Defendant's Attorney: Not Available

Description: Pontiac, Michigan personal injury lawyer represented the Plaintiff on a negligence claims.

Plaintiff was injured when the arm of a garbage truck struck him below his neck as he attempted to pick up a bottle in the roadway. GFL owned the truck, and Doe drove the truck at the time of the incident. Plaintiff filed a complaint against GFL and Doe, alleging that he suffered accidental bodily injury within the meaning of the no-fault act, MCL 500.3101 et seq.,[1] as a result of their negligence.


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Legal issue Can a dismissal of an unnamed defendant without prejudice due to expired service prevent a plaintiff from maintaining claims against an employer for the employee's alleged negligence?
Headnote

INSURANCE LAW. NO-FAULT ACT. The case addresses a plaintiff's appeal against a trial court's order granting summary disposition to GFL Environmental, Inc. regarding negligence claims under the Michigan no-fault insurance act, where the alleged negligent driver was dismissed without prejudice due to lack of identification and expired summons.

CIVIL PROCEDURE. DISMISSAL WITHOUT PREJUDICE. The issue concerns the legal effect of dismissing a defendant without prejudice under Michigan Court Rule 2.102(E)(1) for failure to serve, focusing on whether such dismissal precludes a plaintiff from pursuing claims against another defendant based on the dismissed party's alleged negligence.

CIVIL PROCEDURE. STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS. Consideration of whether the expiration of a statutory limitations period impacts the ability to pursue claims against a corporate entity, where the individual alleged tortfeasor is dismissed without prejudice.

Key Phrases Summary disposition. Vicarious liability. Negligent entrustment. Statute of limitations. Adjudication on the merits.

Outcome: Reversed

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Defendant's Experts:

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