FOURTH D I VI SI ON
DI LLA R D, C. J.

, D OYLE, P. J.

, and M ERCI ER, J.

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 l s .us /r ule s

M ar ch 7, 2019



# I n th e Co u r t o f

A p p eals o f

G eo r g ia

A1 8 A1 50 8

. TRABUE et al

. v. ATLANTA W OM EN’ S SPECIALISTS, LLC et al

. DO-0 5 6

A1 8 A1 55 2 . ANGUS v

. TRABUE et al

. DO-0 6 1

A1 8 A1 55 3

. ATLANTA W O M EN’ S SPECIALISTS, LLC v

. TRABUE et al

. DO-0 6 2

A1 8 A1 55 4 . ANGUS v

. TRABUE et al

. DO-0 6 3

A1 8 A1 55 5 . TRABUE et al . v . ANGUS. DO-0 6 4

D O Y LE , Pres i d i n g J u d g e.

Kei t h Trab u e, i n d i v id u al l y an d as g u ard i an o f h i s wi fe, Sh an n o n M ari a Trab ue,

an d Ad vo cacy Tru st of Ten n es s ee, LLC, as h er co n s erv at o r, fi l ed a ren ewal m ed i cal

m al p ract i ce act i o n i n Fu l t o n Co u n t y St at e Co u rt a g a inst A tla n ta W om en ’ s Sp eci al i s t s ,

LLC (“ AW S”), an d Dr. St an l ey R. An g u s aft er Sh an no n s u ffered a cat as t ro p hi c b rai n

i n ju ry fo u r d ay s aft er g i v i n g b i rt h . Th e ju ry award ed t he p l ai n t iffs $4 6 m i l l i o n . Th e

d efen d an t s m o v ed fo r a n ew tri al

, arg u i n g t h at t h e t ri al co urt erred (1 ) by p erm i t t i n gev i d en ce o f t he al leg ed neg l i g en ce of Dr. Reb ecca Si m o n s en , a n o n -p art y p h y s i ci an

al s o em p lo y ed b y AW S, b ecau se cl ai m s ag ai ns t AW S fo r h er act i o n s were n o t rai s ed

an d were b arred b y t h e s t at u t es o f li m i tat i o n an d rep o s e; an d (2 ) b y fai l i n g t o req u i re

t h e ju ry t o ap p o rt i o n fau l t b et ween Dr. An gu s an d AW S o n b eh al f o f Dr. Si m o n s en

i n acco rd an ce wi t h OCGA § 5 1 -1 2 -3 3 (b ). Th e t ri al co u rt reject ed t he fo rm er cl ai m

b u t g ran t ed a n ew t ri al on th e l i m i t ed i s s u e o f t h e al l o cat io n o f fau l t b et w een t h e p art y

d efen d an t s b as ed o n Dr. Si m o n s en ’ s n eg l ig en ce, i n s t ru ct i n g t h at “ [t ] he ju ry ’ s p ri o r

fi nd i ng s on li ab i l it y an d i ts cal cu l at i o n of d am ag es s h al l rem ai n in tact u p o n t h e t ri al

as t o ap p o rt i o n m en t .” Th i s Co u rt g ran t ed t h e p art i es ’ i n t erl o cu t ory ap pl i cat io n s , an d

t h es e ap p eal s of t h at ord er fo l lo wed

. 1 Fo r t he reas o n s t h at fo l l o w , we affi rm i n p art

,

rev ers e i n p art

, v acat ed i n p art

, an d rem an d fo r p ro ceed i n gs co n s i s t en t wi t h t h i s

o p i n i o n

.

1 In Cas e No

. A1 8A1 5 0 8

, t h e p l ai nt i ffs d i r e c tl y ap peal t h e o rd er o n t h e d efen d an t s ’ m o t i on fo r n ew t ri al ; i n Cas e No

. A1 8A1 55 2

, Dr. A n g us cro s s - ap p eal s C a s e N o

. A1 8 A1 5 0 8 ; i n Cas e No

. A1 8 A1 55 3

, AW S d i rect l y ap p eal s t h e o rd er; i n Cas e No

. A1 8A1 5 5 4

, Dr

. A n g u s d i rect l y ap p eal s th e ord er; an d i n Cas e No

. A1 8 A1 55 5

, th e p l ai n ti ffs cro s s -ap p eal Cas e No

. A1 8 A1 5 5 4. Becau s e t h ey ari s e fro m
t h e s am e p ro ceed i n g , we co n s o l i d at e al l fi v e ap p eal s

.

2W e rev i ew d e n o vo th e g ran t o f a m o t i o n fo r n ew t ri al o n s p eci al g ro u nd s

i n v o l v i n g a q u es t i o n o f l aw, an d we w i l l “ r e v e rs e i f t he t ri al co u rt co m m i t t ed l eg al

erro r.” 2

So v i ewed

, t h e reco rd s ho ws t h at on Au g u st 21

, 2 00 9

, 3 8

- y ear-o ld Sh an n o n

was ad m it t ed t o No rt h s i de H o sp i t a l f o r i n d u ct i o n o f lab o r d u e t o hy p ert en s i o n an d

g av e b i rt h v i a ces arean s ect i o n

. Th e ch i ld was d el i vered wi t h o u t co m p l i cat i o n s b y Dr.

J u an it a W y at t -Hat h away

. Sh an n o n ’ s b l o o d pres s u re rem ai n ed p ers i s t en tl y el ev at ed

,

an d Dr. W y at t -Hat h away p res cri b ed an i n fu si o n o f m ag n es i u m s u lfat e an d a l o ad i n g

d o s e o f i n t rav en o us fl u i ds

, an d s h e l at er p res cri b ed Lab et al o l an d d i s c o n t i n u ed t h e

m ag n es i u m s ul fat e. D r. Si m on s en t h en t oo k o v er Sh an n o n’ s c are aft er b ei n g i n fo rm ed

o f h er recen t el ev at ed b l o o d p res s u re, s h o rt nes s of b reat h

, d ecreas ed u ri n ary o u t p u t

,

an d pu l s e o x i m et ry o f 95 p ercen t

. Dr. An gu s t h en as s u m ed co n t ro l o f Sh an n on ’ s care,

an d h e ev al u at ed h er an d i n creas ed t h e Lab et al o l. At 5: 0 0 p .m

. o n Au g u s t 2 5

, 2 0 0 9,

Dr. An g u s ord ered th e i n s ert i o n o f an i n t rav en o u s l i ne, l ab t es t s , an d a s p i ral CT s can

t o ru l e o u t a p u lm o n ary em b o li s m

. En ro u t e t o t he CT s can , Sh an n o n s u s t a i n ed a

res p i rat o ry arres t

, wh i ch pro g res s ed t o a fu l l card i o p u l m on ary arres t

. Sh e c o d ed at

2 Go vt

. Emp l o

yees In s

. Co

. v. P r o g r es s i ve Ca s

. In s

. Co

. , 2 7 5 Ga. A p p

. 8 7 2,
8 7 3 -8 7 4 (1 ) (6 2 2 SE2 d 9 2 ) (2 0 0 5 ).

35 : 4 3 p .m ., an d res u sci tat i o n effo rt s co m m en ced . A s u b seq u en t ch es t x -ray rev eal ed

p u l m o n ary ed em a. Co ns eq u en t l y , Sh an no n s u ffered a h y p o x i c b rai n i n

ju ry an d h as

b een ren dered t o t al ly

d i s ab led

.

On Au g u st 1 8

, 2 0 1 1

, th e p l ai n t i ffs fi led a m ed i cal m al p ract i ce act i o n ag ai n s t

AW S an d Dr. An g u s, al l eg i n g v i cari o u s l i ab i l i t y ag ai n s t AW S an d t h e neg li g en ce o f

Dr. An g u s

. Th e co m

p l ai n t al l eg es t h at D rs

. A n g u s , W y at t-Hat h away , an d Si m o n s en

were ag en t s o f AW S, act i n g wi t h i n t h e s co p e o f t h ei r ag en cy wh en t h e p ro x i m at el y

cau s ed Sh an n o n ’ s i nju ri es , s o t h at t h ei r wro n g fu l act s an d o m i s si o n s are i m p u t ed to

AW S, wh i ch i s v icari o u s l y li ab l e fo r th ei r act s an d o m i s si o n s. Th e p lai n t i ffs al s o

n o t ed t h erei n t h at t h ey res erv ed t h e ri g h t t o ad d D rs

. W y at t -Hat h away an d Si m o n s en

as p art y d efen d an ts i f AW S o r D r. An g us al l eg ed t hat t h ey co n t ri b u ted t o Sh an n o n ’ s

i n ju ri e s

. Th e pl ai n t i ffs at t ach ed an OCGA § 9-1 1 -9 .1 ex p ert affi d av i t b y Dr. Pau l

Gat ewo o d

, wh o av erred th at t h e care an d t reat m en t ren dered b y Dr. An g u s fel l b el o w

t h e st an d ard o f care req u i red

. Dr. Gat ewo o d o ffered n o o p i n i o n as t o t h e n eg l i g en ce

o f t h e o t h er p h y si ci an s i n v o l ved i n Sh an n o n ’ s care.

On M ay 7, 2 0 1 4

, t h e p l ai n t i ffs v o l u n t ari ly d i s m i s s ed t h e cas e ag ai n s t Dr. An gu s

an d AW S; o n A u gu s t 15

, 2 01 4

, t h ey fi l ed a ren ewal act i o n. Th e s eco n d c o m p l ai nt

m i rro red t h e fi rs t

, wi t h t h e ex cep t i on o f an ad d i t i o n al ex p ert affi d av i t fro m Dr. Eri c

4Li ch t er, wh i ch es s en t i al l y t ra c k ed t h at o f Dr. G at ewo o d ex cep t th at Dr. Li ch t er

i n co rp o rat ed b y referen ce th e o p i n i o n s h e g av e i n h i s d ep o si t io n i n th e fi rs t cas e. 3

D u r i n g D r

. Li ch t er’ s d ep o s i t i o n , h e o ffered s t an d ard o f care cri t i ci s m s ag ai n s t t h e

n u rs es an d Drs

. W ya t t

- H a t h away , Si m o ns en , an d An g u s

. H i s al leg at i o n s o f

n eg li g en ce i n h i s affi dav i t , h o w ev er, p ert ai n ed o n ly t o Dr. An g us

.

Th e p art i es fi l ed a co n so l i d at ed p ret ri al o rd er i n t h e cas e o n J u ly 2 0

, 2 0 1 6. In

t h e p l ai n t i ffs ’ ou t l i n e o f t h e cas e, t h ey ex p res s l y s tat e d t h at Dr. Si m o n s en ’ s

n eg li g en ce, al o n g wi t h t h at of Dr. An g u s, cau s ed Sh an n o n’ s i n ju ri es

. Sp eci fi cal l y , t h e

p l ai n t i ffs al l eg ed t h at Dr. Si m o n s en to o k o v er Sh an n o n’ s care at 8 : 0 0 a.m

. o n Au g u s t

2 5 , 2 0 0 9

, b u t s aw Sh an n o n o n l y o n ce d uri n g t he s h i ft at 1 0: 3 0 p .m ., d es p i t e s ev eral

cal l s fro m n u rs es ad v i s i n g o f seri o u s p ro bl em s wi t h Sh an n o n ’ s co n d it i o n , wh i ch p ut

S h a n n on at a fo res eeab l e ri s k o f pu l m o n ary ed em a an d card i o p ul m o n ary

co m p l icat i o n s

. Th e p lai n t i ffs li s t ed t h e q u es t i o n o f Dr. Si m o n sen ’ s neg l i gen ce as o n e

fo r ju ry d et erm i n at i o n , s p eci fy i n g 4 1 al l eg at i o n s o f n eg l i g en ce ag ai n s t h er i n ad d i t i o n

t o t ho s e ag ai n s t t h e n am ed d efen d an t s , Dr. An gu s an d AW S.

On Au g u s t 1 2

, 2 0 1 6

, t h e d efen d an t s fi l ed a m ot i on i n l i m i n e t o ex cl u d e al l

ev i d en ce o r arg u m en t cri t i ci zi n g Dr. Si m o n sen an d an y o ne o th er t ha n Dr. An g u s ,

3 Th e t ran scri p t o f Dr. Li ch t er’ s t es t i m o n y was n o t at t ach ed t o t h e affi d av i t

.

5arg u i n g th at b ecau s e n o cl ai m h as b een as s ert ed bas ed o n t h e co n du ct o f Dr.

Si m o n s en , cri t ici s m s o f h er care s h o u l d b e ex cl u d ed

. On Sep t em b er 1 2

, 2 0 1 6

, t h e

p l ai n t i ffs m ov ed t o am en d t h e p ret ri al o rd er t o fi le Dr

. Li ch t er’ s am en d ed an d

s u p p l em en t al affi d av i t

, wh i ch i n cl u d ed al l eg at i o n s o f neg l i g en ce ag ai n s t Dr.

Si m o n s en . Th e p lai nt i ffs p o i n t ed o u t t h at t wo p arag rap h s of th e o ri g i n al an d refi l ed

co m p l ai n t al l eg ed t h at Dr. Si m o n s en was an ag en t an d em p l o ye e o f A W S at al l

ap p li cab l e t i m es an d th at AW S was l i ab l e fo r i n ju ri es cas ed b y h er wro ng fu l act s an d

o m is s i o n s ; t h at t h e fact u al al l eg at io n s i n cl ud ed Dr. Si m o n sen ’ s ro l e i n Sh an n o n ’ s

t reat m en t ; th at t h e d efen d an t s d i d n o t o b ject t o t h e o ri gi n al o r ren ewed affi d av i t s o f

Dr. Li ch t e r ; a n d t h at t he d efen d an t s w ere o n n o t i ce of th e i m p u t ed l i ab i l i t y cl ai m ,

ev i d en ced b y t h ei r s eco nd affi rm at i v e d efen se, wh ich st at ed t hat n ei t her Dr. An gu s

n o r an y o t h er ag en t o r em p l o y ee v i o l at ed t h e ap p l i cab l e s t a n d a r d o f c a re b u t rat h er

ex ceed ed i t

. Th e d efen d an t s o p p o s e d t h e m o t i o n an d m o v ed fo r part i al s u m m ary

ju d g m en t

, arg u i n g th at t h e am en d ed affi d av i t was b arred b y t h e s t at u t e o f l i m i t at i on s

an d t h erefo re d i d n o t rel at e b ack t o t h e o ri g i n al co m pl ai n t

.

Th e t ri al co u rt d en i ed t h e d efen d an ts ’ m o t i o ns in l i m i n e w i th reg ard to

ev i d en ce cri t i ci zi ng Dr. Si m o n s en an d m o t i o n s fo r p art i al s u m m ary ju d g m en t

, an d i t

g ran t ed t h e p l ai n t i ffs ’ m ot io n t o am en d t h e p ret ri al ord er t o fi l e Dr. Li ch t er’ s am en d ed

6affi d av i t. Du ri ng t h e t wo -week t ri al

, t h e d efen d an t s m o v ed fo r a d i rect ed v erd i ct o n

t h e s am e g ro u n d s rai s ed i n t h ei r p art i al s u m m ary ju d g m en t m o t i o n , an d t h e t ri al co u rt

d en ied t he m o ti o n

. Aft er t h e cl os e o f t h e ev i den ce, t h e d efen d an t s as k ed t h e co u rt to

ap p ort i o n d am ag es p urs u an t t o OCGA § 5 1 -1 2 -3 3 (b ). 4

Th e ju ry en t ered i ts v erd i ct i n fav o r o f t h e p l ai n t i ffs o n a s p eci al verd i ct fo rm ,

wh i ch as k ed t h e fo l l o wi n g : “ W as t h e n eg l i g en ce o f an y o f Defen d an t A t l an t a W o m en

Sp eci al i st s ’ p h y s i ci an em p lo y ees a co n t ri b u t i n g p ro x i m at e cau s e o f t h e i n ju ry to

Sh an n o n Trab u e? If s o , p l ace an X i n t h e b l an k b efo re each p h y s i c i a n e m p l o y ee

wh o s e n eg l i g en ce was a p ro x i m at e cau s e o f her i n j u ry

. ” Th e p h ys i ci an em

p l o y ees

l i st ed were Drs

. A n gu s an d Si m o n s en

. Th e ju ry an s wered “ y es ” an d p l aced an X n ex t

t o bo t h p h y s i ci an s ’ n am es

. Th e ju ry award ed eco n o m i c l os s d am ag es o f al m o s t $ 1 0

m i l l io n an d award ed $ 1 8 m i l l i on co m p en s at o ry dam ag es t o each p l ai n t iff. Th e t ri al

co u rt t hen en t ered t h e ju d gm en t o n t h e v erd i ct

.

4 It i s n o t en t i rel y cl ear b et w een wh i ch part i es t he defen d an t s s o u g h t to

ap p ort i o n dam ag es

. Du ri n g a co l l o q u y , d efen s e co u n s el s tat ed : “ AW S

. . . i s

res p o n s i b l e fo r act i o n s o f An g u s [,] an d AW S can b e r e s p o n s i b le fo r act i o n s o f
Si m o n s en . . . . [I] f i t ’ s b o t h, t h en I t hi n k t h e ju ry u n d er t h e s t at u t e s h ou l d as s i g n t h e
p ercen t ag es b et w een t h e t wo o f t h em

. . . . If t h ere are go i n g t o b e s ep arat e cl ai m s
ag ai n s t AW S o n t h e v erd ict fo rm , th en t h e v erd i ct fo rm s h o u l d h av e t h e ju ry

as s i g n

a percen t ag e fo r each o f t hei r s ep arat e act i o n s

. Are t h ey b o t h e m p l o y ees ? Yes .”
Defen s e co u n sel fu rt h er s t at ed : “ I o bject t o h av i n g s ep arat e cl ai m s ag ai n s t AW S fo r
t wo d ifferen t act o rs wi t h o u t ap p o rt i o n m en t o f t h e l i ab i l i t y b et ween t h e t wo .”

7On Ap ri l 7

, 2 0 17

, t h e d efen d an t m o v ed fo r a n ew tri al

, al l eg i n g , am o n g o t h er

t h i n g s , t h at t h e t ri al co u rt erred b y f ai l i n g t o req u i re t h e ju ry t o ap p o rt i o n fau l t

b et ween D r. An g u s an d AW S o n b eh al f o f Dr. Si m on s en pu rs u an t t o OCGA § 5 1 -1 2

-

3 3 (b ) an d b y p erm i t t i n g ev i d en ce o f th e al l eg ed n eg l i g en ce o f Dr. Si m on s en b ecau s e

cl ai m s ag ai n s t h er were n o t rai s ed i n t h e co m pl ai n t s an d were b arred by t h e s t at u t es

o f li m i t at i o n an d rep os e. Th e p lai n t i ffs m o v ed t o am en d t h e ju d g m en t t o ad d at t o rn ey

fees

, l i t ig at i o n ex p en s es , an d p re-ju d g m en t i nt eres t u n d er OCGA § § 9 -1 1 -6 8 an d 5 1

-

1 2 -1 4. Aft er co n s id eri n g t h e v ari o u s b ri efs fi l ed by t he p art i es , t h e t ri al co u rt d en i ed

t h e m o t i on fo r n ew t ri al o n al l g ro u n d s ex cep t i t s fai l u re t o req u i re t h e ju r y t o

ap p ort i o n fau l t

, o rd eri n g a n ew t ri al as t o ap p ort i on m en t on l y

. It d en i ed t he p l ai n t i ffs ’

m o ti o n t o am en d th e ju d g m en t as p rem at u re, g iv en i t s ru l i n g g ran t i n g a n ew t ri al as

t o ap p o rt i o n m en t

. Th e t ri al co urt c e r t i f i e d i t s o rd er o n t h e m ot i o n fo r n ew t ri al fo r

i m m ed i at e rev i ew, t h i s Co urt g ran t ed t h e d efen d an t s ’ i n t erl o cu t ory ap p li cat i o n s , an d

t h es e ap p eal s fo ll o wed

.

Ca s e No s. A1 8A1 5 5 2 , A1 8 A 1 5 5 3, a n d

A1 8 A1 55 4

1

. AW S ’s vi ca r i ou s l i a bi l i t

y b a s ed o n Dr . S i mo n s en . Th e d efen d an ts co n t en d

t h at t h e t ri al co urt erred b y p erm i tt i ng th e ju ry t o co ns i d er wh et h er Dr. Si m o n s en ’ s

8n eg li g en ce was a co n t ri b u t i n g p ro x im at e cau s e o f i n ju ry t o Sh an n o n

. Th i s

en u m erat i o n i s wi th o u t m eri t

.

(a) Fi rs t

, t h e defen d an ts arg u e th at t h e p lai n t i ffs fai l ed t o t i m el y an d p ro p erl y

p l ead a v i cari o u s l i ab il i ty cl ai m ag ai n s t AW S fo r Dr. Si m o n s en ’s n eg l i g en ce. W e

d i s ag ree.

In t h e i n i t ial co m

p l ai nt fi l ed i n 2 01 1

, t h e pl ai n t i ffs d es cri b ed i n d et ai l t h e care

p ro v id ed b y Sh an n o n ’ s d o ct o rs , i n cl ud i ng D r. Si m o n s en

. In Co u n t 1, t i t l ed “ Cl ai m fo r

Vi cari o u s Li ab i li t y

as t o Defen d an t AW S,” t h e p l ai n t i ffs s t at e:

3 7

. At al l t i m es ap p l i cab l e t o t h i s [c] o m p lai n t,

. . . Reb e c c a S i m o n sen , M .D. [was ] t he act u al

, ap p aren t

, o r o s ten s i b l e ag en t [] o r em p l o y ee[] o f

. . . AW S, act i n g wi th in t h e s co pe o f [h er] ag en cy o r em pl o y m en t

, i n

p u rs ui t o f

. . . AW S’ s b us i n es s s o t h at [h er] wro ng fu l act s an d o m is s i o n s

are i m p u ted to

. . . AW S[,] an d

. . . AW S i s s u bject t o li ab il i ty fo r

i n ju ri es an d h arm p ro x i m at el y ca u s e d b y [h er] wro n g fu l act s o r

o m i s s i o n s

.

3 8

. Defen d an t A W S an d Dr.

. . . Si m o n s en are h ereb y p u t o n n o t i ce, b y

co p y o f th i s co m

p l ai n t

, t hat i n t he ev en t [an y of t h e d efen d an t s ] al l eg es

t h at t h e act i o ns o f . . . Dr. Si m o n sen , o r an y o t h er p ers o n act i ng wi t h i n

t h e s co p e o f h i s / her ag en cy o r em p l o y m en t wi t h

. . . AW S, p ro x i m at el y

o r l eg al ly cau s ed or co n tri b u t ed t o th e i n ju ri es s u ffered b y [Sh an n o n ]

, [t he p l ai n t i ffs ] res erv e[] t h e ri g h t to ad d s a i d d o c t or as a d efen d an t

h erei n

.

9Th e ex p ert affi d av it at t ach ed t o t h e o ri g i n al co m pl ai n t d i d n ot i n cl u d e an y

o p i n i o n reg ard i n g Dr. Si m o n s en ’ s care o f Sh an n o n

. Th e 2 0 1 5 ren ewal co m p l ai n t s et

fo rt h t h e s am e fact u al an d l eg al as s ert i o n s as t o Dr. Si m o n sen , an d t h e ex p ert affi d av i t

fi led t h erewi t h i n co rp o rat ed b y referen ce t h e o p i n i o n s he g av e i n h i s d ep os i t i o n i n t h e

o ri g i nal act i o n , wh i ch o pi ni o n s i n cl u d ed s t an d ard o f care cri t i ci s m s of Dr. Si m o n s en

.

In t h ei r o u tl i n e of t h e cas e i n t h e co n s o l i d at ed p ret ri al o rd er, t h e p l ai n t i ffs

s t at ed t h at Dr. Si m o n s en ’ s n eg li g en ce cau sed Sh an n o n’ s i n ju ri es , l i s ti n g 4 1 s p eci fi c

al l eg at i o n s of n eg l i g en ce. Th ey al s o i nd i cat ed t h at wh et h er Dr. Si m o n s en was

n eg li g en t an d w het h er h er neg l i g en ce was a p r o x im at e cau s e of Sh an n o n ’ s i n ju ri es

were i s s u es fo r d et erm i n at i o n b y t h e ju ry

. Th e p l ai nt i ffs t h en , wi t h t h e p erm i s s i o n o f

t h e t ri al co u rt

, am en d ed th e p ret ri al o rd er t o i n cl u d e D r. Li ch t er’ s am en d ed affi d av i t

,

wh i ch i n cl u d ed al l eg at io n s o f n eg l i g en ce ag ai ns t Dr. Si m on s en

.

In a m ed i cal m al p ract i c e c a s e, Geo rg i a l aw req u ires o n l y t h at “ an y p l ead i n g

wh i ch s et s fo rt h a cl ai m fo r rel i ef . . . s h al l co n t ai n . . . [a] s h o rt an d p l ai n s t at em en t

o f t h e cl ai m s s ho wi n g t h at t h e p l e a d er i s en t i t l ed t o rel i ef[.] ” 5 “ [T] h e Geo rg i a Ci v i l

Pract i ce A ct req u ires o nl y n o t i ce p l ead i n g an d

, u nd er t h e Act

, p l e a d i n g s are t o b e

5 OCGA § 9-1 1 -8 (a) (2 ) (A). Ten et Hea l t h S ys t em GB, In c. v. Th o ma s , 3 0 4 Ga.
8 6 , 8 9 (8 1 6 SE2 d 6 2 7) (2 01 8 ).

