There are strict time limitations that exist after which a lawsuit may not be brought. These time limitations are different for different types of claims and differ from state to state. The time within which a medical malpractice lawsuit must be brought is generally determined by the law of the state where the malpractice occurred. The law of each state is different and you should contact an attorney who knows the law, and its exceptions, in the state in which you believe the malpractice occurred.
General Time Limits For Bringing A Claim For Malpractice In New York State
In New York State, the general rule is that a medical malpractice lawsuit on behalf of an adult patient must be brought within two and a half years from the act or omission constituting the malpractice. There are some limited exceptions to this general rule. (To read the text of the specific law see: New York Civil Practice Law and Rules section 214-a).CPLR 214-a
EXCEPTIONS TO THE GENERAL TIME LIMITS FOR BRINGING A CLAIM FOR MALPRACTICE IN NEW YORK STATE:
Exception # 1: Malpractice Causing Injuries To Children
In New York State, a medical malpractice lawsuit that is brought on behalf of a child must be brought within ten years from the act or omission constituting the malpractice. However, under no circumstances, can the lawsuit be started after the child reaches the age of twenty and a half years.
In addition to claims that a child may have for malpractice, the parents or guardians of an injured child may also have a claim for damages arising from the child's injuries. These are often referred to as "derivative damages". "Derivative damages" include: the fair and reasonable value of expenses and losses incurred, for medical, hospital, nursing services and supplies necessary to treat the child's condition; the reasonable value of future nursing services necessarily performed by the child's parent or guardian; and the economic value of any services that the child would have otherwise performed before the age of eighteen had he or she not been injured.
While the time to bring a lawsuit on behalf of a child is not limited to two and a half years from the date of the malpractice, any claims for "derivative damages" that the child's parents may have as a result of the child's injuries must be brought within two and a half years from the date of the malpractice.
Exception # 2 - Continuous Treamtent
In some limited circumstances, when the patient continues to receive treatment after the date of the malpractice from the provider who committed the malpractice in a "continuous course of treatment" the date from which the two and a half years is computed does not begin until the last date of "continuous treatment". "Continuous treatment" does not include examinations undertaken at the request of the patient for the sole purpose of ascertaining the state of the patient's condition. As the "continuous treatment" rule is an exception to the general rule that the time to bring the lawsuit starts on the date the malpractice occurs, any attempt to extend the time to bring a lawsuit by reason of the "continuous treatment" rule will be strictly scrutinized by the court and may be rejected. Therefore, when possible, it is always preferable to compute the time to bring a lawsuit from the date the malpractice occurred. (To read the text of the specific law see: New York Civil Practice Law and Rules section 214-a).CPLR 214-a
Exception # 3 - Foreign Objects Left In Patient
If the lawsuit is based upon the discovery of a "foreign object" in the patient, the action may be started within one year of the date of such discovery or of the discovery of facts which would reasonably lead to such discovery, even if that date is later than two and a half years from the date of the surgery. Such cases may be brought within one year from the date upon which the foreign object is discovered. Examples of "foreign objects" that are often found in patients include: instruments; sponges; pads; and gloves. A "foreign object" does not include a chemical compound, fixation device or prosthetic aid or device or any other object that was intended to be left in the patient as part of the treatment. (To read the text of the specific law see: New York Civil Practice Law and Rules section 214-a).CPLR 214-a
Exception # 4 - Insanity
A claimant's insanity tolls (that is, stops) the above-noted limitations period from running until the disability ceases, but in medical malpractice cases this can only extend the limitations period a maximum of ten years. (To read the text of the specific law see: New York Civil Practice Law and Rules section 208).CPLR 208
Exception # 5 - Wrongful Death
If the patient dies as a result of the malpractice, an action to recover damages for the patient's wrongful death must be brought within two years from the date of death. (See: New York Estate's Powers and Trusts Law section 5-4.1). The damages that can be recovered by the patient's heirs in a wrongful death suit are separate from the damages that the patient's estate may recover that accrued before the patient's death. While the lawsuit for wrongful death must be brought within two years from the date of death, an action to recover for damages incurred before death must be brought within two and a half years from the date of the malpractice, unless it fits within one of the above exceptions. Thus, it is possible for the time to bring a wrongful death lawsuit to expire before the time to bring the underlying lawsuit for pre-death damages expires. Similarly, in situations when the patient lives for more than six months after the malpractice occurs, it is possible for the time to bring the underlying lawsuit for pre-death damages to expire before the time to bring the wrongful death lawsuit expires.
