South Carolina Code of Laws
Chapter 78 - South Carolina Tort Claims Act
Section 15-78-170. Action or claim for death of person; division of recovery.

An action or claim for the death of a person may be brought under this chapter by the executor or administrator respectively, of the person's estate when death results from bodily injury if the bodily injury would have entitled the injured party to maintain an action or claim if death had not ensued. The provisions and limitations of this chapter are applicable to any such action or claim. Every action or claim must be for the benefit of the wife or husband and child, or children of the person whose death has been so caused and if there is no wife, husband, child, or children, then for the benefit of the parent or parents, and if there is none, then for the benefit of the heirs-at-law or the distributees of the person whose death has been so caused. Any amount recovered must be divided among the before-mentioned parties in those shares as they would have been entitled to if the deceased had died intestate and the amount recovered had been personal assets of his estate.
HISTORY: 1986 Act No. 463, Section 1.

Structure South Carolina Code of Laws

South Carolina Code of Laws

Title 15 - Civil Remedies and Procedures

Chapter 78 - South Carolina Tort Claims Act

Section 15-78-10. Short title.

Section 15-78-20. Legislative findings; declaration of public policy; extent of, and construction of, waiver of immunity.

Section 15-78-30. Definitions.

Section 15-78-40. Tort liability of State, agency, political subdivision, or governmental entity, generally.

Section 15-78-50. Right of injured person to file claim; non-liability of governmental entity where employee would not be liable if a private person; injunctions against governmental entities.

Section 15-78-60. Exceptions to waiver of immunity.

Section 15-78-70. Liability for act of government employee; requirement that agency or political subdivision be named party defendant; effect of judgment or settlement.

Section 15-78-80. Filing of verified claim; handling and disposition of claims; requirement that agencies and political subdivisions cooperate with State Fiscal Accountability Authority.

Section 15-78-90. Settlement of claims and actions; institution of action where claim has or has not been filed.

Section 15-78-100. When and where to institute action; requirement of special verdict specifying proportionate liability of multiple defendants.

Section 15-78-110. Statute of limitations.

Section 15-78-120. Limitation on liability; prohibition against recovery of punitive or exemplary damages or prejudgment interest; signature of attorney on pleadings, motions, or other papers.

Section 15-78-130. Defense of political subdivision which has not purchased insurance through State Fiscal Accountability Authority.

Section 15-78-140. Procurement of insurance by political subdivisions; exclusivity of remedies provided in this chapter.

Section 15-78-150. Authority of State Fiscal Accountability Authority to purchase liability insurance; funding of purchase by participating governmental entities; premiums set according to risk; development of actuarial rating system plan.

Section 15-78-160. Nonliability of State Fiscal Accountability Authority where lack of insurance coverage results from agency's or political subdivision's failure to pay premium.

Section 15-78-170. Action or claim for death of person; division of recovery.

Section 15-78-180. Applicability of chapter to causes of action arising before or after July 1, 1986.

Section 15-78-190. Compensation of plaintiff pursuant to underinsured or uninsured defendant provisions of plaintiff's insurance policy.

Section 15-78-200. Exclusive and sole remedy for torts committed by employee of governmental entity while acting within scope of employee's official duty.

Section 15-78-210. Rights and privileges preserved.

Section 15-78-220. Rights and privileges not affected.