Opinion ID: 1771096
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Reaves

Text: ¶ 26. Following the letter sent by Reaves's attorney, an adjuster conducted an interview of Reaves and Rouse. Depositions of several witnesses were also taken. 729 So.2d at 1238. Reaves admitted that the notice letter did not meet the strict construction of Miss.Code Ann. § 11-46-11. However, Reaves contended that the deficiencies in the notice were waived or cured by either the insurance adjuster's investigation and rejection of the claim or the participation of the appellees in discovery. Id. ¶ 27. In Reaves this Court, by finding that the letter substantially complied with the notice provision, rejected strict compliance as set forth in City of Jackson v. Lumpkin, 697 So.2d 1179 (Miss.1997), and Carpenter v. Dawson, 701 So.2d 806 (Miss. 1997). The Court concluded: The Mississippi Tort Claims Act stands in contrast to the old common law principle of sovereign immunity where an injured party was barred from recovery against a political subdivision. The Act was adopted to reduce the harsh effect of the common law. We have held that statutes such as this should be read reasonably. See Bowen v. Flaherty, 601 So.2d 860 (Miss. 1992). A letter of notice to the chief executive officer of the governmental entity is the only means the legislature prescribed through which sovereign immunity may be reached. However, the Act leaves the term chief executive officer of the governmental entity undefined. This language has proved overly broad and likely has created much hardship. In order to give reasonable meaning to the statute, we hold today that this term may be read to include any of the following: president of the board, chairman of the board, any board member, or such other person employed in an executive capacity by a board or commission who can be reasonably expected to notify the governmental entity of its potential liability. The purpose of the Act is to insure that governmental boards, commissions, and agencies are informed of claims against them. Such notice encourages entities to take corrective action as soon as possible when necessary; encourages pre-litigation settlement of claims; and encourages more responsibility by these agencies. When the simple requirements of the Act have been substantially complied with, jurisdiction will attach for the purpose of the Act. In this case, we find that Reaves substantially complied with the notice provisions of the Act. Her notice letter, sent to Superintendent Stevenson, lists the persons involved in the accident, when the accident occurred, where the accident occurred, and what vehicles were involved. Superintendent Stevenson is employed in an executive capacity by the school board and through this letter the board was put on notice of the claim. The board had a duty to inquire into the details of the claim. In order to carry out the legislative purpose of providing relief to injured citizens, we hold that substantial compliance with the notice provisions of the Act is sufficient. Reaves, 729 So.2d at 1240 (emphasis added). ¶ 28. Clearly, both Reaves and Fairley sent written notice as evidenced by their letters. In addition, both satisfied the delivery, via mail or hand delivery, requirement. In Reaves, the attorney sent the letter to the Superintendent while Fairley sent her letter to the Board. In Reaves, this Court held that chief executive officer may include the president of the board, chairman of the board, any board member, or such other person employed in an executive capacity by a board or commission who can be reasonably expected to notify the governmental entity of its potential liability. Reaves, 729 So.2d at 1240.