Case Name: Leonard E. Busshart et al., Respondents, v. John H. Park et al., Appellants
Court: New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division
Jurisdiction: New York
Decision Date: 1985-07-12
Citations: 112 A.D.2d 787
Docket Number: 
Parties: Leonard E. Busshart et al., Respondents, v John H. Park et al., Appellants.
Judges: 
Reporter: Appellate Division Reports
Volume: 112
Pages: 787–787

Head Matter:
Leonard E. Busshart et al., Respondents, v John H. Park et al., Appellants.

Opinion:
Order unanimously affirmed, with costs. Memorandum: Defendants appeal from an order denying the motion for a protective order and directing that defendant Parks be deposed in this medical malpractice action. While CPLR 4501 does not require a witness to give an answer which will tend to accuse himself of a crime or to expose him to a penalty or forfeiture, it does not excuse a party from responding to relevant questions to establish "that he owes a debt or is otherwise subject to a civil suit."
Since the possible sanction flowing from defendant's disciplinary investigation does not constitute a "penalty or forfeiture" (see, Matter of Anonymous Attorneys, 41 NY2d 506; Matter of Greco v Board of Examiners, 91 AD2d 1108, affd 60 NY2d 709; Matter of Miles v Nyquist, 60 AD2d 133), Special Term properly directed that he participate in an examination before trial. (Appeal from order of Supreme Court, Erie County, Gossel, J. — stay deposition.) Present — Callahan, J. P., Boomer, O'Donnell, Pine and Schnepp, JJ.