Exception # 6 - Shortened Time Periods
In New York State, a lawsuit for medical malpractice or wrongful death can be brought against the State of New York, and any of its counties, cities, and governmental corporations for the negligent acts, errors or omissions of their institutions, employees or agents. The State of New York has waived its immunity, including that of its political subdivisions. (N.Y. Court of Claims Act section 8).
If the claim is made against the State of New York, either the lawsuit or a "notice of intent" to commence a lawsuit must be filed within 90 days of the date of the malpractice.
If a "notice of intent" is filed within the 90 day period, the lawsuit must be filed within two years from the date of the malpractice.
Many hospitals in New York State are operated either by cities, counties or specially-formed governmental corporations. If the claim is made against such an entity, either the lawsuit or a "notice of claim" must be filed within 90 days of the date of the malpractice. If a "notice of claim" is filed within the 90 day period, the lawsuit must be filed within one year from the date of the malpractice. (General Municipal Law section 50-e)
Under some limited factual circumstances, the time to file a "notice of intent" or a "notice of claim" may be extended by a court.
All of the above general rules may also be subject to the exceptions referred to above for injuries to children, continuous treatment, foreign objects and insanity. In addition, at least one court has held that the ten year limitation on claims brought on behalf of children does not apply to lawsuits brought against the State of New York and that a lawsuit may be brought on behalf of a child at any time before the child attains the age of twenty and a half years.
Exception # 7 - Claims Against U. S. Government
The United States government may be responsible for injuries and damages caused by the medical malpractice of its employees and agents. Such malpractice can occur at government-run hospitals, clinics, laboratories and facilities, veteran's hospitals and on military bases within the United States and its territories.
Lawsuits against the United States government and its agencies and employees are brought pursuant to the provisions of the Federal Tort Claims Act. The FTCA imposes two different and distinct time deadlines for the bringing of such lawsuits. First, a claim must be filed in writing with the appropriate federal agency within two years after the malpractice occurs or is discovered (that is when the person bringing the claim is in possession of the critical facts that he or she ahs been injured and the cause of the injury). Second, the lawsuit must be filed within 6 months after the federal agency with which the claim was filed mails a final denial of the claim. [28 U.S.C. §2401(b)]
Exception # 8 - Miscellaneous Exceptions
In addition to the rules and exceptions that have been set forth above, there are a number of other rules and exceptions set forth in the laws of New York or recognized by New York courts that can effect the time limitations for bringing a lawsuit arising from medical malpractice. These include, but are not limited to, circumstances when one of the intended parties to a lawsuit dies or is in the military service or when a health care provider leaves the state and is beyond the jurisdiction of New York courts.
As each potential lawsuit is unique, it is essential that you consult an experienced malpractice attorney as soon as possible to determine the specific time limitations that may apply to your case. Contact Powers & Santola in upstate New York today for a free and informative consultation.
New York State Civil Practice Law and Rules §208. Infancy, insanity. If a person entitled to commence an action is under a disability because of infancy or insanity at the time the cause of action accrues, and the time otherwise limited for commencing the action is three years or more and expires no later than three years after the disability ceases, or the person under the disability dies, the time within which the action must be commenced shall be extended to three years after the disability ceases or the person under the disability dies, whichever event first occurs; if the time otherwise limited is less than three years, the time shall be extended by the period of disability. The time within which the action must be commenced shall not be extended by this provision beyond ten years after the cause of action accrues, except, in any action other than for medical, dental or podiatric malpractice, where the person was under a disability due to infancy. This section shall not apply to an action to recover a penalty or forfeiture, or against a sheriff or other officer for an escape. (As of March 15, 2009)
New York State Civil Practice Law and Rules §214-a. Action for medical, dental or podiatric malpractice to be commenced within two years and six months; exceptions. An action for medical, dental or podiatric malpractice must be commenced within two years and six months of the act, omission or failure complained of or last treatment where there is continuous treatment for the same illness, injury or condition which gave rise to the said act, omission or failure; provided, however, that where the action is based upon the discovery of a foreign object in the body of the patient, the action may be commenced within one year of the date of such discovery or of the date of discovery of facts which would reasonably lead to such discovery, whichever is earlier. For the purpose of this section the term "continuous treatment" shall not include examinations undertaken at the request of the patient for the sole purpose of ascertaining the state of the patient's condition. For the purpose of this section the term "foreign object" shall not include a chemical compound, fixation device or prosthetic aid or device. (As of March 15, 2009)
New York State Court of Claims Act § 8. Waiver of immunity from liability. The state hereby waives its immunity from liability and action and hereby assumes liability and consents to have the same determined in accordance with the same rules of law as applied to actions in the supreme court against individuals or corporations, provided the claimant complies with the limitations of this article. Nothing herein contained shall be construed to affect, alter or repeal any provision of the workmen's compensation law.
