Court Opinion

ID: 9954308
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2024-03-25 21:11:03.693779+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T08:12:01.235486
License: Public Domain

Jordan v BBP St Owner, LLC
               2024 NY Slip Op 30898(U)
                     March 19, 2024
           Supreme Court, New York County
        Docket Number: Index No. 158867/2017
                  Judge: Sabrina Kraus
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                                                                                                                       INDEX NO. 158867/2017
  NYSCEF DOC. NO. 280                                                                                            RECEIVED NYSCEF: 03/19/2024

                                   SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK
                                             NEW YORK COUNTY
            PRESENT:             HON. SABRINA KRAUS                                                PART                              57M
                                                                                      Justice
            ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------X     INDEX NO.          158867/2017
             CHRISTOPHER JORDAN,
                                                                                                   MOTION DATE         11/14/2023
                                                         Plaintiff,
                                                                                                   MOTION SEQ. NO.         008
                                                 -v-
             BBP ST OWNER, LLC,QUICK PARK PCVST GARAGE
             LLC,PRECISION TIME SYSTEMS, INC. D/B/A PRECISION
                                                                                                     DECISION + ORDER ON
             TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, INC.,FAAC
             INTERNATIONAL, INC.,                                                                          MOTION

                                                         Defendant.
            ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------X

            The following e-filed documents, listed by NYSCEF document number (Motion 008) 237, 238, 239, 240,
            241, 242, 243, 244, 245, 246, 247, 248, 249, 250, 251, 252, 253, 254, 255, 256, 257, 258, 259, 260, 261,
            262, 264, 265, 266, 267, 268, 269, 270, 271, 273, 274, 275, 276, 278
            were read on this motion to/for                                                      STRIKE PLEADINGS                    .

                                                       BACKGROUND

                      Plaintiff commenced this action seeking damages for personal injuries he suffered on

            January 8, 2017, when he was struck in the head by a gate to a parking garage in Stuyvesant

            Town.

                                                      PENDING MOTION

                      On December 20, 2023, BPP ST OWNER, LLC and QUIK PARK PCVST GARAGE

            LLC ("Movants") sought relief from the court pursuant to CPLR §§ 3126 and 3124 based on

            Plaintiff’s refusal to provide authorizations for a social worker and his school records dating

            back to 2003.

             158867/2017 JORDAN, CHRISTOPHER vs. BBP STREET OWNER, LLC                                                 Page 1 of 4
             Motion No. 008

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                                                                                                    INDEX NO. 158867/2017
  NYSCEF DOC. NO. 280                                                                       RECEIVED NYSCEF: 03/19/2024

                     On December 19, 2023, the motion was marked submitted and the court reserved

            decision.

                     The motion is granted to the extent set forth below.

                                               DISCUSSION

                     In 2003, Plaintiff applied for and received disability benefits in relation to a medical

            condition. Movants argue they need records dating back so far to compare the extent of

            Plaintiff’s disability prior to the 2017 accident with the additional impairment he suffered as a

            result of the 2017 accident.

                     CPLR §3101(a) broadly mandates disclosure of all matter material and necessary in the

            prosecution or defense of an action. The term “material and necessary”, as used in 3101(a), must

            be “interpreted liberally to require disclosure, upon request, of any facts bearing on the

            controversy which will assist preparation for trial by sharpening the issues and reducing delay

            and prolixity.” Quinones v. 9 E. 69th St., LLC, 132 AD 3d 750, 750 (2d Dept 2015).

                                    JAMIE GREENFIELD, LCSW’S RECORDS

                     Jamie Greenfield is a licensed clinical social worker who has treated Plaintiff since 2004.

                     Plaintiff provided Movants with an authorization to obtain Plaintiff’s records from Social

            Security Disability. Contained within the file were typed records from Greenfield. Based upon

            these records, Movants sought an authorization to obtain the records from Greenfield, which

            Plaintiff provided. The authorization was for any records of Greenfield except psychotherapy

            notes.

                     After providing the authorization, Plaintiff asserts Greenfield indicated psychotherapy

            notes would be disclosed in response and Plaintiff revoked the authorization provided. Movants

            also assert that Plaintiff's counsel revoked the authorization because Plaintiff believed the

             158867/2017 JORDAN, CHRISTOPHER vs. BBP STREET OWNER, LLC                               Page 2 of 4
             Motion No. 008

                                                            2 of 4
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                                                                                                     INDEX NO. 158867/2017
  NYSCEF DOC. NO. 280                                                                        RECEIVED NYSCEF: 03/19/2024

            records would compromise Plaintiff's social relationships with individuals he talked about during

            his sessions with Greenfield. However, Movants correctly argue that such information will not

            be disclosed to the public or filed on NYSCEF, and as per prior motion practice in this case, this

            present Motion and all exhibits have been sealed.

                      The Court further agrees with Movants that Plaintiff waived the physician-patient

            privilege and any objections he had and acknowledged that the records were relevant and

            discoverable when the prior authorization was provided [Ritter v Good Samaritan Hosp.11

            AD3d 667 (2nd Dept, 2004).

                      Based on the foregoing, the Court directs that Plaintiff provide a new authorization for

            Greenfield, which may contain the same exception for psychotherapy notes included in the

            original authorization, within 30 days from the date of this order.

                      DEFENDANTS ARE NOT ENTITLED TO PLAINTIFF’S SCHOOL RECORDS

                      At the time of the subject accident, Plaintiff was fifty-three (53) years old, retired, and

            receiving social security disability due to diagnosis of a previous condition. Movants seek

            Plaintiff’s school records which date back over forty (40) years. The same are not necessary, or

            reflective, to determine Plaintiff’s premorbid condition.

                      Based on the foregoing the motion to compel the production of same is denied.

                      WHEREFORE it is hereby:

                      ORDERED that the motion is granted to the extent of compelling Plaintiff to provide a

            new authorization for Greenfield’s records as set forth above; and it is further

                      ORDERED that all other relief requested has been considered and is denied; and it is

            further

             158867/2017 JORDAN, CHRISTOPHER vs. BBP STREET OWNER, LLC                                Page 3 of 4
             Motion No. 008

                                                            3 of 4
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                                                                                                      INDEX NO. 158867/2017
  NYSCEF DOC. NO. 280                                                                           RECEIVED NYSCEF: 03/19/2024

                    ORDERED that counsel are directed to appear for the virtual status conference scheduled

            on June 24, 2024, at 10 AM; and it is further

                    ORDERED that, within 20 days from entry of this order, Movants shall serve a copy of

            this order with notice of entry on the Clerk of the General Clerk’s Office (60 Centre Street,

            Room 119); and it is further

                    ORDERED that such service upon the Clerk shall be made in accordance with the

            procedures set forth in the Protocol on Courthouse and County Clerk Procedures for

            Electronically Filed Cases (accessible at the “E-Filing” page on the court’s website at the

            addresswww.nycourts.gov/supctmanh);].

                   3/19/2024
                      DATE                                                          SABRINA KRAUS, J.S.C.
             CHECK ONE:                    CASE DISPOSED                X   NON-FINAL DISPOSITION

                                           GRANTED             DENIED   X   GRANTED IN PART             OTHER

             APPLICATION:                  SETTLE ORDER                     SUBMIT ORDER

             CHECK IF APPROPRIATE:         INCLUDES TRANSFER/REASSIGN       FIDUCIARY APPOINTMENT       REFERENCE

             158867/2017 JORDAN, CHRISTOPHER vs. BBP STREET OWNER, LLC                                Page 4 of 4
             Motion No. 008

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