SECOND DI VI SI ON

A NDREWS, P. J.

, M C F A D DEN and RA

Y, JJ.

N O T IC E : M otions for r e c ons i de r a tion m us t be ph y sic a l ly r e ce iv ed i n our c le r k ’s offic e w ithin te n da y s of the da te of de c is ion to be de e m ed tim e ly file d.

http://w w w .ga a ppe a ls .us /r ule s /

M ar ch 24, 2015



# I n th e Co u r t o f

A p p eals o f

G eo r g ia

A1 4 A1 78 8

. THE MEDICAL CENTER HOSPITAL AUTHORITY

v . CAVENDER.

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. SE C URITAS SECURITY SERVICES, USA, INC. v

. CAVENDER.

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. THE M EDICAL CENTER HOSPITAL AUTHORITY

v . BAKER et al

.

A1 4 A1 79 1 . DOCTORS HOSPITAL, INC. v . BAKER et al

.

A 1 4A1 7 9 2

. SECURITAS SECURITY SERVICES, USA, INC. v

. BAKER et al

.

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. THE MEDICAL CENTER HOSPITAL AUTHORITY

v . W RIGHT et al

.

A1 4 A1 79 4

. SECURITAS SECURITY SERVI C ES, USA, INC. v

. W RIGHT et al

.

A N D R E W S , Pres i d in g J u d g e.

In t h es e i n terrel at e d a p p e a l s ari si ng fro m a 2 0 0 8 t ri p l e h o m i ci d e at Do ct o rs

Ho s pi t al i n M us co g ee Co u n t y , Pl ai n ti ffs Al an Kei t h Cav e n d e r , M ari o n Bak er, an dCarl a W ri g h t (co l l ect i v el y , “ Pl ai n t i ffs ”) b ro u g h t t h ree s ep arat e ci v i l act i o n s ag ai n s t

Defen d an t s Do ct o rs Ho s p it al

, In c. d / b / a Do ct ors Ho s p i t al

, Th e M ed i cal Cen t er

Ho s p i t al Au t h o ri t y , an d Secu ri t as Secu ri t y Serv ices

, USA, In c. (co l l ect i v el y ,

“ Defen d an t s ”) 1 fo r p ers o n al i n ju ry (Cav en d er) an d fo r w ro n g fu l d e at h (Bak er an d

W ri g h t ). 2 Th e D efen dan t s each fi l ed m o t i o ns fo r su m m ary ju dg m en t, an d fo l l o wi n g

ex t en s i v e b ri efi n g an d a heari n g , t h e Su p eri or Co u rt o f M u s co g ee Co u n ty s u m m ari l y

d en ied t h e m o t io n s

. Th e t ri al co u rt g ran t ed t h e Defen d an t s cert i fi cat es fo r i m m ed i at e

rev i ew, we g ran ted t h e Defen d an t s ’ ap p l i cations f or inte r loc utory ap p eal

, an d we h av e

co n so l i d at ed t he ap p eal s fo r d eci s i o n

. Fo r t h e reas o n s t h at fo l l o w, we co ncl u d e t h at

t h e tri al co u rt erred i n den y i n g t h e Defen d an t s’ m o t io n s fo r s u m m ary ju d g m en t

, an d

t h erefo re rev ers e.

1 Ad d i t i o n al d efen d an t s were al s o i n i ti al l y n am ed as p ar t i e s ; h owev er, t h e Pl ai n t i ffs d i s m i s s ed th o s e defen d an t s w it ho u t p r e j u d ice d u ri ng t h e co u rs e o f t h e

p art i es ’ l i t i gat i o n

. As a res u l t

, Do ct o rs Ho s p i t al

, t h e Ho s pi t al Au t ho ri t y , an d Secu ri t as

co m p ri s e t h e rem ai ni n g d efen d an t s t h at are t h e s u bject s o f t h es e ap peal s

.

2 Cav en der fi l ed h i s ci v i l act io n i n h is i n d i vi d u al cap aci t y ag ai n st t h e Ho s p i t al

Au t ho ri ty an d Secu ri t as i n Cas e No s

. A1 4 A1 7 8 8 an d A1 4 A1 78 9

, res pect i v el y

. Bak er

an d W ri g h t each b ro u g h t t h ei r act i o n s i n t h ei r cap aci t i es as t h e s u rv i v in g s p o u s es o f

J am es Dav i d Bak er (Cas e No s

. A1 4 A1 7 9 0 [t h e H o s p i t al Au t h o ri t y ]

, A1 4 A1 7 9 1 [Do c t o r s Ho s p it al ]

, an d A1 4 A1 7 9 2 [Secu ri t as ] ) an d Pet er W ri gh t (Cas e No s

. A1 4 A1 79 3 [t h e Ho s p i t al Au t h o ri t y ] an d A 1 4 A1 7 9 4 [Secu ri tas ] ), res p ect i v el y , an d as

t h e ex ecu t ri x es o f t h e es t at es o f M es s rs . Bak er an d W ri g h t.

2To p rev ai l at s u m m ary ju d g m en t u n de r O CGA § 9 -1 1 -5 6

, t h e m o v i n g

p art y m us t d em o n s trat e t h at t h ere i s no g en ui n e i s s u e o f m at eri al fact

an d t h at t h e u n d i s p u t ed fact s , v i ewed i n t h e l i gh t m o s t fav o rab l e t o th e

n o n m o v i n g p art y , warran t ju d gm en t as a m at t er o f l aw. A d efen dan t m ay

d o t h i s b y s h owi ng t h e co u rt t hat t h e do cu m en t s , affi d av i ts

, d ep o s i t i o n s

an d o t h e r ev i d en ce i n t h e reco rd rev eal t h at t h ere i s n o ev i d en ce

s u ffi ci en t to creat e a ju ry i s s u e o n a t l e as t o ne es s en t i al el em en t o f

p l ai n t i ff’ s cas e. If t h ere i s n o ev i d en ce s uffi ci en t t o crea t e a gen u in e

i s su e as t o an y es sen t i al el em en t o f p l ai n ti ff’ s cl ai m , th at cl ai m t u m b l es

l i ke a h ou s e o f card s

. Al l o f t he o t h er d i s p ut es o f fact are ren dered

i m m at eri al

. Fu rt h er, th e b u rd en o n th e m o v in g p art y m ay be d i s ch arg ed

b y p o i n t i n g ou t b y referen ce to t h e affi d av i ts

, dep o s i t i o n s an d o t h er

d o cu m en t s i n t h e reco rd t h at t h ere is an ab s en ce o f ev i d en ce t o s up p o rt

t h e n o nm ov i n g p art y ’ s cas e. If t h e m ov i ng p art y d i s ch arg es t h i s b u rd en ,

t h e n o n m o v i n g part y can n o t res t o n i t s pl ead i n gs , b u t rat h er m u s t p o i n t

t o s p eci fi c ev i d en ce g i v in g ri s e t o a t ri ab l e i s s u e.

La Qu i n t a In n s v. Leech , 2 8 9 Ga. Ap p . 8 1 2 -8 1 3 (6 5 8 SE2 d 6 3 7) (2 00 8 ).

Vi ewed i n a l i gh t m o s t fav orab l e t o t h e Pl ai n t i ffs

, t h e ev id en ce rev eal ed t h at

,

fo r s ev eral y ears , Secu ri t as p ro v i d ed s ecu ri t y s erv i ces t o Do ct ors Ho s pi t al p u rs u an t

t o a s ecu ri t y ag reem en t

. Secu ri t as p ro v i d ed s ecu ri t y g u ard s o n t hree d i fferen t s h i ft s ,

i n cl u d i n g o n e s ecu ri t y g u ard d uri n g t h e d ay , t o m o n i t o r Do ct o rs Ho s p i t al . As a p art

o f i t s s erv i ce to D o ct o rs Ho s p i t al

, Secu ri tas al s o p ro v i d ed an nu al s ecu ri t y s u rv ey s to

Do ct o rs Ho s p i t al

. Th e pu rp o se o f t h e s u rv eys w a s t o “ as s es s t h e effi ci en cy o f t h e

3s ecu ri t y ” at Do ct o rs H o s p i t al

. Th es e s u rv ey s i n cl u d ed areas w h ere i m p ro ved s ecu ri t y

m ay b e warran t ed

. In p art i cu l ar, Secu ri tas n ot ed t h at cert ai n en try way s s h o u l d b e

s ecu red t o co n t ro l i n g res s an d eg res s , rep l acem en t o f th e c l o s e d

- ci rcu i t TV

m o ni t o ri n g s y s t em , an d ad d i ti o n al co v erag e o f t h e p rem i s es b y v i deo cam eras

.

On Feb ru ary 29

, 2 0 0 8, t h e Ho s p i t al Au t h ori t y p u rch as ed

, an d t o o k o wn ers h ip

o f, t h e Do ct o rs Ho s p i t al cam p u s

. On t h e s am e d at e, t he Ho s p i t al A u t h ori t y en t ered

i n t o a m an ag em en t ag reem en t wi t h Do ct o rs Ho s p i t al

, In c. t o m an ag e t h e d ay -t o -d ay

o p erat i o n s o f t h e ho s pi t al

. W el l p ri o r t o t h e Ho s pi t al Au t h o ri t y ’ s acq ui s i t i o n o f t h e

h o s p it al

, t h e ho s pi t al was req u i red b y t he J o i n t Co m m i s s io n o n th e Accred i t at i o n o f

Heal t h care Org an i zat i o n s t o m ai n tai n p o l i ci es an d p ro ced u res fo r, am o ng o t h er

t h i n g s , s ecu ri t y

. To s at i s fy it s Jo i n t Co m m i ss i o n o b l i g at i o n , t h e p r i or o wn ers h i p o f

Do ct o rs Ho s p i t al p u rch as ed a “ Secu ri t y M an ag em en t Po l i cy an d Pro ced u re Man u al ”

fro m M ed i cal Co n s ul t an t s Net wo rk

, In c. i n t h e 1 9 9 0 ’ s

. Po li cy 1 1 0 .0 1 5 o f t h e m an u al

i n cl u d ed a s ect i on d efi n i n g 18 cri m es , b o th v i o l en t an d no n v i o l en t

, t h at h o s p i t al

s ecu ri t y “ are li k el y t o b e cal l ed u p o n t o p rev en t ” an d “ m o s t l i k el y t o en co u n t er.”

Cri m es d efi n ed i n t h e p o l i cy i n cl u d e as s au l t , b at t ery , m an sl au g h t er an d m u rd er.

On M arch 2 7

, 2 0 0 8

, Ch arl es J o h n s t on v i s it ed Do ct o rs Ho s p i tal carry i n g t wo

co n ceal ed h an d gu n s b en eat h a l i g h t j a c k e t

. He p ro ceed ed t o th e fi ft h fl o o r, wh i ch

4h o u s ed t h e h o s p it al ’ s i nt en s i v e care u n i t

. He t h en l eft t h e h o sp i t al fo r s o m e t i m e an d

ret u rn ed o n t wo o ccas i o n s t hat d ay , g o i n g t o t h e fi ft h fl o o r o n b o t h o ccas i on s

. On h i s

t h i rd at t em

p t i n t h e earl y aft ern o o n ho u rs , a n u rs e as k ed J o h n s t o n i f h e need ed an y

as s i s tan ce; h e cal m l y rep l i ed t h at h e d i d n o t

. J oh n s t o n t h en s aw Pet er W ri g h t en t er a

ro o m , an d J o h ns t o n fo l l owed h im

. J o h n st on as k ed W ri g h t

, “ Do y o u rem em ber m e[,]

[d ] o y o u rem em

b er m y m o t h er[,] ” 3 an d J o h n s t o n pro d u ced o n e o f t h e co n ceal ed

h an dg u n s an d s h o t W ri g h t at cl o s e ran g e. W ri gh t fel l t o t h e fl o o r, an d J o h n st o n s h ot

h i m a s eco n d t i m e. W ri g h t l at er d i ed d uri n g s u rg ery

.

Al an Kei t h Cav en d er was o n th e fi ft h fl o o r an d s aw t h e sh o ot i n g

. L es Harri s ,

h eari n g t h e g u n s h o t s , ran u p t he s t a i r w e l l fro m th e fo u rt h fl o o r t o t h e fi ft h fl o o r to

i n v es t i g at e. Harri s as k ed Cav e n d e r t o ch eck t he st ai rwel l wh i l e h e m o n it o red t h e

el ev at o rs

. As t he two ran d o wn t h e h al l

, J o h n s t o n ap p eared ; J o h n s t o n sh o t Harri s in

t h e ch es t

, k i ll i n g h i m i n s t an tl y

. Cav en d er at t em p t ed t o p ro v i d e C P R t o Harri s , an d

J o h n st o n p l aced h i s h an d g u n a g a i n s t t h e b ack o f Cav en d er’ s h ead an d co ck ed t h e

h an dg u n

. Cav en d er t o ld J o h n s t o n t o “ [g ] o ah ead an d s h oo t m e [b ecau s e] [y ] o u ju s t

3 In ap p ro x i m at el y 2 00 4, J o h n s t o n’ s m o t her was a pat i en t i n t h e i n t en s i v e care

u n i t o f Do ct o rs Ho s p it al

. Du ri n g h er s t ay , o ne o f t h e nu rs es wh o al l eg ed l y p ro v i d ed

h er care was W ri g h t

. J o hn s t o n b el i ev ed t h at W ri g h t u np l u g g ed Jo h n s t o n’ s m o t h er fro m a ven t i l at o r, wh i ch l ed t o b rai n d am ag e an d b l i n d n es s

. U l ti m at el y , J oh n s t o n ’ s

m o th er p as s ed away

wh i l e a p at i en t at Do ct o rs Ho s pi t al

.

5k i l l ed m

y [l i fe] p art n er.” In s t ead

, J oh n s t o n s t ru ck Cav en d er on t h e b ack of t h e h ead

an d fl ed d o wn t he s t ai rwel l

.

W ay n e M i ch au x , t h e l o n e Secu ri t as secu ri t y g uard o n d u t y at Do ct o rs Ho s p i t al

o n t h e day o f t h e s h o o t i ng , was p at ro ll i n g t h e park i n g l o t w h e n h e recei v ed u rg en t

“ co d e b l u e,” “ co d e n i n e”, an d “ s h o t s fi red ” cal ls fro m Do ct o rs Ho s pi t al o n h i s rad i o.

M i ch au x ran t o t h e em erg en cy ro o m an d o rd ered em p l o y ees t o s h u t d o wn t h e ER to

p rev en t an y o n e fro m en t eri n g o r l eav i n g

. So m eo n e s h o u t ed

, “ t h e r e h e i s ,” an d

M i ch au x s p o t t ed J o h ns t o n

. A l t ho u g h M i ch au x the n c a lle d 911 to r e p o rt t h e sh o o t i n g s ,

t h e cal l cen t er h ad al read y re c ei v ed m u l t i p le cal l s co n cern i n g J o h n st o n ’ s ram p ag e.

J o h n st o n was u n ab l e t o en ter t h e ER, s o h e l eft t h e h o s pi t al an d wal k ed t o t h e p ark i n g

l o t

. M ich au x , t h o u g h u n arm ed

, fo l l o w ed Jo h ns t o n t h ro u g h th e p ark i ng l o t an d warn ed

v i s i t o rs i n t h e p ark i n g l o t t o t ak e co v er.

J am es Dav i d Bak er was p ark ed n ex t t o J oh n s t o n

. As J o hn s t o n ap pro ach ed h i s

v eh icl e, Bak er b eg an t o ex i t h is v eh icl e. J oh n s t o n s h ot Bak er, an d Bak er fel l b ack i n to

h i s v e h i cl e. Law en fo rcem en t au t h o ri t i es arri v ed i n t h e p ark i n g lo t

, an d M i ch au x

d i rect ed t h em t o J o hn s t o n. J o hn s t o n ex ch an g ed gu n fi re wi t h t h e au t h o ri t i es an d was

h i m sel f s h o t d u ri n g t h e i n ci d en t b efo re h e was ap p reh en d ed

. Offi cers fo u n d t h r e e

6h an dg u n s on J o h n s t o n ’ s p ers on

. A m e di cal t eam fro m Do ct o rs Ho s p i t al reach ed

Bak er’ s v eh i cl e s h o rt l y

aft er t h e s ho o t i n g b u t were u n ab l e t o s av e Bak er’ s l i fe.

Al l Ca ses

1

. In each ap peal

, t he res p ect i v e Defen d an t s co n t en d t h at t h e Pl ai n t i ffs fai l ed

t o p res en t su ffi ci en t ev i d en ce t h at J o h n s t on ’ s at t ack ag ai n st Cav en d er o r J oh n s t o n ’ s

m u rd er o f J am es Bak er, Les Harri s , an d Pet er W ri g h t w a s f o r e s e eab l e. 4 Fo r t h e

fo l l o w i n g reas on s , we ag ree.

It i s wel l s et t l ed t h a t t h e fo l l o wi n g fo u r el em en ts are n eces s ary t o s u p p o rt a

cau s e o f act i o n fo r n eg l i g en ce u n d er Geo rg i a l aw:

(1 ) A l eg al du t y t o c o n f

o rm t o a s t an dard o f co n d u ct rai s ed b y t h e l aw

f o r t h e p ro t ect i o n o f o t h ers ag ai n s t u n reas o n ab l e ri sk o f h arm ; (2 ) a

b reach o f t h i s s t an d ard ; (3 ) a l eg al l y a t t r i b u t ab l e cau s al co n n ect i o n

b et ween t h e co nd u ct a n d t he res u l t i n g in ju ry ; an d

, (4 ) s om e l o s s o r

d am ag e fl owi n g t o t h e p lai n t i ff’ s l eg al l y p ro t ect ed i n teres t as a res u l t o f

t h e al l eg ed b reach o f t he l eg al d u t y

.

4 Th es e arg um e n t s , as wel l as t h e Defen d an t s’ arg u m en t s co n cern i n g p ro x i m at e

cau s e, are i n cl u d ed i n : (1 ) th e H o s p i t al Au t h o ri t y ’ s t w o en u m erat i o n s o f erro r i n Cas e No s

. A1 4 A1 7 8 8, A1 4 A1 79 0, an d A 1 4 A1 7 9 3; (2 ) Secu ri t as ’ t h i rd an d fo u rt h

en u m erat i o n s of erro r i n Cas e No s

. A1 4 A1 7 8 9

, A1 4 A1 7 9 2

, an d A1 4 A1 7 9 4; an d (3 )

Do ct o rs H o s p i t al ’ s fi rs t an d t h i rd en u m erat i o n s o f erro r i n Cas e No . A1 4 A1 7 9 1

.

7Leech

, 2 8 9 Ga. Ap p

. at 8 1 6 (1 ); Br o wn v. Al l -Tech In ves t men t Gr o u p , 2 6 5 Ga. Ap p.

8 8 9 , 8 9 3 (1 ) (5 9 5 SE2 d 5 17 ) (2 0 0 3 ).

In t h i s cas e , J o h n s t o n en t ered Do ct ors Ho s p i t al w i t h co n ceal ed weap o n s

. He

p ro ceed ed t o t h e fi ft h fl oo r an d t arg et ed W ri g h t, wh o J o h n st on b el iev ed d el i b erat el y

cau s ed a d ecl i n e i n hi s m o t h er’ s h eal t h w h en s h e was h o s p i t al i zed i n t he Do ct o rs

Ho s pi t al ICU, re s u l t i n g i n h er d eat h

. J o h n s t o n ap p ro ach ed W ri g h t an d sh o t h i m

.

W ri g h t fel l t o t h e f

l o o r a n d J o h n s t o n s h ot W ri g h t a s eco n d t i m e. Aft er sh o o t i n g

W ri g h t

, J o h n s t o n en co u n t ered Cav en d er an d H arri s , w h o h ad co m e to t he fi ft h fl o o r

t o in v es t ig at e t he g u n s h o t s. J oh n s t o n t hen s h o t an d k i l l ed Harri s , s tru ck Cav en d er 5 in

t h e b ack o f t h e head

, an d fl ed t he h o s p i t al

. In t h e p ark in g l o t, J o hn s to n s h ot an d k i l l ed

Bak er as Bak er t ri ed t o ex it hi s veh i cl e, wh i ch was p ark ed n ex t to Jo h n s t o n’ s v eh i cl e.

J o h n st o n t h en ex ch an g ed g u n fi re wi t h l aw en fo rcem en t au th ori t i es b efo re h e h i m s el f

was s h ot an d s u b s eq u en t ly s u b d u ed

. In v i ew o f J o h n s t o n’ s cri m i n al at t ack s , t h e

5 Th e H o s p i t al Au t h o ri t y co n t en d s t hat Cav en d er fab ri cat ed h i s t es t i m o n y t h at
J o h n st o n s t ru ck h i m i n an effo rt t o s ecu re d am ag es fo r h i s em o t i o n al d is t res s fl o wi n g fro m J o h n s t o n ’ s ram

p ag e. Th e Ho s p i t al Au t h o ri t y ’ s p o s i t i o n i s b as ed u p o n t h e l ack

o f a cri m i n al ch arg e ag ai n s t J oh n s t o n fo r an y as s au l t o r b at t ery o f Cav en d er, an d t h at

n ei t h er t h e St at e n o r Jo h n st o n h i m s el f referred t o Cav en der d u ri ng J o h n s t o n ’ s g ui l t y

p l ea h eari n g

. N ev ert hel es s , fo r p u rp o s e s o f t hes e ap p eal s , we accep t Cav en d er’ s

t es t i m o ny as t ru e.

8q u es ti o n b eco m es w h et h er t h o s e cri m i n al act s were reas o n ab l y fo res eeab l e. See

Br o wn , 2 6 5 Ga. Ap p . at 8 9 4 (1 ), 9 0 0 -9 0 1.

As a t h res h ol d m at t er, “ a p ro p ert y o wn er i s n ot an i n su rer o f an i n v i t ee’ s s afet y ,

an d an i n t erv en i n g cri m i n al act b y a t h i rd p art y g en eral l y i n s u l at es a p ro p ri et o r fro m

l i ab i l i t y u n l es s s u ch cri m i nal act was reas o n ab l y fo res eeab le.” Ra tl i ff v. McDo n a l d

,

3 2 6 Ga. Ap p

. 3 0 6

, 3 12 (2 ) (a) (7 5 6 SE2 d 5 69 ) (2 0 1 4 ). See al s o Da ys In n o f Amer i ca

v. Ma t t

, 2 6 5 Ga. 2 3 5 , 2 3 6 (4 54 SE2 d 5 0 7) (1 99 5 ); La u ’s Co r p . v. Ha s ki n s , 2 6 1 Ga.

4 9 1

, 4 9 2 (1 ) (4 05 SE2 d 4 7 4 ) (1 9 9 1 ). “ If t h e p r o p r i e t o r h as reas o n t o an t i ci p at e a

cri m i n al act

, h e or s h e t h en h as a d u t y t o ex erci s e o rd i n ary care t o g u ard ag ai n s t i n ju ry

fro m dan g ero u s ch aract ers .” (Pu n ct u at io n om i t t e d ) D a y s I n n , 2 6 5 Ga. at 2 3 6

. Pu t

s i m p l y , “ wi t h o u t fo res eeab il i t y t h at a cri m i n al act wi l l o ccu r, n o d u t y o n t h e p art o f

t h e p ro p ri et o r t o ex erci s e o rd in ary care t o p rev en t t h at act ari s es .” Id

.

