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Case No. 2023 NY Slip Op 00103 [212 AD3d 644]

Regular Panel Decision

Jan 11, 2023

Pecora v. Fitness Intl., LLC

Michael Pecora appealed from an order granting summary judgment to Fitness International, LLC, in a personal injury action. Pecora alleged he contracted infections, including MRSA, from using a sauna at the defendant's health club. The Appellate Division, Second Department, affirmed the lower court's decision. The court found that the defendants demonstrated the plaintiff could not prove the pathogen originated at their facility, noting MRSA's common transmission, regular cleaning, and lack of prior complaints. The plaintiff failed to raise a triable issue of fact, leading to the affirmation of the dismissal.

Personal InjurySummary JudgmentPremises LiabilityMRSAHealth ClubProximate CauseSpeculationDangerous ConditionInfectious DiseaseAppellate Review

References

Case No. MISSING

Regular Panel Decision

Svensson v. Securian Life Insurance

Plaintiff Paul Svensson sued Securian Life Insurance Company to claim a $200,000 accidental death benefit for his wife, Providencia R. Svensson, who died from bronchopneumonia after inhaling a community-spread Group A streptococcus bacterial pathogen. The accidental death policy covered deaths resulting from 'accidental injury' but excluded illness or disease, and infections unless occurring simultaneously with and as a result of an 'accidental injury.' The Court, presided over by Judge Kenneth M. Karas, granted Defendant's motion to dismiss, finding that contracting an infection through normal means, like airborne transmission, does not constitute an 'accidental injury' under New York law or the policy's terms. The court distinguished this from cases where infection results from a separate, traumatic injury, concluding that the policy was not drafted to cover pneumonia contracted from the ambient air.

Accidental Death InsuranceInsurance Policy InterpretationContract LawAccidental Injury DefinitionInfection Exclusion ClauseDisease CoverageWorkers' Compensation Law ComparisonNew York LawMotion to DismissSummary Judgment

References

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Pecora v. Fitness Intl., LLC

Personal InjurySummary JudgmentPremises LiabilityMRSAHealth ClubProximate CauseSpeculationDangerous ConditionInfectious DiseaseAppellate Review

Svensson v. Securian Life Insurance