Opinion ID: 1359837
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 7

Heading: the battery claim

Text: The district court held Kathleen Nelson's claim for battery barred by the two-year statute of limitations. See NRS 11.190(4)(c). She made the battery allegation in appellants' Second Amended Complaint, which was filed over four years from the occurrence of the alleged battery. NRCP 15(c) states as follows: Whenever the claim or defense asserted in the amended pleading arose out of the conduct, transaction, or occurrence set forth or attempted to be set forth in the original pleading, the amendment relates back to the date of the original pleading. If the original pleadings give fair notice of the fact situation from which the new claim for liability arises, the amendment should relate back for limitations purposes. Deal v. 999 Lakeshore Association, 94 Nev. 301, 579 P.2d 775 (1978); Rosenberg v. Martin, 478 F.2d 520 (2d Cir.), cert. denied, 414 U.S. 872, 94 S.Ct. 102, 38 L.Ed.2d 90 (1973). On the other hand, where an amendment states a new cause of action that describes a new and entirely different source of damages, the amendment does not relate back, as the opposing party has not been put on notice concerning the facts in issue. Rosenberg v. Martin, supra (where state prisoner's original complaint in civil rights action did not suggest claim of physical assault, amendment adding such claim does not relate back, and is barred by statute of limitations). See Mauian Hotel, Inc. v. Maui Pineapple Co., 52 Hawaii 563, 481 P.2d 310 (Hawaii 1971). As the court noted in Raven v. Marsh, 94 N.M. 116, 607 P.2d 654, 656 (N.M.App. 1980), [t]he liberality with which Rule 15 is to be viewed applies mainly to the manner in which the court's discretion shall be exercised in permitting amended pleadings. [Citation omitted.] It does not permit us to so liberalize limitation statutes when new facts, conduct and injuries are pleaded, that the limitation statutes lose their meaning. [Citations omitted.] Appellants' original complaint and first amended complaint gave absolutely no indication that a claim for battery existed. They did not allege any physical contact whatsoever between the officers and Kathleen Nelson. The district court properly held the battery claim barred by the statute of limitations.