(As of March 15, 2009)
New York State Court of Claims Act § 10. Time of filing claims and notices of intention to file claims.No judgment shall be granted in favor of any claimant unless such claimant shall have complied with the provisions of this section applicable to his claim.
1. A claim for the appropriation by the state of lands, or any right, title or interest in or to lands shall be filed within three years after the accrual of such claim, or where title is vested by the filing of a description and map in the office of the county clerk or register, then within three years after personal service of a copy of such description and map and notice of filing thereof or if personal service cannot be made within the state, then within three years after the filing of the description and map and the recording of notice of filing thereof.
2. A claim by an executor or administrator of a decedent who left him or her surviving a husband, wife or next of kin, for damages for a wrongful act, neglect or default, on the part of the state by which the decedent's death was caused, shall be filed and served upon the attorney general within ninety days after the appointment of such executor or administrator, unless the claimant shall within such time serve upon the attorney general a written notice of intention to file a claim therefor, in which event the claim shall be filed and served upon the attorney general within two years after the death of the decedent. In any event such claim shall be filed and served upon the attorney general within two years after the death of the decedent.3. A claim to recover damages for injuries to property or for personal injuries caused by the negligence or unintentional tort of an officer or employee of the state while acting as such officer or employee, shall be filed and served upon the attorney general within ninety days after theaccrual of such claim, unless the claimant shall within such time serve upon the attorney general a written notice of intention to file a claim therefor, in which event the claim shall be filed and served upon the attorney general within two years after the accrual of such claim.
3-a. A claim to recover damages for injuries to property or for personal injuries caused by the negligence or unintentional tort of a member of the organized militia or of an employee in the division of military and naval affairs of the executive department, shall be filed and served upon the attorney general within ninety days after the accrual of such claim, unless the claimant shall within such time serve upon the attorney general a written notice of intention to file a claimtherefor, in which event the claim shall be filed and served upon the attorney general within two years after the accrual of such claim.
3-b. A claim to recover damages for injuries to property or for personal injuries caused by the intentional tort of an officer or employee of the state while acting as such officer or employee, or of a member of the organized militia or of an employee in the division of military and naval affairs of the executive department, shall be filed and served upon the attorney general within ninety days after the accrual of such claim, unless the claimant shall within such time serve upon the attorney general a written notice of intention to file a claim therefor, in which event the claim shall be filed and served upon the attorney general within one year after the accrual of such claim.
4. A claim for breach of contract, express or implied, and any other claim not otherwise provided for by this section, over which jurisdiction has been conferred upon the court of claims, shall be filed and served upon the attorney general within six months after the accrual of such claim, unless the claimant shall within such time serve upon the attorney general a written notice of intention to file a claim therefor, in which event the claim shall be filed and served upon the attorney general within two years after such accrual.
5. If the claimant shall be under legal disability, the claim may be presented within two years after such disability is removed.
