Legal Procedure Decision

In Roseman v. Baranowski, 2014 NY Slip Op. 05635, the Second Department allowed Plaintiff leave to amend the summons and complaint in order to add a doctor as a defendant after EBT’s (depositions) were conducted.  Plaintiff’s reason to add the doctor was that the doctor was “united in interest” with the original Defendants.  The Court focused on the fact that the doctor being added either knew or should have known that he should have been included in the original action.  More specifically, using the relation back doctrine, the Court considered if the new Defendant had notice within the applicable statute of limitations period.  Hospital records listing work performed by new Defendant were used as proof of the new Defendant’s notice.

This case illustrates the importance of correctly bringing an action against all parties in interest.  Failure to include a party can be detrimental or fatal to your case.

As always, if you have questions regarding the commencement of an action, call The Law Firm of Vaughn & Weber, PLLC at (516) 858-2620 to speak with a Litigation Attorney today!