Opinion
2003-07798.
Decided May 17, 2004.
In an action to recover damages for personal injuries, the defendant appeals from a judgment of the Supreme Court, Kings County (Silverman, J.H.O.), entered August 12, 2003, which, following an inquest on the issue of damages, is in favor of the plaintiff and against him in the principal sum of $200,000.
Robert P. Tusa (Sweetbaum Sweetbaum, Lake Success, N.Y. [Marshall D. Sweetbaum] of counsel), for appellant.
Kagan Gertel, Brooklyn, N.Y. (Irving Gertel of counsel), for respondent.
Before: DAVID S. RITTER, J.P., SONDRA MILLER, THOMAS A. ADAMS, BARRY A. COZIER, JJ.
DECISION ORDER
ORDERED that the judgment is reversed, on the law, without costs or disbursements, and the matter is remitted to the Supreme Court, Kings County, for a new inquest on the issue of damages.
At an inquest on damages, a defaulting defendant is entitled to cross-examine the plaintiff's witnesses, and to present testimony and evidence ( see Tamburello v. Bensonhurst Car Limo Serv., 305 A.D.2d 664; Godwins v. Coggins, 280 A.D.2d 582). Here, the defendant was denied this opportunity when the Supreme Court, inter alia, admitted the plaintiff's uncertified hospital records ( see CPLR 4518 [c]) and unsworn medical reports ( see CPLR 2106) into evidence over the defendant's objection ( see Paige v. Lucatorto, 292 A.D.2d 581). Further, the errors were not harmless ( see Adkins v. Queens Van-Plan, 293 A.D.2d 503; Aguirre v. Long Is. R.R. Co., 286 A.D.2d 658). Thus, the defendant is entitled to a new inquest at which the plaintiff will be required to establish, through admissible evidence, his damages, if any ( see Insurance Law § 5102; Tamburello v. Bensonhurst Car Limo Serv., supra).
The defendant's remaining contentions either are academic or without merit.
RITTER, J.P., S. MILLER, ADAMS and COZIER, JJ., concur.