Woo-Jun Ki v. State

OPINION

JANICE M. HOLDER, J„

delivered the opinion of the court,

in which FRANK F. DROWOTA, III, C.J., and E. RILEY ANDERSON, ADOLPHO A. BIRCH, JR., and WILLIAM M. BARKER, JJ., joined.

We granted appeal to determine the meaning of “claimant” in Tenn.Code Ann. § 9-8-307(e) when an action for wrongful death is filed against the State. We hold that the decedent is the sole “claimant” under TenmCode Ann. § 9 — 8—307(e), as contemplated by Tenn.Code Ann. § 20-5-106(a) and Tenn.Code Ann. § 20-5-113. The award of damages is therefore limited to $300,000 pursuant to Tenn.Code Ann. § 9-8-307. The judgment…