New York Court of Appeals

Bernard McCummings v. New York City Transit Authority

April 5, 199381 N.Y.2d 923

Summary

The Court affirmed the Appellate Division's denial of the Transit Authority's motion to dismiss the negligence claim, holding that material factual disputes required a jury's determination. It rejected the defendant's reliance on Tennessee v. Garner and Penal Law §35.30 as bases for dismissal, emphasizing that those authorities do not control a common‑law negligence action. Separate dissenting opinions argued that the officer's conduct was reasonable as a matter of law and that the claim should be dismissed.