NOT FOR PUBLICATION WITHOUT THE APPROVAL OF THE APPELLATE DIVISION This opinion shall not "constitute precedent or be binding upon any court ." Although it is posted on the internet, this opinion is binding only on the parties in the case and its use in other cases is limited. R. 1:36-3.
SUPERIOR COURT OF NEW JERSEY APPELLATE DIVISION DOCKET NO. A-2573-23
AMADOR CASTRO,
Plaintiff-Appellant,
v.
STATE OF NEW JERSEY, COUNTY OF PASSAIC, PASSAIC COUNTY ROAD DEPARTMENT, CITY OF PASSAIC, CITY OF PASSAIC PUBLIC WORKS, and CONGREGATION TIFERETH ISRAEL,
Defendants-Respondents. _______________________________
Argued November 6, 2024 – Decided December 11, 2024
Before Judges Sumners and Bergman.
On appeal from an interlocutory order of the Superior Court of New Jersey, Law Division, Passaic County, Docket No. L-3621-21.
Antonio S. Grillo argued the cause for appellant (Jacoby & Meyers, LLP, attorneys; Samantha R. Salzone, on the briefs). Joseph P. Horan, II argued the cause for respondents City of Passaic and City of Passaic Public Works (PRB Attorneys at Law, LLC, attorneys; Peter P. Perla, Jr., of counsel and on the brief; Joseph P. Horan, II, on the brief).
PER CURIAM
On leave granted, plaintiff Amador Castro appeals the Law Division's
orders granting summary judgment to defendants City of Passaic and City of
Passaic Public Works, improperly pled, (collectively, the City or Passaic)
dismissing with prejudice Castro's New Jersey Tort Claims Act (TCA), N.J.S.A.
59:1-1 to 12-3, complaint; denying Castro's motion to reopen and extend
discovery; and denying Castro's summary judgment reconsideration motion. In
light of the parties' arguments, the record, and applicable legal standards, we
affirm.
I.
A. The Accident
On a windy November 2, 2020, Castro was sitting in the driver's seat of
his car parked in front of 165 Passaic Ave. when a tree––situated at 168 Passaic
Ave. in front of Congregation Tifereth Israel 1––tragically fell and collapsed on
1 Castro's motion to reopen discovery and merits brief states the address was changed to 180 Passaic Ave.
A-2573-23 2 his car. The tree was owned and maintained by Passaic. After law enforcement
and fire department personnel extricated Castro from his car, emergency medical
services took him to the hospital. Later that day, Passaic County Department of
Public Works (DPW) employees removed and discarded the tree. As a result of
the accident, Castro suffered a spinal injury, making him quadriplegic and in
need of consistent aid and skilled care for his daily living and rehabilitation.
B. The Lawsuit and Motion Practice
A year later, Castro sued Passaic, State of New Jersey, County of Passaic,
Passaic County Road Department, and Congregation Tifereth Israel, the owner
of the property abutting the sidewalk where the tree fell.2 As to Passaic, Castro
alleged it was liable for his injuries under the TCA.
The case was designated a Track 2 matter with a 300-day discovery
period, but discovery was extended for a total of 665 days due to five extensions.
Following discovery and after an arbitrator found "no cause for action", Passaic
filed a summary judgment motion, claiming immunity under the TCA. Castro
opposed and cross-moved to reopen and extend discovery.
2 When Castro filed this appeal, only his claims against the Congregation Tifereth Israel remained. A-2573-23 3 The motion court entered an order and statement of reasons granting
Passaic summary judgment. The court analyzed Castro's two theories of
liability. First, the court decided Castro did not establish Passaic had actual or
constructive notice of the tree's dangerous condition. The court dismissed
Castro's expert opinion that the City was liable because it had notice of the
dangerous condition given "the tree failed as a result of structural degradation
and lack of anchorage from the roots severed during the installation of three
sidewalk blocks." The court reasoned "June and September 2019 Google images
of the tree depicts a healthy tree. . . . While there was decay inside the tree, that
was not apparent from the tree's outward appearance." The court also dismissed
Castro's assertion that Passaic employees created the dangerous condition by
replacing the sidewalk next to the tree prior to the accident—and inferentially
shaving its roots—holding "[a]ny inspection that occurred would have been
related to the sidewalk, [which was the responsibility of Congregation Tifereth
Israel], not the tree." Secondly, the court determined "it is not palpably
unreasonable for [Passaic] to rely upon others to notify them of any dangerous
conditions created by their trees" and based on the TCA it "is not in the position
to question how [Passaic] allocate[s] their employees."
