Preview
FILED: QUEENS COUNTY CLERK 12/19/2022 11:59 AM INDEX NO. 707343/2016
NYSCEF DOC. NO. 60 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 12/19/2022
EXHIBIT 7
FILED: QUEENS COUNTY CLERK 11/10/2017
12/19/2022 01:43
11:59 PM
AM INDEX NO. 707343/2016
NYSCEF DOC. NO. 16
60 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 11/10/2017
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SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK
COUNTY OF QUEENS
____________________________________________
MARCELO LEMA,
Plaintiff, NOTICE OF MOTION
-against-
Index No.: 707343/2016
PAN LINK CONSTRUCTION, INC. and SSW
REALTY, LLC,
Defendants.
______________________________________________
MOTION MADE BY: RIMLAND & ASSOCIATES
Attorneys for plaintiff
225 Broadway, Suite 1606
New York, NY 10007
212-374-0680
RETURN DATE AND TIME: December 1, 2017 at 11:00am, or as soon thereafter as counsel
can be heard.
PLACE: SUPREME COURT, COUNTY OF QUEENS, to be held at
the Courthouse located at 88-11 Sutphin Blvd., in the
Centralized Motion Part, Courtroom 25, Jamaica, NY 11435.
SUPPORTING PAPERS: Affirmation of GLEN P. AHLERS, Esq. dated November 10,
2017, and the Exhibits annexed hereto.
RELIEF REQUESTED: A. Granting plaintiff default judgment against defendant PAN
LINK CONSTRUCTION, INC., as a result of defendant’s
failure to answer the complaint or appear in this action,
B. An Order Setting this matter down for an assessment of
damages against defendant PAN LINK
CONSTRUCTION, INC., at the time of the trial of the
remainder of the action; and,
C. An Order granting such other and further relief as this
Court may deem just and proper.
ANSWERING PAPERS: All answering papers, if any, are to be served within seven (7)
days of the return date of this motion, pursuant to CPLR
§2214(b).
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Dated: New York, New York
November 10, 2017
Attorneys for plaintiff
225 Broadway, Suite 1606
New York, NY 10007
212-374-0680
TO: PAN LINK CONSTRUCTION INC.,
29 Beach Road
Great N eek, NY 11023
Xiangan Gong, Esq.
Attorneys for defendant
SSW REALTY LLC
136-40 39 Avenue, Suite 20:
Flushing, NY 11354
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SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK
COUNTY OF QUEENS
----------------------------------------------------------------------------x
MARCELO LEMA, AFFIRMATION IN
SUPPORT OF MOTION
Plaintiff,
Index No.: 710483/2015
- against -
PAN LINK CONSTRUCTION, INC., and SSW REALTY LLC,
Defendants.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------x
GLEN P. AHLERS, ESQ., an attorney duly licensed to practice law in the Courts of the
State of New York, hereby affirms the following under the penalty of perjury:
1. I am an associate attorney with the law firm of RIMLAND & ASSOCIATES,
attorneys for plaintiff MARCELO LEMA. As such I am fully familiar with the facts and
circumstances of this matter based on my review of the case file maintained by our office.
2. I submit this affirmation in support of this motion seeking an Order:
A) Pursuant to CPLR § 3215, granting plaintiff default judgment against
defendant PAN LINK CONSTRUCTION, INC. as a result of defendant’s
failure to answer the complaint or appear in this action
B) Setting this matter down for an assessment of damages against defendant
PAN LINK CONSTRUCTION, INC. at the time of the trial of the
remainder of the action; and,
C) An Order granting such other and further relief as this Court may deem
just and proper
3. This action arises out of personal injuries sustained by plaintiff MARCELO
LEMA on June 18, 2015. On that date, the plaintiff was in the course of his employment
performing construction, renovation, and/or demolition work at the premises located at 149-64
Beech Avenue, Flushing, NY, when he was physically injured.
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4. As a result of the accident, plaintiff suffered serious physical injuries, including to
his cervical spine, lumbar spine, bilateral shoulders, head, left knee, right foot, and permanent
total and partial limitations.
