Court Opinion

ID: 9721344
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-26 08:57:08.306638+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:24:25.071967
License: Public Domain

DICKSON, Justice,
dissenting.
Although noting that the Tort Claims Act is in derogation of the common law and must be strictly construed, the majority opinion then fails to apply the proper meaning of "strictly construe." In Collier v. Prater (1989), Ind., 544 N.E.2d 497, 498, this Court held that statutory requirements in derogation of the common law "are to be strictly construed against limitations on a claimant's right to bring suit" (emphasis added). Similarly, in Indiana State Highway Comm'n v. Morris (1988), Ind., 528 N.E.2d 468, 473, we recognized that the Tort Claims Act "must be strictly construed and narrowly applied" (emphasis added).
The immunity provided by the Tort Claims Act applies only to a "loss" which is defined by Ind.Code § 84-4~16.5-2(e):
"Loss" means injury to or death of a person, or damage to property.
The plain and ordinary meaning of this definition connotes nothing more than harm to a person or property. To contort the simple phrase "damage to property" to mean "damages" to a "property right" is contrary to the plain meaning of the words and defies the rule requiring the statute to be construed against limitations on a claimant's right to bring suit.
I find the unanimous opinion of the Fourth District Court of Appeals to be fully correct and would adopt and incorporate it by reference pursuant to Ind. Appellate Rule 11(B)(8).
DeBRULER, J., concurs.