McMillan v. Ryan

135 A.D.2d 1104, 523 N.Y.S.2d 323, 1987 N.Y. App. Div. LEXIS 52963

Opinion

— Order unanimously affirmed without costs. Memorandum: Plaintiffs appeal from an order granting defendants’ motion to dismiss plaintiffs’ medical malpractice action for failure to serve a complaint (CPLR 3012 [b]), denying plaintiffs’ cross motion for an extension of time to plead and for an order compelling defendants to accept plaintiffs’ complaint.

The court did not err in granting defendants’ motion to dismiss because plaintiffs failed to make an adequate showing of merit in opposition (Kel Mgt. Corp. v Rogers & Wells, 64 NY2d 904, 905; see also, Stolowitz v Mount Sinai Hosp., 60 NY2d 685; Cummings v St. Joseph’s Hosp. Health Center, 130 AD2d 957). Plaintiffs did not submit an affidavit of merit but argue that the submission of Charlotte McMillan’s medical records is a sufficient substitute. The medical records do not constitute an appropriate substitute for the required affidavit of merit (see, Fiore v Galang, 64 NY2d 999, 1001; Friedberg v Bay Ridge Orthopedic Assocs. 122 AD2d 194, 195). Accordingly, plaintiffs’ failure to demonstrate the merit of their claims in response to the CPLR 3012 (b) motion requires the unconditional dismissal of the action (Kel Mgt. Corp. v Rogers & Wells, supra; Cummings v St. Joseph’s Hosp. Health Center, supra). (Appeal from order of Supreme Court, Onondaga County, Stone, J. — dismiss action.) Present — Doerr, J. P., Boomer, Green, Lawton and Davis, JJ.