34 A.D.2d 514 | N.Y. App. Div. | 1970
Order, entered February 18, 1969, granting leave to plaintiff executor to serve an amended complaint so as to add a cause of action for wrongful death, affirmed, with $30 costs and disbursements to the respondent. There was a showing that the decedent sustained serious head injuries and the moving papers include the affidavits of two doctors “ that the injuries that Dr. Lewis [plaintiff’s decedent] suffered in the automobile accident * * * were a proximate and substantial contributory cause of the development of epilepsy, severe emotional depression and the subsequent suicide of Dr. Lewis.” Whether by means of amendment of his pleadings in this action or by means of an independent action, the plaintiff would be entitled to present for litigation his alleged cause of action. In the circumstances, the order allowing the amendment represented a proper exercise of the discretion vested in Special Term. (See Nugent v. Downing, 33 A D 2d 1030.) Of course, we do not pass on the merits of the cause of action for wrongful death. Concur — Eager, J. P., Capozzoli, Nunez and Tilzer, JJ.;