Opinion ID: 2076670
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Journey's Account Statute: Background and Purpose

Text: At common law suits often were dismissed on technical grounds. In such cases, the plaintiff could file another writ known as a Journey's Account. The renewal suit was deemed to be a continuation of the first. The time to bring another suit was computed theoretically with reference to the time required for the plaintiff to journey to where court was held. Pennsylvania Co. v. Good (1913), 56 Ind. App. 562, 566, 103 N.E.2d 672, 673. Although the common law remedy is no longer recognized, Indiana has created a statutory remedy in its place. Indiana's Journey's Account Statute, Ind. Code § 34-1-2-8, provides: If, after the commencement of an action, the plaintiff fails therein, from any cause except negligence in the prosecution, or the action abated, or be defeated by the death of a party, or judgment be arrested or reversed on appeal, a new action may be brought within five [5] years after such determination, and be deemed a continuation of the first, for purposes herein contemplated. The purposes herein contemplated are determinations of when an action has commenced. The Journey's Account Statute is designed to ensure that the diligent suitor retains the right to a hearing in court until he receives a judgment on the merits. Its broad and liberal purpose is not to be frittered away by narrow construction. Abele v. A.L. Dougherty Overseas, Inc. (N.D.Ind. 1961), 192 F. Supp. 955, 957.