6. A claimant who fails to file or serve upon the attorney general a claim or to serve upon the attorney general a notice of intention, as provided in the foregoing subdivisions, within the time limited therein for filing or serving upon the attorney general the claim or notice of intention, may, nevertheless, in the discretion of the court, be permitted to file such claim at any time before an action asserting a like claim against a citizen of the state would be barred under the provisions of article two of the civil practice law and rules. For the purpose of this subdivision, a claim against the state arising under subdivision one of this section shall be deemed an action upon an implied contractual obligation. The application for such permission shall be made upon motion returnable at any regular or special session of the court and may be heard and determined by any judge thereof. The claim proposed to be filed, containing all of the information set forth in section eleven of this act, shall accompany such application. In determining whether to permit the filing of a claim pursuant to this subdivision, the court shall consider, among other factors, whether the delay in filing the claim was excusable; whether the state had notice ofthe essential facts constituting the claim; whether the state had an opportunity to investigate the circumstances underlying the claim; whether the claim appears to be meritorious; whether the failure to file or serve upon the attorney general a timely claim or to serve upon the attorney general a notice of intention resulted in substantial prejudice to the state; and whether the claimant has any other available remedy.
7. For the purposes of subdivision three of this section, a claim against the state which would be governed by section two hundred fourteen-c of the civil practice law and rules if it were assertedagainst a citizen of the state shall be deemed to have accrued on the date of discovery of the injury by the claimant or on the date when through the exercise of reasonable diligence the injury should have been discovered by the claimant, whichever is earlier.
8. (a) A claimant who timely serves a notice of intention but who fails to timely serve or file a claim may, nevertheless, apply to the court for permission to treat the notice of intention as a claim. The court shall not grant such application unless: it is made upon motion before an action asserting a like claim against a citizen of the state would be barred under the provisions of article two of the civil practice law and rules; the notice of intention was timely served, and contains facts sufficient to constitute a claim; and the granting of the application would not prejudice the defendant.(b) An application by a claimant whose time to commence an action against a citizen of the state would be extended or tolled by reason of any of the provisions contained in article two of the civil practice law and rules shall be considered timely if the application has been made prior to the expiration of the limitation period for filing as extended by reason of the provisions of article two of the civil practice law and rules.(As of March 15, 2009)
New York State Court of Claims Act § 11. Filing, service and contents of claim or notice of intention.
a. * (i) The claim shall be filed with the clerk of the court; and, except in the case of a claim for the appropriation by the state of lands, a copy shall be served upon the attorney general within the times hereinbefore provided for filing with the clerk of the court either personally or by certified mail, return receipt requested, or, where authorized by rule of the chief administrator of the courts and upon consent of the attorney general, by facsimile transmission or electronic means, as defined in subdivision (f) of rule twenty-one hundred three of the civil practice law and rules, in such manner as may be provided by rule of court. Any notice of intention shall be similarly served upon the attorney general within the times hereinbefore provided for service upon the attorney general. Service by certified mail, return receipt requested, upon the attorney general shall not be complete until the claim or notice of intention is received in the office of the attorney general. Personal service upon the attorney general shall be made in the same manner as described in section three hundred seven of the civil practice law and rules.* NB Effective until September 1, 2009**
(i) The claim shall be filed with the clerk of the court; and, except in the case of a claim for the appropriation by the state of lands, a copy shall be served personally or by certified mail, return receipt requested, upon the attorney general within the times hereinbefore provided for filing with the clerk of the court. Any notice of intention shall be served personally or by certified mail, return receipt requested, upon the attorney general within the times hereinbefore provided for service upon the attorney general. Service by certified mail, return receipt requested, upon the attorney general shall not be complete until the claim or notice of intention is received in the office of the attorney general. Personal service upon the attorney general shall be made in the same manner as described in section three hundred seven of the civil practice law and rules.* * NB Effective September 1, 2009
(ii) In any action brought in the court of claims against the New York state thruway authority, the city university of New York, or the New York state power authority, a copy of the claim shall be served personally or by certified mail, return receipt requested, upon such defendant, in addition to the attorney general, within the times hereinbefore provided for filing with the clerk of the court, and any notice of intention shall be served personally or by certified mail, return receipt requested, upon such defendant, in addition to the attorney general, within the times hereinbefore provided for service upon the attorney general. Service by certified mail, return receipt requested, shall not be complete until the claim or notice of intention is received by the defendant. Personal service upon any defendant shall be made in the same manner as described in the civil practice law and rules.
