Davila Barcelo v. United States

• Citation: 271 F. Supp. 988
• Decision Date: 07 August 1967
• Docket Number: Civ. A. No. 477-66.
• Parties: Rafael G. DAVILA BARCELO et al., Plaintiff, v. UNITED STATES of America et al., Defendant.
• Court: U.S. District Court — District of Puerto Rico

271 F. Supp. 988

Rafael G. DAVILA BARCELO et al., Plaintiff, v. UNITED STATES of America et al., Defendant.

Civ. A. No. 477-66.

United States District Court D. Puerto Rico.

August 7, 1967.

R. A. Oliveras Vera, Hato Rey P. R., for plaintiff.

Candita R. Orlandi, Asst. U. S. Atty., San Juan, P. R., for defendant.

ORDER

CANCIO, Chief Judge.

This case is now before the Court on a motion by defendant United States of America to dismiss the complaint, on the grounds that the statute of limitations has run as to the cause of action pursued. A short summary of the facts is required for a better understanding of the issue.

It is alleged in the complaint that plaintiff suffered a labor accident on April 2, 1964. The claim resulting from this accident was processed through the Puerto Rico State Insurance Fund and later through the Industrial Commission, which rendered a final decision on November 20, 1964. Plaintiff filed this complaint on September 19, 1966, one year and one day after the final decision of the State Insurance Fund, but two years, five months and seventeen days after the accident. The statute of limitations under the Federal Torts Claim Act, 28 U.S.C. § 1346, is of two years.

The issue presented to the Court for determination is whether the statute of limitations begins to run on the date that the accident occurred, or, in the alternative, whether it begins to run upon the rendering of the final decision by the State Insurance Fund.

We hold in the present case that the statute of limitations began to run on the date the accident occurred and that, therefore, the present action has prescribed.

As we have seen, the Act allows the bringing of an action in torts against the United States Government, provided, among other things, that the action be brought within the period of two years after the claim against the government accrues. The United States contends that this period begins when the accident occurred and relies on Tessier v. United States, (1st Cir., 1959) 269 F.2d 305. Plaintiff contends that the period runs from the decision of the State Insurance Fund and relies on Bizer v. United States, (D.C.Cal.1961) 124 F.Supp. 949.

Considering plaintiff's arguments and the case he relies upon, we understand that, as the case itself says, State law is controlling as to the moment when a cause of action comes into existence, but federal law is controlling as to the moment when the statute of limitations begins to run. Bizer v. United States, ...