dissent">Ness, Justice

(dissenting):

I dissent for the reasons stated in Belue v. City of Spar-tanburg, S. C., - S. E. (2d) -, Op. No. 21470, Smith’s June 6, 1981; and in the dissents in Morris v. S. C. State Highway Department, 264 S. C. 369, 215 S. E. (2d) 420 (1975).

I would further hold there is no rational basis. Sambs v. City of Brookfield, 95 Wis (2d) 1, 289 N. W. (2d) 308, 316 (1979) is of critical importance in a just resolution of this appeal. In Sambs, the court struck down as unconstitutional a statutory scheme limiting liability similar to the one challenged here. The court held:

“The legislature is not free to impose whatever conditions it pleases with respect to actions against the state or any of its political subdivisions; ‘once sovereign immunity has been waived, legislative enactments must conform to the equal protecton and due process guarantees of the state and federal constitutions.’ Therefore, the legislature still possesses the power to impose ceilings. However, these ceilings shall not create improper classifications in violation of the state and federal constitutions.”

Comparing the class established by § 57-5-1810, with those in § 57-17-860, § 5-7-70 and § 15-77-230, South Carolina Code (1976), it is clear there is no substantial difference between the classes, therefore, the limitations contained therein are unconstitutional.

*464The unconstitutionality of these artificial ceilings is best illustrated by the following examples. If a person is forced off the highway because of a defect, his recovery for personal injury or death is limited according to the location of the accident. If the injury occurred on a county highway, recovery is limited to $5,000. Section 57-17-860. If the injury occurred on a state highway, recovery is limited to $8,000. Section 57-5-1810. If it happened in a municipality, recovery is limited to $15,000'. Section 5-7-70. There is absolutely no basis for these artificial classifications based solely on the location of the accident.

Moreover, if a person is injured, by a government vehicle negligently operated in the course of business, the injured party may recover $10',000 for personal injuries. Section 15-77-230.

The limits imposed by the legislature in these code sections are arbitrary and capricious, they bear no rational relationship to a legitimate state interest and are unconstitutional.

I believe the courts must be available to all those similarly situated upon the same conditions, and where procedures are provided which are limited to some and not applicable to others under substantially like circumstances and there are no discernible rational reasons apparent for the variations they are unconstitutional under § 3 of Article I of the South Carolina Constitution.

I would reverse and remand.

Harwell, J., concurs.

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