Legal Document

446 U.S. 740 100 Supreme Court Reporter 1978 64 United States Reports Lawyer’s Edition 2d Series KF101.8 U54 659 Fred N. WALKER, Petitioner,v.ARMCO STEEL CORPORATION. Number 78-1862. Argued Jan. 8, 1980. Decided June 2, Syllabus An Oklahoma statute provides that an action shall not be deemed to "commenced" for purposes of the limitations until service summons on defendant, but further (§ 97) if complaint is filed within period have commenced from date filing plaintiff serves defendant 60 days, even though such occurs outside period. Federal Rule Civil Procedure 3 a civil by complaint. In this case, petitioner's personal injury action, based diversity citizenship, was brought against respondent in District Oklahoma, and although Oklahoma's 2-year limitations, effectuated after limitation 60-day specified § 97 had expired. The dismissed as barred holding integral part therefore under Ragan versus Merchants Transfer & Warehouse Co., 337 530, 69 1233, 93 L.Ed. 1520, state law, 3, applied. Appeals affirmed. Held : limitations. Ragan, supra. Pp. 744-753. (a) scope sufficiently broad control issue before Court. Hanna Plumer, 380 460, 85 1136, 14 distinguished. There no indication intended toll much less it purported displace tolling rules statutes actions, governs which various timing requirements Rules begin run, does affect 748-751. (b) contrast statement substantive decision State actual on, accordingly notice to, policies (establishment deadline may legitimately peace mind, recognition certain time unfair require attempt piece together his defense old claim) served replace policy determinations found can exist side side, each controlling its own sphere coverage without conflict. 751-752. (c) Although case failure apply law might create any problem forum shopping, result would inequitable administration law. reason why, absence federal rule, concededly courts should proceed judgment court solely because fortuity there citizenship between litigants. 752-753. 10 Cir., 592 Reporter, 2nd 1133, Don Manners, City, Okl., petitioner. Jay M. Galt, respondent. Mr. Justice MARSHALL delivered opinion 1 This presents whether follow or, alternatively, determining when purpose 2 * According allegations complaint, petitioner, carpenter, injured August 22, 1975, Okla., while pounding Sheffield nail into cement wall. Respondent manufacturer nail. Petitioner claimed contained defect caused head shatter strike him right eye, resulting permanent injuries. allegedly respondent's negligence manufacture design. resident foreign corporation having principal place business other than Oklahoma. Since petitioner suit Western 19, 1977. issued same day,1 process made authorized agent December 1, 1977.2 On January 5, 1978, motion dismiss ground applicable been Okla.Stat., Tit. 12, 95 (1971),3 deem (1971).4 If period, however, occur Ibid. long reply brief admitted foreclosed court, he argued manner all purposes, including limitations.5 4 452 F.Supp. 243 (1978). concluded (1971) "an limitations," F.Supp., at 245, therefore, 1500 (1949), rejected argument implicitly overruled 8 (1965). 5 Tenth Circuit 1133 (1979). That (1971), "direct conflict" with 3. F.2d, 1135. However, "indistinguishable" involved felt itself "constrained" Ragan. 1136. 6 We granted certiorari, 444 823, 43, 62 29 (1979), conflict among Courts Appeals.6 now affirm. II 7 question or issues arising has jurisdiction troubled many years. landmark Erie R. company Tompkins, 304 64, 58 817, 82 1188 (1938), we overturned rule expressed Swift Tyson, 16 Pet. 865 (1842), exercising need not, matters "general jurisprudence," nonstatutory State. noted "[d]iversity conferred order prevent apprehended discrimination those citizens State," supra, U.S., 74, S.Ct., 820. doctrine Tyson led undesirable results favor noncitizens, prevention uniformity shopping. 74-75, 820-821. response, established "[e]xcept governed Constitution Acts Congress, applied [diversity] id., 78, 822. Guaranty Trust York, 326 99, 65 1464, 89 2079 (1945), addressed ourselves "the narrow whether, recovery could equity take cognizance parties," 107, 1469. held suits well actions construing "[i]n essence, intent insure that, cases where parties, outcome litigation substantially same, so far legal determine litigation, tried court." 109, 1470. "Plainly enough, completely bar bears State-created vitally merely formally negligibly. As consequences intimately non-recovery law." Id., 110, 9 York logically our September 4, 1945, pursuant Procedure. accident claim arose occurred October 1943. Service 28, 1945. supplied Kansas two additional provided: "An meaning [the limitations], . commence equivalent commencement thereof article party faithfully, properly diligently endeavors procure service; must followed first publication sixty days." Kan.Gen.Stat. 60-308 (1935). moved summary since either It conceded barred. Nonetheless, tolled reversed requirement statutory state's limitations." 532, 1234. affirmed, relying York. "We cannot give cause action] longer life adding something action. do consistently Tompkins." 533-534, 1235. Instead, controlled state-law 11 last pronouncement difficult area, however. 1965 decided upon 4(d)(1) Procedure, rather served. Massachusetts required in-hand executor administrator estate, whereas permits leaving copies defendant's home some person "of suitable age discretion." conflicting procedure, plainly control, 465, 1140. stated "outcome-determination" test read reference "twin aims" "discouragement forum-shopping avoidance laws." 468, 1142. determined choice "would scant, any, relevance forum," "was presented situation application wholly recovery; rather, adherence resulted only altering way served." 