b. The claim shall state the time when and place where such claim arose, the nature of same, the items of damage or injuries claimed to have been sustained and, except in an action to recover damages for personal injury, medical, dental or podiatric malpractice or wrongful death, the total sum claimed. A claim for the appropriation by the state of lands, or any right, title or interest in or to lands shall include an inventory or itemized statement of fixtures, if any, for which compensation is claimed. The notice of intention to file a claim shall set forth the same matters except that the items of damage or injuries and the sum claimed need not be stated. The claim and notice of intention to file a claim shall be verified in the same manner as a complaint in an action in the supreme court.
c. Any objection or defense based upon failure to comply with (i) the time limitations contained in section ten of this act, (ii) the manner of service requirements set forth in subdivision a of this section, or (iii) the verification requirements as set forth in subdivision b of this section is waived unless raised, with particularity, either by a motion to dismiss made before service of the responsive pleading is required or in the responsive pleading, and if so waived the court shall not dismiss the claim for such failure. (As of March 15, 2009)
* New York State Court of Claims Act § 11-a. Filing fee.
1. The clerk of the court of claims shall require for the filing of a claim a fee of fifty dollars. The fee shall be payable in advance, unless a motion, affidavit, or certification pursuant to section eleven hundred one of the civil practice law and rules is filed with the claim, in which case the provisions of such section shall be applicable.
2. The court shall award to a prevailing claimant as a taxable disbursement the actual amount of any fee paid to file the claim.* NB Expires September 1, 2009
New York State General Municipal Law § 50-d. Municipal liability for malpractice of certain physicians, resident physicians, internes, dentists, podiatrists and optometrists in public institutions.
1. Notwithstanding any inconsistent provision of law, general, special or local, or limitation contained in the provisions of any city charter, every municipal corporation shall be liable for, and shall assume the liability, to the extent that it shall save him harmless, of any resident physician, physician, interne, dentist, podiatrist or optometrist rendering medical, dental, podiatry or optometry services of any kind to a person without receiving compensation from such person in a public institution maintained in whole or in part by the municipal corporation, or in the course of a home care service maintained by such public institution, for damages for personal injuries alleged to have been sustained by such person by reason of the malpractice of such resident physician, physician, interne, dentist, podiatrist or optometrist while engaged in the rendition of such services. Every such resident physician, physician, interne, dentist, podiatrist or optometrist for the purpose of this section, shall be deemed an employee of the municipal corporation notwithstanding that the municipal corporation derived no special benefit in its corporate capacity.
2. No action shall be maintained under this section against such municipality, resident physician, physician, interne, dentist, podiatrist or optometrist unless a notice of claim shall have been made and served in compliance with section fifty-e of this chapter. Every such action shall be commenced pursuant to the provisions of section fifty-i of this chapter.
3. The provisions of this section shall not apply to the city of New York. (As of March 15, 2009)
New York State General Municipal Law § 50-e. Notice of claim.
1. When service required; time for service; upon whom service required.(a) In any case founded upon tort where a notice of claim is required by law as a condition precedent to the commencement of an action or special proceeding against a public corporation, as defined in the general construction law, or any officer, appointee or employee thereof, the notice of claim shall comply with and be served in accordance with the provisions of this section within ninety days after the claim arises; except that in wrongful death actions, the ninety days shall run from the appointment of a representative of the decedent's estate.(b) Service of the notice of claim upon an officer, appointee or employee of a public corporation shall not be a condition precedent to the commencement of an action or special proceeding against such person. If an action or special proceeding is commenced against such person, but not against the public corporation, service of the notice of claim upon the public corporation shall be required only if the corporation has a statutory obligation to indemnify such person under this chapter or any other provision of law.
2. Form of notice; contents. The notice shall be in writing, sworn to by or on behalf of the claimant, and shall set forth: (1) the name and post-office address of each claimant, and of his attorney, if any; (2) the nature of the claim; (3) the time when, the place where and the manner in which the claim arose; and (4) the items of damage or injuries claimed to have been sustained so far as then practicable but a notice with respect to a claim against a municipal corporation other than a city with a population of one million or more persons shall not state the amount of damages to which the claimant deems himself entitled, provided, however, that the municipal corporation, other than a city with a population of one million or more persons, may at any time request a supplemental claim setting forth the total damages to which the claimant deems himself entitled. A supplemental claim shall be provided by the claimant within fifteen days of the request. In the event the supplemental demand is not served within fifteen days, the court, on motion, may order that it be provided by the claimant.
