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  • Maria Karimova v. Progressive Casualty Insurance CompanyTorts - Motor Vehicle document preview
  • Maria Karimova v. Progressive Casualty Insurance CompanyTorts - Motor Vehicle document preview
  • Maria Karimova v. Progressive Casualty Insurance CompanyTorts - Motor Vehicle document preview
  • Maria Karimova v. Progressive Casualty Insurance CompanyTorts - Motor Vehicle document preview
  • Maria Karimova v. Progressive Casualty Insurance CompanyTorts - Motor Vehicle document preview
  • Maria Karimova v. Progressive Casualty Insurance CompanyTorts - Motor Vehicle document preview
  • Maria Karimova v. Progressive Casualty Insurance CompanyTorts - Motor Vehicle document preview
  • Maria Karimova v. Progressive Casualty Insurance CompanyTorts - Motor Vehicle document preview
						
                                

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FILED: ERIE COUNTY CLERK 10/12/2023 11:18 AM INDEX NO. 801743/2021 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 36 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 10/12/2023 FILED: APPELLATE DIVISION - 4TH DEPT 06/09/2023 02:13 PM CA 23-00608 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 8 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 06/09/2023 New York Supreme Court Appellate Division—Fourth Department MARIA KARIMOVA, Docket No.: CA 23-00608 Plaintiff-Respondent, – against – PROGRESSIVE INSURANCE COMPANY, Defendant-Appellant. RECORD ON APPEAL HURWITZ FINE P.C. Alice A. Trueman, Esq. Attorneys for Defendant-Appellant The Liberty Building 424 Main Street, Suite 1300 Buffalo, New York 14202 (716) 849-8900 aat@hurwitzfine.com ROSENTHAL KOOSHOIAN & LENNON, LLP Peter M. Kooshoian, Esq. Attorneys for Plaintiff-Respondent 80 West Huron Street Buffalo, New York 14202 (716) 389-4809 pk@bufflaw.com Erie County Clerk’s Index No. 801743/21 1 of 191 FILED: ERIE COUNTY CLERK 10/12/2023 11:18 AM INDEX NO. 801743/2021 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 36 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 10/12/2023 i SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK APPELLATE DIVISION : FOURTH JUDICIAL DEPARTMENT MARIA KARIMOVA, Appellate Division Case No.: Plaintiff/Respondent, CA 23-00608 V. PROGRESSIVE CASUALTY INSURANCE COMPANY, Defendant/Appellant. STATEMENT PURSUANT TO CPLR §5531 The Defendant-Appellant, Progressive Casualty Insurance Company, for its Statement pursuant to CPLR§5531, state and show to the Court as follows: 1. The Index Number of this case in Erie County Supreme Court is 801743/2021. 2. The full names of the parties are as they appear in the caption; there have been no changes. 3. The action was commenced in Supreme Court, Erie County, by the filing of a Summons and Complaint on or about February 11, 2021. 4. This action is a supplemental uninsured motor vehicle insurance claim. 5. The Defendant-Appellant, Progressive Casualty Insurance Company, served its Answer on or about March 10, 2021. 6. This appeal is from the Decision of the Honorable Amy C. Martoche, J.S.C., entered in the office of the Clerk of the County of Erie on March 17, 2023. 7. The method of appeal is on the full reproduced record. 2 of 191 FILED: ERIE COUNTY CLERK 10/12/2023 11:18 AM INDEX NO. 801743/2021 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 36 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 10/12/2023 ii TABLE OF CONTENTS Page Statement pursuant to CPLR § 5531................................................................. i Notice of Appeal of Defendant, Progressive Insurance Company (“Defendant”), dated March 31, 2023, with Proof of Service................ 1 Order of the Hon. Amy C. Martoche, J.S.C., Appealed from, granted March 17, 2023, with Notice of Entry....................................... 