“ Fo res eeab le co ns eq u en ces are t h o s e wh i ch are pr oba ble

, a c c or d ing to or dina

r y

an d u s u al ex p eri en ce, [o r] th os e wh i ch

, becau s e th ey h ap p en so freq u e n t l y, m ay b e

ex p ect ed t o h ap pen ag ai n .” (Pu n ct u at i o n om i t t ed .) Br o wn , 2 6 5 G a. Ap p

. at 8 9 4

. See

al s o Th o ma s v. Fo o d

Li o n , 2 56 Ga. Ap p. 8 8 0

, 8 8 2 (1 ) (5 7 0 SE2 d 1 8 ) (2 0 0 2 ); Co p e

v. En t er p r i se Ren t -A-Ca r

, 2 5 0 Ga. Ap p

. 6 4 8

, 6 5 1 (2 ) (5 5 1 SE2 d 8 4 1 ) (2 00 1 ) (t h e l aw

ju d g es fo res eeab i l i t y o f co n s eq u en ces “ acco rd i ng t o t h e u s u al ex p eri en ce o f

9m an k i nd ”). O f p art i cu l ar rel ev an c e t o t h i s cas e, “ o ne is n o t bo u nd t o an t i ci p at e o r

fo res ee an d pro v i d e ag ai ns t t h at wh i ch i s u n u su al or t h at wh i ch is o n l y rem o t el y an d

s l ig h t ly p ro b ab l e.” (Ci tat i o n s an d p u n ct u at i o n o m it t ed .) St r i ckl a n d v. DeKa l b Ho s p.

Au t h

. , 1 97 Ga. Ap p

. 6 3

, 6 8 (I) (2 ) (d ) (3 97 SE2 d 57 6 ) (1 9 90 ). See al s o Br o wn , 2 6 5

Ga. Ap p

. at 8 9 4

. St at ed d i fferen t l y , t he ex erci s e o f o rd i n ary care “ s i m pl y d o es n ot

creat e a d u ty t o an t i ci p at e un l i k el y , rem o t e, o r s l i g h t l y p o ss i b le ev en t s .” McDa n i el v.

La wl es s , 2 5 7 Ga. Ap p

. 1 8 7

, 1 8 9 (5 7 0 SE2 d 6 31 ) (2 0 0 2). Th u s , ab s en t ev i d en ce t h at

J o h n st o n ’ s ram

p ag e w as fo res eeab le, s u m m ary ju d g m en t i n t h e Def e n dan t s ’ fav o r

wo u l d b e ap p ro p ri at e. See Id

.

Fo res eeab i li t y m ay b e d et erm i n ed b y an al y zi n g whe t he r the pr o p ert y o wn er h as

n o t i ce o f s u b s t an t i al l y s i m i l ar p ri o r cri m i n al act s

. S t u rb r id g e Pa r t n er

s v. W a l ker

, 2 6 7

Ga. 7 8 5, 7 8 6 (4 8 2 SE2 d 3 3 9) (1 9 9 7 ); Ra t l if f

, 3 2 6 Ga. Ap p

. 3 0 6

, 3 1 2 (2 ) (a). In

d et erm i n i n g wh et her a g i v en cri m e i s “ s u b s t an t i al l y s i m i l ar,” a co u rt m u s t an al y ze t h e

“ l o cat i o n , n at u re an d ex t en t o f t h e p ri or cri m in al act i v i t i es an d t h e i r l i k en es s ,

p ro x im it y or o th er rel at i o n s hi p t o t h e cri m e i n q u es t i o n .” S t u r b r id g e , 2 6 7 Ga. at 7 8 6.

W h i l e t h e p ri m ary cri m in al act i v i t y m u s t b e s u b s t a n t i a l l y s i m il ar, i t need n o t b e

i d en t i cal ; wh at i s req u i red “ i s t h a t t h e p ri or i n ci d en t b e s u ffi ci en t t o at t ract t h e

[h o s p i t al ’ s ] at t en ti o n t o t h e d a n g ero u s co n d i t i o n wh i ch res u l t ed i n t h e l i t i g at ed

10i n ci d en t .” (Pu n ct uat i o n o m i t t ed ) Id

. at 7 8 6. “ W it h o u t a s ho wi n g o f s u b s t an t i al

s i m i l ari t y , t h e ev i d en ce i s i rrel ev an t as a m at t er o f l aw a n d t h ere i s n o t h i n g u p o n

wh i ch t h e co urt ’ s d i s cret i o n can o p erat e.” (Ci tat i o n s o m i t t ed .) Ad ler ’s Pa cka g e S h o p

v. Pa r ker

, 1 9 0 Ga. Ap p

. 6 8

, 7 0 (1 ) (a) (3 78 SE2 d 3 2 3 ) (1 9 8 9 ). In ad di ti o n , i t i s t h e

Pl ai n t i ffs ’ b u rd en t o es t ab li s h t hat t he p ro p ert y o wn er h ad k n owl ed g e o f th e p rev i ou s

s u b s t an t i al l y s i m i lar cri m es o n o r n ear t h e p rem i s es u p o n wh i ch t h e p l ai n t i ffs rel y to

es t ab l i s h fo res eeab i l i t y

. See Ba ker v. S i mo n Pr op er t y Gr o u p , 2 7 3 Ga. Ap p. 40 6

, 4 0 7

(1 ) (6 1 4 SE2 d 7 93 ) (2 0 05 ) (carja c k i n g a nd s h o ot i n g i n a m al l p ark i ng l o t n ot

fo res eeab l e t o m al l m an ag er or s ecu ri t y co m p an y ); McCl en d

o n v. Ci t i

z en s a n d

S o u t h e r n Na t

. Ba n k

, 1 5 5 Ga. A p p

. 7 5 5

, 7 5 6 (2 7 2 SE2 d 59 2 ) (1 9 8 0 ) (ro b b ery i n a

b an k p ark i n g l o t n o t fo res eeab l e t o b an k ).

(a) Su b s tan t i al l y Si m i l ar Cri m es

. In res p o n s e t o t h e Defen d an t s ’ m o t i o n s fo r

s u m m ary ju dg m en t, th e Pl ai n t i ffs s u p p l i ed a co l l ect i o n of p o l i c e r e p o rt s d et ai l i n g

i n ci d en t s at Do ct o rs H o s p i t al an d a n ei g h b o ri ng p ro pert y , Th e M ed i cal Cen t er. 6 Th e

reco rd s , wh i ch b eg i n i n 2 0 0 2 an d co n t i nu e t h ro u g h 2 0 08

, p u rp ort t o sh o w th e n at u re

o f cri m i n al act i v i ty at t h e h o s p i t al s i n an effo rt t o d em o n s trat e t h at th e Defen d an t s

6 Th e Med i cal Cen t er i s l o cat ed o n a s ep arat e, ad j a c e n t cam

p u s an d d o es n ot

s h are an ad d res s wi t h Do ct o rs Ho s p i t al

.

11were o n no t i ce t h at s o m et hi n g l i k e J o h n st o n ’ s ram p ag e was fo res eeab l e. 7 H o wev er,

t h es e rep o rt s are n o t p ers u as iv e.

Of p ri m ary i m

p o rt an ce, t h e rep o rt s are m o s t n o t ab l e fo r wh at t h ey d o n o t s h o w.

Of t h e 1 1 p o l i ce rep ort s fro m Do ct o rs Ho sp i t al rel i ed u p o n b y t h e Pl ai n ti ffs

, n o n e

i n v o l v ed m

u l t i p l e m u rd ers , a si n g l e m

u rd er, a s h o o ti n g , a weap o n , o r, fo r t h at m at t er,

a s i g n i fi can t i n

j u ry

. In d eed

, t h e m ajo ri ty o f t h e rep o rt s d et ai l n o t h i ng m ore t han v erb al

t h reat s . See Al d

r i d g e v. Ti l lma n , 2 37 Ga. Ap p . 6 0 0 , 6 0 5 (2 ) (5 1 6 SE2 d 3 0 3 ) (1 9 9 9 )

(p ri or v erb al th reat s o f v io l en ce no t s u bs t an t i al l y si m i lar t o as s au lt wi t h a k n i fe);

Ab l ema n v. Ta co Bel l Co rp

. , 2 3 1 G a

. A p p

. 76 1

, 7 6 3 (5 0 1 SE2 d 2 6 ) (1 99 8 ) (p ri o r

v erb al t h reat s o f v i o len ce d o es n o t co n s t i t u t e k n o wl ed g e t h at pers o n wo u l d p h y s i cal l y

at t ack a t h i rd p art y ). L i kewi s e, o f t he 3 2 rep o rt s fro m Th e M ed i cal Cen ter u po n wh i ch

t h e Pl ai n t i ffs rel y , n o n e i n v o lv ed m u l t i p l e m u rd ers , a s i n gl e m

u rd er, a sh o ot i n g , o r a

s i gn i fi can t i n

j ury

. On l y t w o i n ci d en t s at Th e M ed i cal Cen t er i n v o lv ed a weap o n (l at en i g h t a r m e d ro b beri es i n Th e M ed i cal Cen t er’ s p ark i ng l o t ), al t h o ug h n ei t h er

i n v o l v e d a c t u al d i s ch arg e o f th e weap o n

. Fu rt h erm o re, th es e t wo i n ci den t s i n t h e

7 Al t h ou g h t h e Pl ai n t i ffs s u b m i t t ed 7 3 d i fferen t p o l i ce re p o r t s , t h e Pl ai n t i ffs

o n l y rel i ed u po n a t ot al o f 43 i n t h ei r b ri efi n g t o t h e tri al co u rt

. As a res u l t

, o u r rev i ew wi l l b e l i m i t ed t o t h o s e p o l i ce rep o rt s act u al l y arg u ed t o t he t ri al co u rt

.

