Cooney v Cambridge Mgt. & Realty Corp.

2006 NYSlipOp 09402

December 12, 2006

Appellate Division, Second Department

As corrected through Wednesday, February 14, 2007

Debra Cooney et al., Appellants, v Cambridge Management and Realty Corp., Respondent, et al., Defendant.

—[*1]In an action to recover damages for personal injuries, etc., the plaintiffs appeal from so much of an order of the Supreme Court, Nassau County (Feinman, J.), entered January 19, 2006, as granted the motion of the defendant Cambridge Management and Realty Corp., in effect, to vacate its default in appearing and answering, to compel the plaintiffs to accept its untimely answer, and to vacate the note of issue.

Ordered that the order is affirmed insofar as appealed from, with costs.

The Supreme Court providently exercised its discretion in granting the motion of the defendant Cambridge Management and Realty Corp., in effect, to vacate its default in appearing and answering the complaint, to compel the plaintiffs to accept its untimely answer, and to vacate the note of issue. The moving defendant demonstrated both a reasonable excuse for its delay in answering and the existence of a potentially meritorious defense (see CPLR 5015 [a] [1]; Ubaydov v Kenny's Fleet Maintenance, Inc., 31 AD3d 536 [2006]; Harcztark v Drive Variety, Inc., 21 AD3d 876 [2005]; Gang Liang Guo v Shaybane, 9 AD3d 382 [2004]; Seccombe v Serafina Rest. Corp., 2 AD3d 516 [2003]). Moreover, the plaintiffs did not demonstrate prejudice from the relatively short delay, which was not willful, and public policy favors the resolution of cases on their merits (see Ubaydov v Kenny's Fleet [*2]Maintenance, supra; Sound Shore Med. Ctr. v Lumbermens Mut. Cas. Co., 31 AD3d 743 [2006]; New York & Presbyt. Hosp. v Auto One Ins. Co., 28 AD3d 441 [2006]). Miller, J.P., Krausman, Spolzino, Fisher and Dillon, JJ., concur.