Opinion ID: 1392599
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Adjudging of Liability of Employee Pursuant to Section 33-55-210

Text: Doe moved before Judge Hamilton to add as defendants several Red Cross nurses. Doe contends they were reckless, wanton and grossly negligent in failing permanently to disqualify the infected donor in question based upon a health history he gave approximately five months before Doe was transfused with the infected blood. Section 33-55-210 provides that in a suit against the charitable organization, the employees of the organization shall not be named individually unless the identity of the employer organization cannot be determined at the time of the suit. S.C. Code Ann. § 33-55-210 (Law Co-op 1987). Section 33-55-220 enunciates an exception to Section 33-55-210 by providing that the bar to any action against the employee, provided herein, shall not apply where the employee is adjudged to have acted recklessly, wantonly or grossly negligent. S.C. Code Ann. § 33-55-220 (Law Co-op 1987). We construe Section 33-55-220 to mean that employees may be named as defendants, upon an allegation of reckless, wanton or grossly negligent conduct. Section 33-55-210 will still bar recovery unless Doe offers sufficient proof of such conduct. Certified questions answered.