5. This action was commenced by way of the filing of a Summons and Complaint on
June 22, 2016. A copy of the Summons and Complaint are annexed hereto as Exhibit A.
6. Defendant PAN LINK CONSTRUCTION, INC. was served by service upon the
NYS Secretary of State in accordance with CPLR §306 on June 23, 2016, followed by a
certified mailing of a notice and copy of the Summons and Complaint, on July 10, 2017. A copy
of the Affidavit of Service, and follow-up certified mailing of notice are annexed as Exhibit B.
7. More than thirty (30) days has elapsed since the service of process was completed
as to defendant. To date, this defendant has failed or refused to answer the complaint or serve a
notice of appearance to this action. As a result, this defendant is in default, and the plaintiff is
entitled to judgment on default.
8. Though this motion for default is brought in excess of the one year prescribed by
CPLR § 3125(c), this delay was excusable and not the result of a failure to prosecute the action
or abandonment.
9. On April 10, 2017, plaintiff sought out and retained our office, Rimland &
Associates, to substitute plaintiff’s original firm, Ferro, Kuba, Mangano, Skyar, P.C. Despite our
immediate efforts to acquire plaintiff’s file from his outgoing attorneys, our efforts were
continually stymied by the dilatory tactics of plaintiff’s outgoing counsel.
10. These tactics went on for months, in spite of our office’s full payment of the
outgoing attorney’s disbursements. A copy of our last, strongly worded letter to plaintiff’s
outgoing counsel, dated June 15, 2017, is attached hereto as Exhibit C.
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11. Upon finally securing the file on or about June 29, 2017, our office realized the
default of defendant PAN LINK CONSTRUCTION, INC., and immediately drafted a default
letter to this defendant. A copy of this June 29, 2017 letter is attached hereto as Exhibit D. This
letter was followed up by certified mail of a second default letter on July 10, 2017, as attached
hereto as Exhibit B.
12. Despite our immediate efforts to secure defendant’s PAN LINK
CONSTRUCTION, INC. appearance in this action, this defendant remained unresponsive to our
good-faith efforts to notify them of their default.
13. After receiving no response from defendant PAN LINK CONSTRUCTION,
INC., our office filed a default judgment motion on August 23, 2017, returnable, after Court
adjournment, on October 25, 2017. On the return date of the motion, our office was made aware
of procedural defects with the initial motion requiring us to withdraw said motion, without
prejudice. The instant motion is brought in remedy of those procedural defects.
14. Though plaintiff’s application for default judgment is brought in excess of the one
year prescription of CPLR § 3125(c), such delay is excusable and is not the result of
abandonment or failure to prosecute.
15. As stated above, our office did not come into possession of the file until June 29,
2017, over one year after plaintiff’s Summons and Complaint was initially served on defaulting
defendant PAN LINK CONSTRUCTION, INC.
16. Upon receiving the file and realizing that defendant PAN LINK
CONSTRUCTION, INC. had not appeared, our office immediately took action to serve letters
noticing the defendant of its imminent default.
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17. When those letters went unanswered, our office immediately undertook to file the
instant default motion.
18. Our office’s efforts in this case have been constant since we were initially
retained by plaintiff in April of this year. The delay, and failure to file the instant motion within
one year of default, was the inadvertent result of our office’s difficulty in attaining the file of this
matter from outgoing plaintiff’s counsel.
19. This sequence of events constitutes a reasonable excuse for the delay. Most
importantly, our office’s aggressive action in attaining the case file, filing relevant default letters,
and filing of the instant motion demonstrate plaintiff did not have the requisite “intent to
abandon”. See Iorizzo v. Mattikow, 25 A.D.3d 763 (2nd Dept., 2006) (“the evidence of ongoing
negotiations demonstrated that the plaintiffs had not abandoned the action”); Micheli v. E.J.
Builders, Inc., 268 A.D.2d 777 (3rd Dept., 2000) (“the record…simply does not support a finding
that plaintiff abandoned this action”); see also State Farm Mut. Auto. Ins. Co. v. Rodriguez, 12
A.D.3d 662 (2nd Dept., 2004).