A-2573-23 4 The motion court later denied Castro's motion seeking reconsideration of
summary judgment. In its statement of reasons, the court, applying the
reconsideration standards in D'Atria v. D'Atria, 242 N.J. Super. 392, 401 (Ch.
Div. 1990), explained that it considered all evidence offered by Castro in
denying summary judgment and reiterated its reasons for finding that he had not
overcome Passaic's sovereign immunity under the TCA to impose liability on
Passaic. The court added that it's decision turned on the City's lack of actual or
constructive notice of the decaying tree because Castro "offered no evidence or
explanation of how [the City] caused the dangerous condition [by cutting the
tree's roots], other than a blanket claim that a tree's roots are cut when a sidewalk
is repaired" and the undisputed record showed "[the DPW] does not do sidewalk
repair."
While Castro's reconsideration motion was pending, the court denied his
motion to reopen and extend discovery. 3 Castro contended he needed more time
to pursue additional depositions, expert reports, and other evidentiary material
relating to the construction of the sidewalk abutting the tree. He claimed the
parties agreed to continue discovery, and he needed to investigate the
3 The Congregation Tifereth Israel opposed the motion but as noted had not filed a merits brief in this appeal. A-2573-23 5 Congregation Tifereth Israel's address change from 168 Passaic Ave to 180
Passaic Ave prior to the accident. Passaic and the Congregation Tifereth Israel
opposed the motion, but only Passaic opposed Castro's appeal of the order
denying his motion.
Applying Rule 4:24-1, the court found Castro failed to show exceptional
circumstances warranting the reopening and extending of discovery. The court
emphasized that the parties had sufficient time considering the 665 days of
discovery due to the five extensions, and they conducted depositions after
discovery had ended. The court also noted summary judgment had already been
entered in favor of Passaic, and the remaining parties were free to voluntarily
conduct discovery prior to trial. The court refused to enforce Castro's contention
that the parties agreed "to continue discovery after . . . discovery end[ed] . . . ,
non-binding arbitration [was held], and . . . [s]ummary [j]udgment" was granted.
II.
A. Appeal of Summary Judgment Order
Castro challenges summary judgment arguing Passaic owned and
maintained the tree, which its employees failed to remove when it decayed due
to its "roots being shaved during the installation of the new sidewalk." He
contends the motion court overlooked this fact, and erroneously: focused only
A-2573-23 6 on whether the City had actual or constructive notice of the decaying tree under
N.J.S.A. 59:4-2(b); and determined the City did not have actual or constructive
notice despite the "apparent, open and obvious nature" that the tree "root . . .
raised the sidewalk." He asserts Passaic created the dangerous condition, thus
making it liable for his injuries under N.J.S.A. 59:4-2(a). Castro stresses the
DPW's director deposed that upon seeing a photo of the tree leaning towards the
street with its main root raising the sidewalk: "I would have [taken] the whole
tree down before they did the sidewalk." Castro contends Passaic was on
constructive notice when the sidewalk was raised, stating "[i]f inspections were
being made at the . . . site and tree roots were being shaved, constructive notice
would be justly imposed or at a minimum made a question of fact." Lastly,
Castro argues Passaic's conduct was "palpably unreasonable," given it "had
notice of the dangerous condition, [and did] not [] take any action in accordance
with its protocol" nor "allocate[] funds to correct the dangerous condition."
B. TCA Liability
Public entities are presumptively "immune from tort liability unless there
is a specific statutory provision imposing liability." Kahrar v. Borough of
Wallington, 171 N.J. 3, 10 (2002). "Under the TCA, immunity [for tort liability]
is the rule and liability is the exception." Posey v. Bordentown Sewerage Auth.,
A-2573-23 7 171 N.J. 172, 181 (2002). Thus, "a public entity is 'immune from tort liability
unless there is a specific statutory provision' that makes it answerable for a
negligent act or omission." Polzo v. Cnty. of Essex, 209 N.J. 51, 65 (2012)
(quoting Kahrar, 171 N.J. at 10); see also N.J.S.A. 59:2-1(a) ("Except as
otherwise provided by [the TCA], a public entity is not liable for an injury,
whether such injury arises out of an act or omission of the public entity . . . .").
The TCA allows claims against public entities for injuries caused by
conditions of their property, but only based on limited circumstances. Under
N.J.S.A. 59:4-2, a public entity has tort liability for injuries caused by the
entity's property only where it is established: (1) the public entity's "property
was in dangerous condition at the time of the injury"; (2) "the injury w as
proximately caused by the dangerous condition"; (3) "the dangerous condition
created a reasonably foreseeable risk of the kind of injury which was incurred";
and (4) "a negligent or wrongful act or omission of [a public]
employee . . . created the dangerous condition" or "a public entity had actual or
constructive notice of the dangerous condition." See also Vincitore v. N.J.
