Hoffman v. Rankin

¶ 1. Neil and Margaret Hoffman appeal the dismissal of their medical negligence action against Thomas Rankin, M.D., the Medical Protective Company and the Wisconsin Patients Compensation Fund (hereinafter, "the respondents"). The sole issue involves the interpretation of Wis. Stat. § 655.445. Specifically, we must decide whether "mailing" is the equivalent of "filing" within the meaning of the statute.

¶ 2. The Hoffmans argue that the trial court erroneously ruled that the terms were synonymous and incorrectly held that the Hoffmans failed to wait for the expiration of the mandatory mediation…