BENNETT v. MUNIZ (2008)

 Plaintiff commenced this action seeking damages for injuries he sustained when the vehicle he was driving collided with a vehicle driven by defendant's daughter.   Following a jury trial, judgment was entered awarding plaintiff damages in the amount of $285,000, plus interest, costs and disbursements.   We agree with defendant that Supreme Court erred in granting that part of plaintiff's motion for a directed verdict on the issue of serious injury based upon its determination that the injury to plaintiff's ankle constituted a significant limitation of use and a permanent consequential limitation of use as a matter of law within the meaning of Insurance Law § 5102(d).  “In order to direct a verdict in favor of the plaintiff, the court must view the evidence in the light most favorable to the defendant[ ] and conclude [that] ‘there is no rational process by which the fact trier could base a finding in favor of’ ” the defendant (Pecora v. Lawrence, 28 A.D.3d 1136, 1137, 816 N.Y.S.2d 772, quoting Szczerbiak v. Pilat, 90 N.Y.2d 553, 556, 664 N.Y.S.2d 252, 686 N.E.2d 1346).  “Whether a limitation of use or function is ‘significant’ or ‘consequential’ (i.e., important ․) relates to medical significance and involves a comparative determination of the degree or qualitative nature of an injury based on the normal function, purpose and use of the body part” (Dufel v. Green, 84 N.Y.2d 795, 798, 622 N.Y.S.2d 900, 647 N.E.2d 105;  see Howell v. Holloway, 17 A.D.3d 1117, 1118, 794 N.Y.S.2d 259).   Indeed, the Court of Appeals has written that “whether there has been a ‘significant’ limitation of use of a body function or system ․ can ․ be a complex, fact-laden determination” (Pommells v. Perez, 4 N.Y.3d 566, 571, 797 N.Y.S.2d 380, 830 N.E.2d 278).   Here, the parties presented conflicting evidence with respect to, inter alia, the degree of permanent loss to plaintiff's range of ankle motion, and we conclude on the record before us that there is a triable issue of fact whether the injury to plaintiff's ankle was significant or consequential (see generally Howell, 17 A.D.3d at 1118, 794 N.Y.S.2d 259) and whether plaintiff's back injury was a qualifying serious injury.

It is hereby ORDERED that the judgment so appealed from is unanimously reversed on the law without costs, plaintiff's motion for a directed verdict is denied in part, the verdict is set aside and a new trial is granted on the issues of serious injury, causation and damages.

MEMORANDUM: