Perez v. City of New York — 113 A.D.3d 570

Majority

p. 570

Zacarias Perez et al., Appellants, v City of New York et al., Respondents.

[979 NYS2d 520]

p. 571

The motion court providently exercised its discretion in dismissing the complaint on the grounds of laches (see Garcia v City of New York, 72 AD3d 505 , 507 [1st Dept 2010], appeal dismissed 15 NY3d 918 [2010]; Reynolds v Snow, 10 AD2d 101 , 111 [1st Dept 1960], affd 8 NY2d 899 [I960]). The record demonstrates that the inordinate delays in this case, arising from a 1984 motor vehicle accident and commenced 28 years ago, are attributable to plaintiffs and their counsel, and that due to the passage of time, defendants’ ability to mount a defense has been significantly prejudiced (see Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce v Pataki, 100 NY2d 801 , 816 [2003], cert denied 540 US 1017 [2003]; Matter of Linker, 23 AD3d 186 , 189 [1st Dept 2005]). Concur — Gonzalez, P.J., Friedman, Renwick, Freedman and Richter, JJ.

Cases cited

Garcia v. City of New York 72 AD3d 505 N.Y. App. Div. 2010-04-15 at 507 p. 571
Reynolds v. Snow 10 AD2d 101 N.Y. App. Div. 1960-03-15 at 111 p. 571
Reynolds v. Snow 8 NY2d 899 N.Y. 1960-06-09 p. 571
Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce, Inc. v. Pataki 100 NY2d 801 N.Y. 2003-06-12 at 816 p. 571
In re the Estate of Linker 23 AD3d 186 N.Y. App. Div. 2005-11-03 at 189 p. 571