BROWN v. NEW YORK CITY HOUSING AUTHORITY (2008)

In an action to recover damages for personal injuries, the plaintiff appeals from (1) an order of the Supreme Court, Queens County (Grays, J.), dated July 5, 2006, which granted that branch of the unopposed motion of the defendant New York City Housing Authority which was pursuant to CPLR 3126 to dismiss the complaint insofar as asserted against it, and (2) an order of the same court, dated November 13, 2006, which denied her motion, in effect, to vacate the prior order.

ORDERED that the appeal from the order dated July 5, 2006, is dismissed;  and it is further,

ORDERED that the order dated November 13, 2006 is affirmed;  and it is further,

ORDERED that one bill of costs is awarded to the defendant New York City Housing Authority.

The order dated July 5, 2006, was issued upon the plaintiff's default in opposing the motion of the defendant New York City Housing Authority (hereinafter the NYCHA).   No appeal lies from an order made upon the default of the appealing party (see CPLR 5511).

To vacate the order dated July 5, 2006, the plaintiff was required, inter alia, to demonstrate a reasonable excuse for her default in opposing the NYCHA's motion, (see Gironda v. Katzen, 19 A.D.3d 644, 798 N.Y.S.2d 109;  Antoku v. Grace Indus., 295 A.D.2d 294, 742 N.Y.S.2d 901).   However, the plaintiff failed to provide a reasonable excuse for her failure to oppose the motion (see Scoca v. Bon Realty Corp., 284 A.D.2d 388, 726 N.Y.S.2d 289).   She also failed to adequately explain her failure to comply with certain outstanding discovery demands and orders over a two-year period (see Tutt v. City of Yonkers, 11 A.D.3d 532, 782 N.Y.S.2d 851).   Accordingly, the Supreme Court providently exercised its discretion in denying her motion, in effect, to vacate the order dated July 5, 2006.