Key Takeaway
Court rules on deposing medical providers in no-fault insurance cases when medical necessity is disputed, analyzing discovery rights under CPLR 3101(a).
This article is part of our ongoing discovery sanctions coverage, with 186 published articles analyzing discovery sanctions issues across New York State. Attorney Jason Tenenbaum brings 24+ years of hands-on experience to this analysis, drawing from his work on more than 1,000 appeals, over 100,000 no-fault cases, and recovery of over $100 million for clients throughout Nassau County, Suffolk County, Queens, Brooklyn, Manhattan, and the Bronx. For personalized legal advice about how these principles apply to your specific situation, contact our Long Island office at (516) 750-0595 for a free consultation.
Farshad D. Hannanian, M.D., P.C. v Allstate Ins. Co., 2015 NY Slip Op 51133(U)(App. Term 2d Dept. 2015)
“In this action by a provider to recover assigned first-party no-fault benefits, six days after plaintiff served a motion seeking summary judgment, defendant served a notice of deposition of plaintiff’s assignor’s treating provider. Plaintiff timely objected, arguing, among other things, that disclosure was stayed pursuant to CPLR 3214 (b). Immediately after plaintiff’s assignor’s treating provider failed to appear for the deposition, defendant moved to compel plaintiff to, among other things, produce plaintiff’s assignor’s treating provider for a deposition. Plaintiff cross-moved, inter alia, for a protective order pursuant to CPLR 3013 and to strike defendant’s notice to take deposition on the ground that the notice to take deposition was palpably improper. Insofar as is relevant to this appeal, by order entered January 7, 2014, the Civil Court granted the branch of defendant’s motion seeking to compel plaintiff’s treating provider to appear for a deposition and denied plaintiff’s cross motion. This appeal by plaintiff ensued.”
“CPLR 3101 (a) provides for “full disclosure of all matter material and necessary in the prosecution or defense of an action, regardless of the burden of proof.” Parties to an action are entitled to reasonable discovery “of any facts bearing on the controversy which will assist preparation for trial by sharpening the issues and reducing delay and prolixity” (Allen v Crowell-Collier Publ. Co., 21 NY2d 403, 406 ; see Traditional Acupuncture, P.C. v State Farm Ins. Co., 24 Misc 3d 129, 2009 NY Slip Op 51335 ). Where, as here, defendant is defending this action on the ground that the services rendered lacked medical necessity, the court’s determination that a deposition of plaintiff’s assignor’s treating provider was material and necessary to defendant’s defense was proper”(see Great Health Care Chiropractic, P.C. v Interboro Ins. Co., 41 Misc 3d 130, 2013 NY Slip Op 51737 ; see also CPLR 3214 [court may grant discovery notwithstanding service of a summary judgment motion”
Again, another division between the knee jerk notice of deposition that failed in Ralph Medical and the full breadth of disclosure that the Appellate Term Second Department will allow.
Related Articles
- Understanding discovery stays and protective orders in no-fault provider litigation
- Building strong opposition to medical necessity summary judgment motions with proper evidence
- When medical evidence and expert testimony face procedural challenges
- Understanding medical necessity standards and evidentiary requirements
- New York No-Fault Insurance Law
Legal Update (February 2026): Since this 2015 post, New York’s no-fault regulations and CPLR discovery provisions may have been amended, particularly regarding deposition procedures for medical providers and summary judgment motion stays under CPLR 3214(b). Additionally, fee schedules and procedural requirements for provider depositions in no-fault cases may have been updated through regulatory changes or subsequent case law developments. Practitioners should verify current CPLR provisions and no-fault regulatory requirements before relying on the procedural framework discussed in this post.
Legal Context
Why This Matters for Your Case
New York law is among the most complex and nuanced in the country, with distinct procedural rules, substantive doctrines, and court systems that differ significantly from other jurisdictions. The Civil Practice Law and Rules (CPLR) governs every stage of civil litigation, from service of process through trial and appeal. The Appellate Division, Appellate Term, and Court of Appeals create a rich and ever-evolving body of case law that practitioners must follow.
