Graves v. Church & Dwight Co., Inc.

This appeal presents an essentially factual controversy about the application of the discovery rule. “The history and principles underlying the discovery rule have been examined by us on numerous occasions.” Abboud v. Viscomi, 111 N.J. 56, 62 (1988); see Vispisiano v. Ashland Chem. Co., 107 N.J. 416, 425-27 (1987). No further elaboration is needed.

Suffice it to say that the rule’s “essential purpose * * * is to avoid harsh results that otherwise would flow from mechanical application of a statute of limitations.” [Vispisiano, supra, 107 N.J.] at 426 Accordingly, the doctrine “postpon[es] the…