Sports & Exposition Auth., 169 N.J. 119, 124-25 (2001). A public entity is not
liable for a dangerous condition of its property "if the action the entity took to
A-2573-23 8 protect against the condition or the failure to take such action was not palpably
unreasonable." N.J.S.A. 59:4-2.
A plaintiff asserting a tort claim against a public entity for injuries
allegedly caused by a condition on its property must present evidence satisfying
each of the elements of a cause of action under N.J.S.A. 59:4-2. Polzo, 209 N.J.
at 66; see also Carroll v. N.J. Transit, 366 N.J. Super. 380, 386 (App. Div. 2004)
(explaining N.J.S.A. 59:4-2 "places the burden squarely on the plaintiff to prove
each of its elements"). A failure to present sufficient evidence proving any
element of a cause of action under N.J.S.A. 59:4-2 requires dismissal of the
claim. Polzo, 209 N.J. at 66.
Based upon our de novo review of the motion court's grant of summary
judgment, Branch v. Cream-O-Land Dairy, 244 N.J. 567, 582 (2021), we
conclude there are no genuine issues of material fact and that as a matter of law
Passaic is entitled to summary judgment dismissal of Castro's complaint. See
R. 4:46-2(c).
C. Dangerous Condition
We first address Castro's claim that Passaic created the tree's dangerous
condition by shaving its roots to replace the sidewalk that had uplifted due to
the tree's roots. The TCA defines a "dangerous condition" as "a condition of
A-2573-23 9 property that creates a substantial risk of injury when such property is used with
due care in a manner in which it is reasonably foreseeable that it will be used."
N.J.S.A. 59:4-1(a).
There is no dispute that the tree collapsed because it was decaying. Yet,
despite reviewing the facts in the light most favorable to Castro, the non-moving
party, Crisitello v. St. Theresa Sch., 255 N.J. 200, 218 (2023), there is no proof
that Passaic installed a new sidewalk or shaved the tree roots. While the City
had issued a violation to the Congregation Tifereth Israel to repair the sidewalk
on January 11, 2018, the record does not indicate the City repaired the sidewalk
or shaved the tree roots to level the sidewalk. The DPW supervisor deposed that
the City's involvement with sidewalk repairs was limited "to assess[ing] if a
tree's roots could be shaved and the tree salvaged or if the tree needed to be
removed." The supervisor noted further that the DPW's remediation effort
would only involve "the spider roots [with] . . . minimal shaving, and the main
structured roots would not be disturbed." Castro did not dispute this testimony.
Although his expert opined that the tree roots were severed when the sidewalk
was repaired, there is no evidence that the City cut the roots. Moreover, there
is no evidence the roots were in fact severed. The tree was removed shortly after
the accident and Castro offered no proof the roots had previously been cut.
A-2573-23 10 The record—even affording all inferences to Castro—does not
substantiate the assertion that Passaic created a dangerous condition. Any
assertions that Passaic "created" the condition by failing to adequately inspect
the subject tree is unavailing and refuted by Supreme Court precedent. As
articulated in Polzo, an arguably "inadequate" or "flawed" inspection effort by
the DPW cannot be said to have "created" the tree's dangerous condition. Polzo,
209 N.J. at 66-67. Moreover, the record more strongly indicates that, like in
Polzo, natural causes created the weakened tree, as evidenced by the DPW
supervisor's observation following the accident that the tree "was uprooted"
because "the wind was blowing hard enough for [it] to come down." This
possibility is further bolstered by both parties' concession that during the time
of the incident it was windy, ranging from 35 to 40 miles per hour.
D. Actual or Constructive Notice
Even though we conclude Passaic did not cause the tree's dangerous
condition, we must still address Castro's argument that Passaic had actual or
constructive notice of the dangerous condition. Constructive notice of a
dangerous condition by a public entity under N.J.S.A. 59:4-2 occurs "only if the
plaintiff establishes that the condition had existed for such a period of time and
was of such an obvious nature that the public entity, in the exercise of due care,
A-2573-23 11 should have discovered the condition and its dangerous character." N.J.S.A.
59:4-3(b).
