Opinion ID: 2105193
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Relevant Statute of Limitations

Text: In general, a plaintiff in a medical malpractice case must bring his claim within two years of when the claim accrued, or within six months of when he discovered or should have discovered his claim. M.C.L. § 600.5805(4); M.S.A. § 27A.5805(4) and M.C.L. § 600.5838; M.S.A. § 27A.5838. The general limitation period for malpractice actions provides that a plaintiff must bring his action within two years of when the claim first accrues. M.C.L. § 600.5805(1), (4); M.S.A. § 27A.5805(1), (4). For acts of malpractice occurring before October 1, 1986, the claim accrues on the date that the defendant discontinue[d] treating or otherwise serving the plaintiff in a professional or pseudoprofessional capacity as to the matters out of which the claim for malpractice arose, regardless of the time the plaintiff discovers or otherwise has knowledge of the claim. M.C.L. § 600.5838(1); M.S.A. § 27A.5838(1). On October 1, 1986, an accrual provision specific to medical malpractice claims became effective. This provision states that medical malpractice claims accrue at the time of the act or omission that is the basis for the claim of medical malpractice, regardless of the time the plaintiff discovers or otherwise has knowledge of the claim. M.C.L. § 600.5838a(1); M.S.A. § 27A.5838(1)(1). Thus, for acts or omissions giving rise to a claim of malpractice occurring before October 1, 1986, the claim accrues for purposes of the two-year limitation period on the last date of professional services. For acts or omissions giving rise to a claim of malpractice occurring after October 1, 1986, the claim accrues on the date of the alleged act or omission giving rise to the claim. In this case, Drs. Chapel treated the plaintiff both before and after October 1, 1986, with the last date of treatment having occurred on October 9, 1986. Regardless of whether the allegedly negligent acts or omissions occurred before or after October 1, 1986, plaintiff's suit would be barred under the relevant two-year provision. The latest possible accrual date is October 9, 1986, the last date that defendants rendered professional services. In order to have timely commenced this action within the two-year period, plaintiff would have had to file her suit on or before October 9,1988. Because the complaint was not filed until nearly four years later, on October 5, 1992, the claim is barred unless plaintiff can prove that she filed her claim within six months of when she discovered or should have discovered her claim. The six-month discovery rule applicable to this claim provides: Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, an action involving a claim based on medical malpractice may be commenced at any time within the applicable period prescribed in section 5805 or sections 5851 to 5856, or within 6 months after the plaintiff discovers or should have discovered the existence of the claim, whichever is later. [M.C.L. § 600.5838a(2); M.S.A. § 27A.5838(1)(2).][ [2] ] Applying this subsection, the Court of Appeals determined that the suit was barred because it was filed more than six months after the plaintiff should have discovered a possible cause of action, as required by this Court's opinions in Moll and Gebhardt.