Delta Diagnostic Radiology, P.C. v Country-Wide Ins. Co., 2018 NY Slip Op 50118(U)(App. Term 2d Dept. 2018)
No-fault statutory prejudgment interest accrues upon overdue first-party no-fault benefits at the rate of two percent per month “unless the applicant unreasonably delays the . . . court proceeding” (11 NYCRR 65-3.9 [a], [d]). While the court found that plaintiff was not entitled to the interest which had accrued between the commencement of the action on March 30, 2006 and the date plaintiff filed the notice of trial, May 30, 2013, plaintiff’s argument that the toll upon the accrual of interest should not begin until January 28, 2008, as plaintiff had not unreasonably delayed prosecution of the action prior to that date, is correct. Motions were made and discovery demands were served during the period between the commencement of the action and December 27, 2007, the date plaintiff served its second demand for interrogatories. Consequently, a motion by plaintiff to compel defendant to respond to the demand for interrogatories would have been premature prior to January 28, 2008 (see CPLR 2103 [a]; 3133 [a]; General Construction Law § 25-a). As a result, plaintiff is entitled to no-fault statutory prejudgment interest from the commencement of the action on March 30, 2006 through January 27, 2008.
that extra 40% interest on a $2,000 radiology bill will go a long way to paying fro Mr. Delta’s upkeep and expenses…
