ANTONELLI v. YALE MATERIALS HANDLING CORPORATION (1997)

Yale Materials Handling Corp. (defendant) and third-party defendant, Upstate Milk Cooperatives, Inc., appeal from an order denying their motions to compel Vincent Antonelli (plaintiff) to submit to examination by a psychiatrist designated by third-party defendant and, in the course of such psychiatric examination, to submit to testing by a psychologist supervised by the psychiatrist.   Defendant and third-party defendant contend that plaintiff should be compelled to submit to psychological testing because his mental condition is in controversy and the testing is sought for the purpose of aiding the supervising psychiatrist in evaluating such condition.

Given the circumstances, in which two of plaintiff's treating physicians have speculated that there is a psychological or “factitious” element to plaintiff's complaints and have referred plaintiff for psychiatric evaluation, we conclude that plaintiff's psychological status is “in controversy,” thus requiring plaintiff to submit to examination by a psychiatrist designated by the defense (CPLR 3121[a];  see generally, Koump v. Smith, 25 N.Y.2d 287, 294, 303 N.Y.S.2d 858, 250 N.E.2d 857).  Further, nothing in the CPLR precludes psychological testing, provided that it is performed by or under the supervision of a physician (see, Rook v. 60 Key Centre, 237 A.D.2d 901, 656 N.Y.S.2d 1014, citing Paris v. Waterman S.S. Corp., 218 A.D.2d 561, 563-564, 630 N.Y.S.2d 716;  cf., Massachusetts Bay Ins. Co. v. Stamm, 237 A.D.2d 145, 654 N.Y.S.2d 752).

Order unanimously reversed on the law with costs and motions granted.

MEMORANDUM: