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  • Nancy Lauricella v. D'Arcangelo & Co., Llp, Michael C Betros Cpa Pfs, Arlington Professional Suites, LlcTorts - Other (NEGLIGENCE) document preview
  • Nancy Lauricella v. D'Arcangelo & Co., Llp, Michael C Betros Cpa Pfs, Arlington Professional Suites, LlcTorts - Other (NEGLIGENCE) document preview
  • Nancy Lauricella v. D'Arcangelo & Co., Llp, Michael C Betros Cpa Pfs, Arlington Professional Suites, LlcTorts - Other (NEGLIGENCE) document preview
  • Nancy Lauricella v. D'Arcangelo & Co., Llp, Michael C Betros Cpa Pfs, Arlington Professional Suites, LlcTorts - Other (NEGLIGENCE) document preview
  • Nancy Lauricella v. D'Arcangelo & Co., Llp, Michael C Betros Cpa Pfs, Arlington Professional Suites, LlcTorts - Other (NEGLIGENCE) document preview
  • Nancy Lauricella v. D'Arcangelo & Co., Llp, Michael C Betros Cpa Pfs, Arlington Professional Suites, LlcTorts - Other (NEGLIGENCE) document preview
  • Nancy Lauricella v. D'Arcangelo & Co., Llp, Michael C Betros Cpa Pfs, Arlington Professional Suites, LlcTorts - Other (NEGLIGENCE) document preview
  • Nancy Lauricella v. D'Arcangelo & Co., Llp, Michael C Betros Cpa Pfs, Arlington Professional Suites, LlcTorts - Other (NEGLIGENCE) document preview
						
                                

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FILED: DUTCHESS COUNTY CLERK 02/20/2024 10/18/2023 05:18 12:52 PM INDEX NO. 2021-55036 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 58 21 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 02/20/2024 10/18/2023 STATE OF NEW YORK SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF DUTCHESS ______________________________________________________________________________ NANCY LAURICELLA, NOTICE OF MOTION Plaintiff, Index No.: 2021-55036 -against- D’ARCANGELO & CO., LLP, and MICHAEL C. BETROS, CPA, PFS, and ARLINGTON PROFESSIONAL SUITES, LLC, Defendants. ______________________________________________________________________________ PLEASE TAKE NOTICE, that upon the annexed affirmation of Bridget M. Schultz, Esq., affirmed the 18th day of October, 2023, together with the exhibits thereto, and upon the affidavit of Michael Betros, sworn to the 17th day of October, 2023, together with the exhibits annexed thereto, and upon all prior pleading and proceedings in this action, the undersigned, attorneys for Defendants, will move at a term of the Supreme Court, to be held in and for the County of Dutchess, State of New York, at a motion term to be held on the 24th day of November, 2023 at 9:30 a.m., or as soon thereafter as counsel can be heard, for an Order pursuant to CPLR 3212, granting Defendants, D’Arcangelo & Co., LLP and Michael C. Betros, CPA, PFS, summary judgment, together with such other and further relief as this Court deems appropriate. PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE, that answering affidavits, if any, must be served no later than seven (7) days prior to the return date of this motion pursuant to CPLR § 2214(b). {M1165171.1} 1 of 2 FILED: DUTCHESS COUNTY CLERK 02/20/2024 10/18/2023 05:18 12:52 PM INDEX NO. 2021-55036 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 58 21 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 02/20/2024 10/18/2023 Dated: October 18, 2023 MAYNARD, O’CONNOR, SMITH & CATALINOTTO, LLP Bridget M. Schultz ____________________________________ /s/ Bridget M. Schultz Attorneys for Defendants 6 Tower Place Albany, New York 12203 (518) 465-3553 TO: Pamela J. Gabiger, Esq. P.O. Box 2952 Poughkeepsie, NY 12603 {M1165171.1} 2 2 of 2 FILED: DUTCHESS COUNTY CLERK 02/20/2024 10/18/2023 05:18 12:52 PM INDEX NO. 2021-55036 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 58 22 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 02/20/2024 10/18/2023 STATE OF NEW YORK SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF DUTCHESS ______________________________________________________________________________ NANCY LAURICELLA, ATTORNEY AFFIRMATION Plaintiff, Index No.: 2021-55036 -against- D’ARCANGELO & CO., LLP, and MICHAEL C. BETROS, CPA, PFS, and ARLINGTON PROFESSIONAL SUITES, LLC, Defendants. ______________________________________________________________________________ BRIDGET M. SCHULTZ, an attorney duly admitted to practice law before the Courts of the State of New York, affirms the following upon information and belief under penalty of perjury: 1. I am an attorney at law duly admitted to practice in the Courts of the State of New York, and am a partner with the law firm of Maynard, O’Connor, Smith & Catalinotto, LLP, attorneys for the defendants, Arlington Professional Suites, LLC (hereinafter “Arlington”), D’Arcangelo & Co., LLP (hereinafter “D’Arcangelo”) and Michael C. Betros, CPA, PFS [sic]1 (hereinafter “Michael Betros”) in the above-referenced matter. As such, I am fully familiar with the pleadings and proceedings heretofore and herein. 2. I submit this Affirmation in support of the motion for summary judgment submitted on behalf of D’Arcangelo and Michael Betros (hereinafter collectively “Moving Defendants”) pursuant to CPLR 32122. 1 The title is technically CPA/PFS. 2 On or about August 23, 2023, the Parties appeared in Court for a status conference where the Moving Defendants were granted leave to move for summary judgment before the conclusion of discovery, without prejudice to any dispositive motion Arlington may submit after the Note of Issue is filed. {M1161690.1} 1 of 9 FILED: DUTCHESS COUNTY CLERK 02/20/2024 10/18/2023 05:18 12:52 PM INDEX NO. 2021-55036 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 58 22 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 02/20/2024 10/18/2023 3. As discussed in more detail infra, summary judgment is warranted in favor of the Moving Defendants because they had no contractual duty to maintain and/or repair the parking lot where the subject accident occurred. 4. Furthermore, the Moving Defendants have no statutory or common law duty to maintain and/or repair the parking lot because they never held an ownership interest in the real property where the subject incident occurred. 5. Summary judgment is also warranted in favor of Michael Betros because Plaintiff’s Complaint is devoid of any allegations and/or requests to “pierce” the corporate veil to hold Mr. Betros liable for the acts of Arlington or D’Arcangelo in his individual capacity. However, even if this had been alleged, no grounds exist to hold Mr. Betros personally liable for the acts of each corporation3. 6. Finally, summary judgment is warranted because the Moving Defendants did not ‘create’ the alleged dangerous condition made subject of the Complaint, nor did they have actual or constructive notice of it. 7. Moving Defendants submit the following exhibits in support of their motion: Exhibit “A”: Summons and Complaint dated December 20, 2021 Exhibit “B”: Answers filed by Defendants Exhibit “C”: Plaintiff’s Deposition Transcript dated March 27, 20234 Exhibit “D”: Plaintiff’s Bill of Particulars Exhibit “E”: Affidavit of Michael Betros dated October 17, 2023, with Exhibits Exhibit “F”: Photographs of Ice 3 Plaintiff has not specifically alleged a cause of action to pierce the corporate veil, but Mr. Betros is named in his individual capacity. 4 Your undersigned does not have a copy of Defendant’s deposition transcript, as the transcript was never served upon your undersigned in violation of CPLR 3116(b) despite multiple attempts to obtain from Plaintiff’s counsel. {M1161690.1} 2 2 of 9 FILED: DUTCHESS COUNTY CLERK 02/20/2024 10/18/2023 05:18 12:52 PM INDEX NO. 2021-55036 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 58 22 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 02/20/2024 10/18/2023 STATEMENT OF FACTS 8. At all times material hereto, Arlington was the owner of real property commonly known as 510 W Haight Ave, Poughkeepsie, NY 12603 (hereinafter the “Property”) (Exhibit E). 9. On January 7, 2019, Nancy Lauricella (hereinafter “Plaintiff”) alleges that she tripped and fell on a patch of ice located in the parking lot of the Property (Exhibit A; Exhibit C, pg. 89; Exhibit F). 10. Plaintiff’s intent was to visit non-party Rehabilitation Support Services Inc. (hereinafter “RSS”), which was a commercial tenant at the Property (Exhibit C, p. 10). 11. At the time of her fall, Defendant D’Arcangelo was also a commercial tenant of the Property (Exhibit E). 12. D’Arcangelo and RSS were both commercial tenants at the Property at the time of Plaintiff’s fall (Exhibit E). There were also 5-6 other commercial tenants at the Property as well (Exhibit E). 13. Section 38 of D’Arcangelo’s lease agreement specifically requires the landlord/property owner to “maintain the exterior of the office building which houses the demised premises, make structural repairs, and be responsible for the removal of ice and snow from the sidewalks and parking lot” (Exhibit E, ex. c). 14. Michael Betros, who is a certified public accountant, was both a member of Arlington (i.e., the building owner/landlord) and a partner with D’Arcangelo (a tenant/an accounting firm) at the time of Plaintiff’s fall (Exhibit E). 15. Michael Betros has never had an ownership interest in the Property in his individual capacity, and has never leased space at the Property in his individual capacity (Exhibit E). {M1161690.1} 3 3 of 9 FILED: DUTCHESS COUNTY CLERK 02/20/2024 10/18/2023 05:18 12:52 PM INDEX NO. 2021-55036 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 58 22 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 02/20/2024 10/18/2023 16. Michael Betros has never had any contractual duty to maintain the Property (including the parking lot) in his individual capacity (Exhibit E). 17. Plaintiff reported her alleged fall to an employee at RSS, who allegedly suggested that Plaintiff report her fall to Michael Betros (i.e. an authorized representative of the Landlord) (Exhibit C, pg. 87; Exhibit E). 18. Michael Betros was working in the D’Arcangelo suite at the time of Plaintiff’s alleged fall (Exhibit E). 19. It is assumed that plaintiff wrongly believes D’Arcangelo and/or Michael Betros had a duty to maintain the parking lot and/or clear ice and snow from the parking lot simply because RSS told her to report her fall to Mr. Betros (who has authority to act on behalf of Arlington, the Property owner). 20. Outside of this assumption, however, the case record is devoid of any evidence whatsoever that would impose a duty of care upon the Moving Defendants. To the extent a duty was owed to Plaintiff, the duty was owed by Arlington, not the Moving Defendants 5. Thus, Moving Defendants should be dismissed from the case. LEGAL ARGUMENT POINT I MOVING DEFENDANTS OWE NO DUTY TO PLAINTIFF 21. As a general rule, a landowner (i.e., Arlington) has a duty to keep his/her property in a reasonably safe condition (Basso v Miller, 40 NY2d 233 [1976]). 22. An exception to this general rule, which is not applicable here, exists if a landowner is deemed to be an “out of possession landlord” (see e.g., Mehl v Fleisher, 234 AD2d 274 [2d 5 Arlington adamantly denies that it was negligent in this case, however. {M1161690.1} 4 4 of 9 FILED: DUTCHESS COUNTY CLERK 02/20/2024 10/18/2023 05:18 12:52 PM INDEX NO. 2021-55036 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 58 22 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 02/20/2024 10/18/2023 Dept 1996]). A landlord cannot be considered “out of possession” if the landlord does not surrender “possession and control” to a tenant (Mehl, 234 AD2d 274 [2d Dept 1996]). 23. Though Arlington adamantly denies that it was negligent, for purposes of this motion, D’Arcangelo should be dismissed from this case because it had no common law duty to maintain the Property (as D’Arcangelo was a tenant), and had no contractual obligation to maintain the Property (per its lease agreement with Arlington) (Exhibit E, ex. c). 24. Similarly, summary judgment should be granted in favor of Michael Betros because he does not have any ownership or possessory interest to the Property in his individual capacity (Exhibit E). Thus, Mr. Betros had no common law or contractual obligation to maintain the Property, either. 25. This case is similar to Hernandez v. Dunkin Brands Acquisition, Inc., wherein the Appellate Division, Second Department, affirmed a dismissal against a tenant where their lease provided that the tenant had no obligation for the exterior maintenance of the property, and that the landlord was responsible the exterior premises (Hernandez v Dunkin Brands Acquisition, Inc., 136 AD3d 980 [2d Dept 2016]). The Court held that “a written agreement that is complete, clear, and unambiguous on its face must be enforced according to the plain meaning of its terms.” Id. 26. Here, the lease agreement between Arlington and D’Arcangelo requires Arlington to maintain the exterior property, and to remove ice and snow (Exhibit E, ex. c)6. 27. Accordingly, summary judgment is warranted in favor of Moving Defendants because 1) D’Arcangelo has no contractual obligation or common law duty to maintain the parking lot where Plaintiff alleges she fell, and 2) because Michael Betros has no personal ownership or possessory interest in the Property. 6 Again, Arlington denies any negligence in this case. {M1161690.1} 5 5 of 9 FILED: DUTCHESS COUNTY CLERK 02/20/2024 10/18/2023 05:18 12:52 PM INDEX NO. 2021-55036 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 58 22 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 02/20/2024 10/18/2023 POINT II MICHAEL BETROS SHOULD BE DISMISSED IN HIS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY 28. Michael Betros should be also dismissed from this case because Plaintiff’s Complaint fails to allege that the corporate veil should be “pierced” to hold him liable for the acts of Arlington and/or D’Arcangelo (Exhibit E, Exhibit A). 29. Plaintiff’s Complaint alleges that Michael Betros is liable for Plaintiff’s alleged injuries because he owned, controlled, and maintained the Property in his individual capacity (Exhibit A, ¶ 4-6). As stated in Point I supra, these allegations are rebutted by the public record, and by the discovery exchanged in this case (Exhibit E). 30. Plaintiff’s Complaint does not allege that Mr. Betros should be liable for the acts of either Arlington or D’Arcangelo in his individual capacity (Exhibit A). However, even if it had, there are simply no grounds to “pierce the corporate veil.” 31. As a general rule, “a member of a limited liability company cannot personally be held liable for any debts, obligations or liabilities of the limited liability company, whether arising in tort, contract or otherwise” (DePetris v Traina, 211 AD3d 939 [2d Dept 2022], quoting Limited Liability Company Law § 609[a]). 32. Members of limited liability companies generally cannot be held personally liable for the obligations of the limited corporation unless the concept of piercing the corporate veil applies Id. 33. To pierce the corporate veil, the plaintiff must show that the owners exercised complete domination of the corporation, and that such domination was used to commit fraud or wrong against the party seeking to pierce the corporate veil (Matter of Morris v New York State Dept. of Taxation and Fin., 82 NY2d 135 [1993]). {M1161690.1} 6 6 of 9 FILED: DUTCHESS COUNTY CLERK 02/20/2024 10/18/2023 05:18 12:52 PM INDEX NO. 2021-55036 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 58 22 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 02/20/2024 10/18/2023 34. The Plaintiff has yet to allege any facts that, if proven, would pierce Arlington’s corporate veil to hold Michael Betros personally liable for the obligations of either defendant. 35. Accordingly, summary judgment is warranted in favor of Michael Betros in his individual capacity, as the Plaintiff has failed to allege any facts or circumstances that would support piercing the corporate veil. POINT III MOVING DEFENDANTS DID NOT CREATE, CONTRIBUTE, OR KNOW OF ANY ICY CONDITIONS ON THE PROPERTY 36. Even if this Court were to find a question of fact as to whether Moving Defendants owed Plaintiff a duty, which they submit is not the case, summary judgment is still warranted in favor of Moving Defendants because Moving Defendants did not create the alleged ice patch, nor did they have actual or constructive knowledge of the ice patch. 37. A party in possession or control will be held liable for injuries sustained in a slip- and-fall accidents involving snow and ice “only when it created the alleged dangerous condition or had actual or constructive notice of it” (see e.g., Casson v McConnell, 148 AD3d 863 [2d Dept 2017]). 38. “A defendant has constructive notice of a hazardous condition on property when the condition is visible and apparent, and has existed for a sufficient length of time to afford the defendant a reasonable opportunity to discover and remedy it” (Zimmer v County of Suffolk, 190 AD3d 898 [2d Dept 2021]). 39. Black ice is a transient condition that is “difficult to see or recognize as ice” (Golonka v Saratoga Teen and Recreation of Saratoga Springs Inc., 249 AD2d 854 [3d Dept 1998]). {M1161690.1} 7 7 of 9 FILED: DUTCHESS COUNTY CLERK 02/20/2024 10/18/2023 05:18 12:52 PM INDEX NO. 2021-55036 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 58 22 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 02/20/2024 10/18/2023 40. “If the slippery condition is not readily visible and apparent, then, by definition, actual or constructive notice of it to the property owner is unlikely and perhaps impossible, depending on the circumstances of the case” (Steffens v Sachem Cent. School Dist., 190 AD3d 1003 [2d Dept 2021]). 41. Here, Plaintiff claims that the patch of ice was “black ice” (Exhibit C, pg. 65). 42. The Moving Defendants were never aware of the ice patch prior to the Plaintiff’s fall (Exhibit E). 43. The Moving Defendants are not aware of any prior complaints or injuries from icy and snow conditions in the parking lot prior to this accident (Exhibit E). 44. The Moving Defendants did not create the ice patch (Exhibit E). 45. Accordingly, summary judgment is further warranted on behalf of the Defendants, as the Plaintiff has failed to establish any facts that show the Defendants contributed, created, or were aware of icy conditions on the day of the slip and fall. WHEREFORE, Moving Defendants request an Order granting summary judgment in their favor pursuant to CPLR 3212 dismissing Plaintiff’s Complaint against them in its entirety, and for such other and further relief as to this Court may deem just and proper. Dated: October 18, 2023 Bridget M. Schultz ____________________________________ /s/ Bridget M. Schultz {M1161690.1} 8 8 of 9 FILED: DUTCHESS COUNTY CLERK 02/20/2024 10/18/2023 05:18 12:52 PM INDEX NO. 2021-55036 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 58 22 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 02/20/2024 10/18/2023 WORD COUNT CERTIFICATION I hereby certify that the Attorney Affirmation contains 2,055 words based on the word count of Microsoft Word, the word-processing system used to prepare the document, and is in conformity with Rule 202.8-b of the Uniform Rules for the Supreme and the County Court. Dated: October 18, 2023 Bridget M. Schultz /s/ _____________________________________ Bridget M. Schultz {M1161690.1} 9 of 9 FILED: DUTCHESS COUNTY CLERK 02/20/2024 05:18 PM INDEX NO. 2021-55036 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 58 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 02/20/2024 Exhibit A FILED: DUTCHESS FILED: DUTCHESS COUNTY COUNTY CLERK CLERK 02/20/2024 12/20/2021 05:18 10:36 PM AM INDEX NO. INDEX NO. 2021-55036 2021-55036 NYSCEF DOC. NYSCEF DOC. NO. NO. 58 1 RECEIVED NYSCEF: RECEIVED NYSCEF: 02/20/2024 12/22/2021 STATE OF NEW YORK Index No.: SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF DUTCHESS Date Summons Filed: ------------------------------------------------------------------- Plaintiff designates Dutchess NANCY LAURICELLA, County as the place of trial Plaintiff, The basis of venue is: DEFENDANTS ARE SITUATED IN THE COUNTY OF DUTCHESS AND THE CAUSE OF ACTION -against- ACCRUED IN THE COUNTY OF DUTCHESS AND PLAINTIFF RESIDES AT 53 NASSAU ROAD POUGHKEEPSIE, NY 12601 D’ARCANGELO & CO., LLP, AND MICHAEL C. BETROS, CPA, PFS, AND ARLINGTON PROFESSIONAL SUITES, LLC, SUMMONS Defendant. ------------------------------------------------------------------ To the above named Defendants: YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED to answer the complaint in this action and to serve a copy of your answer on the Plaintiff’s Attorney within twenty (20) days after the service of this summons, exclusive of the day of service, where service is made by delivery upon you personally within the state, or within thirty (30) days after completion of service where service is made in any other manner. In case of your failure to appear or answer, judgment will be taken against you by default for the relief demanded in the complaint. Dated: December 20, 2021 PAMELA J. GABIGER Attorney for Plaintiff PO BOX 2952 Poughkeepsie, New York 12603 (845) 471-2447 D’ARCANGELO & CO., LLP 510 HAIGHT AVE. SUITE 201 POUGHEEPSIE, NY 12601 1 of 8 FILED: DUTCHESS FILED: DUTCHESS COUNTY COUNTY CLERK CLERK 02/20/2024 12/20/2021 05:18 10:36 PM AM INDEX NO. INDEX NO. 2021-55036 2021-55036 NYSCEF DOC. NYSCEF DOC. NO. NO. 58 1 RECEIVED NYSCEF: RECEIVED NYSCEF: 02/20/2024 12/22/2021 STATE OF NEW YORK SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF DUTCHESS ----------------------------------------------------------------- NANCY LAURICELLA, PLAINTIFF, COMPLAINT -AGAINST- D’ARCANGELO & CO., LLP, AND MICHAEL C. BETROS, CPA, PFS, AND ARLINGTON PROFESSIONAL SUITES, LLC, DEFENDANTS. ------------------------------------------------------------------ PLAINTIFF, THROUGH ATTORNEY PAMELA GABIGER, COMPLAINING OF DEFENDANTS, STATES: 1. PLAINTIFF NANCY LAURICELLA IS A RESIDENT OF POUGHKEEPSIE, COUNTY OF DUTCHESS, STATE OF NEW YORK. 2. ON AND BEFORE JANUARY 7, 2019 DEFENDANTS D’ARCANGELO & CO., LLP AND MICHAEL BETROS, CPA, PFS WERE A REGISTERED 2 of 8 FILED: DUTCHESS FILED: DUTCHESS COUNTY COUNTY CLERK CLERK 02/20/2024 12/20/2021 05:18 10:36 PM AM INDEX NO. INDEX NO. 2021-55036 2021-55036 NYSCEF DOC. NYSCEF DOC. NO. NO. 58 1 RECEIVED NYSCEF: RECEIVED NYSCEF: 02/20/2024 12/22/2021 DOMESTIC LIMITED LIABILITY PARTNERSHIP AND MAINTAINED AN OFFICE AT 510 HAIGHT AVENUE, POUGHKEEPSIE, NY. 3. ON AND BEFORE JANUARY 7, 2019 DEFENDANT ARLINGTON PROFESSIONAL SUITES, LLC WAS A LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY DULY ORGANIZED AND EXISTING UNDER AND BY VIRTUE OF THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK. 4. ON AND BEFORE JANUARY 7, 2019 DEFENDANTS OWNED THE PROPERTY AT 510 WEST HAIGHT AVENUE POUGHKEEPSIE, COUNTY OF DUTCHESS, STATE OF NEW YORK. 5. ON AND BEFORE JANUARY 7, 2019 DEFENDANTS CONTROLLED THE PROPERTY AT 510 WEST HAIGHT AVENUE IN POUGHKEEPSIE, COUNTY OF DUTCHESS, STATE OF NEW YORK. 6. ON AND BEFORE JANUARY 7, 2019 DEFENDANTS MAINTAINED THE PROPERTY AT 510 WEST HAIGHT AVENUE IN POUGHKEEPSIE, COUNTY OF DUTCHESS, STATE OF NEW YORK. 3 of 8 FILED: DUTCHESS FILED: DUTCHESS COUNTY COUNTY CLERK CLERK 02/20/2024 12/20/2021 05:18 10:36 PM AM INDEX NO. INDEX NO. 2021-55036 2021-55036 NYSCEF DOC. NYSCEF DOC. NO. NO. 58 1 RECEIVED NYSCEF: RECEIVED NYSCEF: 02/20/2024 12/22/2021 7. ON AND BEFORE JANUARY 7, 2019 DEFENDANTS INSPECTED THE PROPERTY AT 510 WEST HAIGHT AVENUE IN POUGHKEEPSIE, COUNTY OF DUTCHESS, STATE OF NEW YORK. 8. ON AND BEFORE JANUARY 7, 2019 DEFENDANTS REPAIRED THE PROPERTY AT 510 W. HAIGHT AVENUE IN POUGHKEEPSIE, COUNTY OF DUTCHESS, STATE OF NEW YORK. 9. ON AND BEFORE JANUARY 7, 2019 PLAINTIFF WAS LAWFULLY ON THE PROPERTY AT 510 WEST HAIGHT AVENUE IN POUGHKEEPSIE, COUNTY OF DUTCHESS, STATE OF NEW YORK. 10. ON JANUARY 7, 2019 PLAINTIFF WAS CAUSED TO BE PRECIPITATED TO THE GROUND AT 510 WEST HAIGHT AVENUE, POUGHKEEPSIE, COUNTY OF DUTCHESS, STATE OF NEW YORK. 11. SAID INCIDENT AND RESULTING INJURIES AND DAMAGES WERE CAUSED SOLELY AS A RESULT OF THE NEGLIGENCE OF THE DEFENDANTS, THEIR OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, AGENTS, SERVANTS AND EMPLOYEES IN CREATING, CAUSING, ALLOWING AND PERMITTING SNOW AND ICE TO FORM AND REMAIN ON THE 4 of 8 FILED: DUTCHESS FILED: DUTCHESS COUNTY COUNTY CLERK CLERK 02/20/2024 12/20/2021 05:18 10:36 PM AM INDEX NO. INDEX NO. 2021-55036 2021-55036 NYSCEF DOC. NYSCEF DOC. NO. NO. 58 1 RECEIVED NYSCEF: RECEIVED NYSCEF: 02/20/2024 12/22/2021 PAVEMENT, IN ATTEMPTING TO CLEAR OR SAND OR SALT THE AREA AND DOING SO IN A NEGLIGENT, DANGEROUS, HAZARDOUS, INCOMPLETE AND HAPHAZARD MANNER, IN FAILING TO PROPERLY AND ADEQUATELY SALT AND SAND THE PREMISES, IN FAILING TO TAKE ADEQUATE PRECAUTIONS AND MEASURES TO PREVENT THE HAZARDOUS SNOWY AND ICY CONDITIONS, IN FAILING TO PERFORM ALL THE ACTS NECESSARY TO PREVENT SNOW AND ICE FROM DEVELOPING AND REMAINING ON THE PREMISES, IN ALLOWING SNOW AND ICE TO DEVELOP AND REMAIN ON THE PREMISES, IN FAILING TO PROPERLY SALT AND SAND THE AREAS, IN FAILING TO ERECT BARRICADES AND WARNINGS, AND IN BEING OTHERWISE NEGLIGENT. 12. AS A RESULT OF THE NEGLIGENCE OF THE DEFENDANTS, THEIR OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, AGENTS, SERVANTS AND EMPLOYEES, PLAINTIFF SUFFERED PERSONAL INJURIES, EMOTIONAL DISTRESS, LOST EARNINGS AND INCURRED EXPENSES FOR MEDICAL TREATMENT. 