Learn About the Law
Get help with your legal needs
FindLaw’s Learn About the Law features thousands of informational articles to help you understand your options. And if you’re ready to hire an attorney, find one in your area who can help.
Daniel DI MARTINO and Cheryl A. Di Martino, Individually and as Coadministrators of the Estate of Nicholas A. Di Martino, Deceased, Plaintiffs-Appellants, v. FORD MOTOR COMPANY, Defendant, Town Ford, Glenn Sickles, Universal Underwriters Insurance Company, Co-part, Inc., f/k/a New England Recoveries, 2060 Auto Parts, Inc., and Sheryl Serwacki, Defendants-Respondents. (Appeal No. 1.)
Supreme Court erred in granting the motions of defendants Town Ford, Glenn Sickles, Co-Part, Inc., f/k/a New England Recoveries, 2060 Auto Parts, Inc. and Sheryl Serwacki and the cross motion of defendant Universal Underwriters Insurance Company to dismiss the complaint against them. In determining whether the complaint asserts causes of action for both wrongful death and pain and suffering, the court “ ‘must deem the complaint to allege whatever can be inferred from its statements by fair and reasonable intendment, however imperfectly, informally or illogically facts may be stated therein’ ” (Barrows v. Rozansky, 111 A.D.2d 105, 107, 489 N.Y.S.2d 481, quoting Pace v. Perk, 81 A.D.2d 444, 449, 440 N.Y.S.2d 710; see, CPLR 3026; see also, Cole v. O'Tooles of Utica, 222 A.D.2d 88, 90, 643 N.Y.S.2d 283; Tuffley v. City of Syracuse, 82 A.D.2d 110, 113, 442 N.Y.S.2d 326). Because the complaint states a negligence cause of action seeking damages for pain and suffering, it was error to deny plaintiffs' motion to amend the complaint to state that cause of action more clearly (see, CPLR 3025[b]; Hogarth v. City of Syracuse [appeal No. 1], 238 A.D.2d 887, 660 N.Y.S.2d 779, lv. dismissed 90 N.Y.2d 935, 664 N.Y.S.2d 272, 686 N.E.2d 1367).
Order insofar as appealed from unanimously reversed on the law without costs, motions and cross motion denied and complaint against defendants Town Ford, Glenn Sickles, Co-Part, Inc., f/k/a New England Recoveries, 2060 Auto Parts, Inc., Sheryl Serwacki and Universal Underwriters Insurance Company reinstated.
MEMORANDUM:
Thank you for your feedback!
As the largest network of trusted legal brands, we help firms build authority across the platforms consumers and AI systems rely on most. Our network helps attorneys strengthen visibility, credibility, and preference where legal decisions begin.
Decided: May 07, 1999
Court: Supreme Court, Appellate Division, Fourth Department, New York.
Search our directory by legal issue
Enter information in one or both fields (Required)
Harness the power of our directory with your own profile. Select the button below to sign up.
Learn more about FindLaw’s newsletters, including our terms of use and privacy policy.
Get help with your legal needs
FindLaw’s Learn About the Law features thousands of informational articles to help you understand your options. And if you’re ready to hire an attorney, find one in your area who can help.
Search our directory by legal issue
Enter information in one or both fields (Required)