Case ID: ad2d_186/html/0418-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

Francis Gepp et al., Plaintiffs, v International Harvester Company et al., Defendants and Third-Party Plaintiffs-Appellants. Cooper Jarrett, Inc., Third-Party Defendant-Respondent. (And a Second Third-Party Action.)
   — Order, Supreme Court, Bronx County (Anita Florio, J.), entered April 22, 1992, which granted third-party defendant’s motion to vacate its default, unanimously affirmed, without costs.

It was within the discretion of the court to vacate the default of the third-party defendant (CPLR 5015 [a] [1]). In the circumstances presented, the bankruptcy-dissolution of the defaulting party, the default was excusable. This is analogous to law office failure (Bayer v Domino Media, 147 AD2d 413). Further, the court properly found a meritorious defense in that there does not appear to be a basis for full indemnification as awarded by the default judgment, and a lack of prejudice to the third-party plaintiffs as the main action has not yet been tried. Concur — Ellerin, J. P., Wallach, Ross, Kassal and Rubin, JJ.