Pasesa ex rel. Pasesa v. Laumatia
Pasesa ex rel. Pasesa v. Laumatia
Opinion of the Court
Order Granting Motion to Dismiss:
INTRODUCTION
On June 23, 1994, Serina Pasesa ("Serina"), a minor, filed this action, by and through her Guardian Ad Litem, Miliama Pasesa ("Miliama"), naming Tuilua T. Laumatia ("Laumatia") as defendant, and seeking money damages for physical injuries suffered on February 9, 1990, as the result of a car accident involving Laumatia.
On January 12, 1995, the hearing came regularly before the court and both parties were represented by counsel.
DISCUSSION
A.S.C.A. § 43.0120(2) is the statute of limitations applicable to this action. A.S.C.A. § 43.0120(2) provides in relevant part that "actions founded on injuries to the person . . . whether based on contract or tort, or for a statutory penalty, [must be brought] within two years [after their causes accrue]." Although this action was filed on June 23, 1993, over three years after the accident, plaintiffs assert that it is not barred by A.S.C.A. § 43.0120(2) because Serina is a minor and her suit is governed by A.S.C.A. § 43.0126. As an exception to A.S.C.A. § 43.0120, A.S.C.A. § 43.0126 states that "[m]inors and insane persons shall have one year from after the termination of such disability within which to commence any action regardless of any otherwise applicable limitations period."
Plaintiff further asserts that since Miliama was appointed Guardian Ad Litem the same day this action was filed, that this action is not barred by' the one-year statute of limitations stated in A.S.C.A. § 43.0126. Although § 43.0126 is applicable,
A suit dismissed without prejudice leaves the situation the same as if the suit had never been brought in the first place. Humphreys v. United States, 272 F.2d 411, 412 n.1 (9th Cir. 1959). The Humphreys court further commented on the effect upon the statute of limitations of a dismissal without prejudice in stating:
In the absence of statute, a party cannot deduct from the period of the statute of limitations applicable to his case the time consumed by the pendency of an action in which he sought to have the matter adjudicated, but which was dismissed without prejudice as to him and if, before he commences a new action after having become nonsuited or having had his action abated or dismissed, the limitation runs, the right to a new action is barred.
Id. at 412 (citing 34 Am. Jur. Limitation of Actions § 281, now appearing in 51 Am. Jur. 2d Limitation of Actions § 311 (1970)).
Miliama filed this action on June 23, 1993, more than a year after she was originally appointed Guardian Ad Litem, and is therefore barred by A.S.C.A. § 43.0126. For these reasons we grant defendant's motion to dismiss with prejudice.
It is so ordered.
Miliama and Serina previously brought an action in this court, docketed CA No. 102-90, against Laumatia, Laau Liufai, and Insurance
This court has held that no conflict exists between A.S.C.A. §§ 43.0120 and 43.0126, since A.S.C.A § 43.0126 clearly makes an exception to any statute of limitations and establishes a one-year statute of limitations. Lutu v. American Samoa Government, 7 A.S.R.2d 61, 63 (1988).
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.