Joyce Pickett, et al., respondents, v. Federated Department Stores, Inc., etc., appellant. (2010)

Submitted-December 15, 2010

DECISION & ORDER

In an action to recover damages for personal injuries, etc., the defendant appeals from an order of the Supreme Court, Kings County (Schmidt, J.), dated January 6, 2010, which granted the plaintiffs' motion to vacate the dismissal of the complaint and to restore the action to active status.

ORDERED that the order is reversed, on the facts and in the exercise of discretion, with costs, and the plaintiffs' motion to vacate the dismissal of the complaint and to restore the action to active status is denied.

The complaint in this action was dismissed on or about July 6, 2001, after the plaintiffs failed to comply with an order directing them to file a note of issue by June 25, 2001.   The plaintiffs' motion to vacate the dismissal of the complaint and to restore the action to active status was made almost eight years after the complaint was dismissed, and almost 11 years after the subject accident.   In light of the inexcusable delay of nearly eight years in moving to vacate the dismissal of the complaint and the prejudice to the defendant caused by the delay, the plaintiffs' motion should have been denied pursuant to the doctrine of laches (see Rosenstrauss v Women's Imaging Ctr. of Orange County, 56 AD3d 454, 454-455;  Lewis v. New York City Tr. Auth., 38 AD3d 201).

In light of our determination, we need not address the defendant's remaining contention.

RIVERA, J.P., COVELLO, ENG, LEVENTHAL and AUSTIN, JJ., concur.

ENTER:

Matthew G. Kiernan

Clerk of the Court