover for services billed using CPT code 97026 is denied.

Elliot, J.P., Weston and Solomon, JJ., concur.


Decision Date: May 05, 2016
Professional Health Imaging, P.C. v State Farm Mut. Auto. Ins. Co. (2016 NY Slip Op 50702(U))

Reported in New York Official Reports at Professional Health Imaging, P.C. v State Farm Mut. Auto. Ins. Co. (2016 NY Slip Op 50702(U))

Professional Health Imaging, P.C. v State Farm Mut. Auto. Ins. Co. (2016 NY Slip Op 50702(U)) [*1]
Professional Health Imaging, P.C. v State Farm Mut. Auto. Ins. Co.
2016 NY Slip Op 50702(U) [51 Misc 3d 143(A)]
Decided on April 25, 2016
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 April 25, 2016

SUPREME COURT, APPELLATE TERM, SECOND DEPARTMENT, 2d, 11th and 13th JUDICIAL DISTRICTS


PRESENT: : ELLIOT, J.P., WESTON and SOLOMON, JJ.
2014-2170 K C
Professional Health Imaging, P.C., as Assignee of JENNIFER KRANWINKEL, Appellant,

against

State Farm Mutual Automobile Ins. Co., Respondent.

Appeal from an order of the Civil Court of the City of New York, Kings County (Lisa S. Ottley, J.), entered July 29, 2014. The order granted defendant’s motion for summary judgment dismissing the complaint and denied plaintiff’s cross motion for summary judgment or, in the alternative, to strike defendant’s answer and affirmative defenses, and to compel defendant to respond to discovery demands.

ORDERED that the order is affirmed, with $25 costs.

In this action by a provider to recover assigned first-party no-fault benefits, defendant moved for summary judgment dismissing the complaint on the ground that plaintiff had failed to appear for duly scheduled examinations under oath. Plaintiff cross-moved for summary judgment or, in the alternative, to strike defendant’s answer and affirmative defenses, and to compel defendant to respond to discovery demands. Plaintiff appeals from an order of the Civil Court granting defendant’s motion and denying plaintiff’s cross motion.

For the reasons stated in Professional Health Imaging, P.C., as Assignee of Jennifer Donofrio v State Farm Mut. Auto. Ins. Co. (____ Misc 3d _____, 2016 NY Slip Op ______ [appeal No. 2014-1991 K C], decided herewith), the order is affirmed.

Elliot, J.P., Weston and Solomon, JJ., concur.


Decision Date: April 25, 2016
Professional Health Imaging, P.C. v State Farm Mut. Auto. Ins. Co. (2016 NY Slip Op 50701(U))

Reported in New York Official Reports at Professional Health Imaging, P.C. v State Farm Mut. Auto. Ins. Co. (2016 NY Slip Op 50701(U))

Professional Health Imaging, P.C. v State Farm Mut. Auto. Ins. Co. (2016 NY Slip Op 50701(U)) [*1]
Professional Health Imaging, P.C. v State Farm Mut. Auto. Ins. Co.
2016 NY Slip Op 50701(U) [51 Misc 3d 143(A)]
Decided on April 25, 2016
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 April 25, 2016

SUPREME COURT, APPELLATE TERM, SECOND DEPARTMENT, 2d, 11th and 13th JUDICIAL DISTRICTS


PRESENT: : ELLIOT, J.P., WESTON and SOLOMON, JJ.
2014-2138 K C
Professional Health Imaging, P.C., as Assignee of MAKSIM CELA, Appellant,

against

State Farm Mutual Automobile Ins. Co., Respondent.

Appeal from an order of the Civil Court of the City of New York, Kings County (Devin P. Cohen, J.), entered August 8, 2014. The order granted defendant’s motion for summary judgment dismissing the complaint and denied plaintiff’s cross motion for summary judgment or, in the alternative, to strike defendant’s answer and affirmative defenses, and to compel defendant to respond to discovery demands.

ORDERED that the order is affirmed, with $25 costs.

In this action by a provider to recover assigned first-party no-fault benefits, defendant moved for summary judgment dismissing the complaint on the ground that plaintiff had failed to appear for duly scheduled examinations under oath. Plaintiff cross-moved for summary judgment or, in the alternative, to strike defendant’s answer and affirmative defenses, and to compel defendant to respond to discovery demands. Plaintiff appeals from an order of the Civil Court granting defendant’s motion and denying plaintiff’s cross motion.

For the reasons stated in Professional Health Imaging, P.C., as Assignee of Jennifer Donofrio v State Farm Mut. Auto. Ins. Co. (____ Misc 3d _____, 2016 NY Slip Op ______ [appeal No. 2014-1991 K C], decided herewith), the order is affirmed.

Elliot, J.P., Weston and Solomon, JJ., concur.


