X

Thank you for sharing!

Your article was successfully shared with the contacts you provided.

MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER   Plaintiff Martha Ventilla brings a supplemental insurance claim against Pacific Indemnity Company (“Pacific Indemnity”), seeking to recover, pursuant to a homeowner’s insurance policy (the “Policy”), nearly $400,000 in damages that occurred when, on January 31, 2015, the bathtub in her Manhattan apartment overflowed and flooded her apartment with one to two inches of water.1 Pacific Indemnity now moves, pursuant to Rule 56 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, for summary judgment. See ECF No. 28 (“Motion”); ECF No. 29 (“Def.’s Mem.”), at 24. Among other things, Pacific Indemnity avers that all of Ventilla’s claims are time barred by the Policy’s two-year limitations clause. Ventilla, in response, contends that principles of equitable estoppel preclude Pacific Indemnity’s contractual defense. For the reasons that follow, the Court agrees with Pacific Indemnity. Accordingly, Pacific Indemnity’s motion must be and is granted, and Ventilla’s complaint is dismissed. The following relevant facts, taken from the Complaint, ECF No. 1 (“Compl.”), and admissible materials submitted in connection with the pending motion, are either undisputed or construed in the light most favorable to Ventilla. See Excelled Sheepskin & Leather Coat Corp. v. Or. Brewing Co., 897 F.3d 413, 420 (2d Cir. 2018). In brief, on January 31, 2015, Ventilla was in her apartment bedroom when she noticed water creeping in from under her door. ECF No. 30-3 (“Pl.’s Dep.”), at 37-39. She followed the rising stream to the bathroom, where she discovered that her bathtub was inexplicably overflowing. Id. at 40-41. In a desperate attempt to stem the flood and protect her most-cherished items, Ventilla (in addition to contacting building staff, who arrived with a wet vacuum cleaner) mopped up the water with clothing and linens. See id. at 44-45, 53; ECF No. 30-11 (“Stadler Dep.”), at 38; ECF No. 28-1 (“Def.’s 56.1 Stmt.”),

17. But instead of laundering the clothing and linens for reuse or, at the very least, keeping the damaged possessions in storage in support of a later insurance claim, Ventilla bagged the soaked items and other ruined contents from her apartment and threw them away that same day. Def.’s 56.1 Stmt.

 
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
November 27, 2024
London

Celebrating achievement, excellence, and innovation in the legal profession in the UK.


Learn More
December 02, 2024 - December 03, 2024
Scottsdale, AZ

Join the industry's top owners, investors, developers, brokers and financiers for the real estate healthcare event of the year!


Learn More
December 11, 2024
Las Vegas, NV

This event shines a spotlight on how individuals and firms are changing the investment advisory industry where it matters most.


Learn More

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY PROSECUTION PARALEGAL - NEW JERSEY OR NEW YORK OFFICESProminent mid-Atlantic law firm with multiple regional office lo...


Apply Now ›

Experienced Insurance Defense Attorney.No in office requirement.Send resume to:


Apply Now ›

The Republic of Palau Judiciary is seeking applicants for one Associate Justice position who will be assigned to the Appellate Division of ...


Apply Now ›