X

Thank you for sharing!

Your article was successfully shared with the contacts you provided.

9327. JASON BRAND plf-ap, v. KEVIN EVANGELISTA, def-res — Frommer & Cerrato, LLP, Garden City (Stephen G. Frommer of counsel), for ap — Cheven, Keely & Hatzis, New York (William B. Stock of counsel), for res — Order, Supreme Court, New York County (George J. Silver, J.), entered December 14, 2011, which granted defendant’s motion for summary judgment dismissing the complaint based on the failure to establish a serious injury pursuant to Insurance Law §5102(d), unanimously affirmed, without costs.

Defendant established his entitlement to judgment as a matter of law dismissing plaintiff’s claims pursuant to Insurance Law §5102(d) by submitting, inter alia, affirmed reports of a neurologist and an orthopedist who opined that plaintiff had no residuals from his recent back surgery, and no deficits in his range-of-motion testing (see Spencer v. Golden Eagle, Inc., 82 AD3d 589, 590—591 [1st Dept 2011]). The experts’ use of slightly different normal values in performing one diagnostic test was too minor to be considered significant (see Anderson v. Zapata, 88 AD3d 504 [1st Dept 2011]; Feliz v. Fragosa, 85 AD3d 417, 418 [1st Dept 2011]). Moreover, the finding by one of defendant’s physicians of a minor limitation in one plane of range of motion in plaintiff’s lumbar spine was “insignificant for purposes of Insurance Law §5102(d)’” (see Vega v. MTA Bus Co., 96 AD3d 506, 507 [1st Dept 2012], quoting Rosa—Diaz v. Maria Auto Corp., 79 AD3d 463, 464 [1st Dept 2010]). Nor were defendant’s physicians required to review plaintiff’s medical records, since they detailed the specific tests they used in their personal examination of plaintiff, which revealed full range of motion (see Fuentes v. Sanchez, 91 AD3d 418, 419 [1st Dept 2012]; Zhijian Yang v. Alston, 73 AD3d 562 [1st Dept 2010]).

 
Reprints & Licensing
Mentioned in a Law.com story?

License our industry-leading legal content to extend your thought leadership and build your brand.

More From ALM

With this subscription you will receive unlimited access to high quality, online, on-demand premium content from well-respected faculty in the legal industry. This is perfect for attorneys licensed in multiple jurisdictions or for attorneys that have fulfilled their CLE requirement but need to access resourceful information for their practice areas.
View Now
Our Team Account subscription service is for legal teams of four or more attorneys. Each attorney is granted unlimited access to high quality, on-demand premium content from well-respected faculty in the legal industry along with administrative access to easily manage CLE for the entire team.
View Now
Gain access to some of the most knowledgeable and experienced attorneys with our 2 bundle options! Our Compliance bundles are curated by CLE Counselors and include current legal topics and challenges within the industry. Our second option allows you to build your bundle and strategically select the content that pertains to your needs. Both options are priced the same.
View Now
September 04, 2025
New York, NY

The New York Law Journal honors attorneys and judges who have made a remarkable difference in the legal profession in New York.


Learn More
February 24, 2025 - February 26, 2025
Las Vegas, NV

This conference aims to help insurers and litigators better manage complex claims and litigation.


Learn More
March 24, 2025
New York, NY

Recognizing innovation in the legal technology sector for working on precedent-setting, game-changing projects and initiatives.


Learn More

McCarter & English, LLP, a well established and growing law firm, is actively seeking a talented and driven associate having 2-5 years o...


Apply Now ›

Gill & Chamas, LLC seeks a Personal Injury attorney to work in their Woodbridge, NJ office. Candidate must possess the following: ...


Apply Now ›

We are seeking an attorney with a minimum of four years of experience in transactional work to join our well-established, nationally renowne...


Apply Now ›