Growbright Enters., Inc. v Barski 2024 NY Slip Op 33462(U) October 1, 2024 Supreme Court, New York County Docket Number: Index No. 650596/2010 Judge: John J. Kelley Cases posted with a "30000" identifier, i.e., 2013 NY Slip Op 30001(U), are republished from various New York State and local government sources, including the New York State Unified Court System's eCourts Service. This opinion is uncorrected and not selected for official publication. INDEX NO. 650596/2010 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 179 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 10/01/2024
SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK NEW YORK COUNTY PRESENT: HON. JOHN J. KELLEY PART 56M Justice ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------X INDEX NO. 650596/2010 GROWBRIGHT ENTERPRISES, INC.,
Plaintiff, DECISION AND ORDER AFTER -v- NONJURY TRIAL AND SAM BARSKI, SAMTASTIC INDUSTRIES, INC., and INQUEST IMPULSE INDUSTRIES, LLC,
Defendants. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------X
I. INTRODUCTION
This in an action to recover damages, inter alia, for breach of contract and unjust
enrichment, arising from the 2009 sale and delivery of toothpaste, body lotion, cold cream, and
beauty products by the plaintiff wholesaler, Growbright Enterprises, Inc. (Growbright), to the
defendants Samtastic Industries, Inc. (Samtastic), and Impulse Industries, LLC (Impulse). In an
order dated July 7, 2014 (SEQ 005, 006), the court (Edmead, J.), granted the motion of the
defendants Sam Barski and Impulse for summary judgment dismissing the unjust enrichment
and alter ego liability causes of action insofar as asserted against them, and granted the motion
of all of the defendants for summary judgment dismissing the conversion cause of action insofar
as asserted against each of them. Since the unjust enrichment and the alter ego liability causes
of action were the only claims asserted against Barski, he was dismissed from the action. In
that same order, the court awarded summary judgment to Growbright on its unjust enrichment
cause of action insofar as asserted against Samtastic and awarded summary judgment
dismissing Impulse’s counterclaims against Growbright seeking to recover for breach of contract
and unjust enrichment. After these motions were determined, the unjust enrichment cause of
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action against insofar as asserted against Samtastic and two breach of contract causes of
action against Impulse remained viable.
On September 23, 2024, counsel for the plaintiff and Barski appeared at the call of the
trial calendar before Justice Suzanne Adams, but no attorney appeared on behalf of Samtastic
or Impulse, after which the court held Impulse in default, and directed an inquest on the issue of
damages against it, to be held simultaneously with the nonjury trial on the issue of damages
against Samtastic.
II. FINDINGS OF FACT
At the hybrid nonjury trial and inquest conducted by this court on September 30, 2024,
Growbright presented the testimony of its president, Shunmugavel Jayaveerapandian, and
submitted into evidence business records consisting of two invoices. Samtastic did not appear
at the trial and, thus, was also in default. The court finds the following facts:
On December 15, 2009, Growbright delivered a shipment of goods jointly to Samtastic
and Impulse, consisting of Vicl brand cocoa butter, aloe lotion, and rescue locking cream, as
well as Ponds brand skin cream and cold cream, and invoiced Impulse on that same date for
that shipment in the sum of 193,255.00. Despite due demand therefor, neither Samtastic nor
Impulse paid Growbright for that shipment of goods, and did not return those goods to
Growbright. On December 29, 2019, Growbright delivered a shipment of goods jointly to
Samtastic and Impulse, consisting of several varieties of Crest brand toothpaste and mouthcare
products, and invoiced Impulse on that same date for that shipment in the sum of $197,156.00.
Despite due demand therefor, neither Samtastic nor Impulse paid Growbright for that shipment
of goods, and did not return those goods to Growbright. Both invoices required payment by
telegraphic transfer, although neither invoice set forth a due date for payment.
