Case ID: mich-app_140/html/0728-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "Per Curiam.", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

WYSS v RIVARD
    Docket No. 75673.
    Submitted June 19, 1984, at Detroit. —
    Decided January 2, 1985.
    Plaintiffs, Richard B. Wyss, Alma D. Wyss, and Robert A. Wyss brought an action for damages against Roger L. Rivard, a State Police officer who negligently discharged a rifle while attempting to unload it, striking both Richard and Robert Wyss who were seated in an automobile in the parking lot of a State Police post. The Oakland Circuit Court, Robert C. Anderson, J., granted summary judgment in favor of defendant on the basis of governmental immunity. Plaintiffs appealed. Held:
    
    1. Statutory governmental immunity extends to individual governmental employees as well as to government agencies.
    2. The proper standard by which to judge the liability of a state employee for actions performed while engaged in a governmental function is the "scope of employment” test. Applying this standard, the defendant is protected from liability.
    Affirmed.
    Governmental Immunity — State Employees — Scope of Employment.
    Statutory governmental immunity extends to individual governmental employees as well as to governmental agencies; the proper standard by which to judge the liability of a state employee for actions performed while engaged in a governmental function is the "scope of employment” standard, which looks to whether the specific activity alleged to be a tortious act falls within the scope of the governmental function (MCL 691.1407; MSA 3.996[107]).
    Reference for Points in Headnote
    57 Am Jur 2d, Municipal School, and State Tort Liability § 88.
    
      William A. Wyss, for plaintiffs.
    
      Frank J. Kelley, Attorney General, Louis J. Caruso, Solicitor General, and J. Peter Lark, Assistant Attorney General, for defendant._
    
      Before: V. J. Brennan, P.J., and Allen and Gribbs, JJ.
   Per Curiam.

While sitting in their automobile in the parking lot of the Pontiac State Police Post on December 19, 1980, plaintiffs Richard and Robert Wyss were injured when defendant, a detective sergeant and firearms instructor, negligently discharged a rifle while attempting to unload it. The bullet shattered the Wyss automobile window, creased Richard’s back and entered Robert’s cheek, exiting through his mouth. Plaintiffs filed suit against defendant individually. Defendant answered admitting negligence and moved for summary judgment on grounds of governmental immunity. The motion was granted December 13, 1983, and plaintiffs appeal as of right.

On appeal plaintiffs argue that statutory governmental immunity, MCL 691.1407; MSA 3.996(107), applies only to governmental agencies and should not be extended to individual employees. Plaintiffs also urge this Court to adopt the "discretionary/ ministerial” standard rather than the "scope of employment” standard.

For the reasons set forth in detail in this Court’s published opinion in McGhee v Bhama, 140 Mich App 49; 363 NW2d 293 (1985), released on even date herewith, plaintiffs’ claims are rejected.

Affirmed.