Document: 444 U.S. 111 100 S.Ct. 352 62 L.Ed.2d 259 UNITED STATES, Petitioner,v.William A. KUBRICK. No. 78-1014. Argued Oct. 3, 1979. Decided Nov. 28, Syllabus A provision of the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA), 28 U.S.C. § 2401(b), bars any tort claim against United States unless it is presented in writing to appropriate federal agency "within two years after such accrues." In 1968, several weeks having an infected leg treated with neomycin (an antibiotic) at a Veterans' Administration (VA) hospital, respondent suffered hearing loss, and January 1969 was informed by private physician that highly possible loss result treatment. Subsequently, course respondent's unsuccessful administrative appeal from VA's denial his for certain veterans' benefits based on allegation treatment had caused deafness, another June 1971 told injury should not have been administered. 1972, filed suit under FTCA, alleging he injured negligent VA hospital. The District Court rendered judgment respondent, rejecting Government's defense barred 2-year statute limitations because accrued 1969, when first learned probably resulted neomycin, holding no reason suspect negligence until conversation second 1971, less than before action commenced. Appeals affirmed, if medical malpractice does accrue plaintiff aware its cause, neither knows or doctor who legally blameworthy, here period triggered indicated improper. Held: accrues within meaning 2401(b) both existence cause injury, later time also acts inflicting may constitute malpractice. Hence, probable thus limitations. Pp. 117-125. (a) Section balance struck Congress context claims Government, be construed so as defeat purpose encouraging prompt presentation claims. Moreover, being condition FTCA's waiver States' immunity suit, extend beyond which intended. 117-118. (b) There nothing language legislative history provides substantial basis Appeals' construction 2401(b). Nor did prevailing case law FTCA passed lend support notion general particular do learns negligently inflicted. 119-120. (c) For purposes, plaintiff's ignorance legal rights fact receive equal P. 122. (d) armed facts about harm done him, can protect himself seeking advice community, excuse him promptly doing postponing accrual would undermine statute. Whether competently advised, even whether putative must determine sue not, precisely other plaintiffs make. 123-124. 581 F.2d 1092, reversed. Elinor H. Stillman, Washington, D. C., petitioner. Benjamin Kuby, Philadelphia, Pa., respondent. Mr. Justice WHITE delivered opinion Court. 1 Under (Act),1 issue this "accrues" 2 * Respondent Kubrick, veteran, admitted hospital Wilkes-Barre, April infection right femur. Following surgery, area irrigated antibiotic, cleared. Approximately six discharge, Kubrick noticed ringing sensation ears some hearing. An ear specialist Scranton, Dr. Soma, diagnosed bilateral nerve deafness. His diagnosis confirmed specialists. One them, Sataloff, secured Kubrick's records administered already receiving disability service-connected back application increase pursuant 38 351,2 denied September resubmission again claim, grounds causal relationship existed between there evidence "carelessness, accident, negligence, lack proper skill, error fault part Government." 3 pursuing appeal, Soma suggested connection prior occupation machinist. When questioned 2, only making statement attributed but On Sataloff's advice, then consulted attorney employed help appeal. rendering decision August Board recognized "may irrigation" rejected ground accordance acceptable practices procedures Government therefore faultless.3 4 Act, hospital.4 After trial, rejecting, among defenses, assertion Sataloff neomycin. conceded lower courts held considerable uniformity "the claimant has discovered, exercise reasonable diligence constituting alleged malpractice," 435 F.Supp. 166, 180 (ED Pa.1977), notice normally were sufficient trigger period. iId., 184. As read authorities, however, could avoid usual rule showing exercised "reasonable suspicion" Id., 185. "[W]e believe start running least duty breached." Ibid. Here, found, claim. 5 went hold, expert testimony it, reasonably competent orthopedic surgeon Wilkes-Barre out be, known irrigating wound It use drug manner. Damages determined awarded. 6 Except remanding resolve setoff claimed States,5 Third Circuit affirmed. 1092 (1978). ruled though defendant's responsibility run where shows "in due know, nor known, alerted person possibility improper." 1097. We granted certiorari important question administration statute, 440 906, 99 1211, 59 453 (1979), we now reverse. II 7 Statutes limitations, "are found approved all systems enlightened jurisprudence," Wood v. Carpenter, 101 135, 139, 25 L.Ed. 807 (1879), represent pervasive unjust fail put adversary defend specified free stale comes prevail over prosecute them." Railroad Telegraphers Railway Express Agency, 321 342, 349, 64 582, 586, 88 L .Ed. 788 (1944). These enactments are statutes repose; although affording what legislature deems present their claims, they defendants deal cases search truth seriously impaired evidence, death disappearance witnesses, fading memories, documents, otherwise. Marion, 404 307, 322, n. 14, 92 455, 464, 30 468 (1971); Burnett New York Central R. Co., 380 424, 428, 85 1050, 1054, 13 941 (1965); Chase Securities Corp. Donaldson, 325 304, 314, 65 1137, 1142, 89 1628 (1945); Missouri K. & T. Co. Harriman, 227 657, 672, 33 397, 401, 57 690 (1913); Bell Morrison, Pet. 351, 360, 174 (1828). 8 involved here, Government; construe obvious purpose, encourage Campbell Haverhill, 155 610, 617, 39 280 (1895); supra, 360. regard plea "meritorious defense, itself serving public interest." Guaranty Trust States, 304 126, 136, 58 785, 790, 82 1224 (1938). 9 mind waives construing waiver, take upon ourselves See Soriano 270, 276, 77 269, 273, 306 (1957); cf. Indian Towing 350 61, 68-69, 76 122, 48 (1955). Neither, assume authority narrow supra. 10 light these considerations review Appeals. III 11 undisputed cause. Despite factual predicate time, yet knew expected know eyes law, constituted thought "most" knowledge without more, will alert actionable wrong. F.2d, 1096. But apparent, particularly record, reach untutored plaintiff, benefit "technical complexity" case, id., 1097, doctors him. understand Appeals, need initiate inquiry receives perhaps forms wronged. example, 1975, 1980, instead act. 12 2401(b).6 Indeed, come begin discovered cause.7 so—and prepared concede much purposes—the latter save since essential 1969. Reasoning, hold irrigation improper.8 disagree. unconvinced purposes identical That unknown unknowable manifests itself; causation control defendant, unavailable very difficult obtain. prospect bleak possession critical hurt inflicted injury. He longer mercy latter. others tell wronged, ask. If ask defendant failed live up minimum standards proficiency, odds inform plaintiff. 14 trial court finding, treating observe standard care governing specialty branch medicine neomycin.9 Crediting must, made average training experience matters good action. difficulty appear ever inquiry, meanwhile specialists Furthermore, doubt volunteered improper, same sought 15 cannot intended "accrual" await awareness community. To require diligent Government.10 exists community generally applicable respect ailment, see suppose available conformed standard. advised bring suit. contrary, dissuaded, pressing baseless Of course, incompetently divided crucial experts proved case. however claimants fails mistakenly discern sound visiting consequences delaying otherwise determines more discovery relevant 16 Court, F.Supp., 185, apparently ruling justified complexity," determining often complicated hotly disputed, judge jury decide listening barrage conflicting testimony. And led indeed apply health arising whole range statutes, implications make unreasonable expect seek realize invaded. 17 ascertaining precise proposed one hand, seemed breach duty. breached. event, either go far eliminate separate IV 18 goes saying impossible enforce perfectly valid remain ubiquitous statutory attached applicable. give them effect ascertain intent been. misconceived adopted amended years. have, desires different result, prerogative amend will. 19 Reversed. 20 STEVENS, whom BRENNAN MARSHALL join, dissenting. 21 Normally most event adequate well settled, normal Act. exception essentially itself. victim frequently invaded simply misfortune followed Sometimes actual passed; times, recognize cause; or, guilty cases—until today—the applied fair invasion rights. 22 Essentially, approaches word limitations: (1) might deemed "accrue" moment potentially harsh consequence barring meritorious chance assert rights, (2) flow certainty our affairs favor former approach commercial situations.1 considered unacceptable.2 events, ago endorsed principle "blameless ignorance" injuries. Writing Rutledge expressed point simply: 23 "We think humane plan [Federal Employers' Liability Act] attach blameless ignorance. those reconciled traditional conventionally rights." Urie Thompson, 337 163, 170, 69 1018, 1025. 24 This consistently Courts intervening decades suggestion complaint Congress. my judgment, forecloses Court's attempt distinguish hand doctor's failure meet other. situations typical will, should, rely explanation situation.3 26 prevent commencing place misconduct. suspects, suspect, malpractice, I treat differently indeed, expressly "plaintiff's belief view technical complexity excessive risks, suggest repeated unequivocal assertions Veterans government." 174. 