20. Furthermore, this motion is brought well within the three year statute of
limitations on a negligence action. Accordingly, defendant PAN LINK CONSTRUCTION,
INC., has not and will not suffer any prejudice as a result of plaintiff’s late application. See
Hinds v. 2461 Realty Corp., 169 A.D.2d 629 (1st Dept., 1991)(“defendants did not demonstrate
that they were prejudiced by delay in prosecution of the action”); see also Rosenbaum v. Ace
Transit Corp., 112 A.D.2d 210 (2nd Dept., 1985).
21. A previous application for the relief sought herein has been made, but was
voluntarily withdrawn without prejudice by our office.
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WHEREFORE, your affirmant respectfully requests this Court issue an Order:
A) Granting plaintiff default judgment against defendant PAN LINK
CONSTRUCTION, INC., as a result of defendant's failure to answer the
complaint or appear in this action;
B) Setting this matter down for an assessment of damages against defendant
PAN LINK CONSTRUCTION, INC. at the time of the trial of the
remainder of the action; and,
C) An Order granting such other and fu1iher relief a
just and proper
Dated: New York, New York
November 10, 2017
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IZIMLAND ~ ASSOCIATES
ATTORI~FEYS AT LAW
225 BRonn~vnZ~, SutTE 1606
NFw YoRx, NY 10007
TEL:(212) 374-0680
Fnx:(212)374-0681
ww~vrimlandla~~~.com DIANA DE LA GUERRA
EDWARD RIMLAND
EDCRG1dLANDLA4V.CON1 DGI1ERRi1 ~t)RINILANDLA4V.COA4
DAVID FRTEDMAN CATALINA RIASCOS
DFRIED1vfAN~%P.IMLAniDLAW.CC~M CN1RtASCOS ~~~RINILANDLAW,COA4
GLEN P. AHLERS PARALEGALS
GAHLERS~a RIh1I.ANDLAW.CUM
ROBERT ELAN
JASON PARIS
HERNAN CACERES
OF COUNSEL
July 10, 2017
VIA CERTIFIED MAIL, RETURN RECEIPT
& REGULAR MAIL
PAN LINK CONSTRUCTION, INC.
29 Beach Road
Great Neck, NY 11023
Re: Marcelo Lema
D/Acc: June 18, 2015
Dear Sir/Madam:
Please be advised that this office represent plaintiff Marcelo
Lema in a lawsuit commenced against you.
to CPLR Section 3215(g)(4)(i) and Business
Pursuant
Law Section 306(b), you are HEREBY ON NOTICE that
Corporation
upon you has been made by virtue of the Secretary of State,
service
and a default judgment will be sought against you.
Further pursuant to the above -referenced provisions, enclosed.
find an additional copy of the Summons and Complain t in this
please
matter.
Ve truly yours,
aw rd Rimland
ER/dg
Encl.
FILED: QUEENS COUNTY CLERK 11/10/2017
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Complete items 1, 2, and 3. A. Signatur
Print your name and address on the reverse m ~—
❑Addressee
so that we can return the card to you.
- ~ ~: ;printed Name) C. Date of Delivery
■ Attach this card to the back of the mailpiece,
or on th'e front if space permits.
1. Article Addressed to: ~ „ _ ❑Yes
D. Is delivery address different from item 1?
❑ No
If YES, enter delivery address below:
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3. Sen/iCe Type ❑Priority Mail ExpressOO
❑ Adult Signature ❑Registered MaiIT'"
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FILED: QUEENS COUNTY CLERK 11/10/2017
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NYSCEF DOC. NO. 20
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/~`~ RIMLAND &ASSOCIATES
~ ATTORNEYS AT LAW
?,ZS BROADWAY,SUITE 1606
NEw Yoxx, NY 10007
Tit,: (212)374-0680
Fnx:(212)374-0681
EDWARD RIMLAND www.rimlandlaw.com DIANA DE LA GUERRA
F D~ftIMLANDLAW.COM
' DGIIERRACRIMLANDLAW.COM
DAVID FftIEDMAN CATALINA RIASCOS
DFRIEDMAN~RIMLANDLAW.COM CD4RIASCOS@RLMLANDLA W.COM
GLEN P. AHLERS
GAHLERS~a RIMLANDLAW,COM PARALEGALS
ROBERT ELAN
JASON PARIS
HERNAN CACERES
OF COUNSEL
June 15 2017
VIA FACSIMILE 212-244-9393
Ferro Kuba Mangano Skyar P.C.
