Easy Care Acupuncture, PC v Hartford Ins. Co., 2017 NY Slip Op 51470(U)(App. Term 1st Dept. 2017)
This first party, no-fault action is not susceptible to summary disposition. The evidentiary proof submitted by defendant-insurer in support of its motion for summary judgment, while sufficient to demonstrate that defendant had a “founded belief” that the assignor’s injuries were sustained, if at all, in a staged accident (see Central Gen. Hosp. v Chubb Group of Ins. Cos., 90 NY2d 195, 199 [1997]), was insufficient to demonstrate as a matter of law that the injuries did not arise out of an insured incident so as to warrant summary judgment dismissing the complaint (see A.B. Med. Servs., PLLC v Clarendon Natl. Ins. Co., 25 Misc 3d 139[A], 2009 NY Slip Op 52383[U] [App Term, 9th and 10th Jud Dists 2009]; Capri Med., P.C. v Progressive Cas. Ins. Co., 15 Misc 3d 143[A], 2007 NY Slip Op 51158[U] [App Term, 2nd and 11th Jud Dists 2007]). In particular, the affidavit of defendant’s investigator, who relied upon certain inconsistencies among the statements of the vehicle’s three occupants regarding events of the day of the collision, rather than the events of the collision itself, and other “red flags” common in staged accident cases, raises issues of fact that should be explored at trial (see Martinez v Pioneer Transp. Corp., 48 AD3d 306 [2008]; Oliverio v Lawrence Pub. Schools, 23 AD3d 633 [2005]).
What is interesting here is that the Court stressed that events of the collision itself (if properly described in the investigator affidavit) along with the red flags could (in the right case) prima facie prove an intentional loss.
It appears the Court found that the “certain inconsistencies” and “red flags” warrant a trial. Is there a bright line rule here? Don’t know yet.
