Opinion
238 CA 15-00753.
03-18-2016
Diane SPARKS, Plaintiff–Appellant, v. Larry FELS, Jr., Schwan's Home Service, Inc., and Schwan's Food Service, Inc., Defendants–Respondents.
Campbell & Shelton, LLP, Eden, Magavern Magavern Grimm, LLP, Buffalo (Edward J. Markarian of Counsel), for Plaintiff–Appellant. Hurwitz & Fine, P.C., Buffalo (Jody E. Briandi of Counsel), for Defendants–Respondents.
Campbell & Shelton, LLP, Eden, Magavern Magavern Grimm, LLP, Buffalo (Edward J. Markarian of Counsel), for Plaintiff–Appellant.
Hurwitz & Fine, P.C., Buffalo (Jody E. Briandi of Counsel), for Defendants–Respondents.
Opinion
MEMORANDUM:
In this action arising out of a motor vehicle accident, plaintiff appeals from that part of an order granting defendants' motion for summary judgment seeking dismissal of plaintiff's claim for punitive damages. “Punitive damages are warranted where the conduct of the party being held liable evidences a high degree of moral culpability, or where the conduct is so flagrant as to transcend mere carelessness, or where the conduct constitutes willful or wanton negligence or recklessness (Fernandez v. Suffolk County Water Auth., 276 A.D.2d 466, 467, 714 N.Y.S.2d 91 2000; Lee v. Health Force, 268 A.D.2d 564, 702 N.Y.S.2d 108 2000; Rey v. Park View Nursing Home, 262 A.D.2d 624, 627, 692 N.Y.S.2d 686 1999 )” (Buckholz v. Maple Garden Apts., LLC, 38 A.D.3d 584, 585, 832 N.Y.S.2d 255). In other words, “[p]unitive damages are available for the purpose of vindicating a public right only where the actions of the alleged tort-feasor constitute gross recklessness or intentional, wanton or malicious conduct aimed at the public generally or are activated by evil or reprehensible motives” (Pascazi v. Pelton, 210 A.D.2d 910, 621 N.Y.S.2d 979 [internal quotation marks omitted]; see Ross v. Louise Wise Servs., Inc., 8 N.Y.3d 478, 489, 836 N.Y.S.2d 509, 868 N.E.2d 189). Here, we conclude that the record does not evince circumstances warranting an award of punitive damages (see Cushing v. Seemann, 247 A.D.2d 891, 893, 668 N.Y.S.2d 791; see generally Green v. Passenger Bus Corp. [Appeal No. 2], 61 A.D.3d 1377, 1378, 877 N.Y.S.2d 577; Buckholz, 38 A.D.3d at 585, 832 N.Y.S.2d 255).
It is hereby ORDERED that the order so appealed from is unanimously affirmed without costs.
WHALEN, P.J., SMITH, CARNI, NEMOYER, and CURRAN, JJ., concur.