Key Takeaway
New York court grants summary judgment when claimant fails to attend properly scheduled EUO after timely mailing of scheduling letters established proper notice.
This article is part of our ongoing euo issues coverage, with 200 published articles analyzing euo issues issues across New York State. Attorney Jason Tenenbaum brings 24+ years of hands-on experience to this analysis, drawing from his work on more than 1,000 appeals, over 100,000 no-fault cases, and recovery of over $100 million for clients throughout Nassau County, Suffolk County, Queens, Brooklyn, Manhattan, and the Bronx. For personalized legal advice about how these principles apply to your specific situation, contact our Long Island office at (516) 750-0595 for a free consultation.
EUO No-Show Defense: Proving Mailing and Non-Appearance for Summary Judgment
In no-fault insurance defense litigation, the Examination Under Oath (EUO) is a critical tool for insurers investigating claims. When a claimant fails to attend a properly scheduled EUO, the insurer may seek summary judgment dismissing the complaint entirely. The key lies in establishing proper mailing of scheduling letters and documenting the claimant’s non-appearance.
Key Takeaway
An insurer can win summary judgment on an EUO no-show defense by proving timely mailing of scheduling letters through standard office practice evidence and establishing the claimant’s failure to appear — because EUO attendance is a condition precedent to no-fault liability.
The Case: Points of Health Acupuncture v Lancer Insurance
Points of Health Acupuncture, P.C. v Lancer Ins. Co., 2010 NY Slip Op 51455(U)(App.Term 2d Dept. 2010)
Jason Tenenbaum’s Analysis
You have seem this before.
The Court’s Ruling
Timely Mailing of EUO Scheduling Letters
“Contrary to the Civil Court’s findings, defendant established the timely mailing of the EUO scheduling letters. Defendant submitted the affirmation of a partner in the law firm retained by defendant to conduct plaintiff’s EUO in which he set forth in detail his firm’s standard office practice and procedure for the mailing of EUO scheduling letters (see New York & Presbyt. Hosp. v Allstate Ins. Co., 29 AD3d 547 ; Residential Holding Corp. v Scottsdale Ins. Co., 286 AD2d 679 ; Top Choice Med., P.C. v New York Cent. Mut. Fire Ins. Co., 22 Misc 3d 133, 2009 NY Slip Op 50230 ).”
Claimant’s Failure to Appear
“In addition, counsel alleged facts sufficient to establish that plaintiff had failed to appear at counsel’s law office for the duly scheduled EUOs (see Stephen Fogel Psychological, P.C. v Progressive Cas. Ins. Co., 35 AD3d 720 ; W & Z Acupuncture, P.C. v Amex Assur. Co., 24 [*2]Misc 3d 142, 2009 NY Slip Op 51732 ).”
EUO Attendance as a Condition Precedent
“Since the appearance of the plaintiff at an EUO is a condition precedent to the insurer’s liability on the policy (see Insurance Department Regulations § 65-1.1; Stephen Fogel Psychological, P.C., 35 AD3d at 722), the Civil Court should have granted defendant’s motion for summary judgment dismissing the complaint.”
Timely Denial of Claim Forms
“We note that, contrary to the Civil Court’s finding, the affidavit submitted by defendant’s no-fault specialist established that defendant timely mailed its denial of claim forms.”
What This Means for No-Fault Practitioners
This decision reinforces three key requirements for insurers asserting an EUO no-show defense:
- Standard office mailing procedures must be documented in detail through an affirmation or affidavit
- Claimant non-appearance must be established through competent evidence from someone with personal knowledge
- Denial of claim forms must be shown to have been timely mailed
For personal injury claimants and their providers, the takeaway is equally clear: failure to attend a properly noticed EUO can be fatal to a no-fault claim, regardless of the underlying merits.
Related Articles
- Personal knowledge requirements for EUO non-appearances
- EUO no-show mailing and personal knowledge substantiated
- EUO scheduling letters timing requirements
- EUO no-show defense sustained
- New York No-Fault Insurance Law
Legal Update (February 2026): Since this 2010 decision, New York’s no-fault regulations have undergone multiple amendments, including updates to Insurance Department Regulations Part 65 and procedural requirements for EUO scheduling and notice provisions. Practitioners should verify current regulatory requirements for EUO notice procedures, timing standards, and acceptable proof of mailing under the most recent versions of the applicable regulations.
