Opinion ID: 1267933
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Amount of Damages Recoverable

Text: Appellants next argue that the parent's claim for damages is derivative from the direct claims of the child and are but one occurrence such that the total sum of recovery for both the parent and child is limited to $250,000.00. Respondents argue that the parent's claim is separate and distinct from that of the child's claim and that the parent should recover an additional $250,000.00. We agree with respondents. Section 15-78-120(a) provides recovery [f]or any action or claim brought under the Tort Claims Act. Section 15-78-120(a)(1) provides that a person's claim or action is limited to $250,000.00 because of [a] loss arising from a single occurrence. Section 15-78-120(a)(2) places an aggregate cap of $500,000.00 for damages arising out of a single occurrence. Here, the parent is a person who has a claim or action if she has suffered a loss. We have already determined that the parent's claim for medical expenses and loss of services of the son is a loss within the definition of Section 15-78-30(f). We find that the parent's loss is a loss which is separately cognizable under the Tort Claims Act and she is entitled to receive $250,000.00 [1] in damages without regard to the $250,000.00 in damages which have already been paid for the child's claims.