Chester v. South Carolina Department of Public Safety

Appellant contends the trial judge erred in ordering her, the plaintiff in this Tort Claims Act (TCA) suit brought against three state agencies (respondents), to join other alleged joint tortfeasors as defendants at respondents’ request, in order to effectuate the respondents’ right to a proportionate verdict under S.C.Code Ann. § 15-78-100(c) (2005). The trial judge agreed with respondents that he could require appellant to add party defendants, but ultimately dismissed the action because these co-tortfeasors could not be joined since the appellant had already settled with them. See Rule 19,…