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Georgia House approves broad tort-reform bill after hours of testimony
Summary
After more than a dozen hours of committee hearings and nearly an hour of floor debate, the Georgia House passed Senate Bill 68, a package of changes to civil procedure, evidentiary rules and premises-liability standards. The measure passed 91-82 and was immediately transmitted to the Senate.
ATLANTA — The Georgia House voted 91-82 on March 20 to pass Senate Bill 68, legislation that revises parts of the state's civil practice, evidence and premises-liability law in a package proponents described as curbing lawsuit abuse and opponents said will restrict access to justice for injured Georgians.
Supporters said the bill clarifies when discovery may proceed, limits certain trial-stage arguments about non-economic damages, allows juries to consider seat-belt use and narrows the circumstances under which property owners can be held liable for violent crimes that occur on their premises. "This is a bill that makes reasonable revisions to our civil practice act," Representative James Perchett told the chamber in opening remarks as he presented the measure.
The bill was the subject of lengthy hearings in multiple subcommittees and drew more than 13 hours of testimony, including from victims, trial lawyers, insurers, hospitals and business groups. Opponents said the measure would make it harder for people with catastrophic injuries to win full compensation and could reduce…
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