27 certainly correct stating "reasonably Ante, 123. remains ignorant through characterized "blameless." reverse findings adequately supported requiring justify reaches today. "plaintiff kinds attempting establish increased benefits." produced denials, but, worse, fabrication. machinist deafness confronting became practice. Plaintiff unquestionably diligent; moreover, ultimately bore fruit. assuming, holds, sooner. resolved factfinder—not Supreme States—and resolution depend rather speculation various circumstances.4 Since large number circuit judges reached conclusion, find lessens collective wisdom, affirm unanimous affirming merely well-settled somewhat unusual case.5 Title 2674 part: "The shall liable, respecting provisions title relating manner extent individual like circumstances, liable interest punitive damages." 1346(b) district "shall exclusive jurisdiction civil actions money damages, accruing 1, 1945, property, personal wrongful act omission employee while acting scope office employment, circumstances person, occurred." provides: "A forever begun months date mailing, certified registered mail, final presented." 351 veteran suffers "an aggravation hospitalization, surgical treatment" awarded . service-connected." regulations applicant show proximately carelessness, similar instances Administration." CFR 3.358(c)(3) reconsideration decision, before, concluded administering irrigation. litigation, contested despite finding fault. 2675(a) pertinent "An instituted damages property Agency finally sent mail." file objection moot 13, 1973. pursue 1975 entitled rating By received $50,000 augmented benefits. payments set off tort; increment future monthly paid aggregate amount withheld equals concedes history. enacted Legislative Reorganization 1946. 60 Stat. 842. Senate Report bill, S.Rep.No.1400, 79th Cong., 2d Sess., (1946), states year mention accrues. 1949, extended years, Ch. 92, 63 62, further addressed. H.R.Rep.No.276, 81st 1st (1949), U.S.Code Cong.Service p. 1226, notes enlarge filing accrual" explain how accrual. touches all, seems almost indicate Thus, amendment, addition bringing line periods state statutes: 1-year existing unfair injuries fully develop expiration wide operations agencies, armed-service deceased next kin long delayed going channels communication arrive institution suit." 3-4. 1966, 80 every prerequisite originally required $1,000 less, 845. amendment 1959 raised $2,500, Pub.L.86-238, 73 472. Prior keyed suit; 1966 purposes. Reports changes precision, explicate S.Rep.No.1327, 89th (1966); H.R.Rep.No.1532, (1966), Cong. Admin.News 2515. 93 1282 manifested contracted silicosis work fireman steam locomotive. too ill work. reluctant charge "unknown inherently unknowable" disease U.S., 169-170, S.Ct., 1024-1025. Quinton 234 (CA5 1962), Other Circuits Hungerford 307 (CA9 1962); Toal 438 222 (CA2 1971); Tyminski 481 257 (CA3 1973); Portis 483 670 (CA4 Reilly 513 147 (CA8 1975); Casias 532 1339 (CA10 1976). Restatement (Second) Torts 899, Comment, e, pp. 444-445 reflects developments: "One group extensive departure earlier runs Two reasons why change many jurisdictions area. initiated short—one year, two, common limit. protecting physicians unjustified claims; become apparent left remedy. nature character wrong, forced surgeon. "There still proceed brought. "In wave recent decisions devices replaced meeting directly it. professional attorneys accountants one." relied three cases, decided past five dictum facts, themselves, run. Exnicious 563 418, 420, 424 1977); Bridgford 550 978, 981-982 Jordan 503 620 (CA6 1974). below, views. De Witt 593 276 (CA7 1979). dissent, relies Quinton, controls one. Both dealt addressed part. Contrary postpone Holdings us departures and, above, quite vintage. found: credit literature 1968 contained sufficiently widespread information ototoxicity absorption properties warned [the physician] dangerousness hence impropriety treatment." 177 (E.D.Pa.1977) (footnote omitted). concluded: "Those physician's] knowledge, concomitant treatment, violated national generalized hazards potentiality created 1% solution closed hemovac system (at high lengthy dosage). However, locality applied, conclusion Philadelphia. "Finally, conclude mere skill measured, level April, 1968." 188-189. dissent suggests, post, 128, partial disagreement diligence. Although diligently ascertained thereafter omission. not. Gates Rubber USM Corp., 508 603, 611 1975). note cited footnote 7, ante, 120, reference "a decisions" quotation footnote. discussion special "that surgeon." Comment (1979). assumption patient mistreated "failed plaintiff." am sure odds. W. Prosser, Law 164 (4th ed. Markus, Conspiracy Silence, Clev.-Mar.L.Rev. 520 Seidelson, Medical Malpractice Cases Reluctant Expert, Cath.U.L.Rev. 158 (1966). whatever generally, prefer exploring unfortunate deaf Not grant ill-advised. notes, 125, announced add possesses options creating bifurcated temper repose threatens result. 611-612. possessed Executive notifying definition problems attention. Reversal just unnecessarily price pay order provide notice.

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