Opinion
2016–11244 Index No. 2132/14
12-24-2019
Timothy WETTSTEIN, et al., Appellants, v. Jameelah TUCKER, Respondent.
Timothy Wettstein and Michelle Wettstein, South Hempstead, NY, appellants pro se. DeSena & Sweeney, LLP, Bohemia, N.Y. (Shawn P. O'Shaughnessy of counsel), for respondent.
Timothy Wettstein and Michelle Wettstein, South Hempstead, NY, appellants pro se.
DeSena & Sweeney, LLP, Bohemia, N.Y. (Shawn P. O'Shaughnessy of counsel), for respondent.
MARK C. DILLON, J.P., JEFFREY A. COHEN, ROBERT J. MILLER, ANGELA G. IANNACCI, JJ.
DECISION & ORDER ORDERED that the order is affirmed, with costs.
The plaintiffs commenced this action to recover damages for personal injuries that they each allegedly sustained in a motor vehicle accident that occurred on February 17, 2013. The defendant moved for summary judgment dismissing the complaint on the ground that neither plaintiff sustained a serious injury within the meaning of Insurance Law § 5102(d) as a result of the subject accident. The Supreme Court granted the motion, and the plaintiffs appeal.
The defendant met her prima facie burden of showing that the plaintiff Timothy Wettstein (hereinafter Timothy) did not sustain a serious injury within the meaning of Insurance Law § 5102(d) as a result of the subject accident (see Toure v. Avis Rent A Car Sys. , 98 N.Y.2d 345, 746 N.Y.S.2d 865, 774 N.E.2d 1197 ; Gaddy v. Eyler, 79 N.Y.2d 955, 956–957, 582 N.Y.S.2d 990, 591 N.E.2d 1176 ). The defendant submitted competent medical evidence establishing, prima facie, that the alleged injuries to the lumbar region of Timothy's spine and left shoulder did not constitute serious injuries under either the permanent consequential limitation of use or significant limitation of use categories of Insurance Law § 5102(d) (see Staff v. Yshua, 59 A.D.3d 614, 874 N.Y.S.2d 180 ), and that, in any event, those alleged injuries were not caused by the subject accident (see Jilani v. Palmer, 83 A.D.3d 786, 787, 920 N.Y.S.2d 424 ). In addition, the defendant demonstrated, prima facie, that Timothy did not sustain a serious injury under the 90/180–day category of Insurance Law § 5102(d) (see John v. Linden, 124 A.D.3d 598, 599, 1 N.Y.S.3d 274 ; Marin v. Ieni, 108 A.D.3d 656, 657, 969 N.Y.S.2d 165 ). In opposition, the plaintiffs failed to raise a triable issue of fact (see Griffiths v. Munoz, 98 A.D.3d 997, 998–999, 950 N.Y.S.2d 787 ). The defendant also met her prima facie burden of showing that the plaintiff Michelle Wettstein (hereinafter Michelle), who allegedly sustained certain injuries to the cervical region of her spine as a result of the subject accident, did not sustain a serious injury within the meaning of Insurance Law § 5102(d) as a result of the subject accident (see Toure v. Avis Rent A Car Sys. , 98 N.Y.2d 345, 746 N.Y.S.2d 865, 774 N.E.2d 1197 ; Gaddy v. Eyler, 79 N.Y.2d at 956–957, 582 N.Y.S.2d 990, 591 N.E.2d 1176 ). The defendant submitted competent medical evidence establishing, prima facie, that Michelle suffered from pre-existing conditions in that region, and that an anterior cervical discectomy and fusion surgery had been suggested to her approximately six months prior to the subject accident (see Pryce v. Nelson, 124 A.D.3d 859, 859–860, 2 N.Y.S.3d 214 ). In addition, the defendant also submitted evidence establishing, prima facie, that Michelle did not sustain a serious injury under the 90/180–day category of Insurance Law § 5102(d) (see John v. Linden, 124 A.D.3d at 599, 1 N.Y.S.3d 274 ; Marin v. Ieni, 108 A.D.3d at 657, 969 N.Y.S.2d 165 ). In opposition, the plaintiffs failed to raise a triable issue of fact. Michelle's examining physician failed to explain in his affirmation, in a specific and nonconclusory manner, how the subject accident exacerbated Michelle's preexisting conditions, necessitating her to undergo an anterior cervical discectomy and fusion surgery in September 2013 (see Inzalaco v. Consalvo, 115 A.D.3d 807, 808–809, 982 N.Y.S.2d 165 ).
Accordingly, we agree with the Supreme Court's determination to grant the defendant's motion for summary judgment dismissing the complaint.
DILLON, J.P., COHEN, MILLER and IANNACCI, JJ., concur.