Opinion ID: 1282591
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: Burden of Proof Re: Statute of Limitations.

Text: Compliance with 45 U.S.C. § 56 is a condition precedent to an injured employee's recovery in a FELA action.... Failure to timely bring suit not only bars the claimant's remedy, but it also destroys the employer's liability.... For if a statute of limitations is thus made a limitation upon the continued existence of the right, rather than a mere bar to suit upon it, it goes to the substance of the plaintiff's claim so that he must show himself to be within the statute in order to recover.... The burden is therefore on the claimant to allege and to prove that his cause of action was commenced within the three-year period. Emmons v. Southern Pacific Transp. Co., 701 F.2d 1112, 1117-18 (5th Cir.1983) (quoting Goodwin v. Townsend, 197 F.2d 970 (3rd Cir.1952)). Consequently, in an action under the Federal Employers' Liability Act, a plaintiff must prove that the action was commenced within the 3-year period specified by § 56 of the act. Hence, Monaghan had the burden to prove that he timely filed his FELA action against UP.