4 Notice of Motion to Compel or Preclude filed by Plaintiff, Maria Karimova (“Plaintiff”), dated November 9, 2022 ................................................... 6 Affidavit of Peter M. Kooshoian, Esq. in Support of Plaintiff’s Motion to Compel or Preclude, sworn to November 9, 2022 ................................. 8 Exhibit A — Summons and Complaint, dated February 10, 2021 ........ 12 Exhibit B — Answer, dated March 10, 2021 ......................................... 25 Exhibit C — Notice for Discovery and Inspection CPLR Article 31, dated August 16, 2021 ............................................................................ 29 Exhibit D — Defendant’s Response to Plaintiff’s Notice for Discovery and Inspection, dated February 14, 2022 .............................. 34 Exhibit E — Plaintiff’s Good Faith Correspondence, dated March 21, 2022 ............................................................................. 45 Exhibit F — Defendant’s Cover Letter, dated June 28, 2022, in Response to Plaintiff’s Notice for Discovery and Inspection, with Privilege Log .......................................................................................... 46 Exhibit G — Decisions and Orders in Other Cases Cultrara v. Travelers and Higgins v. Tokio Marine, et al ........................................ 49 Attorney Affirmation of Alice A. Trueman, Esq., in Opposition to Plaintiff’s Motion to Compel and in Support of Defendant’s Cross-Motion for a Protective Order, dated December 27, 2022 .......................................... 54 Exhibit A — Plaintiff’s Cross-Notice for Examination Before Trial .... 61 Exhibit B — Amended Response to Notice for Discovery and Inspection ................................................................................................ 62 Exhibit C — Progressive’s Bill of Particulars........................................ 63 3 of 191 FILED: ERIE COUNTY CLERK 10/12/2023 11:18 AM INDEX NO. 801743/2021 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 36 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 10/12/2023 iii Exhibit D — Decisions and Orders in Other Cases: Daniels v. GEICO; Velocci v. GEICO; Geoghegan v. Progressive; Keefe v. GEICO .................................................................................................... 72 Adjuster Affidavit of Matthew Crankshaw, sworn to December 27, 2022, in Opposition to Plaintiff’s Motion to Compel and in Support of Defendant’s Cross-Motion for a Protective Order ................................. 101 Exhibit A — January 3, 2020 Correspondence from Plaintiff’s Counsel to Progressive ........................................................................... 106 Exhibit B — January 14, 2021 Correspondence from Plaintiff’s Counsel to Progressive ........................................................................... 107 Affidavit of Peter M. Kooshoian, Esq., in Opposition to Defendant’s Motion for a Protective Order, sworn to January 2, 2023 ................................... 181 Certification Pursuant to CPLR 2105 ............................................................... 187 4 of 191 FILED: ERIE COUNTY CLERK 10/12/2023 11:18 AM INDEX NO. 801743/2021 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 36 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 10/12/2023 1 NOTICE OF APPEAL OF DEFENDANT, PROGRESSIVE INSURANCE COMPANY (“DEFENDANT”), DATED MARCH 31, 2023, WITH PROOF OF SERVICE [1 - 3] INDEX NO. 801743/2021 ( FILED : ERIE COUNTY CLERK 03/31/2023 10:40 AM) NYSCEF DOC. NO. 32 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 03/31/2023 STATE OF NEW YORK SUPREME COURT : COUNTY OF ERIE MARIA KARIMOVA, NOTICE OF APPEAL Plaintiff, V. Index No.: 801743/2021 PROGRESSIVE INSURANCE COMPANY, Defendant. PLEASE TAKE NOTICE, that the Defendant, PROGRESSIVE