Preview
FILED: KINGS COUNTY CLERK 02/06/2023 10:02 AM INDEX NO. 512147/2020
NYSCEF DOC. NO. 81 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 02/06/2023
SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK
COUNTY OF KINGS
--_________-__________________________ _Ç
LUIS ALBERTO HERRERA, Index No.: 512147/2020
Plaintiff,
-against- VERIFIED ANSWER TO
PLAINTIFF'S AMENDED
THE CITY OF NEW YORK, BELMONT RE, LLC, VERIFIED COMPLAINT
SUTTER AVENUE REALTY CO., LLC and
TRINCHESE IRON WORKS & CONSTRUCTION
INC.,
Defendants.
------___._.---___________________________Ç
SUTTER AVENUE REALTY CO., LLC,
Third-Party Plaintiff,
-against-
TRINCHESE IRON WORKS & CONSTRUCTION
INC.,
Third-Party Defendant.
____________________________________Ç
Defendants, BELMONT RE. LLC and TRINCHESE IRON WORKS &
CONSTRUCTION, INC., by their attorneys, NEWMAN LAW ASSOCIATES PLLC, answer
Plaintiffs Amended Verified Complaint dated April 7, 2022 as follows:
AS AND FOR A RESPONSE TO FIRST CAUSE OF ACTION
1. Deny knowledge or sufficient information to form a belief as to the truth of the
"1"
allegations as set forth in paragraph of the Complaint;
2. Deny knowledge or sufficient information to form a belief as to the truth of the
"2"
allegations as set forth in paragraph of the Complaint;
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3. Deny knowledge or sufficient information to form a belief as to the truth of the
"3"
allegations as set forth in paragraph of the Complaint;
4. Deny knowledge or sufficient information to form a belief as to the truth of the
"4"
allegations as set forth in paragraph of the Complaint;
5. Deny knowledge or sufficient information to form a belief as to the truth of the
"5"
allegations as set forth in paragraph of the Complaint;
6. Deny knowledge or sufficient information to form a belief as to the truth of the
"6"
allegations as set forth in paragraph of the Complaint;
7. Deny knowledge or sufficient information to form a belief as to the truth of the
"7"
allegations as set forth in paragraph of the Complaint;
8. Deny knowledge or sufficient information to form a belief as to the truth of the
''8"
allegations as set forth in paragraph of the Complaint;
9. Deny knowledge or sufficient information to form a belief as to the truth of the
"9"
allegations as set forth in paragraph of the Complaint;
10. Deny knowledge or sufficient information to form a belief as to the truth of the
"10"
allegations as set forth in paragraph of the Complaint;
11. Deny knowledge or sufficient information to form a belief as to the truth of the
"11"
allegations as set forth in paragraph of the Complaint;
12. Deny knowledge or sufficient information to form a belief as to the truth of the
"12"
allegations as set forth in paragraph of the Complaint;
"13"
13. Deny each and every allegation as set forth in paragraph of the Complaint as
it applies to Answering Defendant;
"14"
14. Deny each and every allegation as set forth in paragraph of the Complaint;
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"15"
15. Deny each and every allegation as set forth in paragraph of the Complaint;
"16"
16. Deny each and every allegation as set forth in paragraph of the Complaint;
"17"
17. Deny each and every allegation as set forth in paragraph of the Complaint;
"18"
18. Deny each and every allegation as set forth in paragraph of the Complaint;
"19"