5 of 8 FILED: DUTCHESS FILED: DUTCHESS COUNTY COUNTY CLERK CLERK 02/20/2024 12/20/2021 05:18 10:36 PM AM INDEX NO. INDEX NO. 2021-55036 2021-55036 NYSCEF DOC. NYSCEF DOC. NO. NO. 58 1 RECEIVED NYSCEF: RECEIVED NYSCEF: 02/20/2024 12/22/2021 13. THE INJURIES SUSTAINED BY PLAINTIFF WERE CAUSED SOLELY AS A RESULT OF THE NEGLIGENCE OF THE DEFENDANTS, THEIR OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, AGENTS, SERVANTS AND EMPLOYEES WITHOUT ANY NEGLIGENCE OF THE PLAINTIFF CONTRIBUTING THERETO. 14. BY REASON OF THE NEGLIGENCE OF DEFENDANTS, THEIR OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, AGENTS, SERVANTS AND EMPLOYEES, PLAINTIFF HAS BEEN DAMAGED IN THE SUM OF TWENTY MILLION AND NO/100 ($20,000,000.00) DOLLARS. 15. WHEREFORE, PLAINTIFF DEMANDS JUDGMENT AGAINST DEFENDANTS FOR GENERAL RELIEF IN ACCORDANCE WITH CPLR 3017 C TOGETHER WITH INTEREST, COSTS AND DISBURSEMENTS OF THIS ACTION AND FOR SUCH OTHER AND FURTHER RELIEF AS TO THIS COURT MAY SEEM JUST AND PROPER. DATED:DECEMBER 20, 2021_/S/PAMELA GABIGER___________ PAMELA GABIGER ATTORNEY FOR PLAINTIFF PO BOX 2952 POUGHKEEPSIE, NY 12603 (845) 471-2447 OR 867-8815 6 of 8 FILED: DUTCHESS FILED: DUTCHESS COUNTY COUNTY CLERK CLERK 02/20/2024 12/20/2021 05:18 10:36 PM AM INDEX NO. INDEX NO. 2021-55036 2021-55036 NYSCEF DOC. NYSCEF DOC. NO. NO. 58 1 RECEIVED NYSCEF: RECEIVED NYSCEF: 02/20/2024 12/22/2021 ATTORNEY CERTIFICATION Pursuant to NYCRR Section 130-1.1-a (b), I certify that to the best of my knowledge, information and belief, formed after an inquiry reasonable under the circumstances, the presentation of the paper or the contentions therein are not frivolous as defined in subsection (c) of section 130-1.1. Dated: December 20, 2021 /s/PAMELA J. GABIGER __________________________ PAMELA J. GABIGER 7 of 8 FILED: DUTCHESS COUNTY CLERK 02/20/2024 05:18 PM INDEX NO. 2021-55036 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 58 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 02/20/2024 Exhibit B FILED: DUTCHESS FILED: [FILED: DUTCHESS COUNTY COUNTY CLERK CLERK 02/03/2022 02/20/2024 03:29 02/03/2022 05:18 PM 03:29 PM PM| INDEX INDEX NO. INDEX NO. 2021-55036 NO. 2021-55036 2021-55036 NYSCEF NYSCEF DOC. NYSCEF DOC. NO. DOC. NO. 2 NO. 58 2 RECEIVED NYSCEF: RECEIVED NYSCEF: 02/03/2022 NYSCEF: 02/20/2024 02/03/2022 SUPREME SUPREME COURT COURT OF OF THE THE STATE NEW YORK OF NEW STATE OF YORK COUNTY COUNTY OF DUTCHESS OF DUTCHESS ...... _.._________________..__ X X Index Index ##2021-55036 2021-55036 NANCY NANCY LAUR1CELLA, LAURICELLA, Plaintiff, Plaintiff, Against Against Verified Verified Answer Answer D'ARCANGELO & CO., D’ ARCANGELO & CO., LLP, LLP, and MICHAEL and MICHAEL C.C. BETROS, BETROS, CPA, CPA, PFS, PFS, and ARLINGTON and ARLINGTON PROFESSIONAL PROFESSIONAL SUITES, SUITES, LLC LLC Defendants Defendants ------------------------ X X Defendants, MICHAEL Defendants, C. BETROS, MICHAEL C. BETROS, CPA, CPA, PFS and, ARLINGTON PFS and, ARLINGTON PROFESSIONAL PROFESSIONAL SUITES, SUITES, LLC by LLC by their attorneys, LaRose their attomeys, & LaRose, LaRose & LaRose, as and as and for for their their Answer Answer to to the the Plaintiff Plaintiff’ss Complaint, Complaint, respectfully respectfully state state and and allege allege as follows: as follows: "3" plaintiffs' 1. 1. Admits Admits the allegations the allegations in in paragraphs paragraphs numbered numbered and and designated, desigñated, “3” of of the the plaintiffs’ complaint. complaint. 2. 2. Denies Denies knowledge knowledge or or information information sufficient sufficient to to form form aa belief belief as as to to each each and and every every "9" "10" plaintiffs' allegatión allegation contained contained in in paragraphs paragraphs numbered numbered and and designated