Borenstein v. City of New York

• Decision Date: 09 March 1998
• Citation: 668 N.Y.S.2d 949,248 A.D.2d 425
• Parties: 1998 N.Y. Slip Op. 1966 Claire BORENSTEIN, et al., Appellants, v. CITY OF NEW YORK, Respondent.
• Court: New York Supreme Court — Appellate Division

Page 949

668 N.Y.S.2d 949

1998 N.Y. Slip Op. 1966

Claire BORENSTEIN, et al., Appellants, v. CITY OF NEW YORK, Respondent.

Supreme Court of New York, Appellate Division, Second Department.

March 9, 1998.

Lester B. Herzog, Brooklyn, for appellants.

Jeffrey D. Friedlander, Acting Corporation Counsel, New York City (Stephen J. McGrath and Kristin M. Helmers, of counsel), for respondent.

In an action to recover damages for personal injuries, etc., the plaintiffs appeal from an order of the Supreme Court, Kings County (Steinhardt, J.), dated September 16, 1997, which denied their motion pursuant to CPLR 3403(a)(4) for a special trial preference.

ORDERED that the order is reversed, with costs, and the motion is granted.

The Supreme Court improperly denied the plaintiffs' motion for a trial preference pursuant to CPLR 3403(a)(4). The injured plaintiff's husband, who is over 70 years of age, possesses a recognizable cause of action. Therefore, under CPLR 3403(a)(4), the plaintiffs are automatically entitled to a special trial preference (see, Milton Point Realty Co. v. Haas, 91 A.D.2d 678, 457 N.Y.S.2d 333; Bobowski v. Toomey, 108 Misc.2d 1061, 439 N.Y.S.2d 239; cf., Longo v. Equitable Life Assur. Soc. of U.S., 100 Misc.2d 606, 420 N.Y.S.2d 123).

BRACKEN, J.P., and COPERTINO, SANTUCCI, FLORIO and McGINITY, JJ., concur.