Bauerschmidt & Sons, Inc. v. Nova Casualty Co.

Majority

p. 892

(January 31, 2012)

Bauerschmidt & Sons, Inc., Respondent, v Nova Casualty Company, Appellant.

[937 NYS2d 600]

On an appeal from a judgment entered after a nonjury trial, the power of this Court “ ‘to review the evidence is as broad as that of the trial court, bearing in mind . . . that due regard must be given to the decision of the Trial Judge who was in a position to assess the evidence and the credibility of the witnesses’ ” (Tornheim v Kohn, 31 AD3d 748 , 748 [2006], quoting Universal Leasing Servs. v Flushing Hae Kwan Rest., 169 AD2d 829 , 830 [1991]; see Northern Westchester Professional Park Assoc. v Town of Bedford, 60 NY2d 492 , 499 [1983]; Huner v State of New York, 90 AD3d 992 [2011]; A. Montilli Plumbing & Heating Corp. v Valentino, 90 AD3d 961 [2011]). Applying this

p. 893

standard here, the record supports the Supreme Court’s determination that the plaintiffs delay in notifying the defendant of the underlying incident was reasonably based on a good faith belief of nonliability (see Tri-State Consumer Ins. Co. v Yaskin, 304 AD2d 560 , 561 [2003]; Eveready Ins. Co. v Robinson, 300 AD2d 436 , 437 [2002]; Abbey Richmond Ambulance Serv. v Northbrook Prop. & Cas. Ins. Co., 281 AD2d 501 , 501-502 [2001]). We decline to disturb the Supreme Court’s determina: tion.

The defendant’s remaining contentions are without merit. Rivera, J.E, Eng, Lott and Sgroi, JJ., concur.

Cases cited

Tornheim v. Kohn 31 AD3d 748 N.Y. App. Div. 2006-07-25 at 748 p. 892
Northern Westchester Professional Park Associates v. Town of Bedford 60 NY2d 492 N.Y. 1983-12-20 at 499 p. 892
Huner v. State 90 AD3d 992 N.Y. App. Div. 2011-12-27 p. 892
A. Montilli Plumbing & Heating Corp. v. Valentino 90 AD3d 961 N.Y. App. Div. 2011-12-27 p. 892
Tri-State Consumer Insurance v. Yaskin 304 AD2d 560 N.Y. App. Div. 2003-04-07 at 561 p. 893
Eveready Insurance v. Robinson 300 AD2d 436 N.Y. App. Div. 2002-12-16 at 437 p. 893
Abbey Richmond Ambulance Service, Inc. v. Northbrook Property & Casualty Insurance 281 AD2d 501 N.Y. App. Div. 2001-03-19 at 501-502 p. 893