X

Thank you for sharing!

Your article was successfully shared with the contacts you provided.

9752. BRUCE LINDENMAN plf-res, v. DAVID M. KREITZER, ETC., defap, DONALD B. VOGELMAN, ETC. def — DAVID M. KREITZER, APPELLANT PRO SE.—Amended judgment, Supreme Court, New York County (Louis B. York, J.), entered September 16, 2011, which, after a non-jury trial, awarded plaintiff Bruce Lindenman $1,500,000 for past pain and suffering, $4,000,000 for future pain and suffering, $457,204.56 for past and future lost earnings (reduced from $4,102,000 by stipulated collateral source deductions), and awarded plaintiff Jane Lindenman $1,200,000 for past loss of services and $2,000,000 for future loss of services, and bringing up for review an order, same court and Justice, entered on or about September 16, 2011, which found in favor of plaintiffs and awarded the above-listed damages; an order, same court and Justice, entered August 28, 2009, which denied defendant David M. Kreitzer’s motion for, inter alia, a hearing on collectibility of the judgment; and an order, same court and Justice, entered August 24, 2011, which denied defendant’s motion to dismiss plaintiffs’ complaint for failure to timely settle the judgment, unanimously modified, on the law and the facts, to grant defendant’s motion for a hearing on collectibility, reduce the damages for past pain and suffering to $500,000, future pain and suffering to $750,000, past loss of services to $200,000, and future loss of services to $300,000, and otherwise affirmed, without costs.

The trial court’s award of $5,500,000 for past and future pain suffering deviated materially from reasonable compensation to the extent indicated. Although plaintiff Bruce Lindenman demonstrated that he suffered a brain injury, he did not undergo surgery and was able to continue to engage in activities such as driving and playing tennis (cf. Paek v. city of New York, 28 AD3d 207 [1st Dept 2006], lv denied 8 NY3d 805 [2007]). The award for past and future loss of services deviated materially from reasonable compensation under the circumstances to the extent indicated (see Penn v. Amchem Products, 85 AD3d 475 [1st Dept 2010]; Cutrone v. New York City Transit Auth., 73 AD3d 462 [1st Dept 2010]. Given that this was a bench trial, we need not remand for a new trial on the issue of damages (see Chock Full O’Nuts Corp. v. NRP LLC I, 47 AD3d 189 [1st Dept 2007]; Hernandez v. Bentinck, 17 AD3d 532 [2d Dept 2005]).

 
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

Stern, Lavinthal & Frankenberg, LLC, is seeking a foreclosure attorney experienced in the NJ and/or NY foreclosure process and default l...


Apply Now ›

Mineola defense firm seeks attorneys with 3-5 years of actual insurance defense experience to handle complex general liability matters. Sala...


Apply Now ›

Boutique Law Firm in Englewood Cliffs, NJ is seeking an Experienced Commercial Real Estate/Transactional Attorney for a full-time position. ...


Apply Now ›