Opinion ID: 2394870
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Amendments Changing or Adding Parties

Text: An amendment which changes or adds parties is particularly susceptible to the argument that the amended cause of action is a different cause of action because it is brought by or against a different party. Rule 55.33(c) further provides that the relation back doctrine applies to a change of party only if, in addition to the usual requirements for the relation back doctrine, the party to be brought in (1) has received such notice of the institution of the action as will not prejudice the party in maintaining the party's defense on the merits and (2) knew or should have known that, but for a mistake concerning the identity of the proper party, the action would have been brought against the party. Rule 55.33(c). This is the only portion of the relation back doctrine as set forth in Rule 55.33(c) that requires notice. Because of these additional requirements when an amendment changes or adds a party, it is important to distinguish between a misnomer, which is a mistake in some aspect of a party's name, and changing or adding a party. Watson, 704 S.W.2d 667, is the leading misnomer case. In Watson , the plaintiff intended to sue E.W. Bliss Co. (Old Bliss), the original manufacturer of a punch shear machine that injured the plaintiff. Between the time of the injury and the suit, Old Bliss had been merged into and through a whole series of subsidiaries of Gulf and Western, Inc., and operated as E.W. Bliss Division, Gulf & Western Manufacturing Company. The plaintiff originally sued E.W. Bliss Company, Gulf & Western Heavy-Duty Division, an entity that never existed. After the statute of limitations had run, the plaintiff attempted to serve various subsidiaries of Gulf & Western Industries, Inc. Service was ultimately obtained through CT Corporation, the defendant's agent, who accepted service on behalf of E.W. Bliss Company. In Watson , we held that plaintiff's post-statute of limitations amendment was a correction of a misnomer and not a change or addition of a party. The Court reasoned that, using an objective standard, it is reasonable to conclude that plaintiff wanted to sue the company which manufactured the press, or that company's successor in interest. The Court emphasized that the plaintiff's description of the defendant never focused solely on the corporate name. Because this was simply a misnomer rather than adding or changing the name of a party, the plaintiff was not required to meet the notice requirements of Rule 55.33(c) for a change or addition of parties.