722 S.E.2d 842
Va.2012Background
- The Virginia Supreme Court certified two questions from the Second Circuit about tolling Virginia's statute of limitations due to a cross‑jurisdiction putative class action.
- A Wolfe putative class action alleging Fosamax-related injuries was filed in Tennessee, later transferred to MDL proceedings in SDNY and dismissed for lack of class certification.
- Four Virginia residents filed individual Virginia-law claims in SDNY within two years; district court held the Virginia two-year limitations period was not tolled by Wolfe.
- Virginia law governs whether the filing of a cross‑jurisdiction putative class tolls the limitations period and whether § 8.01‑229(E)(1) tolls it.
- Key statutory provisions involve Code § 8.01‑243(A) two‑year personal injury limit and Code § 8.01‑229(E)(1) tolling language.
Issues
| Issue | Plaintiff's Argument | Defendant's Argument | Held |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whether equitable tolling applies from a cross‑jurisdiction putative class action. | Wolfe tolls the Virginia period if relevant members would join the class. | There is no Virginia authority for equitable tolling by a cross‑jurisdiction class action. | Negative; no equitable tolling recognized. |
| Whether § 8.01‑229(E)(1) tolls the Virginia period due to the putative class action in another jurisdiction. | Wolfe tolls under § 8.01‑229(E)(1) as pending action. | No tolling under § 8.01‑229(E)(1); unlike Welding, parties lack identity and standing. | Negative; § 8.01‑229(E)(1) does not toll for unnamed putative class members. |
Key Cases Cited
- American Pipe & Constr. Co. v. Utah, 414 U.S. 538 (U.S. 1974) (class action tolling doctrine)
- Welding, Inc. v. Bland Cnty. Serv. Auth., 261 Va. 218 (Va. 2001) (cross‑jurisdiction tolling under § 8.01‑229(E)(1))
- McDaniel v. North Carolina Pulp Co., 198 Va. 612 (Va. 1956) (standing requirement for tolling identity of parties)
- Harmon v. Sadjadi, 273 Va. 184 (Va. 2007) (standing and tolling framework; same right requirement)
- W.S. Carnes, Inc. v. Board of Supervisors, 252 Va. 377 (Va. 1996) (standing to sue; representative capacity limits tolling)
- Harbour Gate Owners' Ass'n v. Berg, 232 Va. 98 (Va. 1986) (standing and tolling principles in Virginia)
- Braddock, L.C. v. Board of Supervisors, 268 Va. 420 (Va. 2004) (standing; tolling implications)
- Rivera v. Witt, 257 Va. 280 (Va. 1999) (strict enforcement of limitations unless statutory exception)
- Arrington v. Peoples Sec. Life Ins. Co., 250 Va. 52 (Va. 1995) (statutory tolling and tolling limitations language)