12p ark i n g l o t at a n ei g h b o ri n g p ro p ert y o ccu rred m o re t h an fi v e y ears p ri o r to

J o h n st o n ’ s ram

p ag e i n s id e Do ct o rs Ho s p i t al

.

At b es t

, t h en , t h e p o li ce rep o rt s p ro v i d ed b y t he Pl ai n t i f f s s h o w t wo arm ed

ro b b eri es at a n ei g h b o ri n g pro pert y at l eas t fi v e y ears p ri o r t o J o hn s to n ’ s ram p ag e.

Fo res eeab l e co n seq uen ces are “ t h o s e wh i ch

, beca u s e th ey h a p p en s o f r eq u en t l y , m ay

b e ex pect ed t o h ap p en ag ai n .” (Em p h as i s ad d ed .) Br o wn , 26 5 Ga. Ap p

. at 8 9 4

. In

Br o wn , we n o t ed t h at as s au l t s l i k e J o h n s t o n’ s are n o t l eg al l y fo res eeab l e b ecau s e t h ey

ar e s o “ u n u s ual

, co n trary to o rd i n ary ex peri en ce, an d rare th at n o reas o n ab l e ju ry

co u ld fi n d th e [d efen dan t s ] sh o u l d h av e g uard ed ag ai n s t th em .” 26 5 Ga. Ap p

. at 8 9 6

(1 ). As a res u l t

, it si m

p l y can n o t b e s ai d t h at J o h n s t o n’ s ram p ag e at D oct o rs Ho s p i t al

was fo res eeab l e b ecau s e t h e p ri o r in ci d en t s t o wh ich t he Pl ai n t i ffs referred were n ot

s u b s t an t i al l y s i m i l ar t o t he as sau l t wh i ch res u l t ed i n t h e P l a i n t i f f s ’ d am ag es

. See

Ba ker

, 2 7 3 Ga. A pp

. at 4 0 8 ( 1 ) (p ri o r p ro p ert y cri m es i n p ark i n g l o t i n s u ffi ci en t to

creat e a fact u al i s su e wh et h er d efen d an t s co u ld an ti ci p at e a carjack i n g an d sh o o t i n g

res u l ti n g i n pers o nal i n

ju ry ); S co t t v. Ho u s i n g Au t h

. o

f Ci t y o f Gl en n v i l l e , 2 2 3 Ga.

Ap p

. 2 1 6, 2 1 7 (4 7 7 S E 2 d 3 2 5 ) ( 1 9 9 6). Th erefo re, we fi n d t h at t h e t ri al co u rt

erro neo u s l y d en i ed t h e Defen d an t s ’ m o ti o n s fo r s u m m ary ju d g m en t o n t hi s b as i s

. See

13Ag n es S

co t t Co ll eg e v. Cl a r

k

, 2 7 3 Ga. Ap p

. 6 1 9

, 6 2 2 (1 ) (6 1 6 SE2 d 4 6 8 ) (2 0 0 5 );

Ba ker , 2 7 3 Ga. Ap p

. at 4 0 8 (1 ); Br o wn , 2 6 5 Ga. Ap p . at 8 9 4, 8 9 6 (1 ).

Fu rt herm o re, t h e Pl ai n t i ffs ’ a t t em p t t o s h o w fo res eeab i l i t y t h ro u g h t h e

t es t i m o ny of An t h o n y Po t t er, a s ecu ri t y ex p ert wi t h m an y y ears o f ex p eri en ce in

h o s p it al s ecu ri t y , i s u n av ai l i n g

. Po t t er o p i n ed

, b as ed up o n a rev i ew of Do ct o rs

Ho s pi t al ’ s pro ced u res , t h e 2 0 0 8 Secu ri t as s ecu ri t y su rv ey , d ep o s i t i o n s u m m ari es an d

“ n u m ero us p u b li cat i o n s o n t h e i s s u e,” t h at Jo h ns t o n’ s ram p ag e was fo res eeab l e d u e

t o a n “ i n c r e as e i n t h e n u m b er o f s h o o t in g i n ci d en t s at h eal t hcare faci l i t i es ,” t h e

“ i n creas e i n t he n u m

b er o f v i o l en t co nfro n t a t io n s b et ween p at i en t s an d/ o r fam i l y

m em b ers an d h eal t h care p ro v i d ers ”, an d t h at t h ere was n o “ v i s ib l e d et erren t ” t o s u ch

act i on s at Do ct o rs Ho s p it al

.

Po t t er’ s o p in io n s are o f th e s am e ch aract er as t he t en d ered ex p ert s’ t es t i m o ny

i n B r o wn

. In Br o wn , t h e ex p ert s “ d i s cu s s ed g en eral ized co n cep t s of v i ol en t react i on s

t o fi n an ci al d i s as t er an d wo rk p l ace vi o l en ce.” 2 6 5 Ga

. A p p. at 8 9 5

. Th e ex p ert s ’

t es t i m o ny rel i ed u p on t wo p ri o r s h o o t i n g s in t h e fi n an ci al serv i ces i nd u st ry wh i ch

o ccu rred y ears p ri o r, a d eat h t h reat i s s u ed by a d ay t rad er t o co m p an y m an ag em en t

,

an d fi n an ci al ad v is o r s u ici d es fo l l o wi n g t h e s t o ck m ark et cras h o f 1 9 2 9

. Id

. Here, in

m u ch t h e s am e v ei n , Po t t er rel i ed u p o n a g en eral i zed i n creas e i n h eal t h care v i o l en ce

14wi t h o u t s p eci fi c referen ce to s u ch v io l en ce. See Ag n es S co t t

, 27 3 Ga. Ap p

. at 6 2 2 -6 2 3

(1 ) (rel i an ce o n g en eral i zed i n fo rm at i o n l i ke cri m e s tat i st i cs d o es n o t creat e i s s u e o f

fact co n cern i n g fo res eeab il i t y ). Fu rt h erm o re, i t d o es n o t ap p ear t h at Po t t er an al y zed

t h e lack o f s u b s t an t ial l y s im i l a r v i o l e n ce at Do ct o rs H o s p it al an d it s en v i ro n s

.

S t u r b r i d g e , 26 7 Ga. at 7 8 6; Ra t l i

f f

, 32 6 Ga. Ap p. 3 06

, 3 1 2 (2 ) (a); Br o wn , 2 6 5 Ga.

Ap p

. at 8 9 4 (1 ). Co m

p are Br o o kvi ew Ho ld i n g

s v. S u a r ez , 2 8 5 G a. Ap p

. 9 0

, 96 -9 7 (2 )

(6 4 5 SE2 d 5 59 ) (2 0 0 7 ) (ex p ert t es t im o n y b as ed u p o n “ s t u d y o f th e area su rro u n d i n g

[l ocat i o n o f cri m e]

, t h e reco rd o f cri m e i n t h at area, an d t h ei r ex p eri en ce wi t h cri m es

o f [t hat ] n at u re”). Th erefo re, we fi n d t h at Po t t er’ s o pi n i o n s i l l u st rat e “ th at ev en

arg u ab ly s i m i l a r a ct s o f v i o l en ce were s o u n u s u al

, co nt rary t o o rd i n ary ex p eri en ce,

an d r a r e t h a t n o reas o n ab l e ju ry co u l d fi n d [t h at Do ct o rs Ho s p i t al ] s h o u l d h av e

g u ard ed ag ai n s t t h em .” 8 Br o wn , 2 6 5 Ga. Ap p . at 8 9 6

.

