LOSCHIAVO v. Richard Freeman, as Executor of the Estate of Charles S. Freeman, Deceased, Defendant-Appellant-Respondent. (2004)

Plaintiffs originally commenced this action against Jean D. Weed only, seeking damages for injuries sustained by plaintiff Augustine M. Loschiavo when Weed's vehicle struck his vehicle.   In deposing Weed, however, plaintiffs learned that the accident allegedly occurred when Weed was returning from running an errand for Charles S. Freeman (Freeman), by whom she was allegedly employed as a caretaker.   Plaintiffs thereafter filed a second amended complaint adding a cause of action for negligence against Richard Freeman (defendant), as executor of Freeman's estate.   Plaintiffs alleged therein that Freeman, who had since died, was vicariously liable for the negligence of Weed, based on the doctrine of respondeat superior “and/or” Vehicle and Traffic Law § 388.

 Contrary to the contention of defendant, Supreme Court did not abuse its discretion in denying his motion to dismiss the second amended complaint against him based on plaintiffs' failure to file a note of issue in response to his demand pursuant to CPLR 3216(b)(3).   Plaintiffs' verified bill of particulars sufficiently demonstrated a meritorious cause of action against defendant (see Pastore v. Golub Corp., 184 A.D.2d 827, 828, 584 N.Y.S.2d 339;  see generally Wynter v. Our Lady of Mercy Med. Ctr., 3 A.D.3d 376, 771 N.Y.S.2d 94) and, although plaintiffs' excuse for the failure to file a note of issue was “not strong” (Wood v. Strong Mem. Hosp. of Univ. of Rochester, 262 A.D.2d 1054, 1055, 692 N.Y.S.2d 277), we note that a court has the discretion to deny a motion to dismiss “when [a] plaintiff tenders even an unjustifiable excuse” (Baczkowski v. D.A. Collins Constr. Co., 89 N.Y.2d 499, 504, 655 N.Y.S.2d 848, 678 N.E.2d 460;  see Rust v. Turgeon, 295 A.D.2d 962, 962-963, 746 N.Y.S.2d 223).   Here, there was no delay on the part of plaintiffs in prosecuting the action and no prejudice to defendant, and we decline to disturb the court's exercise of discretion (see generally Schneider v. Meltzer, 266 A.D.2d 801, 802-803, 700 N.Y.S.2d 237).

 Likewise, the court did not abuse its discretion in granting the cross motion of defendant for a protective order pursuant to CPLR 3103 precluding plaintiffs from using Weed's deposition testimony against him.   This action was commenced against defendant in September 2001, after Weed was deposed by plaintiffs, and Weed died in April 2002, before defendant deposed her.   Neither Freeman nor defendant was “present or represented at the taking of [Weed's] deposition” (3117[a][3] ).   We agree with defendant that he was thereby deprived of his right to cross-examine Weed on the issue whether she was acting within the scope of her employment at the time of the accident and that her deposition testimony therefore was hearsay with respect to defendant (see generally People v. Settles, 46 N.Y.2d 154, 166, 412 N.Y.S.2d 874, 385 N.E.2d 612).   Under those circumstances, the court properly precluded the use of Weed's deposition testimony against defendant (see 3117[a][3];  Claypool v. City of New York, 267 A.D.2d 33, 35, 699 N.Y.S.2d 363;  see also Weinberg v. City of New York, 3 A.D.3d 489, 770 N.Y.S.2d 431;  see generally Seinfeld v. Robinson, 300 A.D.2d 208, 209, 755 N.Y.S.2d 69;   Hill v. Arnold, 226 A.D.2d 232, 233, 640 N.Y.S.2d 892;  Stern v. Inwood Town House, 22 A.D.2d 650, 252 N.Y.S.2d 1006).

 The court properly denied plaintiffs' motion seeking partial summary judgment determining that Weed was Freeman's employee at the time of the accident and was acting in the scope of her employment, rendering defendant vicariously liable for her negligence.   Absent Weed's deposition testimony, there was no evidence before the court on the issue whether Weed was acting within the scope of her employment at the time of the accident.   Contrary to plaintiffs' contention, the fact that Weed admitted in her answer that she was acting within the scope of her employment at the time of the accident is not binding on defendant, inasmuch as that admission is competent evidence against Weed only (see People v. Swart, 273 A.D.2d 503, 505, 709 N.Y.S.2d 653, lv. denied 95 N.Y.2d 908, 716 N.Y.S.2d 649, 739 N.E.2d 1154;  Matter of Shephard v. Ambach, 68 A.D.2d 984, 985, 414 N.Y.S.2d 817).   Plaintiffs therefore failed to meet their initial burden on their motion (see Zuckerman v. City of New York, 49 N.Y.2d 557, 562, 427 N.Y.S.2d 595, 404 N.E.2d 718).

It is hereby ORDERED that the order so appealed from be and the same hereby is unanimously affirmed without costs.

MEMORANDUM: