The defendant dentist brought a summary judgment motion to dismiss a negligence action arising from allegedly faulty bridgework as statute barred under the Limitations Act, 2002.
The court held that the plaintiff knew or ought to have known the material facts underlying the claim by late May or early June 2011, when replacement treatment was recommended, reimbursement was demanded, and a regulatory complaint was threatened.
The plaintiff's later reliance on the professional regulator's decision did not postpone discoverability because knowledge of legal negligence is not required to start the limitation period.
Summary judgment was granted and the action was dismissed as out of time.