Opinion ID: 1307430
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Police Officer's Conduct

Text: Geiss' automobile was struck by a City of Columbia police vehicle driven by Turner, a police officer. Geiss was seriously injured. Geiss and several witnesses testified that immediately after the accident, Geiss was shivering and bleeding from a gash on his head. As the witnesses attempted to apply pressure to the wound and to cover Geiss, Turner abrasively interceded and tried to prevent them from offering aid. The witnesses argued with Turner. Geiss testified he was conscious enough to be aware of this altercation and was frightened that Turner would succeed in preventing the witnesses from helping him. The City objected to this evidence as being irrelevant. The admission of evidence is a matter addressed to the sound discretion of the trial judge. Absent clear abuse of discretion amounting to an error of law, the trial court's ruling will not be disturbed on appeal. Hofer v. St. Clair, 298 S.C. 503, 381 S.E.2d 736 (1989). This evidence was admitted, not to show a separate act of negligence, but on the issue of damages. The South Carolina Tort Claims Act expressly provides for the recovery of damages for pain, suffering, and mental anguish, and any other actual damages recoverable in actions for negligence. S.C.Code Ann. § 15-78-30 (1992). Geiss pled emotional injuries as a direct result of Turner's negligence in causing the collision; thus, this evidence was admissible on the issue of Geiss' emotional injuries.