Nicholson v. Bader

In an action to recover damages for personal injuries, the plaintiff appeals from an order of the Supreme Court, Kings County (Solomon, J.), dated August 12, 2010, which denied his motion for summaiy judgment on the issue of liability, without prejudice to renewal upon the completion of discovery. Ordered that the order is affirmed, with costs. “A party opposing summary judgment is entitled to obtain further discovery when it appears that facts supporting the opposing party’s position may exist but cannot then be stated” (Matter of Fasciglione, 73 AD3d 769, 770 [2010]; see CPLR 3212 [f]; Family-Friendly Media, Inc. v Recorder Tel. Network, 74 AD3d 738, 739 [2010]; Juseinoski v New York Hosp. Med. Ctr. of Queens, 29 AD3d 636, 637 [2006]). “This is especially so where the opposing party has not had a reasonable opportunity for disclosure prior to the making of the motion” (Baron v Incorporated Vil. of Freeport, 143 AD2d 792, 793 [1988]; see Aurora Loan Servs., LLC v LaMattina & Assoc., Inc., 59 AD3d 578 [2009]). Here, the plaintiff moved for summary judgment on the issue of liability approximately one month after joinder of issue and prior to the exchange of any discovery. Under the circumstances of this case, the Supreme Court properly denied the plaintiffs motion for summary judgment on the issue of liability, without prejudice to renewal upon the completion of discovery. Covello, J.P., Hall, Lott and Cohen, JJ., concur.