Mass. Gen. Laws » Part III Title II Chapter 223
Massachusetts General Laws

Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 223, § 19 (2026)

Unknown defendant; procedure

✓ text as last checked Sept. 2026 (this copy records no edition or section history)
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Section 19. In a civil action if the name of the defendant is not known to the plaintiff, the defendant may be designated in the summons and complaint by a fictitious name. The use of a fictitious name shall not be grounds for dismissal of the complaint if sufficient service has been made, and amendments shall be allowed and terms may be imposed.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 4 cases (2 in the last 5 years), 1965–2025 · leading case: Grantham v. Blount, Inc., 683 So. 2d 538 (Fla. 2d DCA 1996).
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Grantham v. Blount, Inc., 683 So. 2d 538 (Fla. 2d DCA 1996). “See Mass. Gen. Laws Ann. ch. 223, § 19 (West 1995); Ala.”
Buck v. Clauson's Inn at Coonamessett, Inc., 211 N.E.2d 349 (Mass. 1965). “In this action of tort against Harvey Clauson, individually, and against Inn, it is alleged that each of them operated and controlled the golf course and that the female *614 plaintiff was injured because of the negligence of each defendant or his or its agents.”
Denise Leboeuf v. Harrington Mem'l Hosp. Gb Wells Human Servs. Ctr., 263 N.E.3d 250 (Mass. App. Ct. 2025). “See G. L. c. 223, § 19 (fictitious name may be used to initiate civil action so long as identity disclosed in amended complaint and "sufficient service has been made").”
Impact Tech. Licensing, LLC v. Barry-Wehmiller Companies, Inc., No. @2484CV03350-BLS2 (Mass. Super. Ct. Apr. 8, 2025). “See G.L. c. 223, § 19. But that is not what Plaintiffs are doing here.”
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