Opinion ID: 1267933
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: The Effective Date of the Tort Claims Act

Text: In McCall v. Batson , 285 S.C. 243, 329 S.E. (2d) 741 (1985), this Court abolished the doctrine of sovereign immunity in South Carolina with certain limitations. We delayed the implementation of the McCall decision until July 1, 1986, but provided that: (1) sovereign immunity would not bar recovery in any case filed after July 1, 1986, and (2) it would not bar recovery in any case pending or in those filed on or before July 1, 1986 if the defendant had liability insurance coverage. In response to our decision in McCall , the legislature enacted the South Carolina Tort Claims Act, S.C. Code Ann. §§ 15-78-10 et seq . (1989). It was effective on July 1, 1986. Section 15-78-20(c) as originally drawn and effective July 1, 1986 provided: (c) As to those causes of action that arise or accrue prior to the effective date of this act, the General Assembly reinstates sovereign immunity on the part of the State, its political subdivisions, and employees, while acting within the scope of official duty; provided, however, that sovereign immunity will not bar recovery in any case filed on or before the effective date of this act if the defendant maintained liability insurance coverage. In such cases recovery shall not exceed the limits of the liability insurance coverage. The use of the word filed in McCall and in Section 15-78-20(c) of the original Tort Claims Act created confusion. This confusion was resolved by the Court in Moore v. Berkeley County , 290 S.C. 43, 348 S.E. (2d) 174 (1986) and by the legislature by amending the filing language of Section 15-78-20(c). In Moore , the plaintiff received personal injuries as a result of an accident on August 27, 1982. The action was commenced on June 12, 1985. The defendants answered and moved for summary judgment on the grounds of sovereign immunity. The plaintiff then moved for a voluntary nonsuit without prejudice which was granted by the trial judge. This Court affirmed, concluding that the defendants could continue to assert sovereign immunity should the plaintiff decide to refile after July 1, 1986. The intention of this Court was that the triggering event was the accrual of a cause of action and not the filing . The legislature promptly harmonized our decision in Moore with the Tort Claims Act. In January of 1987, the legislature amended Section 15-78-20(c) to read: (c)(i) As to those causes of action that arise or accrue prior to the effective date of this act, the General Assembly reinstates sovereign immunity on the part of the State, its political subdivisions and employees, while acting within the scope of official duty provided that sovereign immunity will not bar recovery in any cause of action arising or accruing on or before the effective date of this act if the defendant maintained liability insurance coverage. This amendment was effective March 16, 1987. Appellants argue that because respondent child was injured after July 1, 1986, his recovery is limited to the statutory cap set forth in Section 15-78-120(a). Respondents however, argue that the legislative amendment to Section 15-78-20 which became effective March 16, 1987, changed or deferred the effective date of the Tort Claims Act from July 1, 1986, to March 16, 1987 thereby reinstating sovereign immunity to March 16, 1987, unless the defendant had liability coverage. Respondents then argue that because injury to the child accrued prior to March 16, 1987, and appellant maintained insurance coverage up to $1,000,000.00, he is not subject to the statutory damages cap as set forth in Section 15-78-120(a). In sum, respondents urge us to find that the Tort Claims Act and its statutory cap on damages was not effective until March 16, 1987. Respondents' interpretation strains a plain reading of the statute. The primary function of the court in interpreting a statute is to ascertain the intention of the legislature. State v. Martin , 293 S.C. 46, 358 S.E. (2d) 697 (1987). We need not look beyond the words of a statute to ascertain the intent of the legislature when it appears as here, on the face of the statute. Section 15-78-20(a) states in pertinent part: It is further declared to be the public policy of the State of South Carolina that to insure an orderly transition from sovereign immunity to qualified and limited liability that the General Assembly intends to provide for liability on the part of the State and its political subdivisions only from July 1, 1986, forward in prospective fashion. It is clear from this statement that the legislature intended the Tort Claims Act to be effective as of July 1, 1986. We recognized July 1, 1986 as the effective date of the Tort Claims Act in the case of Taylor v. Murphy , 293 S.C. 316, 360 S.E. (2d) 314 (1987). We further find that the language of the 1987 amendment contained in Section 15-78-20(c)(i) which refers to the effective date of this act, refers to the effective date of the Tort Claims Act, July 1, 1986, and not the effective date of the amendment, March 16, 1987. Because we find that the effective date of the Tort Claims Act is July 1, 1986 and the injury occurred on July 3, 1986, respondents are subject to the statutory damages cap as set forth in the Tort Claims Act.