INSURANCE COMPANY, hereby appeals to the Appellate Division, Fourth Judicial Department, of the New York State Supreme Court, from an Order of the Honorable Amy C. Martoche, J.S.C., granted in the above- captioned action on March 17, 2023, entered in the Office of the Clerk of the County of Erie on March 17, 2023, and served with Notice of Entry on March 20, 2023. Defendant hereby appeals from each and every part of the Order granting Plaintiff, MARIA KARIMOVNs Motion to Compel the entire pre-litigation SUM claim file except Bates numbered pages 205-224, 613, 1146-1147, 1156 and 1164 with redactions. A copy of the Order is attached hereto as Exhibit A. Dated: Buffalo, New York March 31, 2023 HURWITZ FINE P.C. Alice A. Trueman, Esq. Attorneys for DE fendant 1300 Liberty Building Buffalo, New York 14202 (716) 849-8900 1 1 of 5 5 of 191 FILED: ERIE COUNTY CLERK 10/12/2023 11:18 AM INDEX NO. 801743/2021 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 36 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 10/12/2023 2 INDEX NO. 801743/2021 (FILED: ERIE COUNTY CLERK 03/31/2023 10:40 AM) NYSCEF DOC. NO. 32 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 03/31/2023 TO: Peter M. Kooshoian, Esq. ROSENTHAL, KOOSHOIAN & LENNON, LLP Attorneys for Plaintsf 80 West Huron Street Buffalo, New York 14202 (716) 854-1300 2 2 of 5 6 of 191 FILED: ERIE COUNTY CLERK 10/12/2023 11:18 AM INDEX NO. 801743/2021 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 36 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 10/12/2023 3 INDEX NO. 801743/2021 (FILED: ERIE COUNTY CLERK 03/31/2023 10:40 AM) NYSCEF DOC. NO. 33 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 03/31/2023 STATE OF NEW YORK SUPREME COURT : COUNTY OF ERIE MARIA KARIMOVA, AFFIDAVIT OF SERVICE Plaintiff, BY MAIL V. PROGRESSIVE INSURANCE COMPANY, Index No.: 801743/2021 Defendant. STATE OF NEW YORK ) ss: COUNTY OF ERIE ) Jennifer Morgan, being duly sworn, deposes and says that she is an employee in the offices of Hurwitz Fine P.C., the attorneys for Def-endant, PROGRESSIVE INSURANCE COMPANY, that she is not aparty to the action, and is 18 years of age or over. That on March 31, 2023, she served the within copy of the Notice of Appeal with Exhibit A, upon: Peter M. Kooshoian, Esq. ROSENTHAL, KOOSHOIAN & LENNON, LLP Auor•neys for Plaintiff 80 West Huron Street Buffalo, New York 14202 at the address, designated by said attorney for that purpose by depositing atrue copy of the same enclosed in afirst class, postpaid, properly addressed wrapper, in an official depository under the exclusive care and custody of the United States Postal Service within the State of'New York. ly Subscribed and sworn to before Jer ri er Morgan me this 31" day2of March, 20, ary Public LISA M. FAZIO-BEESON Notary Public, State of New York Qualified in Erie County No. Ol FA6207194 My Commission Expires June 8, 209?:V J 1 of 1 7 of 191 FILED: ERIE COUNTY CLERK 10/12/2023 11:18 AM INDEX NO. 801743/2021 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 36 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 10/12/2023 4 ORDER OF THE HON. AMY C. MARTOCHE, J.S.C., APPEALED FROM, GRANTED MARCH 17, 2023, WITH NOTICE OF ENTRY [4 - 5] FILED: ERIE COUNTY CLERK 03/21/2023. 