Opinion ID: 884154
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Dr. Pratt and DPHHS

Text: Blackburn generally alleges negligence on the part of DPHHS and its medical director, Dr. Sidney Pratt. Blackburn apparently contends that Dr. Pratt and DPHHS negligently supervised the BSB Health Department. As Blackburn makes no allegations of medical negligence, or medical malpractice, against Dr. Pratt, the three-year limitations period codified in § 27-2-204(1), MCA, and the discovery doctrine appearing at § 27-2-102(3), MCA, govern her claims both against DPHHS as well as against Dr. Pratt. As it did with respect to Blackburn's negligence claims brought against the remaining defendants, the District Court concluded the applicable three-year statute of limitations precluded Blackburn's claims for negligence against Dr. Pratt and DPHHS. See § 27-2-204(1), MCA. Having reviewed the record, we affirm this determination by the District Court. As noted above, although Blackburn's claims accrued by March 1990, she did not commence the present negligence action until November 1995, well beyond the applicable three-year statutory limitations period. Thus, we must determine whether the discovery doctrine, codified at § 27-2-102(3), MCA, tolls the limitations period with respect to Blackburn's claims for negligence against Dr. Pratt and DPHHS. Having reviewed the record, we conclude the District Court properly concluded that, pursuant to § 27-2-102(3)(b), MCA, neither Dr. Pratt nor DPHHS in any way concealed information regarding Blackburn's claim from her. Although the District Court did not specifically do so, we evaluate § 27-2-102(3)(a), MCA, and further conclude that the facts constituting her claims against Dr. Pratt and DPHHS were not, by their nature, self-concealing. Accordingly, neither of the conditions necessary to trigger application of the discovery doctrine and subsequent tolling of the statute of limitations is satisfied with respect to Blackburn's negligence claims against Dr. Pratt and DPHHS. Based on the foregoing, we hold the District Court properly concluded the statute of limitations precludes Blackburn's negligence claims against Dr. Pratt and DPHHS.