III. CONCLUSIONS OF LAW
A defaulting defendant admits all traversable allegations in the complaint, including the
basic issue of liability (see Amusement Bus. Underwriters v American Intl. Group, 66 NY2d 878, 650596/2010 GROWBRIGHT ENTERPRISES, INC. vs. BARSKI, MR., SAM Page 2 of 5
2 of 5 [* 2] INDEX NO. 650596/2010 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 179 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 10/01/2024
880 [1985]; Cole-Hatchard v Eggers, 132 AD3d 718, 720 [2d Dept 2015]; Gonzalez v Wu, 131
AD3d 1205, 1206 [2d Dept 2015]). The defaulting defendants are, however, “entitled to present
testimony and evidence and cross-examine the plaintiff’s witnesses at the inquest on damages”
(Minicozzi v Gerbino, 301 AD2d 580, 581 [2d Dept 2003] [internal quotation marks omitted]; see
Rudra v Friedman, 123 AD3d 1104, 1105 [2d Dept 2014]; Toure v Harrison, 6 AD3d 270, 272
[1st Dept 2004]). The defaulting defendants elected not to present such testimony or cross-
examine witnesses at the inquest here, despite being provided with notice of the inquest.
Samtastic already had been found liable for unjust enrichment by retaining the
shipments of personal care products and failing to pay for them. “The essence of unjust
enrichment is that one party has received money or a benefit at the expense of another which,
in good conscience, ought to be returned” (Carriafielio-Diehl & Assocs. v D&M Elec. Contr., Inc.,
12 AD3d 478, 479 [2d Dept 2004]). Damages for unjust enrichment “are calculated by
reference to the actual value of the benefit to the defendant and not the market value of the
services rendered by plaintiff." (Precision Testing Labs., Ltd. v Kenyon Corp. of Am., 1988 US
Dist LEXIS 2756, 1988 WL 34825, *2 [SD NY, Apr. 6, 1988]). Hence, the court concludes that
Samtastic is liable in damages to Growbright in the sum of $390,411.00, representing the actual
value of the benefit to Samtastic, consisting of the price of the goods that it retained but for
which it did not pay.
By defaulting, Impulse has, by operation of law, admitted liability in connection with the
two breach of contract causes of action asserted against it, one each for each of the two subject
invoices. “[A] plaintiff alleging breach of contract is entitled to damages restoring the full benefit
of the bargain” (Kumiva Group, LLC v Garda USA, Inc., 146 AD3d 504, 506 [1st Dept 2017]).
Hence, the court concludes that Impulse is liable in damages to Growbright in the sum of
$390,411.00, representing the benefit of the bargain that Growbright lost by virtue of Impulse’s
breach of the contract.
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The court further concludes that the liability of Samtastic and Impulse must be joint and
several since they jointly took possession of the subject goods, they both derived a benefit from
that possession, and neither of them paid for those goods.
An award of statutory prejudgment interest is mandatory in breach of contract actions
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Growbright Enters., Inc. v Barski 2024 NY Slip Op 33462(U) October 1, 2024 Supreme Court, New York County Docket Number: Index No. 650596/2010 Judge: John J. Kelley Cases posted with a "30000" identifier, i.e., 2013 NY Slip Op 30001(U), are republished from various New York State and local government sources, including the New York State Unified Court System's eCourts Service. This opinion is uncorrected and not selected for official publication. INDEX NO. 650596/2010 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 179 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 10/01/2024
SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK NEW YORK COUNTY PRESENT: HON. JOHN J. KELLEY PART 56M Justice ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------X INDEX NO. 650596/2010 GROWBRIGHT ENTERPRISES, INC.,
Plaintiff, DECISION AND ORDER AFTER -v- NONJURY TRIAL AND SAM BARSKI, SAMTASTIC INDUSTRIES, INC., and INQUEST IMPULSE INDUSTRIES, LLC,
Defendants. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------X
I. INTRODUCTION
This in an action to recover damages, inter alia, for breach of contract and unjust
enrichment, arising from the 2009 sale and delivery of toothpaste, body lotion, cold cream, and
beauty products by the plaintiff wholesaler, Growbright Enterprises, Inc. (Growbright), to the
defendants Samtastic Industries, Inc. (Samtastic), and Impulse Industries, LLC (Impulse). In an
order dated July 7, 2014 (SEQ 005, 006), the court (Edmead, J.), granted the motion of the
defendants Sam Barski and Impulse for summary judgment dismissing the unjust enrichment
and alter ego liability causes of action insofar as asserted against them, and granted the motion
of all of the defendants for summary judgment dismissing the conversion cause of action insofar
as asserted against each of them. Since the unjust enrichment and the alter ego liability causes
of action were the only claims asserted against Barski, he was dismissed from the action. In
that same order, the court awarded summary judgment to Growbright on its unjust enrichment
cause of action insofar as asserted against Samtastic and awarded summary judgment
dismissing Impulse’s counterclaims against Growbright seeking to recover for breach of contract
and unjust enrichment. After these motions were determined, the unjust enrichment cause of
650596/2010 GROWBRIGHT ENTERPRISES, INC. vs. BARSKI, MR., SAM Page 1 of 5
1 of 5 [* 1] INDEX NO. 650596/2010 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 179 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 10/01/2024
action against insofar as asserted against Samtastic and two breach of contract causes of
action against Impulse remained viable.