424 W 33rd Street, Suite 440
New York, NY 10001
Attention: Kenneth E. Mangano, Esq.
Re.: Marcelo Lema
D/Acc.: June 18, 2015
Dear Mr. Mangano:
As you know, we have assumed representation of the plaintiff
in this matter. Per you request, on June 2, 2017, we forwarded
you a check in the amount of $1,847.78 for all disbursements. To
date, we have not received the original file. We have called your
office a number of times including today, without any result. It
is imperative we receive this file forthwith. Your dilatory
tactics are prejudicing our client's interests. Please call me
upon receipt of this letter. If we do not hear from you today, we
will appear at your office tomorrow to obtain the file.
Ve truly yours,
Edward Rimland
ER/dg
FILED: QUEENS COUNTY CLERK 11/10/2017
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~,r~tSSION VERIFICATION REPORT
TIME 66f1512017 63:60
NAME
FAX
TEL
SER.# BROL2V412838
DATE,TIME ~6I15 X2:59
FAX NO.fNAME 1212249393
DURATION 60:00:14
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NYSCEF DOC. NO. 21
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RIMLAIVD cat ASSOCIATES
~: .. ATTORNEYS AT LAW
~,:
i~ 225 BROADWAI', SUITE 1(06
NEw~ YORK, NY 10007
TEL: (212) 374-0680
Fnx:(212) 374-0681
EDWARD RIMLAND www.rimlandlaw.com DIANA DE LA GUERRA
ED alRIA4LANDLAW.COM DG itERILt~RIMI.ANDLAFV.COM
DAVID FRIEDIVfAN CATALINA RIASCOS
DFRIEDMANCPIMLANDLAII'.COM CMR/ASCOSCRINILANDLALI~.COM
GLEN P. AHLERS
GAHLERSC~RIMLANDLA4V,COM PARALEGALS
ROBERT ELAN
JASON PARIS
HERNAN CACERES
OF COUNSEL
June 29, 2017
VIA CERTIFIED MAIL RETURN RECEIPT
PAN LINK CONSTRUCTION, INC.
29 Beach Road
Great Neck, NY 11023
Re: Marcelo Lema
D/Acc: June 18, 2015
Dear Sir/Madam:
We have heretofore served you with a Summons & Complaint, and
to date we have not received a notice of appearance or an Answer on
behalf of you.
Please forward us an Answer in order to obviate the necessity
of default proceedings.
Thank you for your anticipated cooperation herein.
i '~"
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SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK
COUNTY OF QUEENS
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MARCELO LEMA, AFFIDAVIT OF MAILING
Plaintiff, Index No.: 710483/2015
- against -
PAN LINK CONSTRUCTION,INC., and SSW REALTY LLC,
Defendants.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------x
STATE OF NEW YORK 1
COUNTY OF NEW YORK) ss:
PALOMA ABAD,being duly sworn, deposes and says:
That your deponent is not a party to this action, is over 18 years of age and resides in the County
ofBronx, State of New York.
That on the l Ot"day of November,2017 deponent served the within NOTICE OF MOTION
and AFFIRMATION IN SUPPORT:
TO: PAN LINK CONSTRUCTION INC., Xiangan Gong, Esq.
29 Beach Road Attorneys for defendant
Great Neck,NY 11023 SSW REALTY LLC
136-40 39 Avenue, Suite 202
Flushing, NY 11354
By depositing a true copy of same, enclosed in a postpa