Opinion ID: 2539393
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Contribution statute of limitations

Text: In Nevada, a claim for contribution is preserved by statuteNRS 17.225and carries a fixed limitations period under NRS 17.285. Pursuant to NRS 17.285(2), a contribution claim arises [w]here a judgment has been entered in an action against two or more tortfeasors for the same ... wrongful death. See also Aztec Plumbing, 106 Nev. at 476, 796 P.2d at 229. The contribution claim must be filed within 1 year after the judgment has become final by lapse of time for appeal or after appellate review. NRS 17.285(3). Thus, once a contribution claim arises, it is subject to a one-year statute of limitations. Here, because NRS 17.285 specifically sets forth the applicable statute of limitations for contribution claims, and because that statute of limitations period has not yet begun to run in this case, the district court erred in concluding that appellants' contribution claim was time-barred under NRS 41A.097(2)'s medical malpractice statute of limitations. Based on the above, we conclude that the district court erred in granting summary judgment and dismissing appellants' third-party complaint for equitable indemnity and contribution as time-barred. Accordingly, we reverse the district court's grant of summary judgment and remand for further proceedings consistent with this opinion. We concur: DOUGLAS and PICKERING, JJ.