3. How served; when service by mail complete; defect in manner of service; return of notice improperly served. (a) The notice shall be served on the public corporation against which the claim is made by delivering a copy thereof personally, or by registered or certified mail, to the person designated by law as one to whom a summons in an action in the supreme court issued against such corporation may be delivered, or to an attorney regularly engaged in representing such public corporation.(b) Service by registered or certified mail shall be complete upon deposit of the notice of claim, enclosed in a postpaid properly addressed wrapper, in a post office or official depository under the exclusive care and custody of the United States post office department within the state.(c) If the notice is served within the period specified by this section, but in a manner not in compliance with the provisions of this subdivision, the service shall be valid if the public corporation against which the claim is made demands that the claimant or any other person interested in the claim be examined in regard to it, or if the notice is actually received by a proper person within the time specified by this section, and the public corporation fail to return the notice, specifying the defect in the manner of service, within thirty days after the notice is received.(d) If the notice is served within the period specified by this section and is returned for the reason and within the time provided in this subdivision, the claimant may serve a new notice in a manner complying with the provisions of this subdivision within ten days after the returned notice is received. If a new notice is so served within that period, it shall be deemed timely served.
4. Requirements of section exclusive except as to conditions precedent to liability for certain defects or snow or ice. No other or further notice, no other or further service, filing or delivery of the notice of claim, and no notice of intention to commence an action or special proceeding, shall be required as a condition to the commencement of an action or special proceeding for the enforcement of the claim; provided, however, that nothing herein contained shall be deemed to dispense with the requirement of notice of the defective, unsafe, dangerous or obstructed condition of any street, highway, bridge, culvert, sidewalk or crosswalk, or of the existence of snow or ice thereon, where such notice now is, or hereafter may be, required by law, as a condition precedent to liability for damages or injuries to person or property alleged to have been caused by such condition, and the failure or negligence to repair or remove the same after the receipt of such notice.
5. Application for leave to serve a late notice. Upon application, the court, in its discretion, may extend the time to serve a notice of claim specified in paragraph (a) of subdivision one. The extension shall not exceed the time limited for the commencement of an action by the claimant against the public corporation. In determining whether to grant the extension, the court shall consider, in particular, whether the public corporation or its attorney or its insurance carrier acquired actual knowledge of the essential facts constituting the claim within the time specified in subdivision one or within a reasonable time thereafter. The court shall also consider all other relevant facts and circumstances, including: whether the claimant was an infant, or mentally or physically incapacitated, or died before the time limited for service of the notice of claim; whether the claimant failed to serve a timely notice of claim by reason of his justifiable reliance upon settlement representations made by an authorized representative of the public corporation or its insurance carrier; whether the claimant in serving a notice of claim made an excusable error concerning the identity of the public corporation against which the claim should be asserted; and whether the delay in serving the notice of claim substantially prejudiced the public corporation in maintaining its defense on the merits. An application for leave to serve a late notice shall not be denied on the ground that it was made after commencement of an action against the public corporation.
6. Mistake, omission, irregularity or defect. At any time after the service of a notice of claim and at any stage of an action or special proceeding to which the provisions of this section are applicable, a mistake, omission, irregularity or defect made in good faith in the notice of claim required to be served by this section, not pertaining to the manner or time of service thereof, may be corrected, supplied or disregarded, as the case may be, in the discretion of the court, provided it shall appear that the other party was not prejudiced thereby.
7. Applications under this section. All applications under this section shall be made to the supreme court or to the county court: (a) in a county where the action may properly be brought for trial, (b) if an action to enforce the claim has been commenced, in the county where the action is pending, or (c) in the event that there is no motion term available in any of the counties specified in clause (a) or (b) hereof, in any adjoining county. Where the application is for leave to serve a late notice of claim, it shall be accompanied by a copy of the proposed notice of claim.
8. Inapplicability of section. This section shall not apply to claims arising under the provisions of the workers` compensation law, the volunteer firefighters` benefit law, or the volunteer ambulance workers` benefit law or to claims against public corporations by their own infant wards.(As of March 15, 2009)
New York State General Municipal Law § 50-f. Recording of notice of claim.