19. Deny each and every allegation as set forth in paragraph of the Complaint.
AS AND FOR A RESPONSE TO THE SECOND CAUSE OF ACTION
"20"
20. In response to the allegations contained in paragraph of the Complaint,
Answering Defendants repeat, reiterate and reallege each and every response contained in
"1" "19"
paragraphs through of this Verified Answer to the Complaint with the same force and
effect as if more fully set forth at length herein;
"21"
21. Deny in the form alleged each and every allegation as set forth in paragraph
of the Complaint except admit that Belmont Re. LLC was a domestic entity authorized to do
business in the State of New York;
"22"
22. Deny in the form alleged each and every allegation as set forth in paragraph
of the Complaint except admit that Belmont Re. LLC was the owner of the building located at
222 Belmont Avenue in Brooklyn;
"23"
23. Deny each and every allegation as set forth in paragraph of the Complaint;
"24"
24. Deny in the form alleged each and every allegation as set forth in paragraph
of the Complaint except admits that Belmont Re. LLC was the owner of the building located at
222 Belmont Avenue in Brooklyn;
"25"
25. Deny in the form alleged each and every allegation as set forth in paragraph
of the Complaint except admits that Belmont Re. LLC was the owner of the building located at
222 Belmont Avenue in Brooklyn;
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"26"
26. Deny in the form alleged each and every allegation as set forth in paragraph
of the Complaint except admits that Belmont Re. LLC was the owner of the building located at
222 Belmont Avenue in Brooklyn;
"27"
27. Deny in the form alleged each and every allegation as set forth in paragraph
of the Complaint except admits that Belmont Re. LLC was the owner of the building located at
222 Belmont Avenue in Brooklyn;
28. Deny knowledge or sufficient information to form a belief as to the truth of the
"28"
allegations as set forth in paragraph of the Complaint;
29. Deny knowledge or sufficient information to form a belief as to the truth of the
"29"
allegations as set forth in paragraph of the Complaint;
30. Deny knowledge or sufficient information to form a belief as to the truth of the
"30"
allegations as set forth in paragraph of the Complaint;
31. Deny knowledge or sufficient information to form a belief as to the truth of the
"31"
allegations as set forth in paragraph of the Complaint;
32. Deny knowledge or sufficient information to form a belief as to the truth of the
"32"
allegations as set forth in paragraph ofthe Complaint;
33. Deny knowledge or sufficient information to form a belief as to the truth of the
"33"
allegations as set forth in paragraph of the Complaint;
34. Deny knowledge or sufficient information to form a belief as to the truth of the
"34"
allegations as set forth in paragraph of the Complaint;
"35"
35. Deny in the form alleged each and every allegation as set forth in paragraph
of the Complaint except admit that Trinchese Iron Works & Construction, Inc. was a domestic
entity authorized to do business in the State of New York;
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"36"
36. Deny each and every allegation as set forth in paragraph of the Complaint;
"37"
37. Deny each and every allegation as set forth in paragraph of the Complaint;
"38"
38. Deny in the form alleged each and every allegation as set forth in paragraph
of the Complaint except admit the existence of a lease and refer to the original lease for its
contents;
"39"
39. Deny in the form alleged each and every allegation as set forth in paragraph
of the Complaint except admit the existence of a lease and refer to the original lease for its
contents;
"40"
40. Deny in the form alleged each and every allegation as set forth in paragraph
of the Complaint except admit the existence of a lease and refer to the original lease for its
contents;
"41"
41. Deny in the form alleged each and every allegation as set forth in paragraph
of the Complaint except admit the existence of a lease and refer to the original lease for its
contents;
"42"
42. Deny in the form alleged each and every allegation as set forth in paragraph
of the Complaint except admit the existence of a lease and refer to the original lease for its
contents;
"43"
43. Deny each and every allegation as set forth in paragraph of the Complaint;
"44"
44. Deny each and every allegation as set forth in paragraph of the Complaint;
"45"
45. Deny each and every allegation as set forth in paragraph of the Complaint;
"46"
46. Deny each and every allegation as set forth in paragraph of the Complaint;
"47"
47. Deny each and every allegation as set forth in paragraph of the Complaint;
"48"
48. Deny each and every allegation as set forth in paragraph of the Complaint;
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"49"
49. Deny each and every allegation as set forth in paragraph of the Complaint.
FIRST AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE
The injuries and damages, if any, alleged to have been sustained by Plaintiff were caused
in whole or in part by the culpable conduct and/or contributory negligence of the Plaintiff, and
Plaintiffs damages, if any, should be barred or diminished in the proportion which such conduct
bears to the culpable conduct that caused said injuries and damages.
SECOND AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE
Upon information and belief, the injuries and damages, if any, alleged to have been
sustained by Plaintiff were caused in whole or in part by the acts, omissions, or other conduct of
individuals or entities over which the Answering Defendant had no control and had no duty to
control.
THIRD AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE
The injured Plaintiff assumed a known or an open or obvious risk for which Plaintiff may
not recover any damages, or Plaintiffs damages must be reduced accordingly.
FOURTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE
The injuries and damages allegedly sustained by Plaintiff were not reasonably
foreseeable.
FIFTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE
The Answering Defendant owes no legal duty to Plaintiff.
SIXTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE
Plaintiffs injuries, if any, were caused by intervening and/or superseding factors which
relieves the Answering Defendant from any liability in this action,
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SEVENTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE
In accordance with CPLR §1601 et seq., the liability of Answering Defendant, if any, to
Plaintiff for non-economic loss is limited to each defendants equitable share, determined in
accordance with relative culpability of all persons and/or entities contributing to the total liability
for non-economic loss, including parties and others over whom Plaintiff could have obtained
personal jurisdiction with due diligence.
EIGHTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE
Plaintiff has failed to join necessary and essential parties to this litigation.
NINTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE
Upon information and belief, any costs, loss or expenses incurred or to be incurred by the
Plaintiff for medical care, custodial care or rehabilitative services, loss of earnings or other
economic loss, has been or will with reasonable certainty be replaced or indemnified in whole or
in part from a collateral source as defined in CPLR 4545 (c).
TENTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE
Plaintiffs damages must be diminished in proportion to culpable conduct in accordance
with CPLR 1411 and 1412.
ELEVENTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE
Plaintiff's Complaint fails to state a cause of action upon which relief can be granted as a
matter of law.
TWELFTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE
This action is barred by the applicable statute of limitations.
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AS AND FOR A FIRST CROSS-CLAIM AGAINST
CO-DEFENDANTS
If Plaintiff was caused to sustain injuries and/or damages at the time and place and in the
manner set forth in this action through any carelessness, recklessness, or negligence, other than
Plaintiff's own carelessness, recklessness, or negligence, then the injuries and damages were
caused and sustained by reason of the sole active and primary carelessness, recklessness,
negligence, and/or acts or omissions of CO-DEFENDANTS, and ANSWERING
DEFENDANTS are entitled to indemnification, and thereby CO-DEFENDANTS are primarily
liable.
AS AND FOR A SECOND CROSS-CLAIM AGAINST
CO-DEFENDANTS
If Plaintiff sustained the injuries and/or damages in the manner and at the time and place
alleged, and it is found that ANSWERING DEFENDANTS are liable herein, all of which is
specifically denied, then ANSWERING DEFENDANTS, on the basis of apportionment of
responsibility and/or contractual responsibility for the alleged occurrence, are entitled to
contractual indemnification from and judgment over and against CO-DEFENDANTS.
By reason of the foregoing, ANSWERING DEFENDANTS are entitled to have judgment
over and against CO-DEFENDANTS as to any sum awarded against ANSWERING
attorneys'
DEFENDANTS, including costs, expenses, and fees.
AS AND FOR A THIRD CROSS-CLAIM AGAINST
CO-DEFENDANTS
If Plaintiff sustained the injuries and damages in the manner and at the time and place
alleged, and it is found that ANSWERING DEFENDANTS are liable herein, all of which is
specifically denied, then ANSWERING DEFENDANTS, on the basis of apportionment of
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responsibility and/or contractual responsibility for the alleged occurrence, are entitled to
contribution from and judgment over and against CO-DEFENDANTS.
By reason of the foregoing, ANSWERING DEFENDANTS are entitled to contribution
and judgment over and against CO-DEFENDANTS.
Dated: New York, New York
February 6, 2023
NEWMAN LAW ASSOCIATES PLLC
By:
JÉs Warshaw, Esq.
torneys for Defendant
BELMONT RE. LLC and TRINCHESE IRON
WORKS & CONSTRUCTION, INC.
111 John Street, Suite 1500
New York, New York 10038
(212) 945-1010
TO:
SUBIN ASSOCIATES, LLP
Attorneys for Plaintiff
LUIS ALBERTO HERRERA
23rd
150 Broadway, PlOOr
New York, New York 10038
EUSTACE, PREZIOSO & YAPCHANYK
Attorneys for Defendant
SUTTER AVENUE REALTY CO. LLC
28th
55 Water Street, PlOOr
New York, New York 10041
CORPORATION COUNSEL
Attorneys for Defendant
THE CITY OF NEW YORK
100 Church Street
New York, New York 10007
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ATTORNEY VERIFICATION
Jason Warshaw, Esq. affirms the following under the penalties of perjury:
I am an attorney duly admitted to practice in the courts of the State of New York, and I
am an attorney with the firm of NEWMAN LAW ASSOCIATES PLLC, the attorneys of record
for Defendants, BELMONT RE. LLC and TRINCHESE IRON WORKS & CONSTRUCTION,
INC., in the within action. I have read the foregoing Verified Answer to the Amended
Complaint and know the contents thereof. The same is true to my own knowledge, except as to
the matters therein stated to be alleged upon information and belief, and as to those matters, I
believe them to be true. The basis for my belief is: review of files, investigations and
conversations with clients.
Dated: New York, New York
February 6, 2023.
Jason D. tars,1aw, Esq.
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