We reject Castro's contention that Passaic had actual or constructive
notice of the tree's dangerous condition that caused his accident. He offers no
evidence to undermine the motion court's sound reasoning that "[w]hile there
was decay inside the tree, [it] was not apparent from the tree's outward
appearance." Castro relies solely on photos showing the tree leaning towards
the street. However, there is no outward sign that the tree was decaying, e.g.,
rotting bark, dying or leave-less branches. See, e.g., Chatman v. Hall, 128 N.J.
394, 418 (1992) (finding the size of a pothole can indicate it existed long enough
that a public entity may have had constructive notice of its existence); Lodato
v. Evesham Twp., 388 N.J. Super. 501, 504-05, 512 (App. Div. 2006) (holding
whether the defendant township had constructive notice was a question for a
jury when the pedestrian plaintiff tripped and fell due to a defect on a sidewalk
which had been in existence for at least eighteen years); Milacci v. Mato Realty
Co., Inc., 217 N.J. Super. 297, 302-03 (App. Div. 1987) (finding a large
accumulation of dirt and sand on an office floor can show that a public entity
may have had constructive notice of its existence). Significantly, Castro does
not point to any prior complaints or incidents concerning the tree's dangerous
A-2573-23 12 condition. See, e.g., Wymbs v. Twp. of Wayne, 163 N.J. 523, 536 (2000)
(holding prior accidents at the same location of the dangerous condition can
create an issue of fact as to constructive notice). Thus, Passaic is entitled to
summary judgment.
E. Palpably Unreasonable Conduct
Given our conclusion that Passaic did not have actual or constructive
notice of the dangerous condition causing Castro's accident, its failure to remove
the tree cannot be viewed as palpably unreasonable under the TCA. "The mere
'[e]xistence of an alleged dangerous condition is not constructive notice of it.'"
Arroyo v. Durling Realty, LLC, 433 N.J. Super. 238, 243 (App. Div. 2013)
(alteration in original) (quoting Sims v. City of Newark, 244 N.J. Super. 32, 42
(Law Div. 1990)). It therefore follows, absent actual or constructive notice, the
public entity cannot have acted in a palpably unreasonable manner. See Maslo
v. City of Jersey City, 346 N.J. Super. 346, 350-51 (App. Div. 2002).
Yet, even if we conclude Passaic had actual or constructive notice of the
dangerous condition, Castro has not presented any facts showing Passaic's
conduct was palpably unreasonable. Apart from proof of notice, to establish
liability against a public entity under N.J.S.A. 59:4-2, a claimant must establish
a prima facie case that the action or inaction of the public entity was "palpably
A-2573-23 13 unreasonable." Coyne v. N.J. Dep't of Transp., 182 N.J. 481, 493 (2005); Maslo,
346 N.J. Super. at 349. Similarly, N.J.S.A. 59:2-3(d) provides:
A public entity is not liable for the exercise of discretion when, in the face of competing demands, it determines whether and how to utilize or apply existing resources, including those allocated for equipment, facilities and personnel unless a court concludes that the determination of the public entity was palpably unreasonable.
"[The] subsection incorporates the thesis that once resources have been
provided a public entity may be liable for its determination of priorities in the
application of such resources if that determination is palpably unreasonable."
Margolis & Novack, Claims Against Public Entities, 1972 Task Force Comment
on N.J.S.A. 59:2-3(d) (2020). "Broadly speaking [N.J.S.A.] 59:2-3 provides that
there shall be no liability for the decision-making process of public entities."
Margolis & Novack, cmt. 1 on N.J.S.A. 59:2-3.
Palpable unreasonableness implies "behavior that is patently unacceptable
under any given circumstance." Polzo 209 N.J. at 75 (internal quotations and
citations omitted). "When a public entity acts in a palpably unreasonable manner,
it should be 'obvious that no prudent person would approve of its course of action
or inaction.'" Id. at 76 (quoting Muhammad v. N.J. Transit, 176 N.J. 185, 195-
96 (2003)). Said differently, palpably unreasonable conduct "implies a more
A-2573-23 14 obvious and manifest breach of duty" than negligence, "and imposes a more
onerous burden on the plaintiff." Williams v. Phillipsburg, 171 N.J. Super. 278,
286 (App. Div. 1979).
Whether the public entity's behavior was palpably unreasonable is
generally a question of fact for the jury. See Vincitore, 169 N.J. at 130.
However, a determination of palpable unreasonableness, "like any other fact
question before a jury, is subject to the court's assessment whether it can
reasonably be made under the evidence presented." Maslo, 346 N.J. Super. at
351 (quoting Black v. Borough of Atl. Highlands, 263 N.J. Super. 445, 452 (App.
