Document Type
Peach Sheet
Abstract
The Act makes significant changes to Georgia’s civil litigation procedures. It stays discovery upon the filing of a motion to dismiss, limits voluntary dismissals after an answer is filed, and allows for bifurcated trials to separate issues of liability and damages. It caps recoverable medical expenses to the reasonable value actually paid and expands the admissibility of evidence related to damages—including permitting the admission of seat belt non-use to argue comparative fault or mitigate damages. The Act restricts attorney’s fee recovery by barring double recovery under multiple statutes and excluding contingency fee agreements as proof of reasonableness. It also creates new standards for negligent security claims, including heightened foreseeability requirements and mandatory fault apportionment between property owners and criminal actors.
Recommended Citation
Sydney H. Jackson, Tiera K. Lloyd & C. G. Shaw,
SB 68. - Civil Practice,
42
Ga. St. U. L. Rev.
259
(2025).
Available at:
https://readingroom.law.gsu.edu/gsulr/vol42/iss1/22