Opinion ID: 2632330
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: A premature governmental tort claims action is subject to dismissal.

Text: ¶ 10 A governmental entity may, by motion to dismiss, raise the issue of a premature filing as a plea in abatement. However, because a plea in abatement does not affect the merits of the action, dismissal is ordinarily without prejudice. [10] After dismissal, the claimant may refile the action [11] after the 90-day period expires and before the 180-day limitation expires. [12] ¶ 11 Hathaway argues his premature action ripened into a timely action when the 90-day period for determining the claim expired. In essence, he contends that after the 90-day period, his action was no longer subject to abatement by dismissal motion. We reject this contention. Like other statutes, the provision allowing a governmental entity a 90-day period to consider and act upon a claim should be applied to give effect to the legislative intent. [13] The Legislature clearly intended that a governmental entity should have ninety days to consider a claim before the expense of an action is imposed upon it. If we accepted Hathaway's argument that premature actions should ripen into timely actions, we would, in effect, encourage premature governmental tort claims actions and completely frustrate the intent of the 90-day waiting period. Accordingly, a governmental tort claims action filed within the 90-day period provided in 51 O.S.2001, § 157(A) is subject to dismissal both before and after the 90-day period expires. [14]