On September 23, 2024, counsel for the plaintiff and Barski appeared at the call of the
trial calendar before Justice Suzanne Adams, but no attorney appeared on behalf of Samtastic
or Impulse, after which the court held Impulse in default, and directed an inquest on the issue of
damages against it, to be held simultaneously with the nonjury trial on the issue of damages
against Samtastic.
II. FINDINGS OF FACT
At the hybrid nonjury trial and inquest conducted by this court on September 30, 2024,
Growbright presented the testimony of its president, Shunmugavel Jayaveerapandian, and
submitted into evidence business records consisting of two invoices. Samtastic did not appear
at the trial and, thus, was also in default. The court finds the following facts:
On December 15, 2009, Growbright delivered a shipment of goods jointly to Samtastic
and Impulse, consisting of Vicl brand cocoa butter, aloe lotion, and rescue locking cream, as
well as Ponds brand skin cream and cold cream, and invoiced Impulse on that same date for
that shipment in the sum of 193,255.00. Despite due demand therefor, neither Samtastic nor
Impulse paid Growbright for that shipment of goods, and did not return those goods to
Growbright. On December 29, 2019, Growbright delivered a shipment of goods jointly to
Samtastic and Impulse, consisting of several varieties of Crest brand toothpaste and mouthcare
products, and invoiced Impulse on that same date for that shipment in the sum of $197,156.00.
Despite due demand therefor, neither Samtastic nor Impulse paid Growbright for that shipment
of goods, and did not return those goods to Growbright. Both invoices required payment by
telegraphic transfer, although neither invoice set forth a due date for payment.
III. CONCLUSIONS OF LAW
A defaulting defendant admits all traversable allegations in the complaint, including the
basic issue of liability (see Amusement Bus. Underwriters v American Intl. Group, 66 NY2d 878, 650596/2010 GROWBRIGHT ENTERPRISES, INC. vs. BARSKI, MR., SAM Page 2 of 5
2 of 5 [* 2] INDEX NO. 650596/2010 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 179 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 10/01/2024
880 [1985]; Cole-Hatchard v Eggers, 132 AD3d 718, 720 [2d Dept 2015]; Gonzalez v Wu, 131
AD3d 1205, 1206 [2d Dept 2015]). The defaulting defendants are, however, “entitled to present
testimony and evidence and cross-examine the plaintiff’s witnesses at the inquest on damages”
(Minicozzi v Gerbino, 301 AD2d 580, 581 [2d Dept 2003] [internal quotation marks omitted]; see
Rudra v Friedman, 123 AD3d 1104, 1105 [2d Dept 2014]; Toure v Harrison, 6 AD3d 270, 272
[1st Dept 2004]). The defaulting defendants elected not to present such testimony or cross-
examine witnesses at the inquest here, despite being provided with notice of the inquest.
