Opinion ID: 2966290
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Limitation of Liability under the MTCA

Text: The MTCA contains several provisions that speak to the amount of damages available to a plaintiff who brings a successful claim against a governmental entity or its employees. The provision at the core of this case, § 8104-D, is titled Personal liability of employees of a governmental entity, and it limits the out-of-pocket exposure of a government employee to $10,000 for any claims arising out of a single occurrence. Me. Rev. Stat. Ann. tit. 14, § 8104-D; see supra note 2. Another provision of the Act, titled Limitation on damages, sets a $400,000 cap on the award of damages that may be obtained against either a governmental entity or its employees, or both . . . for any and all claims arising out of a single occurrence. Me. Rev. Stat. Ann. tit. 14, § 8105(1). The § 8105 limit is explicitly superseded in certain instances, however, when a governmental entity procures liability insurance: If the insurance provides protection in excess of the limit of liability imposed by section 8105, then the limits provided in the insurance policy shall replace the limit imposed by section 8105. Id. § 8116.4 4 The substitution of the policy limits for the statutory limit applies to claims for which immunity is waived by the MTCA or under any other law. Me. Rev. Stat. Ann. tit. 14, § 8116. If the policy covers actions for which the government would otherwise be immune from liability, the governmental entity shall be liable . . . but only to the limits of the insurance coverage. Id. -7-