The Puerto Rico Court of Appeals recently dismissed a petition for certiorari filed by Necco, Inc. and Medical Express Rental Equipment, Inc. The court ruled that the petition was submitted too late, which affects the legal standing of the companies in their ongoing dispute. This decision is significant as it highlights the importance of adhering to strict timelines in legal proceedings.

The case, identified by docket number TA2026CE00314, arose from a previous ruling by the San Juan Superior Court. The court's dismissal of the certiorari petition means that the earlier decisions regarding the case will stand, impacting the parties involved.

Background

Necco, Inc. and Medical Express Rental Equipment, Inc. were the petitioners in this case. They sought to challenge a ruling made by the San Juan Superior Court, which had dismissed their claims against Hilda Ruiz Acevedo, referred to as the Causante HRA. The dismissal was made with prejudice, meaning the claims could not be brought again.

This case began when the Superior Court issued a partial judgment on December 23, 2025, which not only dismissed the claims by Necco and Medical Express but also modified a prior order regarding the substitution of parties. The court allowed Mariel Machado Ruiz and Jorge Machado Guzmán to replace Hilda Ruiz Acevedo in the litigation. Necco and Medical Express disagreed with this ruling and filed for reconsideration on January 14, 2026.

However, the Superior Court denied their request for reconsideration on February 10, 2026. Following this, Necco, Medical Express, and other parties filed the certiorari petition on March 13, 2026, arguing that the lower court had made errors in its rulings.

The Ruling

The Puerto Rico Court of Appeals ruled that it did not have jurisdiction to hear the certiorari petition due to its late filing. The court stated, "the term for filing a certiorari petition began to run on December 31, 2025, without interruption." This ruling was made by a panel of judges including Rodríguez Casillas, Barresi Ramos, and Santiago Calderón.

The court explained that the petitioners failed to meet the strict 30-day deadline for filing the certiorari after the notification of the lower court's ruling. The court emphasized that the rules governing the perfection of appeals must be observed rigorously, stating, "the mere presentation of a motion for reconsideration does not interrupt the term for appealing if the parties filing it are not adversely affected by the order." This ruling underscores the strict adherence required in legal timelines.

Impact

The dismissal of the certiorari petition has significant implications for Necco and Medical Express. It means that their claims against Hilda Ruiz Acevedo will not be reconsidered, effectively ending their pursuit of those claims in this case. This ruling serves as a reminder for all parties involved in legal disputes about the importance of filing documents within specified timeframes.

Furthermore, this case may set a precedent regarding the strict enforcement of procedural rules in Puerto Rico's legal system. It emphasizes that even if a party believes they have valid claims, failing to adhere to procedural timelines can result in the loss of those claims.

What's Next

Given the court's ruling, the petitioners cannot appeal this decision as it has been dismissed for lack of jurisdiction. There are no indications of related cases pending that would affect this ruling. Details were not available in the court filing regarding any further actions the parties may take.