Opinion ID: 1333326
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 7

Heading: Exception to the Statute of Limitations

Text: Finally, Cable argues that W.Va.Code § 55-2-18 (1985) (Repl.Vol.1994) provides him with an equitable exception to the statute of limitations. [18] We find this argument to be without merit. W.Va.Code § 55-2-18 states: If any action or suit, including an action for wrongful death, commenced within due time, in the name of or against one or more plaintiffs or defendants, abate as to one of them by the return of no inhabitant, or by his or her death or marriage, or if, in an action or suit, including an action for wrongful death, commenced within due time, judgment or decree (or other and further proceedings) for the plaintiffs should be arrested or reversed on a ground which does not preclude a new action or suit for the same cause, or if there be occasion to bring a new action or suit by reason of such cause having been dismissed for want of security for costs, or by reason of any other cause which could not be plead in bar of an action or suit, or of the loss or destruction of any of the papers or records in a former action or suit which was in due time; in every such case, notwithstanding the expiration of the time within which a new action or suit must otherwise have been brought, the same may be brought within one year after such abatement, dismissal or other cause, or after such arrest or reversal of judgment or decree, or such loss or destruction, but not after. The provisions of this section shall not apply to actions brought for the death of any person occurring prior to the first day of July, one thousand nine hundred eighty-two. (Emphasis added). By its own terms, this section of the code applies only when an action is timely commenced, and then subsequently dismissed for one of the contemplated reasons. See, e.g., Taylor v. State Workmen's Comp. Comm'r, 152 W.Va. 609, 613, 165 S.E.2d 613, 617 (1969) (Code, 1931, 55-2-18, as construed by this Court, provides for a one-year extension of the applicable statute of limitations for instituting a suit or action, timely commenced in a trial court, when such a suit or action is terminated during pendency of timely litigation upon a ground not going to the merits. (emphasis added)). [19] Pursuant to Rule 3 of the West Virginia Rules of Civil Procedure, [a] civil action is commenced by filing a complaint with the court. [20] Cable's complaint was never filed. Therefore, the remedy provided in W.Va. Code § 55-2-18 is unavailable to him.