Citation Codes Equivalent Citations citation codes See more information ... Smart Summary Please sign up to generate summary. STEVEN M. ELKMAN et al., Plaintiffs, v. SOUTHGATE OWNERS CORP., Defendant and Third-Party Plaintiff-Appellant. PISACANE MIDTOWN CORPORATION, Third-Party Defendant-Respondent. The court properly exercised its discretion in excusing third-party defendant Pisacane Midtown Corporation's four month delay in serving an answer where there was an absence of prejudice, a reasonable excuse for the delay and a meritorious defense ( Lucas v. United Helpers Cedars Nursing Home, 239 A.D.2d 853; Shure v Westhampton Beach, 121 A.D.2d 887). Concur — Murphy, P.J., Nardelli, Williams and Colabella, JJ.