Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of the State of New York November 13, 2000 (Licameli v. Roberts)

—Order unanimously affirmed without costs. Memorandum: Although leave to amend a pleading should be liberally granted in the absence of surprise or prejudice (see, Olean Urban Renewal Agency v Herman, 101 AD2d 712, 713), we conclude that Supreme Court did not abuse its discretion in denying plaintiffs’ motion seeking leave to amend the complaint to add a claim for punitive damages.