Opinion ID: 1414647
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Introduction of New Cause of Action by Amendment

Text: It was error on the part of the trial court to deny Malone's motion to amend and to dismiss the claim on the grounds that the amendment introduced a new cause of action. A new cause of action may be alleged in an amended complaint, provided it is founded on facts not wholly foreign to the facts originally pleaded. Newbold v. Florance, 54 N.M. 296, 299, 222 P.2d 1085, 1087 (1950). This rule is applicable in workmen's compensation claims where the amendment is made before trial. Holman v. Oriental Refinery, 75 N.M. 52, 400 P.2d 471 (1965); Hudson v. Herschbach Drilling Co., 46 N.M. 330, 128 P.2d 1044 (1942).