In American Pipe and Construction Co. v. State of Utah, 414 U.S. 538 (1974), the United States Supreme Court held that where class action status is denied, solely for a failure to meet the numerosity requirement, "the commencement of the original class suit tolls the running of the statute of limitations period for all purported members of the class who make timely motions to intervene after the court denies the class certification. American Pipe, 414 U.S. at 553-54.