Attorney Jason Tenenbaum has practiced across these areas for over 24 years, writing more than 1,000 appellate briefs and publishing over 2,353 legal articles that attorneys and clients rely on for guidance. The analysis in this article reflects real courtroom experience — from motion practice in Civil Court and Supreme Court to oral arguments before the Appellate Division — and a deep understanding of how New York courts actually apply the law in practice.
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Nov 30, 2018Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What sanctions can a court impose for discovery violations in New York?
Under CPLR 3126, courts can impose graduated sanctions: (1) issue preclusion orders, (2) strike pleadings, or (3) dismiss the action or enter default judgment. The severity depends on the willfulness of the non-compliance and whether the violation was prejudicial.
When will a court strike a pleading for discovery non-compliance?
Courts typically reserve striking pleadings for willful, contumacious, or repeated failures to comply with discovery orders. A single missed deadline usually results in a conditional order. However, a pattern of non-compliance or deliberate obstruction can lead to the ultimate sanction of dismissal or default judgment.
Can discovery sanctions be imposed without a prior court order?
While courts generally prefer to issue conditional orders before imposing severe sanctions, CPLR 3126 does not strictly require a prior order. In cases of flagrant non-compliance — such as destroying evidence or repeatedly ignoring discovery demands — courts may impose sanctions directly.
What is a medical necessity denial in no-fault insurance?
A medical necessity denial occurs when the insurer's peer reviewer determines that treatment was not medically necessary based on a review of the patient's medical records. The peer reviewer writes a report explaining why the treatment does not meet the standard of medical necessity. To challenge this denial, the provider or claimant must present medical evidence — typically an affirmation from the treating physician — explaining why the treatment was necessary and rebutting the peer review findings.
How do you challenge a peer review denial?
To overcome a peer review denial, you typically need an affirmation or affidavit from the treating physician that specifically addresses and rebuts the peer reviewer's findings. The treating physician must explain the medical rationale for the treatment, reference the patient's clinical findings, and demonstrate why the peer reviewer's conclusions were incorrect. Generic or conclusory statements are insufficient — the response must be detailed and fact-specific.
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About the Author
Jason Tenenbaum, Esq.
Jason Tenenbaum is the founding attorney of the Law Office of Jason Tenenbaum, P.C., headquartered at 326 Walt Whitman Road, Suite C, Huntington Station, New York 11746. With over 24 years of experience since founding the firm in 2002, Jason has written more than 1,000 appeals, handled over 100,000 no-fault insurance cases, and recovered over $100 million for clients across Long Island, Nassau County, Suffolk County, Queens, Brooklyn, Manhattan, the Bronx, and Staten Island. He is one of the few attorneys in the state who both writes his own appellate briefs and tries his own cases.
Jason is admitted to practice in New York, New Jersey, Florida, Texas, Georgia, and Michigan state courts, as well as multiple federal courts. His 2,353+ published legal articles analyzing New York case law, procedural developments, and litigation strategy make him one of the most prolific legal commentators in the state. He earned his Juris Doctor from Syracuse University College of Law.
Disclaimer: This article is published by the Law Office of Jason Tenenbaum, P.C. for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice, and no attorney-client relationship is formed by reading this content. The legal principles discussed may not apply to your specific situation, and the law may have changed since this article was last updated.
New York law varies by jurisdiction — court decisions in one Appellate Division department may not be followed in another, and local court rules in Nassau County Supreme Court differ from those in Suffolk County Supreme Court, Kings County Civil Court, or Queens County Supreme Court. The Appellate Division, Second Department (which covers Long Island, Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island) and the Appellate Term (which hears appeals from lower courts) each have distinct procedural requirements and precedents that affect litigation strategy.
If you need legal help with a discovery sanctions matter, contact our office at (516) 750-0595 for a free consultation. We serve clients throughout Long Island (Huntington, Babylon, Islip, Brookhaven, Smithtown, Riverhead, Southampton, East Hampton), Nassau County (Hempstead, Garden City, Mineola, Great Neck, Manhasset, Freeport, Long Beach, Rockville Centre, Valley Stream, Westbury, Hicksville, Massapequa), Suffolk County (Hauppauge, Deer Park, Bay Shore, Central Islip, Patchogue, Brentwood), Queens, Brooklyn, Manhattan, the Bronx, Staten Island, and Westchester County. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
