Court Erred in Issuing Injunction Where Party Seeking the Injunction Could be Made Whole by an Award of Money Damages

On March 4, 2021, the First Department issued a decision in Shelbourne BRF LLC v. SR 677 Bway LLC, 2021 NY Slip Op. 01346, holding that an injunction should not issue when the plaintiff can be made whole by money damages, explaining:

As to the propriety of the preliminary injunction, we find that plaintiffs failed to demonstrate the requisite irreparable harm. Notwithstanding the existence of the COVID-19 pandemic, the feared loss of an investment can be compensated in money damages.

(Internal citations omitted).

It is common in commercial litigation that parties seek equitable relief such as injunctions, attachments or the appointment of a temporary receiver in order to preserve assets or maintain the status quo when money damages will not make them whole at the end of a litigation. Contact Schlam Stone & Dolan partner John Lundin at jlundin@schlamstone.com if you or a client have questions regarding seeking--or opposing--such relief.