Court Opinion

ID: 9849292
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-09-24 04:37:58.88603+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:19:15.627615
License: Public Domain

Littlejohn, Justice
(dissenting):
I respectfully dissent and would reverse the order of the circuit court.
*67The majority opinion holds:
. . . Respondent seeks . . . damages for his daughter’s wrongful death under § 59-67-710(1) (a) and damages' for the parents’ personal injuries under § 59-67-710(1) (b).”
The opinion goes on to approve the pursuit of both claims.
The claims are permitted solely by reason of the statute. Section 59-67-770 provides:
“Nothing in this article shall be construed as a waiver of the State’s general immunity from liability and suit.”
In Coates v. Insurance Co. of North America we held:
“The two types of coverage [subsections (1) (a) and (1) (b) of § 59-67-710] are separate and distinct and a person cannot recover under both. Collins v. National Surety Corp. Supra.” [225 S. C. 405, 82 S. E. (2d) 511]
Our holding was mandated by (1) (b) of the statute which at the time provided coverage “For any person, other than . . . a person who qualifies for benefits under paragraph (a), who suffers personal injuries or death. . . .” (emphasis added)
I would hold in this case that recovery may not be had under both sections of this statute.