Opinion ID: 1325005
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: admission of statement into evidence

Text: Nationwide sought to admit into evidence a written proof of loss statement Varnadore had given to its agent. The trial judge limited the use of the document because Varnadore had not been furnished a copy. S.C. Code Ann. § 19-1-100 (1976) provides: No statement taken from and signed by a witness or litigant after July 1, 1966, shall be used in any civil judicial proceeding for the purpose of contradicting, impeaching or attacking the credibility of such a witness or litigant, unless such party shall have been furnished a copy of said statement at the time of its signing. [Emphasis supplied.] Nationwide contends this statute is inapplicable because the proof of loss form is not a statement. We disagree. The form contained Varnadore's detailed account of the fire and was signed by him. Nationwide sought to use the document for impeachment. The trial judge correctly applied § 19-1-100 in limiting Nationwide's use of the statement.