(b ) Defen d an t s ’ Kn o wl ed g e. In ad d i ti o n t o d em o n s t rat in g s u b s t an t i al ly s i m i l ar

cri m es o n o r n ear D o ct o rs Ho s p i t al ’ s p rem i s es , th e P l a i n t i ffs b o re t h e bu rd en to

es t ab l i s h t h at t h e p ro p ert y o wn er h ad k n o w l ed g e o f th e p rev i o u s s ub s t an t i al l y s i m i l ar

8 In ad di t i o n , al t h o u g h t h e P l ai n t i ffs s u g g es t t h ro u g h Cav en d er’ s t es t i m o n y t h at

J o hn s t on ’ s ap p earan ce rai s ed a “ red fl ag ” t o Cav en d er an d Harri s, t h e reco rd i s d ev oi d o f an y effo rt t o rep o rt an y s u s p i ci o n t o M i ch au x o r to an y o n e el s e. As a res u l t

, t h ere is n o i n di cat i o n t h at t h e Defen dan t s w ere o n n o ti ce t h at J oh n st o n in p art i cu l ar

co u ld b e d an gero u s o r p o sed a t h reat

.

15cri m es t o es t ab l i s h fo res eeab i l it y

. See B a ker

, 2 7 3 Ga. Ap p

. at 4 0 7 (1 ); McCl en d o n ,

1 5 5 Ga. Ap p . at 7 56 . In t h i s reg ard , t h e Pl ai n t i ffs ag ai n fai l ed

. Th e reco rd i s d ev o id

o f an y ev i d en ce th at th e Defen d an t s k n ew of t h e cri m i n a l a c t i v i t y ci t ed b y t h e

Pl ai n t i ffs at Do ct o rs H o s p i t al o r i t s n ei g h b o r. 9 Co m pare S h on ey’s

, In c. v. Hu d

s o n , 2 1 8

Ga. Ap p

. 1 7 1

, 17 3 (2 ) (4 6 0 SE2 d 8 0 9 ) (1 9 95 ) (k n owl ed g e s h o w n , i n p art

, by

m an ag em en t co n v ers at i o n s co n cern i n g d an ger t o cu s t o m ers i n p ark i n g l o t ). Ab s en t

an y s u ch p ro o f, t h e Pl ai n ti ffs can n o t prev ai l

. See Ba ker

, 2 7 3 G a

. A p p

. at 4 0 7 (1 );

McCl en d o n , 15 5 Ga. Ap p. at 7 5 6

. No r can t he Pl ai n t i ffs res t u p o n t h e p o li ce rep o rt s

as a m ean s t o es t ab l i s h t h e Defen d an ts ’ k n o w led g e o f t h e act i v i ti es co n t ai n ed i n t h o s e

rep o rt s

. See W

o j ci k v

. W in dmi l l La ke Ap t

s

. , 2 8 4 G a. Ap p

. 7 6 6

, 7 6 9 (6 4 5 SE2 d 1 )

(2 0 0 7); S co t t

, 2 2 3 Ga. Ap p

. at 21 7 (s t at em en t t h at defen d an t h ad k n o wl ed ge o f p ri o r

i n ci d en t s was b as ed u p o n as s u m p t i o n t h at d efen d an t g ai n ed s u ch kn o wl ed g e b ecau s e

t h e i n ci d en t s were i n v es t i g at ed b y po l i ce; “ s u ch an i nferen ce

. . . i s n ot au t ho ri zed ”)

9 In d eed

, t h e ex t en t o f t h e Pl ai n t i ffs ’ effo rt s on t h i s p o i n t m ay b e su m m ari zed

i n o n e o f i t s o wn b ri efs : kn o wl ed g e o f Do ct o rs Ho s p i t al ’ s m an ag em en t

, g ai n ed

t h ro u g h i t s p ri o r m an ag em en t o f n ei g h b o ri n g M ed i cal Cen t er, “ cert ai n ly i n cl u d ed

k n o wl ed g e o f t h e cri m es an d v io l en ce co m m i tt ed at t h e n ei g h b o ri n g M ed i cal Cen t er Ho s pi t al .” See g en eral l y Jo h n s v. Ho u s i n g Au t h

. f o r th e Ci t y of Do u g l a s , 2 9 7 Ga. Ap p

. 8 6 9

, 8 7 2 (6 7 8 SE2 d 5 7 1) (2 0 0 9 ) (“ Sp ecu l at i o n t h at rai s es a m ere co n ject u re o r

p o s s i b i l i t y i s n o t s u ffi ci en t t o creat e ev en an in feren ce o f fact fo r co n s i d erat i o n o n

s u m m ary ju d g m en t .”).

16(ci t i n g Su n T r u s t Ba n ks v. Ki l l eb r ew , 2 6 6 Ga. 1 0 9 (4 6 4 SE2 d 2 0 7 ) (1 9 9 5)). In s u m ,

t h e t ri al co u rt erred i n d en y in g t h e Defen d an t s’ m ot i o n s fo r s u m m ary ju d g m en t d u e

t o t he l ack o f fo res eeab i l i t y o f J o h n s t o n’ s ram

p ag e.

Ca s e No s. A1 4A1 7 8 8 , A1 4 A 1 7 9 0, a n d

A1 4 A1 79 3

(Med i ca l Cen t er Ho s

p i t a l Au t h o r it y)

2

. In i ts two en u m erat i o n s o f erro r, t h e Ho s p i t al Au th o ri t y co nt en d s t h at t h ere

were no g en u i n e i s su es o f m at eri al fact t h at : (a) Jo h n s t o n ’ s act i on s ag ai n s t J am es

Bak er, Les Harri s, an d Pet er W ri g h t w ere n o t fo res eeab l e; an d (b ) J oh n s t o n ’ s

i n t erv en i n g cri m i n al a c t i o n s fo rm ed t h e p ro x i m at e cau se o f t h e Pl ai n t i ffs ’ i n ju ri es

.

Th es e i s s u es h av e b een ad d res s ed i n Di vi s i o n 1

, s u p ra, an d we h av e co n cl u d ed t h at

t h e t r i a l c o u rt erro n eo u s l y d en i ed t h e Ho s p i t al Au t h o ri ty ’ s m o t i o n s fo r s u m m ary

ju d g m en t

.

3

. In v i ew o f o ur h o ld i n g s i n Di v is i on s 1 an d 2

, su p ra, we n eed n o t ad d res s t h e

Ho s pi t al Au th o ri t y ’ s arg u m en t co n cern i n g Cav en d er’ s s up eri o r k n o wl ed g e o f

J o h n st o n ’ s t h reat , o r ev en wh et h er t h e arg u m en t i s p ro p erl y b efo re t h i s Co u rt

.

Ca s e No s. A1 4A1 7 8 9 , A1 4 A 1 7 9 2, a n d

A1 4 A1 79 4

(S ecu r i t a s )

174

. In ad d i t i on t o i t s arg um en t s co n cern i n g fo res eeab il i ty an d p ro x i m at e cau s e,

Secu ri t as co n t en d s t h a t i t o w e d no l eg al d u t y t o p rev en t J o h n s t on ’ s act i o n s

. 1 0 W e

a g r e e

. “ In p ers o n al i n

ju ry cas es , an i nju red p art y m ay n o t reco v er as a t h ird -p art y

b en efi ci ary fo r fai l u re t o p erfo rm a d u t y i m p o sed b y a co n t ract u n l es s i t i s ap p aren t

fro m t h e l an g u ag e of t h e ag reem en t t h at t h e co nt ract i n g p art i es i n t en d ed t o co n fer a

d i rect b en efi t u p o n th e p l ai n t i ff t o p ro t ect h i m fro m ph y s i cal i n j u ry

. ” (Ci t at i o n s an d

p u n ct u at i o n o m i t t ed .) Br o wn , 2 6 5 Ga. Ap p

. at 8 9 7 (a) (i ) (ci t i n g An d er s on v. At l a n ta

Co mmi tt ee f

o r t h e O l ymp ic Ga mes , 2 7 3 Ga. 1 1 3

, 1 1 7 (4 ) (5 3 7 SE2 d 3 4 5 ) (2 0 0 0 )).

