Dews et al v. United States of America, et al.

Filing 20

MEMORANDUM. Signed by Judge J. Frederick Motz on 4/24/2017. (bas, Deputy Clerk)

MERCY DEWS AND IAN DEWS
v.
UNITED STAES OF AMERICA

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..... -"Civil

Ng~Et1FM -16- 3980

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MEMORANDUM
Plaintiffs have brought this action for medical malpractice under the Federal Tort Claims
Act. Defendant has filed a motion to dismiss. The motion will be granted.
Plaintiffs timely filed an administrative claim to the Navy. The Navy mailed notice of
final denial of the claim to plaintiffs' counsel of record on April 20, 2016. Although plaintiffs
filed an action in the Health Claims Alternative Dispute Resolution Office on October 5, 2016,
plaintiffs did not file their action in this court until December 13,2016.

This is nearly two

months after the six-month deadline established by 28 U.S.C. S2401(b).
This case is governed by the Fourth Circuit's decision in Raplee v. United States, 842
F.3d 328.(4th Cir. 2016). Plaintiffs attempt to rely upon the equitable tolling principle but the
reliance is misplaced in light of the fact that the law in this district was clearly that an action
must be filed in this court within the six month limitation period prior to the Fourth Circuit's
decision in Raplee. See Lucas v. United States, No. 16-1539,2016 WL 6871912, at *2 (4th Cir.
Nov. 22, 2016); Horsey v. United States, No. ELH-14-03844, 2015 WL 1566238, at *5 (D. Md.
April 7, 2015); Raplee v. United States, No. PWG-13-1318, (D. Md. Feb. 11,2014).

A separate order granting defendant's motion to dismiss is being entered herewith.

Date:

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