1111:90 A14 INDEX NO. 801743/2021 NYSC DOC. NO. 32 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 03/37/2023 At aSpecial Term of the Supreme Court, held in and for the County of Erie, New York at a Courthouse in the City of Buffalo, New York on the Vh day of March, 2023. PRESENT: HON. Amv C. Martoche, J.S.C. Justice Presiding STATE OF NEW YORK SUPREME COURT: COUNTY OF ERIE MARIA KARIMOVA, Plaintiff, ORDER V. Index No.: 80174312021 PROGRESSIVE CASUALTY INSURANCE COMPANY, Defendant. UPON READING AND FILING, the Plaintiff, MARIA KARIMOVA's Motion to Compel or Preclude dated November 9, 2022, the Supporting Affidavit of Peter M. Kooshoian, Esq. dated the 9th day of November, 2022, with exhibits; Defendant, PROGRESSIVE CASUALTY INSURANCE COMPANY's Cross- Motion for aProtective Order dated the 27th day of December, 2022; the Affidavit in Opposition to and in support of Defendant's Cross-Motion for a Protective Order of Alice Trueman, Esq., dated the 27th day of December, 2022, with exhibits; the Affidavit in Opposition and in support of Defendant's Cross-Motion for a Protective Order of Matthew Crankshaw dated the 27th day of December, 2022, with exhibits; the Affidavit in Opposition to Defendant's Motion for a Protective Order of Peter M. Kooshoian, Esq., dated the 2nd day of January, 2023; and having heard on the 7th day of March, 2023, Peter M. Kooshoian, Esq. in support of Plaintiffs Motion to Compel or Preclude; Alice Trueman, Esq. and Kaitlin Sines, Esq. in opposition to Plaintiff's Motion, and in support of Defendant's Cross- Motion for aProtective Order, it is hereby Rosenthal, Kooshoian & Lennon, LLP ATTORNEYS AND COUNSELORS AT LAW / 80 WEST HURON STREET! BUFFALO, NEW YORK 142021(716) 854-1300 4 of 3 8 of 191 FILED: ERIE COUNTY CLERK 10/12/2023 11:18 AM INDEX NO. 801743/2021 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 36 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 10/12/2023 5 INDEX NO. 801743/2021 FILED: ERIE COUNTY CLERK 03/21/2023 1M:9D A14 NYSC DOC. NO. 32 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 03/37/2023 ORDERED, that Defendant will provide Plaintiff with the entire pre- litigation SUM claim file except BATES numbered pages 205 to 224, 613, 1146-1147, 1156 and 1164 which will be redacted; it is further ORDERED, that Defendant will provide Plaintiff with the complete copy of the applicable SUM policy within thirty ( 30) days of entry of this Order; and it is further ORDERED, that Defendant's Cross- Motion for aProtective Order is denied mt#Fety. ;tA Hon. Amy C. Wartoche, J.S.C. ENTERED: gl t• 1 23 Rosenthal, Kooshoian & Lennon, LLP ATTORNEYS AND COUNSELORS AT LAW / 80 WEST HURON STREET / BUFFALO, NEW YORK 14202 / (716) 854-1300 3 of 3 9 of 191 FILED: ERIE COUNTY CLERK 10/12/2023 11:18 AM INDEX NO. 801743/2021 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 36 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 10/12/2023 6 NOTICE OF MOTION TO COMPEL OR PRECLUDE FILED BY PLAINTIFF, MARIA KARIMOVA (“PLAINTIFF”), DATED NOVEMBER 9, 2022 [6 - 7] (FILED: ERIE COUNTY CLERK 11/09/2022 02:42 PM) INDEX NO. 801743/20 1 NYS EF DOC. NO. 9 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 11/09/202 STATE OF NEW YORK SUPREME COURT : COUNTY OF ERIE MARIA KARIMOVA, Plaintiff, NOTICE OF MOTION TO COMPEL OR PRECLUDE Index No.: 801743/2021 PROGRESSIVE CASUALTY INSURANCE COMPANY, Defendant. MOTION MADE BY: Rosenthal, Kooshoian & Lennon, LLP, Peter M. Kooshoian Esq., of counsel, 80 West Huron Street, Buffalo, New York 14202 for the Plaintiff, MARIA KARIMOVA. DATE, TIME & PLACE: Before the Hon. Amy C. Martoche, J.S.C., on January 3, 2023 on submissions only. SUPPORTING PAPERS: Affidavit of Peter M. Kooshoian, Esq. with exhibits. RELIEF REQUESTED: An Order compelling discovery or precluding the Defendants from offering evidence at the trial of this matter and for such other and further relief as the Court deems just and proper. GROUNDS FOR RELIEF: CPLR §3124. PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE: Pursuant to CPLR §2214(b), answering Affidavits, if any, are required to be served upon the undersigned at least seven (7) days prior to the return date of this motion. DATED: Buffalo, New York November 9, 2022 (ter M. Kooshoian, Esq. Rosenthal, Kooshoian & Lennon, LLP Attorneys for Plaintiff MARIA KARIMOVA 80 West Huron Street Buffalo, New York 14202 (716) 854-1300 Rosenthal, Kooshoian & Lennon, LLP ATTORNEYS AND COUNSELORS AT LAW / 80 WEST HURON STREET / BUFFALO, NEW YORK 14202 / (716) 854-1300 1 of 2 10 of 191 FILED: ERIE COUNTY CLERK 10/12/2023 11:18 AM INDEX NO. 801743/2021 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 36 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 10/12/2023 7 FILED: ERIE COUNTY CLERK 11/09/2022 02:42 PM) INDEX NO. 801743/20 1 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 9 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 11/09/202 TO: Hon. Amy C. Martoche, J.S.C. Supreme Court Chambers 25 Delaware Avenue, Part 21 Buffalo, New York 14202 Alice A. Trueman, Esq. Hurwitz & Fine, P.C. Attorney for Defendant PROGRESSIVE CASUALTY INSURANCE COMPANY 424 Main Street, Suite 1300 Buffalo, New York 14202 (716) 849-8900 Rosenthal, Kooshoian & Lennon, LLP ATTORNEYS AND COUNSELORS AT LAW/ SO WEST HURON STREET IBUFFALO, NEW YORK 14202/(716) 854-1300 2 of 2 11 of 191 FILED: ERIE COUNTY CLERK 10/12/2023 11:18 AM INDEX NO. 801743/2021 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 36 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 10/12/2023 8 AFFIDAVIT OF PETER M. KOOSHOIAN, ESQ. IN SUPPORT OF PLAINTIFF’S MOTION TO COMPEL OR PRECLUDE, SWORN TO NOVEMBER 9, 2022 [8 - 11] INDEX NO. 801743/20 1 (F I ,ED: ERIE COUNTY CLERK 11/09/2022 02:42 PM) NYS EF DOC. NO. 10 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 11/09/2012 STATE OF NEW YORK SUPREME COURT: COUNTY OF ERIE MARIA KARIMOVA, AFFIDAVIT IN SUPPORT OF Plaintiff, PLAINTIFF'S MOTION TO COMPEL DISCOVERY Index No.: 801743/2021 PROGRESSIVE CASUALTY INSURANCE COMPANY, Defendant. STATE OF NEW YORK ) SS: COUNTY OF ERIE ) PETER M. KOOSHOIAN, ESQ., being duly sworn, deposes and says: 1. Your deponent is an attorney duly licensed to practice in the State of New York and is a partner with the law firm Rosenthal, Kooshoian & Lennon, LLP, with offices located at 80 West Huron Street, Buffalo, New York. 2. Your deponent appears for the above-named Plaintiff, MARIA KARIMOVA, and as such is fully familiar with all prior proceedings held in this matter. 3. This Affidavit is submitted in support of Plaintiffs Motion to Compel Discovery seeking production of Defendant's unredacted pre-litigation Underinsured Motor Vehicle (UM) file and in camera inspection of Defendant's unredacted post-litigation UM file to determine whether the redacted information is privileged. PROCEDURAL HISTORY 4. Plaintiff commenced their action with the filing of aSummons and Complaint on February 11, 2021. (See Exhibit A.) 5. Defendant served an Answer and joined issue on March 10, 2021. (See Exhibit B.) Rosenthal, Koosholan & Lennon, LLP ATTORNEYS AND COUNSELORS AT LAW / 80 WEST HURON STREET / BUFFALO, NEW YORK 14202 / (716) 854-1300 1 of 4 12 of 191 FILED: ERIE COUNTY CLERK 10/12/2023 11:18 AM INDEX NO. 801743/2021 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 36 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 10/12/2023 9 (FILED: ERIE COUNTY CLERK 11/09/2022 02:42 PM) INDEX NO. 801743/201 NYS EF DOC. NO. 10 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 11/09/2012 6. On August 16, 2021, the Plaintiff served defense counsel with Omnibus Discovery Demands, including demand for the entire unredacted claim file relative to this matter. (See Exhibit C ¶ 18.) 7. On February 10, 2022, Defendant provided aresponse to Plaintiffs discovery demands refusing to supply the claim file alleging it contained privileged information including documents prepared in anticipation of litigation, the work production doctrine or any other privilege or protection. (See Exhibit D ¶ 18.) 