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  • Luis Alberto Herrera v. The City Of New York, Belmont Re, Llc, Sutter Avenue Realty Co. Llc, Trinchese Iron Works & Construction IncTorts - Other Negligence (Personal Injury) document preview
  • Luis Alberto Herrera v. The City Of New York, Belmont Re, Llc, Sutter Avenue Realty Co. Llc, Trinchese Iron Works & Construction IncTorts - Other Negligence (Personal Injury) document preview
  • Luis Alberto Herrera v. The City Of New York, Belmont Re, Llc, Sutter Avenue Realty Co. Llc, Trinchese Iron Works & Construction IncTorts - Other Negligence (Personal Injury) document preview
  • Luis Alberto Herrera v. The City Of New York, Belmont Re, Llc, Sutter Avenue Realty Co. Llc, Trinchese Iron Works & Construction IncTorts - Other Negligence (Personal Injury) document preview
  • Luis Alberto Herrera v. The City Of New York, Belmont Re, Llc, Sutter Avenue Realty Co. Llc, Trinchese Iron Works & Construction IncTorts - Other Negligence (Personal Injury) document preview
  • Luis Alberto Herrera v. The City Of New York, Belmont Re, Llc, Sutter Avenue Realty Co. Llc, Trinchese Iron Works & Construction IncTorts - Other Negligence (Personal Injury) document preview
  • Luis Alberto Herrera v. The City Of New York, Belmont Re, Llc, Sutter Avenue Realty Co. Llc, Trinchese Iron Works & Construction IncTorts - Other Negligence (Personal Injury) document preview
  • Luis Alberto Herrera v. The City Of New York, Belmont Re, Llc, Sutter Avenue Realty Co. Llc, Trinchese Iron Works & Construction IncTorts - Other Negligence (Personal Injury) document preview
						
                                

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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; 1 of 10 FILED: KINGS COUNTY CLERK 02/06/2023 10:02 AM INDEX NO. 512147/2020 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 81 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 02/06/2023 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; 2 2 of 10 FILED: KINGS COUNTY CLERK 02/06/2023 10:02 AM INDEX NO. 512147/2020 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 81 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 02/06/2023 "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; 3 3 of 10 FILED: KINGS COUNTY CLERK 02/06/2023 10:02 AM INDEX NO. 512147/2020 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 81 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 02/06/2023 "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; 4 4 of 10 FILED: KINGS COUNTY CLERK 02/06/2023 10:02 AM INDEX NO. 512147/2020 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 81 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 02/06/2023 "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; 5 5 of 10 FILED: KINGS COUNTY CLERK 02/06/2023 10:02 AM INDEX NO. 512147/2020 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 81 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 02/06/2023 "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, 6 6 of 10 FILED: KINGS COUNTY CLERK 02/06/2023 10:02 AM INDEX NO. 512147/2020 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 81 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 02/06/2023 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. 7 7 of 10 FILED: KINGS COUNTY CLERK 02/06/2023 10:02 AM INDEX NO. 512147/2020 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 81 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 02/06/2023 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 8 8 of 10 FILED: KINGS COUNTY CLERK 02/06/2023 10:02 AM INDEX NO. 512147/2020 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 81 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 02/06/2023 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 9 9 of 10 FILED: KINGS COUNTY CLERK 02/06/2023 10:02 AM INDEX NO. 512147/2020 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 81 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 02/06/2023 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. 10 10 of 10