Opinion ID: 1236097
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 8

Heading: questions of fact for jury

Text: Given our holding that corroborating evidence is a prerequisite to application of the discovery rule in a repressed memory case, the final issue is whether application of the discovery rule and the existence of corroborating evidence may remain questions of fact for the jury. The answer is yes. Application of the discovery rule contained in S.C.Code Ann. § 15-3-535, as well as the determination of the date the statute began to run in a particular case, are questions of fact for the jury when the parties present conflicting evidence. See Arant v. Kressler, 327 S.C. 225, 229, 489 S.E.2d 206, 208 (1997) (when testimony conflicts regarding time of discovery of a cause of action, it becomes an issue for the jury to decide); Johnston v. Bowen, 313 S.C. 61, 64, 437 S.E.2d 45, 47 (1993) (whether a claimant knew or should have known that they had a cause of action is question for the jury); Santee Portland Cement Co. v. Daniel Int'l Corp., 299 S.C. 269, 274, 384 S.E.2d 693, 696 (1989) (application of discovery rule to a claim is a question of fact for jury), overruled on other grounds by Atlas Food Sys. and Servs., Inc. v. Crane Nat'l Vendors Div. of Unidynamics Corp., 319 S.C. 556, 462 S.E.2d 858 (1995); Brown v. Finger, 240 S.C. 102, 113, 124 S.E.2d 781, 786 (1962) (when testimony is conflicting upon the statute of limitations, it becomes an issue for jury to decide); Maher v. Tietex Corp., 331 S.C. 371, 377, 500 S.E.2d 204, 207 (Ct.App.1998) (in determining whether statute of limitations begins to run under discovery rule, jury must resolve conflicting evidence as to whether a claimant knew or should have known he had a cause of action). In this case, following the Church's motion for a judgment as a matter of law based on the statute of limitations, Moriarty must demonstrate the existence of a genuine issue of material fact regarding the application of the discovery rule. She also must present corroborating evidence supporting her claim of alleged abuse. The court must consider the evidence and all inferences that may be drawn from it in the light most favorable to Moriarty, the non-moving party. See Rule 56, SCRCP; Manning v. Quinn, 294 S.C. 383, 365 S.E.2d 24 (1988). If the motion is denied, Moriarty still bears the burden of proving at trial that she repressed memories of the abuse and that corroborating evidence supports her claim. If the jury finds for the plaintiff on those issues, the jury must determine when the plaintiff recalled the abuse, such that a person of common knowledge and experience would be on notice that some right of hers has been invaded or that some claim against another party might exist. It is on that date the statute of limitations begins to run. See Moriarty, 334 S.C. at 169, 511 S.E.2d at 709 (citing Olsen, 865 P.2d at 1349-50). Application of the discovery rule at summary judgment and at trial is an objective determination. Arant, 327 S.C. at 229, 489 S.E.2d at 208; Kreutner v. David, 320 S.C. 283, 285, 465 S.E.2d 88, 90 (1995); Wiggins v. Edwards, 314 S.C. 126, 128-29, 442 S.E.2d 169, 170 (1994).