Opinion
February 16, 2000
Appeal from Order of Supreme Court, Erie County, Cosgrove, J. — Discovery.
PRESENT: PINE, J. P., WISNER, HURLBUTT AND BALIO, JJ.
Order unanimously reversed on the law without costs and motion denied.
Memorandum:
Supreme Court improvidently exercised its discretion in granting plaintiffs' motion for a protective order ( cf., Oppenheimer v. Shubitowski, 92 A.D.2d 1021). The fact that defendant conducted an examination under oath and required the production of documents during its investigation of plaintiffs' insurance claim prior to the commencement of this action does not preclude defendant from seeking production of the same documents and an examination before trial of plaintiffs pursuant to CPLR article 31 ( see, Marcus Sons v. Federal Ins. Co., 24 A.D.2d 922; Waugh v. Firemen's Fund Ins. Co., 52 Misc.2d 141; see also, Sentry Ins. v. Shivers, 164 FRD 255).