Decision Date: April 25, 2016
Professional Health Imaging, P.C. v State Farm Mut. Auto. Ins. Co. (2016 NY Slip Op 50700(U))

Reported in New York Official Reports at Professional Health Imaging, P.C. v State Farm Mut. Auto. Ins. Co. (2016 NY Slip Op 50700(U))

Professional Health Imaging, P.C. v State Farm Mut. Auto. Ins. Co. (2016 NY Slip Op 50700(U)) [*1]
Professional Health Imaging, P.C. v State Farm Mut. Auto. Ins. Co.
2016 NY Slip Op 50700(U) [51 Misc 3d 143(A)]
Decided on April 25, 2016
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 April 25, 2016

SUPREME COURT, APPELLATE TERM, SECOND DEPARTMENT, 2d, 11th and 13th JUDICIAL DISTRICTS


PRESENT: : ELLIOT, J.P., WESTON and SOLOMON, JJ.
2014-2137 K C
Professional Health Imaging, P.C., as Assignee of GLENNS SMITH, Appellant,

against

State Farm Mutual Automobile Ins. Co., Respondent.

Appeal from an order of the Civil Court of the City of New York, Kings County (Carol Ruth Feinman, J.), entered July 8, 2014. The order granted defendant’s motion for summary judgment dismissing the complaint and denied plaintiff’s cross motion for summary judgment or, in the alternative, to strike defendant’s answer and affirmative defenses, and to compel defendant to respond to discovery demands.

ORDERED that the order is affirmed, with $25 costs.

In this action by a provider to recover assigned first-party no-fault benefits, defendant moved for summary judgment dismissing the complaint on the ground that plaintiff had failed to appear for duly scheduled examinations under oath. Plaintiff cross-moved for summary judgment or, in the alternative, to strike defendant’s answer and affirmative defenses, and to compel defendant to respond to discovery demands. Plaintiff appeals from an order of the Civil Court granting defendant’s motion and denying plaintiff’s cross motion.

For the reasons stated in Professional Health Imaging, P.C., as Assignee of Jennifer Donofrio v State Farm Mut. Auto. Ins. Co. (____ Misc 3d _____, 2016 NY Slip Op ______ [appeal No. 2014-1991 K C], decided herewith), the order is affirmed.

Elliot, J.P., Weston and Solomon, JJ., concur.


Decision Date: April 25, 2016
Metropolitan Diagnostic Med. Care, P.C. v American Tr. Ins. Co. (2016 NY Slip Op 50699(U))

Reported in New York Official Reports at Metropolitan Diagnostic Med. Care, P.C. v American Tr. Ins. Co. (2016 NY Slip Op 50699(U))

Metropolitan Diagnostic Med. Care, P.C. v American Tr. Ins. Co. (2016 NY Slip Op 50699(U)) [*1]
Metropolitan Diagnostic Med. Care, P.C. v American Tr. Ins. Co.
2016 NY Slip Op 50699(U) [51 Misc 3d 143(A)]
Decided on April 25, 2016
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 April 25, 2016

SUPREME COURT, APPELLATE TERM, SECOND DEPARTMENT, 2d, 11th and 13th JUDICIAL DISTRICTS


PRESENT: : ELLIOT, J.P., WESTON and SOLOMON, JJ.
2014-2033 K C
Metropolitan Diagnostic Medical Care, P.C., as Assignee of ANSEL LESLIE, Appellant,

against

American Transit Insurance Company, Respondent.

Appeal from an order of the Civil Court of the City of New York, Kings County (Reginald A. Boddie, J.), entered August 12, 2014. The order, insofar as appealed from, denied plaintiff’s motion for summary judgment.

ORDERED that the order, insofar as appealed from, is affirmed, with $25 costs.

In this action by a provider to recover assigned first-party no-fault benefits, plaintiff appeals from so much of an order of the Civil Court as denied plaintiff’s motion for summary judgment.

Plaintiff’s contention that its motion for summary judgment should have been granted lacks merit. Plaintiff failed to establish its prima facie entitlement to judgment as a matter of law since it did not establish either that defendant had failed to deny the claim within the requisite 30-day period (see Viviane Etienne Med. Care, P.C. v Country-Wide Ins. Co., 25 NY3d 498 [2015]), or that defendant had issued a timely denial of claim that was conclusory, vague or without merit as a matter of law (see Westchester Med. Ctr. v Nationwide Mut. Ins. Co., 78 AD3d 1168 [2010]; Ave T MPC Corp. v Auto One Ins. Co., 32 Misc 3d 128[A], 2011 NY Slip Op 51292[U] [App Term, 2d Dept, 2d, 11th and 13th Jud Dists 2011]).

We decline defendant’s request that we search the record and grant defendant summary judgment dismissing portions of each of plaintiff’s claims.

Accordingly, the order, insofar as appealed from, is affirmed.

Elliot, J.P., Weston and Solomon, JJ., concur.


Decision Date: April 25, 2016