469, 1143 (footnote omitted). factor distinguish See 469 n. 10, 10. 12 Hanna, pointed out "a more fundamental flaw" case. simply appropriate validity applicability one Procedure: 13 "The never invoked void Rule. true face Rules. But commanded displacement inconsistent losing urged, being covered point dispute, enforcement 470, 1143. cited examples proposition, 1143, 12.7 explained clearly applicable, Enabling Act, 28 Code KF62 2072, so, constitutional grant power Necessary Proper Clause Article I. 470-472, 1143-1145. III 15 present indistinguishable both fact predecessor derived Dr. Koch Vegetable Tea Davis, 48 Okl. 14, 145 Pacific KF135 P2 337, 340 (1914). Here, did run. instances lower familiar Accordingly, below, instant unless good argues analysis survive Hanna.8 Petitioner's position direct Under contends, Act and, Congress. view, violates restrictions. ignores force stare decisis specific carefully placed analysis. 17 note outset weighs heavily seeks us overrule Stare mandate earlier decisions enshrined forever, course, counsel use caution rejecting reasons asserts overruling are factors undermine A litigant who effect asks reconsider prior heavy burden supporting change jurisprudence. here met burden. 18 distinguished it, reason. Application premised collision" 472, "clash" "unavoidable." answered affirmatively applies.9 19 already noted, recognized instance [is] urge[s], cover[s] command[s] states "[a] limitations,10 actions11 Cf. C. Wright Atlantic Miller, Practice 1057, Pages 190-191 (1969); 1051, 165-166. 20 by, several Contract Tile Independent School Tulsa County, 503 554, 559 (Okl.1972). establishes mind; also recognizes claim. promotes functions statute. generally ibid.; Seitz Jones, 370 300, 302 (Okl.1961). Ely, Irrepressible Myth Erie, 87 Harv.L.Rev. 693, 730-731 (1974).12 these aspects make "integral" such, considered parcel limitations.13 21 apply.14 behind directly point, jurisdiction. see 744-746, repeated here. sufficient shopping,15 "inequitable administration" through underlying support distinction plaintiffs, progeny permit it. 22 Affirmed. following day, 20. 1134 (CA10 1979). docket sheet indicates 19. App. insert preceding Page A-1. Nothing turns difference. record indicate why delay occurred. shows Marshal acknowledged receipt 1977, day. A-5. At oral "in unmarked folder cabinet" counsel's office 90 days filed. Tr. Oral Arg. 6. Counsel 1. 3-4. unclear cabinet. 17. products liability, theory breach implied warranty theory, (1971). Hester Purex Corp., 534 1306, 1308 (Okl.1975); O'Neal Black Decker Manufacturing 523 614, 615 (Okl.1974); Kirkland General Motors 521 1353, 1361 (Okl.1974). begins run injury. 615; 1361. Stat., pertinent part: commenced, him, codefendant, joint contractor otherwise united interest him. thereof, article, summons, (60) relied 41—dismissal prosecute—rather response 41 implicit dismiss. Neither nor issue. Compare below; Rose K. Masutoku Toy Factory 597 215 1979); Lindsey Dayton-Hudson 1118, 1121-1123 (CA10), cert. denied, 856, 116, 75 (1979); Witherow Firestone Tire Rubber 530 160, 163-166 (CA3 1976); Anderson Papillion, 445 841 (CA5 1971) (per curiam ); Groninger Davison, 364 638 (CA8 1966); Sylvester Messler, 351 472 (CA6 1965) ), 382 1011, 86 619, 526 (1966), controls, Smith Peters, 482 799 1973), 415 989, 94 1587, 39 886 (1974), Sylvestri Warner Swasey 398 598 (CA2 1968), controls. Ingram Kumar, 585 566, 568 1978) (reaffirming 440 940, 99 1289, 59 499 Prashar Volkswagen America, Inc., 480 947 1973) (distinguishing Ragan), denied sub nom. Volkswagenwerk Aktiengesellschaft Prashar, 994, 1596, 891 (1974); Chappell Rouch, 448 ). generally, Walko Corporation Burger Chef Systems, 180 U.S.App.D.C. 306, 308-311, 554 1165, 1167-1170 (1977) (dicta). "this confronted collision relevant State." 1144. Harlan concurring 474-478, 1145-1148. 1968). suggest narrowly construed avoid given their plain meaning. arises meaning, then developed Plumer applies. "Rule primary measuring periods running commencement; tolls 191 (1969) Note Advisory Committee states: "When pleaded defense, arise mere stops statute, step required, as, delivery marshal service. answer depend competent Court, procedure affecting rights, vary operation clerk forthwith deliver will reduce chances arising." U.S.C.App., 394-395. predicted again indicate, serve provision purposes; suggests thought effect. suggested enforce rights means 533, 1234, distinguishing Bomar Keyes, 162 136, 140-141 (CA2), 332 825, 68 166, 92 400 (1947). 729 (1974). U.S.App.D.C., 308, 1167, 19; 1056, authorities collected therein. address role set borrowed importance service, corresponding notice, scheme demonstrated individual codefendant "united interest" unserved defendant. requirement, like itself, nothing promote general keeping stale claims court. furthers different related decision: legitimate surprised lawsuit liability served, presumably receive mind disturbed receives official process. Similarly, know gathering evidence task still feasible. link clear another 151 proper petition clerk's issuance thereon." corollary 97, 151, controls purposes. Tyler Taylor, 578 1214 (Okl.App.1977). Just separate too hold apply, unnecessary second posed analysis: applied, beyond Congress Constitution. believe unable comply chose sue requirements.

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