10co n st ru ed fo rg iv i n g l y an d reas o n ab l y t o ach ie v e s ubsta ntia l j ustic e c o ns i s t en t wi t h t h e

s t at u to ry req u i rem en t s o f t h e Act .” 6

In Ol l er v. Ro ckd

a l e Ho s p
., LLC

, 7 th i s Co u rt hel d t h at t h e p lai n t i ffs p ro p erl y

s t at ed a v i cari ou s l i ab i l i ty cl ai m ag ai n s t a d efen d an t m ed i cal p ract ice, ev en t h o u g h

n o n e of t h e n eg l ig en t p h y s i ci an s were i d en ti fi ed sp eci fi cal ly

. 8 Th i s Co u rt ex p l ai n ed

t h at b ecau s e th e t i m el y -fi l ed ren ewal co m pl ai nt al l eg ed t h at t h e p ract i ce was

v i cari o u s l y

l iab l e fo r t h e neg l i g en ce o f t h e p h y s i ci an s th at t reat ed t h e d eced en t , t h e

d efen d an t pract i ce “ was pro v id ed wi t h s u ffi ci en t n o t i ce of t he ag en t s fo r wh i ch i t was

al l eg ed l y res p o n s ib l e.” 9

Th e s am e rat io nal e ap p l i es t o t h i s cas e. H ere, t h e o ri g i n al an d ren ewal

co m p l a i n t s s p eci fi cal l y id en t i fi ed Dr. Si m o n sen as an ag en t o r em p l oy ee o f AW S,

act i ng wi t h i n t he s co p e o f h er em p l o y m en t o r ag en cy , s u ch t h at h er act s an d

o m is s i o n s are i m

pu ted t o AW S, wh ich i s v i cari o u s ly li ab l e fo r t h e res u lt i n g i n ju ri es

6 (Pu n ct u at i o n o m it t ed .) W a l ker v. Og l et h or

p e Po wer Co r

p

. , 34 1 Ga. Ap p

. 6 4 7,
6 6 9 -6 7 0 (5 ) (d ) (8 0 2 SE2 d 6 4 3 ) (2 0 1 7 ).

7 3 4 2 Ga. Ap p

. 5 91

, 5 9 3-5 9 4 (8 0 4 SE2 d 1 6 6 ) ( 2 0 1 7 ), cert

. den i ed Au g

. 2 0,
2 0 1 8

.

8 See i d . at 5 9 3

.

9 Id . at 5 9 3 -5 9 4

.

11an d h arm t o Sh an n o n , an d t h e p l ea d i n g s s et fo rt h fact u al al leg at i on s t o s u p p o rt t h e

p l ai n t i ffs ’ v i cari o us li ab i l i t y cl ai m s ag ai n s t AW S fo r D r. Si m o ns en ’ s act i o n s

. Th u s ,

t h e t ri al co u rt p ro p erl y co n cl u d ed t h at t h e co m p lai n t s sat i sfy Geo rg i a’ s fo rg i v i n g

n o t i ce-p l ead i ng req u i rem en t s wi t h res p ect to t h e v i car i o u s l i ab i li t y cl ai m ag ai n s t

AW S fo r t h e n eg l i g en ce o f Dr. Si m o n s en

. 1 0

Fu rt her, we fi n d m eri t l es s t h e d efen d an ts ’ co n t en t i o n t h at t h e p l ai n t iffs ’ ex p ert

affi d av i ts fi l ed wi t h t h e i r i n i t i al an d ren ewal co m p l ai n t s are d efect i ve b ecau s e t h ey

o ffered n o cri t i ci s m o f Dr. Si m o n s en

. A n OCGA § 9 -1 1-9 .1 ex p ert affi d av i t m u s t

s i m p l y s p eci fy at l eas t o n e n eg l i g en t act o r o m i s s i on an d t h e fact u a l b a s is fo r t h e

cl ai m , an d it m ay b e am en d ed t o t rack t h e l an gu ag e o f t h e co m pl ai n t

. 1 1 Here, b o t h t h e

1 0 See i d

.

1 1 See id

. at 5 9 5. See 9 -1 1 -9 .1 (e) (“ If a p l ai n t i ff fi l es an affi d av i t wh i ch i s al l eg ed l y d efect i v e, an d t h e d efen d an t t o wh o m i t pert ai n s al leg es , wi t h s peci fi ci t y , b y m o t i o n t o d i s m i s s fi l ed o n o r b e f o r e t h e cl o s e o f d i sco v ery , t h at s ai d affi d av i t i s d efect i ve, t h e pl ai n t i ff’ s co m pl ai n t s h al l b e s u bject t o d i s m i s s al fo r fai l ure t o s t at e a cl ai m , ex cep t t h at t h e p l ai n t i ff m ay cu re t h e a l l e g e d d efect b y am en d m en t p u rs u an t

t o [OCGA § ] 9 -1 1 -1 5 wi t h i n 3 0 d ay s o f s erv ice o f t h e m o ti o n al l eg i n g t h at t h e affi d av i t i s d efect i v e. Th e t ri al co u rt m ay , i n t h e ex erci s e o f i t s d i scret i o n, ex t en d t h e
t i m e fo r fi l i n g s a i d a m en dm en t o r res p o n s e t o t he m o t i o n, or bo t h

