Case ID: so2d_797/html/0056-02.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "CALOGERO, C.J.,", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

Quinzetta WASHINGTON v. Dr. Mohamed FUSTOK, West Jefferson Medical Center and Valley Lab, Inc.
    No. 2001-CC-1601.
    Supreme Court of Louisiana.
    Sept. 21, 2001.
   In re Fustok, Mohamed Dr. et al.;— Defendant; Applying for Supervisory and/or Remedial Writs, Parish of Jefferson, 24th Judicial District Court Div. L, No. 550-212; to the Court of Appeal, Fifth Circuit, No. Ol-C-191.

Granted. Plaintiffs premature suit did not interrupt prescription. LeBreton v. Rabito, 97-2221 (La.7/8/98), 714 So.2d 1226. Moreover, the application indicates plaintiffs request for medical review panel was filed more than one year from the date of the alleged malpractice. As a result, prescription was never suspended under La. 40:1299.47 A(2)(a). Accordingly, the judgment of the trial court is reversed, and relator’s exception of prescription is granted.

CALOGERO, C.J.,

I would grant and docket in order to reconsider the issue resolved in LeBreton v. Rabito, 97-2221 (La.7/8/98), 714 So.2d 1226. As set forth in my dissent in LeBreton, I find no conflict between the provisions to Civil Code article 3462 and LSA-R.S. 40:1299.47(A)(2)(a), as both provisions can easily be harmonized with the result of each provision being given full effect. The purpose for denying claims that are prescribed is to avoid denying the defendant a timely opportunity to investigate a matter and prepare a defense. That purpose is not served here, where the defendant was sued less than one year from the occurrence of plaintiffs injury.

KIMBALL, J., would grant and docket.