1. Wherever a notice of claim is required by section fifty-e of this chapter as a condition precedent to the commencement of an action or proceeding against a municipal corporation or any authority or commission heretofore or hereafter continued or created by the public authorities law, or any officer, appointee or employee thereof, every such municipal corporation and every such authority or commission shall make and keep a record, numbered consecutively and indexed alphabetically according to the name of the claimant, of each notice of claim filed in compliance with such requirement and of the disposition of the claim so noticed. Wherever such notice of claim relates to a cause of action against a municipal corporation or any such authority or commission for damages or injuries to person or property sustained in consequence of any street, highway, bridge, culvert, sidewalk or crosswalk being out of repair, unsafe, dangerous or obstructed, or in consequence of the existence of snow or ice thereon, every municipal corporation and every such authority or commission shall keep an additional record of each such notice of claim indexed according to the location of the alleged defective, unsafe, dangerous or obstructed condition. The record shall be made and kept by an officer or employee designated for that purpose by the governing body of such municipal corporation or of such authority or commission. In the absence of such designation the record shall be kept by the secretary of such authority or commission or by the clerk of such municipal corporation, except in the counties, where it shall be kept by the clerk of the board of supervisors, and except in the city of New York, where it shall be kept by the comptroller or a person designated by him for that purpose. The record of each claim shall be preserved for a period of five years after the date of the final disposition thereof.
2. The record shall set forth: (1) the name and post-office address of the claimant and of his attorney, if any; (2) the date of service; (3) the time, place and manner of injury; (4) the nature of the injury and amount claimed; (5) whether the claim was approved or disapproved, with the date; (6) whether referred to an insurance carrier, with the date; (7) the carrier's disposition of the claim with the date; (8) the date of service of a complaint; (9) the name and address of any named co-defendant; (10) the name and address of any third-party defendant; (11) the municipal corporation's equitable share determined in accordance with the relative culpability of each party pursuant to an itemized decision or itemized jury verdict; (12) the extent to which the municipal corporation has paid more than such equitable share. (13) the date and result of any trial; (14) the date and result of any appeal; (15) the date and amount of any settlement; (16) the date and amount of any judgment paid; (17) the reason and date the file was closed.4. This section shall be applicable notwithstanding any inconsistent provisions of law, general, special or local, or any limitation contained in the provisions of any city charter.(As of March 15, 2009)
New York State General Municipal Law § 50-g. Recording of notice of defect. Omitted.
New York State General Municipal Law § 50-h. Examination of claims.
1. Wherever a notice of claim is filed against a city, county, town, village, fire district, ambulance district or school district the city, county, town, village, fire district, ambulance district or school district shall have the right to demand an examination of the claimant relative to the occurrence and extent of the injuries or damages for which claim is made, which examination shall be upon oral questions unless the parties otherwise stipulate and may include a physical examination of the claimant by a duly qualified physician. If the party to be examined desires, he or she is entitled to have such examination in the presence of his or her own personal physician and such relative or other person as he or she may elect. Exercise of the right to demand a physical examination of the claimant as provided in this section shall in no way affect the right of a city, county, town, village, fire district, ambulance district or school district in a subsequent action brought upon the claim to demand a physical examination of the plaintiff pursuant to statute or court rule.
2. The demand for examination as provided in subdivision one of this section shall be made by the chief executive officer or, where there is no such officer, by the chairman of the governing b body of the city, county, town, village, fire district or school district or by such officer, agent or employee as may be designated by him for that purpose. The demand shall be in writing and shall be served personally or by registered or certified mail upon the claimant unless the claimant is represented by an attorney, when it shall be served personally or by mail upon his attorney. The demand shall give reasonable notice of the examination. It shall state the person before whom the examination is to be held, the time, place and subject matter thereof and, if a physical examination is to be required, it shall so state. If the place of examination is located outside the municipality against which the claim is made, the claimant may demand, within ten days of such service, that the examination be held at a location within such municipality. Such location shall be determined by the municipality. If a physical examination is to be required and there is no appropriate place for such an examination within the municipality, such examination shall be given at a location as close to such municipality as practicable. No demand for examination shall be effective against the claimant for any purpose unless it shall be served as provided in this subdivision within ninety days from the date of filing of the notice of claim.