, as i t s h al l
d et erm i n e ju s t i ce req u i r e s

. ” )

. See al s o Bo n n er v. Pet er s o n , 3 0 1 G a. Ap p. 4 4 3

, 4 4 6

- 4 4 6 -4 4 7 (1 ) (6 8 7 SE2 d 6 7 6 ) (2 0 0 9 ) (h o ld i n g t h at t h e p l ai n t i ff i s p erm i tt ed t o am en d

a t i m el y ex p ert affi d av i t “ s o t h at i t ad eq uat el y s u pp o rt s each cl ai m o f m al p ract i ce

as s ert ed ag ai n s t each o f t h e d efen d an t s n am ed i n t h e co m pl ai n t ”).

12i n i t i al an d ren ewal co m p lai n t s a l l eg ed cl ai m s ag ai n s t AW S b as ed o n t h e care an d

t reat m en t pr o v i d e d by D r. Si m o n s en

. A n d Dr. L ich t er’ s affi d av i t fi l ed wi t h t h e

ren ewal co m

p l ai n t i nco rp o rat ed b y referen ce h i s dep o s i t i o n g i v en i n t h e i n it i al act i o n,

wh erei n h e cri t i ci zed Dr. Si m o n s en ’ s care an d t reat m en t of Sh an no n

. Th i s Co u rt h as

“ al l o w e d a n ex p ert ’ s d ep o s i t i o n fro m an o ri gi n al m al p ract i ce act i o n t o b e

i n co rp o rat ed i n t o t h e co m pl ai n t o f t h e ren ewed act i o n b ecau s e t h i s ‘ co m p l ied wi t h t h e

s p i ri t

, i f n o t t h e l et t er, o f OCGA § 9-1 1 -9 .1 .’ ” 1 2 An d b y c o ns en t ord er en t ered o n

Decem b er 2 9

, 2 0 1 4

, al l d i s co v ery an d d ep o s i t i o n s tak e n i n t h e i n i t i al cas e were

i n co rp o rat ed fo r use in t

he r en ewal act i o n

. Th u s , pret erm i t t i n g wh et h er t h e d efen d an t s

wai v ed an y ri g h t t o o bject t h eret o , Dr. Li ch t er’ s affi d av i t co m p li ed wi t h O CGA § 9

-

1 1 -9

. 1. 1 3

(b ) Nex t

, t h e d efen d an t s arg u e t h at t h e p l ai n t i ffs ’ cl ai m s fo r v i cari o us l i ab i l i t y

b as ed on th e co n d uct o f Dr. Si m o n s en w ere b arred b y t h e t wo -y ear st at u t e o f

l i m i tat i on an d t h e fi v e-y ear s t at u t e o f rep o s e. P r e t erm i t t i n g wh et h er t h e d efen d an t s

wai v ed t hes e arg u m en t s , t h ey p ro v i d e n o b as i s fo r rev ers al

.

1 2 (Pu n ct u at i o n om it t ed .) Ra s ki n v. Wa l l a c e , 21 5 G a. Ap p

. 6 0 3, 6 05 (2 ) (4 5 1
SE2 d 4 8 5) (1 9 9 4).

1 3 See Bo nn er , 3 0 1 Ga. Ap p . at 4 4 7 (1 ).

13Sh an n o n was i n ju red o n Au g us t 2 5

, 2 0 0 9. Th u s , th e s t at u te of l i m i t at i o n d i d n ot

ex p ire u n t i l Au g u st 2 5

, 2 0 1 1

, 1 4 an d t h e st at u t e o f rep os e d i d n o t ex pi re u n t il Au g u s t

2 5

, 2 0 14

. 1 5 Th e p l ai n t i ffs fi l ed t h ei r i n i t i al co m p l ai nt o n Au g u st 8

, 2 0 1 1

, as s ert i n g a

v i cari o u s l i ab i l i t y cl ai m ag ai n s t AW S fo r t h e n eg l i g en ce o f Dr

. S i m o n s e n

. Aft er

v o l u n t ari l y d i s m i s s i n g t h ei r co m p l ai n t o f May 7

, 20 1 4

, t he p l ai n t i ffs f i l e d a t i m el y ,

i d en t i cal ren ewa l co m

p l ai n t o n Au g u s t 1 5, 2 0 14

, wi th Dr. Li ch t er’ s affi d av i t

i n co rp o rat in g h i s d ep os i ti o n t es t i m o n y , wi th i n t h e s t at u t e o f l i m i t at i o n an d b efo re t h e

s t at u te o f rep o s e ex p i red o n Au g u s t 2 5

, 2 0 1 4

. 1 6

1 4 See OCGA § 9 -3 -7 1 (a) (Gen eral l y , “ an act i o n fo r m ed i cal m al p ract i ce s h al l
b e bro ug h t wi t h i n t wo y ears aft er t h e d at e o n wh i ch an i n ju ry o r deat h ari s i n g fro m

a n eg li g en t o r wro n g fu l act o r o m i s s i o n o ccu rred

. ”).

