Opinion
Index No. CV-720860-19/QU
10-12-2022
Dos Manos Chiropractic, P.C. As Assignee of Michael, Plaintiff(s), v. State Farm Insurance Company, Defendant(s).
Petitioner's counsel: Law Offices of Gabriel & Moroff, P.C. Respondent's counsel: Rubin, Fiorella, Friedman & Mercante, LLP
Unpublished Opinion
Petitioner's counsel: Law Offices of Gabriel & Moroff, P.C.
Respondent's counsel: Rubin, Fiorella, Friedman & Mercante, LLP
HONORABLE WENDY CHANGYONG LI, J.C.C.
I. Papers
The following papers were read on Defendant's motion for summary judgment dismissing Plaintiff's complaint:
Papers - Numbered
Defendant's Notice of Motion and Affirmation dated April 15, 2021 ("Motion") and electronically filed with the court on the same date. - 1
II. Background
In a summons and complaint filed September 19, 2019, in Queens Civil Court, Plaintiff sued Defendant insurance company to recover $1,404.74 in unpaid first party No-Fault benefits for medical services provided to Plaintiff's assignor Michael for injuries sustained in an automobile accident on November 12, 2018, plus attorneys' fees and statutory interest (see Motion, Aff. of Gjoni, Ex. A). In a summons and complaint filed January 30, 2020, Defendant commenced a declaratory judgment action in Supreme Court, New York County against Plaintiff and Michael among others who filed No-Fault benefit claims (" Supreme Court Action ") (State Farm Mutual Ins. Co. v Best Hands On Phys. Therapy, et al., Sup. Ct. NY County, Index No. 720860/19) (see Motion, Gjoni Aff., Ex. B). In an order entered March 22, 2021, in the Supreme Court Action, Supreme Court granted Defendant a default judgment against Plaintiff and Michale among other No-Fault claimants holding that Defendant owed no duty to pay No-Fault claims arising from the accident on November 12, 2018 (see Motion, Gjoni Aff., Ex. D). In our instant matter, Defendant moved for summary judgment dismissing Plaintiff's complaint on the ground that Plaintiff's action was barred by res judicata and collateral estoppel. Plaintiff did not oppose Defendant's motion.
III. Discussion
"Under the doctrine of res judicata, a party may not litigate a claim where a judgment on the merits exists from a prior action between the same parties involving the same subject matter" (Matter of Hunter, 4 N.Y.3d 260, 269 [2005], see Simmons v Trans Express Inc., 37 N.Y.3d 107, 111 [2021]; Matter of Josey v Goord, 9 N.Y.3d 386, 389 [2007]; Healthway Med. Care, P.C. v American Tr. Ins. Co., 54 Misc.3d 127 [A], 2016 NY Slip Op 51786[U] *1 [App Term 2d Dept 2016]; Infinity Chiropractic Health, P.C. v Republic W. Ins. Co., 53 Misc.3d 144 [A], 2016 NY Slip Op 51564[U] *1 [App Term 2d Dept 2016]). "Once a claim is brought to a final conclusion, all other claims arising out of the same transaction or series of transactions are barred, even if based upon different theories or if seeking a different remedy" (Simmons v Trans Express Inc., 37 N.Y.3d at 111; O'Brien v City of Syracuse, 54 N.Y.2d 353, 357 [1981], see Matter of Josey v Goord, 9 N.Y.3d at 390; Tracey v Deutsche Bank Natl. Trust Co., 187 A.D.3d 815, 817 [2d Dept 2020]).
The parties and subject matter in the instant matter and the Supreme Court Action are identical (Healthway Med. Care, P.C. v American Tr. Ins. Co., 2016 NY Slip Op 51786[U] *1). Any judgment in Plaintiff's favor in our instant action would adversely affect the rights and interests created by the judgment in the Supreme Court Action (Metro Health Prods., Inc. v Nationwide Ins., 55 Misc.3d 142 [A], 2017 NY Slip Op 50607[U] *2 [App Term 2d Dept 2017]; Healthway Med. Care, P.C. v American Tr. Ins. Co., 2016 NY Slip Op 51786[U] *2). Thus res judicata bars Plaintiff's action (Active Care Med. Supply Corp. v American Commerce Ins. Co., 54 Misc.3d 128 [A], 2016 NY Slip Op 51813[U] *2 [App Term 2d Dept 2016]; Infinity Chiropractic Health, P.C. v Republic W. Ins. Co., 2016 NY Slip Op 51564[U] *1). Here, Defendant is entitled to summary judgment dismissing Plaintiff's complaint (Metro Health Prods., Inc. v Nationwide Ins., 2017 NY Slip Op 50607[U] *1; Active Care Med. Supply Corp. v American Commerce Ins. Co., 2016 NY Slip Op 51813[U] *2; Atlantic Chiropractic, P.C. v Liberty Mut. Fire Ins. Co., 52 Misc.3d 137 [A], 2016 NY Slip Op 51072[u] *2 [App Term 2d Dept 2016]) based on the prior Supreme Court Action. Even though Supreme Court entered judgment on Plaintiff's default in the Supreme Court Action, the judgment constitutes a conclusive final determination because Plaintiff's default in the Supreme Court Action has not been vacated (Active Care Med. Supply Corp. v American Commerce Ins. Co., 2016 NY Slip Op 51813[U] *2; Infinity Chiropractic Health, P.C. v Republic W. Ins. Co., 2016 NY Slip Op 51564[U] *1). Inasmuch as res judicata furnishes a basis for granting Defendant summary judgment dismissing Plaintiff's complaint, there is no need to address whether collateral estoppel also bars Plaintiff's action as Defendant contended.
IV. Order
Accordingly, it is
ORDERED that Defendant's motion for summary judgment is granted and Plaintiff's complaint is dismissed; and it is further
ORDERED that the part clerk is directed to dispose the index number for all purposes.
This constitutes the Decision and Order of the court.