8. On March 21, 2022, your deponent sent Defendant correspondence indicating we had not received acopy of Defendant's unredacted pre-litigation claim file and further requesting all records from the client's claim file be provided within thirty (30) days to avoid unnecessary motion practice. (See Exhibit E.) 9. On June 28, 2022, Defendant's provided acopy of Plaintiff's redacted pre and post-litigation claim file accompanied by aprivilege log indicating the redacted information was privileged as either material or prepared in anticipation of litigation, attorney work product or attorney-client privilege. (See Exhibit F.) 10. On or about October 21, 2022, your deponent and defense counsel appeared via telephone for apre-trial conference during which defense counsel indicated that the pre-litigation claim file redaction contained information privileged as material prepared in anticipation of litigation which your deponent objected to and it was agreed the issues would need to be resolved by the Court. 11. Defendant's have not filed aMotion for aProtective Order in response to Plaintiff's discovery demands. ARGUMENT 12. It is well settled that the payment or rejection of claims is part of the regular business of an insurance company. Consequently, reports which aid in the process of deciding which of the two indicated actions to pursue are made in the regular course of business. Lalka v. ACA Insurance Company, 128 A.D.3d 1508 (4t" Dept., 2015). Reports prepared by attorneys before the decision is made to pay or reject claims are not privileged and are discoverable even if those reports are mixed/multiple purpose reports motivated in part by the potential for litigation with the insured. Ibid.; citing, Bombard v. Arnica Mutual Rosenthal, Yooshoian & Lennon, LLP ATTORNEYS AND COUNSELORS AT LAW /80 WEST HURON STREET / BUFFALO, NEW YORK 14202 / (716) 854-1300 2 of 4 13 of 191 FILED: ERIE COUNTY CLERK 10/12/2023 11:18 AM INDEX NO. 801743/2021 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 36 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 10/12/2023 10 (F I ,ED: ERIE COUNTY CLERK 11/09/2022 02:42 PM) INDEX NO. 801743/201 NYS EF DOC. NO. 10 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 11/09/2012 Insurance Company, 11 A.D.3d 647 (2nd Dept., 2004), citied by Mezzalingua Associates, LLC v. Travelers Indemnity Company, et al., 178 A.D.3d 1413 (4th Dept., 2019) (finding the privilege does not apply to "mixed purpose reports" under CPLR 3101.); see also, Gibson v. Encompass Insurance, 23 A.D.3d 1047 (4th Dept. , 2005) (finding the Court did not abuse its discretion ordering defendants to produce their file regarding plaintiffs SUM claim as defendant failed to meet their burden establishing the file contained privileged or otherwise material exempt from discovery.); followed by Heimbach v. State Farm Insurance, 114 A.D.3d 1221 (4th Dept., 2014) (finding plaintiff entitled to defendant's entire SUM claim file as defendan failed to meet its burden in establishing parts of the claim withheld from discovery contained privileged material.). 13. Several other local Supreme Court Justices have also ordered disclosure of the unredacted prelitigation SUM file. See Ess v. New York Central Mutual, Index No.: 12010-7965 (Justice Chimes); Swiech v. New York Central Mutual, Index No.: 2009-7369 (Justice Siwek); Cultrara v. Travelers, Index No.: 802463/2017 (Justice Glownia) and Higgins v. Tokio Marine, Index No.: 12008-3026 (Justice NeMoyer), see, copies of Cultara and Higgins Decisions attached hereto as Exhibit G. 14. As in the aforementioned cases, the Defendant's claim that the pre-litigation file contains material prepared in anticipation of litigation does not establish the material is privileged as it was prepared by the insurance company in the regular course of business and is therefore discoverable. Ibid. 15. Furthermore, it is well settled that aparty asserting the privilege has the burden of establishing its applicability and the protection claim must be