Fu rt h erm o re,

Al t h ou g h t h e t hi rd -p art y b en efi ci ary need no t b e s p eci fi cal l y n am ed i n

t h e co n t ract

, th e co n t ract i n g p art i es ’ i n t en ti o n to b en efi t t h e t hi rd p art y

m u s t b e sh o wn o n t h e face o f t h e co n t ract

. T he m ere fact th at [t h e th i rd

p art y ] w o ul d b en efi t fro m p erfo rm an ce o f t h e ag reem en t i s n o t al o ne

s u ffi ci en t

.

(Ci t at i o n s an d p u n ct u at i o n o m i t t ed .) Id . An d as we h av e s t at ed b efo re,

1 0 In i t s t h i r d a n d f

o u rt h en u m erat i on s o f erro r, Secu ri t as as s ert s t h at t h e Pl ai n t i ffs fai l ed t o p res en t s u ffi ci en t ev i d en ce t hat an y act o r o m i s s io n b y Secu ri t as

was t h e p ro x i m at e cau s e o f J o h n s t o n ’ s act i o n s or th at J o hn s to n ’ s act i o n s were fo res eeab l e i n t he ab s en ce o f an y p ri o r s u b s t a n t i a l l y s i m il ar o ccu rren ce. W e h av e ad d res s ed t h es e arg u m en t s i n Di v i s i o n 1 , s u p ra.

18[w] e reco g n i ze t h at wh en ev er a p rem i s es o wn er co nt ract s wi t h a p ri vat e

s ecu ri t y co m

pan y t h e p art i es m ay ex p ect t h e s ecu ri t y serv i ces p ro v i d ed

t o b en efi t in v i t ees wh o v i s i t t h e p ro p ert y

. As we h av e h el d

, h o wev er, an

i n ju red i n v i tee m ay n o t reco ver ag ai n s t t h e s ecu ri ty co m p an y fo r

n eg l ig en t p erfo rm an ce i f t h e co n tract i s si l en t as to t h e p art i es ’ i n t en t t o

co n fer t h at b en efi t

.

Id

. (ci t i n g An d

er s o n , 2 73 Ga. at 1 1 7-1 1 8 (4 ); Ar m o r El eva t o r Co

. v. Hi n to n , 2 1 3 Ga.

Ap p . 2 7 , 3 0 (2 ) (4 4 3 SE2 d 6 7 0 ) (1 9 94 )). See al s o CDP Even t S vs . v. At ch es o n , 2 8 9

Ga. Ap p . 1 8 3 , 1 8 5 (1 ) (6 5 6 SE2 d 5 3 7 ) (2 0 0 8 ) (s am e).

Her e, t h e secu ri ty ag reem en t g o vern i n g Secu ri t as ’ rel at i o n s hi p wi th Do ct o rs

Ho s pi t al s p eci fi cal ly d i s av o wed a n y i n t en t t o co nfer a d i rect b en efi t o n Do ct o rs

Ho s pi t al ’ s em

p l oy ees o r cu s t o m ers (“ Th e s erv i ces p ro v id ed u n der t h i s Ag reem en t are

s o l el y fo r t h e b en efi t o f [Do ct o rs Ho s p i t al ] n ei t h er t h i s Ag reem en t n o r an y s erv i ces

ren d ered h ereu n d er s h al l b e d eem ed t o co n fer an y ri g h t s on an y o t h er p art y as a t h i rd

p art y b en efi ci ary .”). Co n s eq u en t l y , ev en wh en co ns t ru ed i n t h e Pl ai n t i ffs ’ fav o r, t h e

ev i d en ce d oes n o t s u p po rt a fi n d i n g t h at th e Pl ai n ti ffs w ere t hi rd -p art y b en efi ci ari es

o f Secu ri t as ’ s ecu ri t y ag reem en t wi t h Do ct o rs H o s p i t al

. See Br own , 2 6 5 Ga. Ap p

. at

8 9 7 (2 ) (a) (i ). See al s o An d er s o n , 2 7 3 G a. at 1 1 7-1 1 8 (4 ); Ar mo r El eva t o r , 2 1 3 Ga.

Ap p . at 3 0 (2 ).

195

. Nex t

, Secu ri t as al l eg es t h at t h e Pl ai n t i ffs fai led t o p res en t an y ad m i s s i b l e

ev i d en ce es t ab l i s hi n g a b reach o f an y d u t y a l l e g e d l y owed b y Secu ri tas

. As n o t ed

s u p ra, Secu ri t as ’ s ecu ri t y ag reem en t m an d at ed th at Secu ri t as s u pp l y o ne u n arm ed

g u ard t o m o n i t o r Do ct ors Ho s p it al d uri n g d ay t i m e ho u rs

. M ich au x was p res en t o n t h e

d at e o f J o h n s t o n ’ s ram

p ag e an d was pat ro l l i n g t h e Do ct o rs Ho sp i t al pro p ert y to

s at i s fy Secu ri t as ’ co nt ract ual o b l i g at i o n

. M o reo ver, M ich au x ’ s co n d u ct rev eal s t h at

t h ere was n o b reach o f Secu ri t as ’ d u t y

.

Th e ev i d en ce d em o n st rat es t h at M i ch au x d i d n o t l earn o f t h e ram p ag e u n t i l h e

recei v ed u rg en t cal l s fro m D oct o rs Ho sp i t al

. W hen h e l earn ed o f t he s h o o t i n g s , h e

i m m ed i at el y p ro ceed ed t o t h e em erg en cy ro o m , cal led 9 1 1

, an d o rd ered em p l o y ees

t o lo ck d o wn t he em erg en cy ro om

. W h en J oh n s t o n was un s ucces s fu l i n g ai n in g en t ry

t o t h e em erg en cy ro o m d ue to M i ch au x ’s act i o n s , J oh n s t o n l eft

, an d M i ch au x

fo l l o w ed h i m . In t h e p ark i n g l o t , M i ch au x warn ed v i s i t o rs t o t ak e co v er. W h en l aw

en fo rcem en t au th ori t ies arri v ed

, M i ch a u x d i rect ed th em t o J o h n s t on

. M i ch au x was

n o t p erm i t t ed t o co n fro nt o r at t em p t to arres t Jo h n s t o n ; rat h er, h e was req u i red to

rep o rt an y act i v it y t o law en fo rcem en t au t ho ri t i es , wh i ch he d i d

. Fo r h is act i o n s ,

M i ch au x recei v ed award s fro m Secu ri t as an d th e M u s co g ee Co u n t y Sh eri ff. In s h o rt

,

ev en wh en v i ewed i n fav or o f t h e P l ai nt i ffs

, as t h i s Co urt m u s t, M i ch au x wen t to

20g reat l en g t h s t o fu l fi l l Secu ri t as ’ co n t ract u al res p o ns i b i l it y to m o n i t o r Do ct o rs

H o s p i t a l

. Acco rd in g l y , i t fo l l o ws t h at t he t ri al co u rt erred i n den y i n g Secu ri t a s ’

m o t i on fo r s u m

m ary ju d g m en t b ecau s e t h ere w as n o b reach o f an y d u t y al l eg ed l y

o wed b y Secu ri t as

.

