Carolyn N. Hess, Administratrix of the Estate of David Milano, Deceased v. Bob Eddy

GOLDBERG, Circuit Judge:

In this appeal, we are asked to decide whether a civil rights action is time barred if a person other than the “real party in interest” brings suit within the applicable limitations period, and the real party in interest first joins and ratifies the action only after the limitations period has run. We conclude that the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure allow for an amendment or ratification by the real party in interest, that the amendment or ratification relates back to the time suit was initially filed, and that the real party in interest’s action is therefore not…