narrowly construed. See Mezzalingua v. Travelers, supra.; see also, Rickard v. New York Central Mutual Insurance Company, 164 A.D.3d 1590 (4th Dept. 2018). Where aparty claims documents created after the commencement of an action in aSUM case are privileged, aCourt is not required to accept aparty's characterization of the material as privileged or confidential. Ibid. Ultimately, resolution of the issue of whether aparticular document is protected is a necessarily fact specific determination most often requiring an in camera review. Ibid. ( reversing Supreme Court's denial of defendant's request for in camera review of post- litigation SUM claim file.) 16. As in Rickard, the Defendant's in this case allege information in the post-litigation claim file contains privileged material in accordance with aprivilege log provided in response to Plaintiffs discovery Rosenthal, Iiooshoian & Lennon, LLP ATTORNEYS AND COUNSELORS AT LAW / 80 WEST HURON STREET / BUFFALO, NEW YORK 14202 / (716) 854-1300 3 of 4 14 of 191 FILED: ERIE COUNTY CLERK 10/12/2023 11:18 AM INDEX NO. 801743/2021 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 36 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 10/12/2023 11 INDEX NO. 801743/2021 (FILED: ERIE COUNTY CLERK 11/09/2022 02:42 PM) NYStV,F DOC. NO. 10 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 11/09/2012 demand. Obviously, the information provided is redacted and the asserted privilege cannot be verified. Therefore, like Rickard, we respectfully request that the Court order the Defendant to turn over the unredacted post-litigation claim file for in camera inspection to determine if aprivilege applies to the redacted information. 17. Additionally, pursuant to all the aforementioned case law, it is respectfully requested the Court order the Defendant to disclose to the Plaintiff the entire unredacted pre- litigation UM claim file. WHEREFORE, it is respectfully requested the Court grant the relief prayed for herein, together with any and other further relief as the Court deems just and proper. ETER M. KOOSHOIAN Sworn to before me this q day of November, 2022. Notary Public GARNET L. KELLY Notary Fubk, State of New York NsVied in Eric Cmgy a(p My Commission Expires January 11, 20= Rosenthal, Koosholan & Lennon, LLP ATTORNEYS AND COUNSELORS AT LAW / 30 WEST HURON STREET / BUFFALO, NEW YORK 14202 / (716) 854-1300 4 of 4 15 of 191 FILED: ERIE COUNTY CLERK 10/12/2023 11:18 AM INDEX NO. 801743/2021 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 36 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 10/12/2023 12 EXHIBIT A — SUMMONS AND COMPLAINT, DATED FEBRUARY 10, 2021 [12 - 24] INDEX NO. 801743/2021 (FI•ED: ERIE COUNTY CLERK 11/09/2022 02:42 PM) NY EF DOC. NO. 11 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 11/09/202 STATE OF NEW YORK SUPREME COURT : COUNTY OF ERIE MARIA KARIMOVA 14 Colonial Drive Tonawanda, New York 14150, Plaintiff, SUMMONS V. Index No.: ' 9 i' 7`4 Z / "dv031 PROGRESSIVE CASUALTY INSURANCE COMPANY One Corporate Drive, Suite 201 Bohemia, New York 11716, Defendant. To the above- named Defendant: YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED AND REQUIRED to serve upon the Plaintiff's attorney, at the address stated below, awritten Answer to the attached Complaint. If this Summons is served upon you within the State of New York by personal service you must respondl within TWENTY (20) days after service, not counting the day of service. If this Summons is not personally delivereI to you within the State of New York you must respond within THIRTY (30) days after service is completed, as provided by law. If you do not respond to the attached Complaint within the applicable time limitation stated above aJudgmen"I will be entered against you, by default, for the relief demanded in the Complaint, without