Opinion ID: 1521596
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Diligence Element

Text: Appellant delayed almost five years in pursuing this case. A delay as long or longer than the applicable period of limitations is generally considered sufficient to warrant a judgment of non pros if the other tests are met. Kennedy v. Bulletin Co., 237 Pa.Super. 66, 346 A.2d 343, 345 (1975) (footnote omitted) (delay of five and one-half years in bringing tort action justified a judgment of non pros). The delay here continued for a period of time far longer than the two-year statute of limitations governing appellant's claims of negligence. Consequently, the court's finding that appellant failed to act diligently is confirmed. Appellant argues, however, that the onus was on appellee to take action forcing appellant to file a complaint. We disagree. The duty, therefore, is clearly on the appellant to proceed with his cause of action and he, not the appellee, should bear the risk of not acting within a reasonable time. Kennedy, 237 Pa.Super. at 71-72, 346 A.2d at 346. In view of the long delay and appellant's failure to actively pursue this case, the trial court correctly found that this requirement was met.