Case ID: ad3d_82/html/0652-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

Teresa Maksimiak, Appellant, v Schwartzapfel Novick Truhowsky Marcus, P.C., et al., Respondents.
    [919 NYS2d 330]
   The motion court properly determined that plaintiff failed to state a cause of action for legal malpractice. The documentary evidence established that plaintiffs successor counsel had sufficient time and opportunity to adequately protect plaintiffs rights. Indeed, plaintiffs English counsel timely commenced a lawsuit in England based on the underlying motor vehicle accident that occurred in England. Accordingly, defendants’ alleged negligence cannot be considered a proximate cause of plaintiffs alleged injury (see Somma v Dansker & Aspromonte Assoc., 44 AD3d 376 [2007]).

The court also properly dismissed plaintiffs claim under Judiciary Law § 487. Plaintiff s allegations of deceit are belied by the record, and she failed to allege that she sustained damages as a result of defendants’ conduct (see Havell v Islam, 292 AD2d 210 [2002]).

We have considered plaintiffs remaining arguments and find them unavailing. Concur — Tom, J.P, Sweeny, Catterson, Acosta and Manzanet-Daniels, JJ.