Thompson v. E.A. Industries, Inc.

ADAMS, Justice.

The plaintiff, Jack Thompson, appeals from a summary judgment holding that his claims against the defendant, E.A. Industries, Inc., were barred by the statute of limitations. We reverse.

On August 30, 1982, while at work, Thompson was struck and severely injured by his employer’s1 railcar. A year later, on August 30, 1983, Thompson sued the railcar’s manufacturer, E.A. Industries, Inc.,2 and various fictitiously named parties.3

Thompson then attempted, unsuccessfully, to serve process on E.A. Industries in North Carolina, its state of incorporation, at its registered place of…