further notice to you. This action is brought in the County of ERIE because of: X Plaintiff's residence, or place of business; Defendant's residence; Designation made by Plaintiffs. DATED: Buffalo, New York February 10, 2021 Peter M. Kooshoian, Esq. Rosenthal, Kooshoian & Lennon, LLP Attorneys for Plaintiff 80 West Huron Street Buffalo, New York 14202 (716) 854-1300 Rosenthal, Kooshoian & Lennon, LLP ATTORNEYS AND COUNSELORS AT LAW / 80 WEST HURON STREET/ BUFFALO, NEW YORK 14202 / ( 716) 854-1300 16 of 191 FILED: ERIE COUNTY CLERK 10/12/2023 11:18 AM INDEX NO. 801743/2021 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 36 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 10/12/2023 13 (FIbED: ERIE COUNTY CLERK 11/09/2022 02:42 PM) INDEX NO. 801743/2021 Y NYSITEF DOC. NO. 11 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 11/09/202 STATE OF NEW YORK SUPREME COURT : COUNTY OF ERIE MARIA KARIMOVA, Plaintiff, COMPLAINT Index No.: PROGRESSIVE CASUALTY INSURANCE COMPANY, Defendant. The Plaintiff, MARIA KARIMOVA, by and through her attorneys, Rosenthal, Kooshoian & Lennon, LLP for her cause of action against the Defendant, PROGRESSIVE CASUALTY INSURANCE COMPANY, herein alleges: 1. At all times herein mentioned, the Plaintiff, MARIA KARIMOVA, was and still is aresident of the County of Erie and State of New York. 2. That upon information and belief, the Defendant, PROGRESSIVE CASUALTY INSURANCE COMPANY, was and remains acorporation authorized to do business in the State of New York with offices located at One Corporate Drive, Suite 201, Bohemia, New York 11716. 3. That upon information and belief, at all times herein mentioned, the Defendant, PROGRESSIVE CASUALTY INSURANCE COMPANY, is an insurance company licensed and authorized to engage in business providing automobile insurance in the State of New York. 4. Upon information and belief, the Defendant, PROGRESSIVE CASUALTY INSURANCE COMPANY, was authorized to write policies of insurance within the State of New York by the New York State Insurance Department. Rosenthal, Iioosholan & Lennon„ LLP ATTORNEYS AND COUNSELORS AT LAW/80 WEST HURON STREET / BUFFAW, NEW YORK 11202 / ( 716) Si4-]300 17 of 191 FILED: ERIE COUNTY CLERK 10/12/2023 11:18 AM INDEX NO. 801743/2021 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 36 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 10/12/2023 14 (FI ED: ERIE COUNTY CLERK 11/09/2022 02:42 PMJ INDEX NO. 801743/2021 NYS EF DOC. NO. 11 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 11/09/202 5. That on the 27th day of December, 2019, at approximately 6:18 p.m., the Plaintiff, MARIA KARIMOVA, was the owner and operator of a2019 Mazda motor vehicle bearing New York State Registration Plate number: HLF 6828 on Military Road at or near the intersection of Victoria Boulevard in the Village of Kenmore, County of Erie and State of New York. 6. A vehicle operated by Darren Ryan with the permission and consent of the owner, Elizabeth Ryan, collided with the vehicle owned and operated by the Plaintiff, MARIA KARIMOVA, causing the Plaintiff, MARIA KARIMOVA, to sustain serious injuries as defined in the New York State Insurance Law. 7. The collision was the result of the negligence, carelessness and/or recklessness of Darren Ryan, in the operation of the vehicle owned by Elizabeth Ryan. 8. At all times herein mentioned, the Plaintiff, MARIA KARIMOVA, operated her vehicle in a reasonable and prudent manner with due caution in regard for the laws of the State of New York. 9. Upon information and belief, at the time of the collision, the vehicle owned and operated by MARIA KARIMOVA was insured by the Defendant, PROGRESSIVE CASUALTY INSURANCE COMPANY, under policy number: 922017897-3. 10. On the date of the loss the Defendant's policy of insurance contained aprovision for