Case Name: Edward T. Carroll et al., Respondents, v. Dale Larsen, Appellant
Court: New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division
Jurisdiction: New York
Decision Date: 1996-03-18
Citations: 225 A.D.2d 647
Docket Number: 
Parties: Edward T. Carroll et al., Respondents, v Dale Larsen, Appellant.
Judges: 
Reporter: Appellate Division Reports
Volume: 225
Pages: 647–648

Head Matter:
Edward T. Carroll et al., Respondents, v Dale Larsen, Appellant.
[639 NYS2d 841]

Opinion:
This litigation arises from a two-car accident which occurred on February 19, 1992, involving a vehicle owned by Susan Lederer-Carroll and operated by Edward T. Carroll and a second vehicle owned and operated by Dale Larsen. Thereafter, Larsen and his wife commenced an action naming the Car-rolls as defendants and the Carrolls commenced a separate action naming Dale Larsen as the sole defendant. These actions were consolidated. In the liability phase of the bifurcated trial, the jury found that Edward T. Carroll was 100% at fault in the happening of the accident, thus resulting in the dismissal of his claims. Prior to the damages phase of the action Larsen and the Carrolls executed a settlement in Larsen's favor in the sum of $45,000. On August 5, 1994, Larsen and his wife executed a general release in favor of the Carrolls pursuant to which the Carrolls were released from, inter alia, "all sums of money" and "judgments", which the Larsens had, now have or might ever have against them. This release barred Larsen from later asserting a claim for a bill of costs against the Carrolls in regard to the subject litigation. Accordingly, the Supreme Court properly vacated that portion of a judgment dated December 20, 1994, which awarded a bill of costs to Larsen. Balletta, J. P., O'Brien, Ritter, Pizzuto and Altman, JJ., concur.