Legal Context
Why This Matters for Your Case
New York law is among the most complex and nuanced in the country, with distinct procedural rules, substantive doctrines, and court systems that differ significantly from other jurisdictions. The Civil Practice Law and Rules (CPLR) governs every stage of civil litigation, from service of process through trial and appeal. The Appellate Division, Appellate Term, and Court of Appeals create a rich and ever-evolving body of case law that practitioners must follow.
Attorney Jason Tenenbaum has practiced across these areas for over 24 years, writing more than 1,000 appellate briefs and publishing over 2,353 legal articles that attorneys and clients rely on for guidance. The analysis in this article reflects real courtroom experience — from motion practice in Civil Court and Supreme Court to oral arguments before the Appellate Division — and a deep understanding of how New York courts actually apply the law in practice.
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Apr 14, 2015A declaration of non-coverage is res judicata to the specific date of the accident.
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Sep 9, 2013EUO No-Show Consequences: What Happens When You Skip Your Examination Under Oath in New York
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Oct 21, 2019Timely EUO letters
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Dec 15, 2016Frequently Asked Questions
Common Questions About This Topic
4 answers from the firm's New York personal-injury and employment-law practice. Click any question to expand.
What did the court rule about the EUO no-show in Points of Health v Lancer?
The Appellate Term reversed the Civil Court and granted summary judgment to the insurer, finding that the defendant established timely mailing of EUO scheduling letters and the claimant's failure to appear, which is a condition precedent to the insurer's liability under New York no-fault law.
What must an insurer prove to win summary judgment on an EUO no-show defense?
The insurer must establish timely mailing of EUO scheduling letters through detailed standard office practice evidence, demonstrate the claimant failed to appear, and show that denial of claim forms were timely mailed.
Is EUO attendance a condition precedent to no-fault benefits in New York?
Yes. Under Insurance Department Regulations Section 65-1.1, a claimant's appearance at an Examination Under Oath is a condition precedent to the insurer's liability on the policy. Failure to attend a properly scheduled EUO can result in dismissal of the claim.
How do you prove timely mailing of EUO letters in New York no-fault cases?
Courts accept proof of standard office mailing procedures, typically through an affirmation or affidavit from the attorney or staff member detailing the firm's routine practices for generating, addressing, and mailing EUO scheduling letters.
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About the Author
Jason Tenenbaum, Esq.
Jason Tenenbaum is the founding attorney of the Law Office of Jason Tenenbaum, P.C., headquartered at 326 Walt Whitman Road, Suite C, Huntington Station, New York 11746. With over 24 years of experience since founding the firm in 2002, Jason has written more than 1,000 appeals, handled over 100,000 no-fault insurance cases, and recovered over $100 million for clients across Long Island, Nassau County, Suffolk County, Queens, Brooklyn, Manhattan, the Bronx, and Staten Island. He is one of the few attorneys in the state who both writes his own appellate briefs and tries his own cases.
Jason is admitted to practice in New York, New Jersey, Florida, Texas, Georgia, and Michigan state courts, as well as multiple federal courts. His 2,353+ published legal articles analyzing New York case law, procedural developments, and litigation strategy make him one of the most prolific legal commentators in the state. He earned his Juris Doctor from Syracuse University College of Law.
Disclaimer: This article is published by the Law Office of Jason Tenenbaum, P.C. for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice, and no attorney-client relationship is formed by reading this content. The legal principles discussed may not apply to your specific situation, and the law may have changed since this article was last updated.
New York law varies by jurisdiction — court decisions in one Appellate Division department may not be followed in another, and local court rules in Nassau County Supreme Court differ from those in Suffolk County Supreme Court, Kings County Civil Court, or Queens County Supreme Court. The Appellate Division, Second Department (which covers Long Island, Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island) and the Appellate Term (which hears appeals from lower courts) each have distinct procedural requirements and precedents that affect litigation strategy.
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