Metro Health Prods., Inc. v State Farm Mut. Auto. Ins. Co., 2015 NY Slip Op 51451(U)(App. Term 2d Dept. 2015)
“On March 19, 2012, after plaintiff failed to respond to the notice to admit, defendant moved for summary judgment dismissing the complaint on the ground of plaintiff’s nonappearances at the duly scheduled EUOs, relying solely upon its notice to admit to establish plaintiff’s nonappearances”
“The purpose of a notice to admit is only to eliminate from the issues in litigation matters which will not be in dispute at trial. It is not intended to cover ultimate conclusions, which can only be made after a full and complete trial” (DeSilva v Rosenberg, 236 AD2d 508, 508 [1997]; see Williams v City of New York, 125 AD3d 767 [2015]; Priceless Custom Homes, Inc. v O’Neill, 104 AD3d 664 [2013]; Bajaj v General Assur., 18 Misc 3d 25, 27 [App Term, 2d & 11th Jud Dists 2007]). Contrary to defendant’s assertion, its notice to admit went to the heart of the controversy (see Priceless Custom Homes, Inc., 104 AD3d at 664-665; Nacherlilla v Prospect Park Alliance, Inc., 88 AD3d 770 [2011]). Consequently, plaintiff’s failure to timely respond to the notice to admit should not be deemed an admission of the matters stated therein, since the admissions sought by defendant were improper”
You have to wonder whether the Notice to Admit would still work in the Second Department to make a prima facie case? I am guessing not. Yet, if a medical provider puts into evidence a denial (as an admission of receipt) and seeks admission of the corresponding bill to the extent it links up to the denial, that would satisfy a prima facie case, in my opinion.
