Opinion ID: 1215511
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 7

Heading: third party relation/statute of limitations

Text: The dairy operators argue that the rationale of Petersen v. State, 100 Wn.2d 421, 671 P.2d 230 (1983) applies in this case. In Petersen the court relied on Restatement (Second) of Torts § 315 (1965) and held that a special relation existed between a psychiatrist and a known-to-be-dangerous patient which gave rise to an actionable duty to take reasonable precautions to protect anyone who might foreseeably be endangered by the patient. Petersen, at 426-28. [5] A review of the cases applying section 315 discloses that a duty to a particular individual will be imposed only upon a showing of a definite, established and continuing relationship between the defendant and the third party. E.g., Petersen v. State, supra ; Tarasoff v. Regents of Univ. of Cal., 17 Cal.3d 425, 551 P.2d 334, 131 Cal. Rptr. 14, 83 A.L.R.3d 1166 (1976). The relationship between the State and Holloway is too tenuous and unsubstantial to warrant application of Restatement section 315. Here, the Director had regulatory authority over Holloway. Regulatory control over a third party is not sufficient to establish the necessary control which can give rise to an actionable duty. See Hartley v. State, 103 Wn.2d 768, 783-84, 698 P.2d 77 (1985). Finally, the State contends that Megard's claim, which the Court of Appeals concluded could be maintained under the special relationship exception to the public duty doctrine, is barred by the 3-year statute of limitations. RCW 4.16.080(2). Megard contends that his claim is not time barred because he filed his complaint within 3 years of discovering all facts which gave rise to his cause of action. See U.S. Oil & Ref. Co. v. Department of Ecology, 96 Wn.2d 85, 91, 633 P.2d 1329 (1981). We concur with the Court of Appeals holding that whether Megard's action is time barred is a question of fact that must be determined on remand. Honcoop, at 307-08; see Ohler v. Tacoma Gen. Hosp., 92 Wn.2d 507, 510, 598 P.2d 1358 (1979); Vigil v. Spokane Cy., 42 Wn. App. 796, 800, 714 P.2d 692 (1986).