Antoine v. State

103 Misc. 2d 664, 426 N.Y.S.2d 917, 1980 N.Y. Misc. LEXIS 2162
CourtNew York Court of Claims
DecidedMarch 25, 1980
DocketClaim No. 63578
StatusPublished
Cited by12 cases

This text of 103 Misc. 2d 664 (Antoine v. State) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering New York Court of Claims primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Antoine v. State, 103 Misc. 2d 664, 426 N.Y.S.2d 917, 1980 N.Y. Misc. LEXIS 2162 (N.Y. Super. Ct. 1980).

Opinion

[665]*665OPINION OF THE COURT

Albert A. Blinder, J.

Defendant moves for an order dismissing the claim heretofore filed on the grounds that the court lacks jurisdiction and that the claim was not timely filed.

It appears from a review of the papers submitted and from the pleadings1 filed with the court, that the claimant, Marie Carole Antoine, was a patient at the Downstate Medical Center from April 30, 1978 to May 2, 1978.

On October 10, 1979, claimant filed a notice of intention, individually and as administratrix for "Jane” Antoine, deceased. It contained an accrual date of on or about April 30, 1978 and complained of the pain and suffering and death of the newborn "Jane” Antoine, as well as her own pain and suffering.

Thereafter, on October 24, 1979 Claim No. 63578 was filed. It alleges that claimant, Marie Carole Antoine, was a patient at the Downstate Medical Center, having been admitted on April 30, 1978. On that date, it further alleges, Marie Carole Antoine gave birth to a child.

There are four causes of action asserted in the pleading. The first cause of action sounds in medical malpractice alleging negligence resulting in injuries to the claimant, Marie Carole Antoine, individually.

The second cause of action sounds in medical malpractice alleging negligence resulting in the wrongful death of "Jane” Antoine, and the appointment of claimant, Marie Carole Antoine, as administratrix.

The third cause of action realleges the liability in the first and second causes and demands damages sustained by the decedent, "Jane” Antoine, by virtue of pain and suffering until the time of her death.

The fourth cause of action, in its heading, alleges that it is "on behalf of plaintiff administratrix”, but the text of the paragraphs numbered 26th, 27th and 28th indicates that the damages sought are for the claimant individually and as administratrix. It alleges that the failure to render medical care and attention "was done in a willful, wanton and mali[666]*666clous manner” and further alleges that the defendant "knew or had reason to know that the plaintiffs were in need of medical care and attention which defendant willfully, wantonly and maliciously refused to give, thereby causing injuries to the plaintiff, marie carole antoine and causing the death of the plaintiff, 'jane’ antoine.”

Defendant premises its motion on the fact that the claim failed to allege the date that claimant was appointed administratrix; that it was filed one and one-half years after Marie Carole Antoine’s discharge from Downstate Medical Center; and further that it may have been filed more than 90 days after her appointment as administratrix. The claim, as filed, it is submitted, fails to satisfy the jurisdictional Statute of Limitations and pleading requirements of the Court of Claims Act. Finally, it is submitted, the fourth cause of action is premised on intentional tort; and the Statute of Limitations for intentional tort is one year pursuant to CPLR 215. Since the accrual of the action occurred on April 30, 1978, and the claim was filed on October 24, 1979, this cause of action, it is submitted, is time barred.

Claimants’ counsel, in their reply affidavit, have annexed a copy of the limited letters of administration which indicate claimant’s appointment on July 25, 1979. It also avers that the causes alleged by the claimant as administratrix "are solely derivative of her claim for wrongful death and therefore, fall within the requirements of section 10(2) of the Court of Claims Act.”

In reply to defendant’s contention that the fourth cause of action is time barred, claimants’ counsel argues "[t]hat claimant is not seeking recovery in this cause of action on the theory of intentional tort, but rather seeks punitive damages because of the wanton and malicious manner in which the respondents acted against the claimant.”

The court upon reviewing this motion cannot make the distinction that claimant’s counsel have argued. The cause of action of claimant, individually, is separate and legally distinct from those which she pursues as the administratrix of the estate of "Jane” Antoine. The affidavit in support of the motion alleges claimant’s hospitalization from April 30, 1978 until May 2, 1978. No later date appears in any other papers. She, therefore, had 90 days after May 2, 1978 in which to either file a claim or a notice of intention. She did not so [667]*667timely file. (Court of Claims Act, § 10, subd 3; Lewis v State of New York, 26 AD2d 878, affd 25 NY2d 881.)

The causes on behalf of the estate of "Jane” Antoine have a different accrual date. Pursuant to subdivision 2 of section 10 of the Court of Claims Act the administratrix had 90 days after her appointment to file a claim, or a notice of intention. If the latter is filed, the claim must be filed within two years after the death of the decedent. In the case at bar, claimant was appointed administratrix on July 25, 1979. She filed a notice of intention on October 10, 1979, which was within 90 days after her appointment. Thereafter, the claim was filed on October 24, 1979. The filing of the claim was within two years of the death of "Jane” Antoine. Hence, it was timely filed. (Court of Claims Act, § 10, subd 2; Satinoff v State of New York, 50 AD2d 1048; Matter of Johnson v State of New York, 49 AD2d 136; cf. Lurie v State of New York, 73 AD2d 1006.)

The first cause of action, set forth in the claim, was in behalf of claimant, individually. It is hereby dismissed. The second cause of action was alleged to have been brought in behalf of the claimant as administratrix. Although it is inartistically drawn and confusing, it includes a cause of action for wrongful death, which the court deems legally sufficient.

The third cause of action is for the pain and suffering sustained by "Jane” Antoine prior to her death. Pursuant to EPTL 11-3.2 (subd [b]), a personal injury cause of action is not lost by virtue of the death of the person in whose favor it accrued. An action for it may be brought by the personal representative of the decedent. Defendant’s counsel argues that, as to this cause of action, subdivision 3 of section 10 of the Court of Claims act applies. This would require a filing within 90 days after the accrual of the claim. Defendant cites as an authority for this proposition Cruz v Mount Sinai Hosp. (61 AD2d 915). In Cruz a surviving personal injury cause of action was dismissed where suit was commenced some three years after the alleged wrongful event. The Appellate Division (First Department) held that, although the decedent was an infant, the disability was not effective as a tolling limitation since a personal representative existed at the time of the decedent’s death who was not under a disability. Under the authority of CPLR 214 the case was therefore time barred. (Also, see, Ratka v St. Francis Hosp., 54 AD2d 587; Cohen v Steigman, 249 App Div 819.)

Claimants’ counsel, in their reply affidavit, do not address [668]*668this point. They merely make the conclusory statement that "this action was commenced within the time limited by law”. If defendant’s contention is correct and subdivision 3 of section 10 applies, the failure to have claimant appointed before the expiration of the 90-day period does not toll the time requirements. (See Smith v State of New York, 53 AD2d 756, affd 41 NY2d 1063.)

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Bluebook (online)
103 Misc. 2d 664, 426 N.Y.S.2d 917, 1980 N.Y. Misc. LEXIS 2162, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/antoine-v-state-nyclaimsct-1980.