Ca s e No . A1 4 A1 7 9 1

(Do ct o rs Ho s

p i t a l )

6

. In i t s s eco n d en u m erat i o n o f erro r, 1 1 Do ct o rs Ho s p i t al arg u es t h at i t s p o l i cy

co n cern in g h o s p it al s ecu ri t y can n o t a l o n e creat e an is s u e o f fact co n cern i n g

fo res eeab i l i t y

. W e ag ree. Al t h o u g h t h e Pl ai n t i ffs s ub m it t ed au t h ori t ies fro m o t h er

ju ri s d i ct i o n s t o s u p p o rt th e arg um en t t h at a p art y m ay ad o p t t h e s tat em e n t o f

an o th er, 1 2 t ho s e au t h ori t i es are un n eces sary t o ou r res o l u ti o n of t hi s cas e. Geo rg i a l aw

s u g g es t s t h at t here are t wo pri m ary m et h od s t o es t ab l i s h fo res eeab i l i t y

. 1 3 Ou r co u rt s

h av e h el d t h at “ [e] v i d en ce o f a p ri o r s ub s t an ti al l y s im i l ar act i s on e way t o es t ab l i s h

1 1 W e h av e ad d res s ed Do ct o rs Ho sp i t al ’ s fi rs t an d th i rd en u m erat i o n s o f erro r i n Di v is i o n 1

, s u p ra.

1 2 See Pa t ter

so n v. Co un t

y o f On ei d a

, N.Y

. , 3 7 5 F3 d 2 0 6 , 2 2 9 (2 d Ci r. 2 0 0 4 );

Un i ted S t a t es v. Ro b in so n , 2 75 F3 d 3 7 1 , 3 8 3 (4 t h Ci r. 2 0 0 1 ).

1 3 A t h i rd m et h o d, ack no wl ed g m en t o f a kn o wn dan g er b y a d efen d an t

, i s n ot

at i ss u e i n t h i s ap p eal . See W a l l a ce , 2 1 1 Ga. Ap p . at 5 36

.

21n o t i ce an d fo res eeab il i ty

, an d i n m o s t cas es it w i l l b e t h e o n l y p o ss i b le way t o d o s o.”

W a l la ce v. Bo

ys Cl u b & c. , 21 1 Ga. Ap p

. 5 3 4 , 5 3 6 , n . 2 (4 39 SE2 d 7 4 6 ) (1 9 9 3 ). See

al s o S t u rb r i d

g e , 2 67 G a. at 78 6 ; Br o wn , 2 6 5 Ga. Ap p

. at 8 9 4 (1 ). Ho wev er, we h av e

al s o n o t ed t h at “ a d an g er co u l d b e s o o b v i o us th at an i s s u e fo r ju ry d et erm i n at i o n

co u ld ex i s t reg ard in g n ot i ce an d / o r fo res eeab i l i t y d es p i t e t h e ab s en ce o f a p ri o r

s i m i l ar i n ci d en t o n th o s e p rem i s es .” Id

. Co m p are S h on ey’s

, 2 18 Ga. A p p

. at 1 7 3 (2 )

( f o r es eeab i l it y sh o w n , i n p art

, b y p ri o r arm ed ro b b eri es an d b y m an ag em e n t

co n vers at i on s co n c e r n i n g d an g er t o cu s t o m ers i n p ark in g lo t ). In th i s cas e, as

d i s cu s s ed i n g reat er d et ai l in Di v i si o n 1

, s u p ra, n ei t h er fact o r i s p res en t

. As a res u l t

,

i t was erro r fo r th e t ri al co u rt t o d en y Do ct ors Ho s p i t al ’ s m o t i o n fo r s u m m ary

ju d g m en t o n t h i s g ro u nd

.

7

. In i t s fi n al en u m erat i o n o f erro r, Do ct o rs Ho s p i t al cl ai m s t h at t h e t ri al co u rt

erro neo u s l y d en ied it s m o t i o n fo r s u m m ary ju d g m en t as to pu n i t i ve d am ag es b ecau s e

Bak er fai l ed t o p res en t an y ev i d en ce o f m al i ci o u s , wi l l f u l o r wan t o n m i sco n d u ct

.

Ho wev er, becau se of t h e u n fo res eeab i l i t y o f J o h n s t o n ’ s ram p ag e, t h ere was n o d u t y

b y Do ct or s Ho s p i t al t o g u ard ag ai n s t su ch a v i o l en t ram p ag e. An d wi t h o u t en t i t l em en t

t o co m p en s at o ry d am ag es , p u n i t i v e d am ag es m ay n ot b e award ed

. See So u t h er n Gen

.

In s

. Co

. v. Ho l t

, 26 2 Ga. 26 7

, 2 7 0 ( 2 ) (4 1 6 SE2 d 2 7 4 ) (1 9 9 2 ); Gwi nn et t Hea l th

22S

ys t em v. Del u , 2 6 4 Ga. Ap p

. 8 6 3

, 8 6 9 (3 ) (5 9 2 SE2 d 4 9 7 ) (2 0 0 3 ); S h ar p v. Gr eer

,

Kl o si k & Da u g h er t

y , 2 5 6 G a. Ap p

. 3 7 0

, 37 3 (6 ) (5 6 8 SE2 d 5 0 3 ) (2 00 2 ). As a res u l t

,

we co ncl u d e t h at t h e t ri a l c o u r t e r red in d en y i n g Do ct o rs Ho s p i t al ’ s m o t i o n fo r

s u m m ary ju d g m en t o n p u ni t i v e d am ag es

.

Ju d g men t s r ever s ed a n d ca s es r ema n d

ed wi t h d i r ect i o n. Ra

y, J., co n cu r

s

.

McFa d den , J., co n cu r

s a n d co n cu r s s p eci a l l y.

23A1 4 A1 78 8

. THE M EDICAL CENTER HOSPITAL AUTHORITY

v . CAVENDER.

M C F A D D E N , J u d g e, co n cu rri n g fu l l y an d s p eci al l y

.

I wri t e sep arat el y t o w i t h h o l d m y fu l l co n cu r ren ce fro m fo o t n o te n i n e o f

Di v is i o n 1 (b ), i n wh i ch t h e m ajo ri t y ad d res s es t he p l ai n t i ffs ’ at t em p t t o i m p u t e t h e

M ed i cal Cen t er’ s k n owl ed g e t o Do ct o rs Ho s p it al

. Th i s fo o t n o t e m i gh t b e read to

es t ab l i s h an o v erb ro ad p reced en t reg ard i ng im p u t at i o n of k n o wl ed ge b et ween

i n t errel at ed en t i ti es

. I wo u l d n ot reach t h at i s s u e. Becau s e I d o no t fu l l y co ncu r i n i t

,

t h e fo o tn o t e d o es n o t es t ab l i s h p reced en t

. Co urt of Ap p eal s Ru l e 3 3 (a). I co n cu r fu l l y

i n t he rem ai nd er o f t he o p in i o n

.

I w r i t e al s o , h o wev er, to d i s as s o ci at e m y s el f fro m t h e m ajo ri t y ’ s u n fo rt u n at e

d eci s i o n t o p u b l i s h i n fo o t n o t e fi v e of Di v i s i o n (1 ) t he Ho sp i t al Au t ho ri t y ’ s al l eg at i o n

t h at o n e o f t h e p l ai n t i ffs

, wh o wi t n es s ed t he m urd er of h i s l i fe p art n er, is l y i n g ab o ut

h av in g b een h i m s el f t h e v ict i m o f an as s au l t

. Th at p l ai n t i ff h as as ked u s to s t ri k e an d

i g n o re t h at al l eg at i o n b ecau s e i t i s “ wh o l l y u n neces s ary , i nfl am m at o ry , an d

i m p ro p erl y (p art i cu l arl y o n ap p eal fro m a s um m ary ju d g m en t d eci s i o n ) s e e k [s ] to

i m p u g n [h i s ] cred i b i li t y an d rep u t at io n .” J u s t s o

. W e o ug h t t o h av e i g n o red i t

. Th e

al l eg at i o n wo u l d h av e b een h i g h l y rel ev an t at t ri al ; b u t u n l es s we are rev ers ed o ncert io rari

, t h ere wi l l b e n o t ri al

. W e d o , fro m t i m e t o t im e ap p ro p ri at el y n o t e th at fact s

we m u s t as s um e t o b e t r u e a r e d i s p u t ed

– p art icu l arl y wh ere a part y i s accu s ed o f

m i s co n du ct . Bu t t h e referen ce h ere i s g rat u it o u s

.

2