Court Opinion

ID: 9542570
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-07 16:35:59.988273+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T15:08:19.745727
License: Public Domain

Springer, C. J.,
with whom Rose, J., agrees,
dissenting:
We have here two governmental entities, the State of Nevada and the County of Clark. Each is claimed to be tortiously liable to the Upchurch family. Under a statute which the majority concedes to be “ambiguous,” I see no reason why each entity should not be held liable to the full extent of the statute.
I would construe the ambiguity in favor of the claimants and read the statute to apply (as alluded to in the majority) on a “per claimant, per wrong, per government actor basis.” The statute permits an action to be brought against “any political subdivision.’ ’ This means to me that one can sue and recover judgment against the state, a county government and a city government, if each has been proven to be independently liable for tortious conduct. Judgment, in such a case, could be awarded against each, and each would have to pay up to the $50,000 statutory limit. I would, therefore, affirm the judgment of the trial court.