Ruffins v. ER ARKANSAS, PA

For some time, this court has recognized that medical malpractice and wrongful death are separate causes of action even though they may arise from the same negligent acts. Matthews v. Travelers Indemnity Ins. Co., 245 Ark. 247, 432 S.W.2d 485 (1968). In Simmons First Nat’l Bank v. Abbot, 288 Ark. 304, 705 S.W.2d 3 (1986), we affirmed the holding of Matthews that so long as the medical malpractice two-year statute of limitations has not run before a death caused by a medical injury, a wrongful death suit may be filed within the three-year statute of limitations for wrongful death even though…