3. In any examination required pursuant to the provisions of this section the claimant shall have the right to be represented by counsel. The examination shall be conducted upon oath or affirmation. The officer or person before whom the examination is had shall take down or cause to be taken down every question and answer unless the parties consent that only the substance of the testimony be inserted. The testimony so taken, together with the report of the examining physician where a physical examination is required, shall constitute the record of the examination. The transcript of the record of an examination shall not be subject to or available for public inspection, except upon court order upon good cause shown, but shall be furnished to the claimant or his attorney upon request.
4. A transcript of the testimony taken at an examination pursuant to the provisions of this section may be read in evidence by either party, in an action founded upon the claim in connection with which it was taken, at the trial thereof or upon assessment of damages or upon motion. In an action by an executor or administrator to recover damages for a wrongful act, neglect or default by which a decedent's death was caused, the testimony of such decedent taken pursuant to the provisions of this section in respect of such wrongful act, neglect or default may be read in evidence.
5. Where a demand for examination has been served as provided in subdivision two of this section no action shall be commenced against the city, county, town, village, fire district or school district against which the claim is made unless the claimant has duly complied with such demand for examination, which compliance shall be in addition to the requirements of section fifty-e of this chapter. If such examination is not conducted within ninety days of service of the demand, the claimant may commence the action. The action, however, may not be commenced until compliance with the demand for examination if the claimant fails to appear at the hearing or requests an adjournment or postponement beyond the ninety day period. If the claimant requests an adjournment or postponement beyond the ninety day period, the city, county, town, village, fire district or school district shall reschedule the hearing for the earliest possible date available.(As of March 15, 2009)
New York State General Municipal Law § 50-i. Presentation of tort claims; commencement of actions.
1. No action or special proceeding shall be prosecuted or maintained against a city, county, town, village, fire district or school district for personal injury, wrongful death or damage to real or personal property alleged to have been sustained by reason of the negligence or wrongful act of such city, county, town, village, fire district or school district or of any officer, agent or employee thereof, including volunteer firemen of any such city, county, town, village, fire district or school district or any volunteer fireman whose services have been accepted pursuant to the provisions of section two hundred nine-i of this chapter, unless, (a) a notice of claim shall have been made and served upon the city, county, town, village, fire district or school district in compliance with section fifty-e of this chapter, (b) it shall appear by and as an allegation in the complaint or moving papers that at least thirty days have elapsed since the service of such notice and that adjustment or payment thereof has been neglected or refused, and (c) the action or special proceeding shall be commenced within one year and ninety days after the happening of the event upon which the claim is based; except that wrongful death actions shall be commenced within two years after the happening of the death.
2. This section shall be applicable notwithstanding any inconsistent provisions of law, general, special or local, or any limitation contained in the provisions of any city charter.3. Nothing contained herein or in section fifty-h of this chapter shall operate to extend the period limited by subdivision one of this section for the commencement of an action or special proceeding.(As of March 15, 2009)
New York State Estate Powers and Trusts Law §5-4.1 Action by personal representative for wrongful act, neglect or default causing death of decedent
1. The personal representative, duly appointed in this state or any other jurisdiction, of a decedent who is survived by distributees may maintain an action to recover damages for a wrongful act, neglect or default which caused the decedent's death against a person who wouldhave been liable to the decedent by reason of such wrongful conduct if death had not ensued. Such an action must be commenced within two years after the decedent's death; provided, however, that an action on behalf of a decedent whose death was caused by the terrorist attacks on September eleventh, two thousand one, other than a decedent identified by the attorney general of the United States as a participant or conspirator in such attacks, must be commenced within two years and six months after the decedent's death. When the distributees do not participate in the administration of the decedent's estate under a will appointing an executor who refuses to bring such action, the distributees are entitled to have an administrator appointed to prosecute the action for their benefit.
2. Whenever it is shown that a criminal action has been commenced against the same defendant with respect to the event or occurrence from which a claim under this section arises, the personal representative of the decedent shall have at least one year from the termination of the criminal action as defined in section 1.20 of the criminal procedure law in which to maintain an action, notwithstanding that the time in which to commence such action has already expired or has less than a year remaining.(As of March 15, 2009)
