Patricia Maloney v. Buffalo Savings Bank

Memorandum: In its answer to plaintiff's complaint in this action to recover the death benefit under a life insurance policy, defendant alleges as a defense that the insured made material misrepresentations in his application for insurance by stating that he had not been under medication or on a special diet in the preceding year, that he had not had nor been treated for high blood pressure and had not sought treatments or consultation by or with a physician within three years. Special Term erroneously limited examinations of the two physicians who had treated decedent to these alleged misrepresentations. CPLR 3101 (subd. [a]) requires full disclosure of all evidence material and necessary in the defense of an action. If there is any possibility that the information sought in good faith will have a possible use as evidence-in-chief or in rebuttal or for cross-examination, it should be considered evidence material in the defense (3 Weinstein-Korn-Miller, N. Y. Civ. Prac., par. 3101.07; Matter of Comstock, 21 A.D.2d 843, 844). The words, 'material and necessary' are * * * to be interpreted liberally to require disclosure, upon request, of any facts bearing on the controversy which will assist preparation for trial by sharpening the issues and reducing delay and prolixity * * * to permit discovery of testimony 'which is sufficiently related to the issues in litigation to make the effort to obtain it in preparation for trial reasonable. (Allen v. Crowell-Collier Pub. Co., 21 N.Y.2d 403, 406-407.) The order should be modified by deleting the second decretal paragraph thereof, and substituting for the third paragraph a direction that the witnesses produce at the examination all medical records in their possession relating to decedent's physical condition and their care and treatment of him. Disposition Order unanimously modified in accordance with memorandum and, as so modified, affirmed, without costs.