Sign In
Events
Newsletters
Search

Close

Close Search

Cancel

SEARCH
MY LAW.COMNEW

Long v. Bellamy

The plaintiff failed to diligently serve the defendant in her renewal suit seeking compensation for injuries arising out of an automobile collision.

X

Thank you for sharing!

Your article was successfully shared with the contacts you provided.

After dismissing her first lawsuit, Karen M. Bellamy filed this renewal suit seeking compensation for personal injuries, but she did not secure service on the defendant, Kimberly F. Long, until over a year later, after expiration of the statute of limitation. The trial court denied Long’s motion to dismiss, or in the alternative, for summary judgment in which Long argued that the limitation period had expired and Bellamy had not exercised due diligence in perfecting service. The case was tried before a jury, which returned a verdict in favor of Bellamy. We conclude that as a matter of law Bellamy failed to diligently serve Long and, therefore, reverse. This case arises out of an automobile collision that occurred on November 20, 2002. Because the statute of limitation for personal injury actions is two years, OCGA § 9-3-33, the limitation period for a negligence suit arising out of the collision was set to expire on November 20, 2004, unless otherwise tolled.

Bellamy filed her negligence suit against Long in January 2004 and perfected service upon Long the following month. On June 23, 2005, Bellamy voluntarily dismissed her first lawsuit without prejudice, and shortly thereafter, on June 30, 2005, she filed the instant renewal action, but failed to serve Long with the summons and renewed complaint. Long answered and raised the defenses of, among other things, insufficient service of process and expiration of the statute of limitation.

Trending Stories

 
Reprints & Licensing
Mentioned in a Law.com story?

License our industry-leading legal content to extend your thought leadership and build your brand.

LEARN MORE

More From ALM

Premium Subscription
With this subscription you will receive unlimited access to high quality, online, on-demand premium content from well-respected faculty in the legal industry. This is perfect for attorneys licensed in multiple jurisdictions or for attorneys that have fulfilled their CLE requirement but need to access resourceful information for their practice areas.
View Now
Team Accounts
Our Team Account subscription service is for legal teams of four or more attorneys. Each attorney is granted unlimited access to high quality, on-demand premium content from well-respected faculty in the legal industry along with administrative access to easily manage CLE for the entire team.
View Now
Bundle Subscriptions
Gain access to some of the most knowledgeable and experienced attorneys with our 2 bundle options! Our Compliance bundles are curated by CLE Counselors and include current legal topics and challenges within the industry. Our second option allows you to build your bundle and strategically select the content that pertains to your needs. Both options are priced the same.
View Now
Go to CLE Center
GlobeSt. Women of Influence (WOI) 2024
July 22, 2024 - July 24, 2024
Lake Tahoe, CA

GlobeSt. Women of Influence Conference celebrates the women who drive the commercial real estate industry forward.


Learn More
New York Legal Awards 2024
September 05, 2024
New York, NY

The New York Law Journal honors attorneys and judges who have made a remarkable difference in the legal profession in New York.


Learn More
African Legal Awards 2024
September 06, 2024
Johannesburg

The African Legal Awards recognise exceptional achievement within Africa s legal community during a period of rapid change.


Learn More
Go to Events Go to Webcasts
Agency Attorney

The Office of the Special Commissioner of Investigation for the New York City School District ( SCI ) has broad authority to investigate wro...


Apply Now ›
Client Services/Hospitality Representative - Florida Office

CLIENT SERVICES/Hospitality REPRESENTATIVE-FLORIDA OFFICE Prominent mid-Atlantic law firm with multiple regional office locations seeks a f...


Apply Now ›
Legal Practice Assistant - Florida Office

Prominent mid-Atlantic law firm with multiple regional office locations seeks a legal practice assistant (LPA) for our Boca Raton, FL. Offic...


Apply Now ›
Go to Lawjobs
Lawyers of Distinction
06/27/2024
The American Lawyer

Professional Announcement


View Announcement ›
SMGQ Law
06/21/2024
Daily Business Review

Full Page Announcement


View Announcement ›
Blume Forte Fried Zerres & Molinari
06/14/2024
New Jersey Law Journal

Professional Announcement


View Announcement ›
Go to Professional Announcements