Div. 1993)). So, "the question of palpable unreasonableness may be decided by
the court as a matter of law in appropriate cases." Id. at 350 (citing Garrison v.
Twp. of Middletown, 154 N.J. 282, 311 (1998)).
The record in this case convinces us, as a matter of law, Passaic's failure
to cut down the tree was not palpably unreasonable. Castro asserts Passaic did
"not to take any action in accordance with its protocol [nor] allocate[] funds to
correct the dangerous condition." However, Castro has not satisfied his burden
that Passaic is legally compelled to allocate its limited funds to cut down the
tree, such that it was "obvious that no prudent person would approve [the public
entity's] course of action or inaction." Polzo, 196 N.J. at 76 (emphasis added)
A-2573-23 15 (quoting Muhammad, 176 N.J. at 195-96). Given public entities' limited
resources, it is not within our power to impose a more comprehensive tree
removal program on Passaic. See Polzo, 209 N.J. at 69. As noted, there was no
reported concern of the tree's decay. There was no proof Passaic's inspection of
trees was unreasonable. Under these circumstances, no rational factfinder could
find it was palpably unreasonable for Passaic not to remove the tree that caused
Castro's tragic injury.
III.
Denial of Motion to Reopen and Extend Discovery
Castro contends he proved exceptional circumstances under Rule 4:24-1
to reopen and extend discovery. He claims the motion is directly related to
Passaic's summary judgment motion "because [the] . . . tree was located at 180
Passaic Avenue, . . . [but] was once formerly 168 Passaic Avenue" and
"information [is needed] regarding [sidewalk repair] permits on this additional
address and . . . tree." Castro's counsel certification in support of the motion
stated that during a deposition of a Congregation of Tifereth Isreal official taken
after the discovery end date, the official "did not remember the property having
once been 168 Passaic Avenue," and therefore "additional time is requested in
order to conduct permit and records requests at the 168 Passaic Avenue address ."
A-2573-23 16 (Pa298). Counsel also asserted he wanted to "depose . . . [the synagogue]
employee . . . who conducts the day to day custodial work at the location and
may have more first[-]hand knowledge of the construction work on the . . .
sidewalk."
We "generally defer to a trial court's disposition of discovery matters
unless the court has abused its discretion or its determination is based on a
mistaken understanding of the applicable law." Rivers v. LSC P'ship, 378 N.J.
Super. 68, 80 (App. Div. 2005). An abuse of discretion "arises when a decision
is 'made without a rational explanation, inexplicably departed from established
policies, or rested on an impermissible basis.'" Flagg v. Essex Cnty. Prosecutor,
171 N.J. 561, 571 (2002) (quoting Achacoso-Sanchez v. I.N.S., 779 F.2d 1260,
1265 (7th Cir.1985)). We assess the judge's interpretation of applicable law de
novo.
To meet the exceptional circumstances standard permitting extension of a
discovery end date after the time has elapsed, a party must show:
(1) why discovery has not been completed within time and counsel's diligence in pursuing discovery during that time; (2) the additional discovery or disclosure sought is essential; (3) an explanation for counsel's failure to request an extension of the time for discovery within the original time period; and (4) the circumstances presented were clearly beyond the
A-2573-23 17 control of the attorney and litigant seeking the extension of time.
[Rivers, 378 N.J. Super. at 79; see also R. 4:24-1(c).]
Based upon our de novo review, Barlyn v. Dow, 436 N.J. Super. 161, 170 (App.
Div. 2014), we discern no basis to conclude the court abused its discretion by
misapplying this discovery standard, C.A. ex rel. Applegrad v. Bentolila, 219
N.J. 449, 459 (2014) (quoting Pomerantz Paper Corp. v. New Cmty. Corp., 207
N.J. 344, 371 (2011)).
We are fully mindful of the catastrophic injuries Castro sustained from the
ill-fated accident. Nevertheless, Castro had more than ample time to complete
discovery––665 days due to five extensions. There is no indication the
additional discovery he sought could not have been obtained during the
approximately twenty-two-month discovery period. There is no showing that
the synagogue's address change was not known before nor could not have been
known through due diligence prior to the discovery end date. Moreover, there
is no contention defendants' conduct delayed or impeded Castro's ability to
complete discovery. Given these facts, we discern no reason to conclude the
court's order to deny Castro's motion to reopen and extend the discovery end
date was an abuse of discretion.
A-2573-23 18 To the extent we have not specifically addressed any of plaintiff's
arguments, we conclude they lack sufficient merit to warrant discussion in a
written opinion. R. 2:11-3(e)(1)(E).
Affirmed.
A-2573-23 19