Bill > SB68

This bill introduces comprehensive changes to civil practice, evidentiary matters, damages, and liability in tort actions in Georgia. The bill covers multiple key areas: First, it revises rules about arguing noneconomic damages in court, specifying that lawyers can only argue such damages after evidence is closed and must relate their arguments rationally to the evidence. Second, it modifies procedural rules for filing answers in civil cases, creating more specific timelines for defendants to respond to lawsuits and establishing new provisions for staying discovery during motions to dismiss. Third, the bill creates new standards for voluntary dismissal of civil actions, including limitations on repeated dismissals. Fourth, it establishes new regulations around attorney's fees, preventing duplicate recovery of fees and restricting the use of contingent fee agreements as proof of reasonable fees. The bill also introduces significant changes to negligent security liability, defining specific conditions under which property owners can be held liable for third-party criminal actions, and creating detailed standards for determining foreseeability and apportioning fault. Additionally, the bill allows more flexibility in using seat belt non-usage as evidence in civil trials and establishes new rules for recovering medical expenses in personal injury cases, including allowing evidence of insurance payments and healthcare billing practices. The legislation aims to provide more clarity and structure to civil litigation processes in Georgia.

Justice

https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/69756