Opinion ID: 172313
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Applying the Statute of Limitations after Prokop

Text: Finally, the Bylins argue that under Prokop the statute of limitations does not apply to the defendants and thus does not bar the Bylins' claims against them. They assert that the district court's determination that the statute does apply constitutes legal error. We review de novo a district court's ruling regarding the applicability of a statute of limitations. Plaza Speedway Inc. v. United States, 311 F.3d 1262, 1266 (10th Cir.2002) (quotations omitted). We conclude that the statute of limitations applies to all three defendants. In Prokop, the Wyoming Supreme Court held, inter alia, that the two-year statute of limitations set forth in Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 1-3-107(a) applies to actions against licensed outfitters and professional guides. Prokop, 137 P.3d at 136. At the time Mr. Bylin was injured, Mr. Tucker was the licensed outfitter of record for Open Creek, and Open Creek was a licenced outfitter. The statute, therefore, clearly applies to them. Additionally, although Mr. Billings was neither a licensed outfitter nor a professional hunting guide at the time Mr. Bylin was injured, the Bylins brought suit against him in his capacity as member and owner of Open Creek. The plain language of Wyo. Stat. Ann § 1-3-107 states that [a] cause of action arising from an act, error or omission in the rendering of licensed ... services shall be brought within ... two (2) years of the date of the alleged act. ... Id. § 1-3-107(a)(i). Prokop states that we need not look any further than the plain language of § 1-3-107(a) to conclude that the two-year statute of limitations applies to causes of action arising from an act, error or omission in the rendering of licensed outfitter or professional guide services. Prokop, 137 P.3d at 134-35. The Bylins' suit against Mr. Billings arose from the same act, error or omission that Mr. Bylin asserts caused his injuries. We therefore conclude that, under Prokop, the statute of limitations applies to Mr. Billings.