Samtastic already had been found liable for unjust enrichment by retaining the
shipments of personal care products and failing to pay for them. “The essence of unjust
enrichment is that one party has received money or a benefit at the expense of another which,
in good conscience, ought to be returned” (Carriafielio-Diehl & Assocs. v D&M Elec. Contr., Inc.,
12 AD3d 478, 479 [2d Dept 2004]). Damages for unjust enrichment “are calculated by
reference to the actual value of the benefit to the defendant and not the market value of the
services rendered by plaintiff." (Precision Testing Labs., Ltd. v Kenyon Corp. of Am., 1988 US
Dist LEXIS 2756, 1988 WL 34825, *2 [SD NY, Apr. 6, 1988]). Hence, the court concludes that
Samtastic is liable in damages to Growbright in the sum of $390,411.00, representing the actual
value of the benefit to Samtastic, consisting of the price of the goods that it retained but for
which it did not pay.
By defaulting, Impulse has, by operation of law, admitted liability in connection with the
two breach of contract causes of action asserted against it, one each for each of the two subject
invoices. “[A] plaintiff alleging breach of contract is entitled to damages restoring the full benefit
of the bargain” (Kumiva Group, LLC v Garda USA, Inc., 146 AD3d 504, 506 [1st Dept 2017]).
Hence, the court concludes that Impulse is liable in damages to Growbright in the sum of
$390,411.00, representing the benefit of the bargain that Growbright lost by virtue of Impulse’s
breach of the contract.
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The court further concludes that the liability of Samtastic and Impulse must be joint and
several since they jointly took possession of the subject goods, they both derived a benefit from
that possession, and neither of them paid for those goods.
An award of statutory prejudgment interest is mandatory in breach of contract actions
(see Rosenblum v Rosenblum, 214 AD3d 440, 442 [1st Dept 2023]; CPLR 5001[a]), and
warranted in unjust enrichment action (see Hynes v Iadarola, 221 AD2d 131, 135-136 [2d Dept
1996]). Such an award is calculated from the date of breach, that is, when payment is due (see
Rosenblum v Rosenblum, 214 AD3d at 442). “Where a contract for the payment of money does
not specify the time of payment, payment is due immediately upon completion of the work”
(Lowy & Donnath, Inc. v City of New York, 98 AD2d 42, 44 [1st Dept 1983]) or, as relevant here,
upon delivery of the subject goods. More specifically, under UCC § 2-310(a), “[u]nless
otherwise agreed . . . payment is due at the time and place at which the buyer is to receive the
goods.” Consequently, Impulse and Samtastic were obligated to pay for the subject goods upon
receipt of delivery thereof, and their failure to do so with respect to both the December 15, 2009
and December 29, 2009 shipments constituted respective breaches of contract on each of those
dates. As such, statutory prejudgment interest must be awarded on the amounts due from the
respective dates of delivery of the subject goods.
IV. CONCLUSION AND AWARD
In light of the foregoing, Growbright is entitled to recover from Impulse and Samtastic,
jointly and severally, the total sum of $390,411.00, with statutory interest at 9% per annum from
December 15, 2009 on the first 193,255.00 of that amount, and statutory interest at 9% per
annum from December 29, 2009 on the remaining $197,156.00 of that amount.
Accordingly, it is,
ORDERED that the Clerk of the court shall enter judgment in favor of the plaintiff,
Growbright Enterprises, Inc., and against the defendants Samtastic Industries, Inc., and Impulse
Industries, LLC, jointly and severally, in the principal sum of $390,411.00, with statutory 650596/2010 GROWBRIGHT ENTERPRISES, INC. vs. BARSKI, MR., SAM Page 4 of 5
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prejudgment interest at 9% per annum from December 15, 2009 on the first $193,255.00 of
that amount, and statutory prejudgment interest at 9% per annum from December 29, 2009
on the remaining $197,156.00 of that amount.
This constitutes the Decision and Order After Nonjury Trial and Inquest of the court.
10/1/2024 $SIG$ DATE JOHN J. KELLEY, J.S.C.
CHECK ONE: X CASE DISPOSED NON-FINAL DISPOSITION
□ GRANTED DENIED GRANTED IN PART X OTHER
APPLICATION: SETTLE ORDER SUBMIT ORDER
□ CHECK IF APPROPRIATE: INCLUDES TRANSFER/REASSIGN FIDUCIARY APPOINTMENT REFERENCE
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