1 5 See O CGA § 9 -3 -7 1 (b ) (“ [I] n n o ev en t m ay an act i on fo r m ed i cal

m al p ract i ce b e b ro u g h t m o re t h an fi v e y ears aft er t h e d at e o n wh i ch t h e n eg l i g en t o r

wro ng fu l act o r o m is s i o n o ccu rred .”).

1 6 See OCGA § 9 -2 -6 1 (a) (p ro v i d i n g in rel ev an t p art t h at “ [w] h en an y cas e h as b een co m m en ced i n

. . . a s t at e

. . . co u rt w i t hi n t h e ap p l i cab le s t at u t e o f l i m i t at i o n []

an d t h e p l ai n t i ff

. . . d i s m i s s e s t h e s a m e , it m ay b e reco m m en ced i n a co u rt o f t h i s

s t at e

. . . ei t h er wi t h i n t h e o ri g i n al ap p l i c a b le p eri o d o f l i m i t at i o n [] o r wi t h i n s ix

m o nt h s aft er th e

. . . d i sm i s s al ”). An d “ a pl ai n t i ff’ s ri g h t t o am en d an ex p ert affi d av i t

p u rs u an t t o OCGA § 9 -1 1 -9 .1 (e) i s i n n o way t ied t o t h e s t a t u t e o f l i m i t at i o n.”

Bo n ner , 3 0 1 Ga. Ap p

. at 4 4 7 ( 1 )

. W e n o t e t h at AW S’ s rel ian ce i n i t s s u p pl em en t al
b ri ef o n t h e recen t l y d eci d ed cas e Pr ef er r ed W omen ’s Hea l t h ca re, LLC v. S a i n ,

_ _ _ Ga. Ap p

.

__

_ (Cas e No

. A1 8A1 54 4

, d eci ded J an

. 28

, 2 0 1 9 ), i s m i s pl ace d

. T h e h o l d i n g i n Pr ef

er r ed W o men ’s Hea l t h ca r e i s ex pres s ly l im it ed t o cas es i n wh i ch an

am en d ed fi l ed aft er ex p irat i o n of t h e s t at u t e o f rep o s e ad d s a n ew p art y u nd er OCGA

14Ca s e No s . A1 8 A1 5 0 8 a n d

A1 8 A1 5 5 5

2

. Ret ri a l o n ap

p o r t i o n men t

. Th e pl ai n t i ffs co n t en d t h at t h e t ri al co u rt erred by

o rd eri n g a n ew t ri al as t o ap p o rt i o n m en t . W e ag ree.

OCGA § 5 1 -1 2-3 3 (d ) (1 ) p ro v i d es i n rel ev an t p art t h at “ [n ] eg l ig en ce o r fau l t

o f a n o n p art y s h al l b e co n si d ered i f

. . . a d efen d i n g p art y gi ves n o t i ce n o t l at er t h an

1 2 0 d ay s p ri o r t o t h e d at e o f t ri al t h at a n o np art y was wh o l ly

o r p art i al l y

at fau l t .” 1 7

“ [T] h e p l ai n an d u n am

b i g uo u s m ean i ng o f OCGA § 5 1 -1 2 -3 3 (d ) (1 )’ s t ex t m an d at es

s t ri ct co m

p l i an ce.

. . .” 1 8 Acco rd i n g l y , fai lu re t o g i v e pro p er t i m el y n o t i ce p recl u d es

ap p ort i o n m en t b et ween a n o n p art y an d a p art y

. 1 9

§ 9 -1 1 -2 1 th at was n ei t h er referred to no r m en t i o n ed i n t he o ri g i n al co m p l a i n t a n d

as s ert s a n ew cl ai m ag ai n s t t h at d efen d an t

. H ere, t h e p lai n ti ffs nev er s o u g h t t o ad d Dr.
Si m o n s en as a p art y, a n d t h ei r t i m el y -fi l ed o ri gi n al co m p l ai n t al l eg ed t h at AW S i s

v i cari o u s l y l i ab l e fo r Dr. Si m o n s en ’ s n eg l i g en ce. Th u s Pr e f e r r e d W o men ’s

Hea lt h ca r e i s i n ap p o s i t e.

1 7 “ Th e n o t i ce s h al l b e g i v en by fi l in g a p l ead i n g i n t h e act i o n d es ig n at i n g t h e

n o n p art y an d s et t in g fo rt h t h e n o n p art y ’ s n am e an d l as t k n o wn ad dres s , o r t h e b es t i d en t i fi cat i o n o f t h e n o n p art y wh i ch i s p o s s i b l e un d er t he ci rcu m s t a n c e s , t o g et h er wi t h a b ri ef s t at em en t o f t he b as i s fo r b el i ev i n g t h e n o n p art y t o b e at fau l t .” OCGA § 5 1-1 2-3 3 (d ) (2 ).

1 8 (Em p h as i s i n o ri g i n al .) Mo n i t ro n i cs
, In t l

., In c. v. Vea s l ey , 3 2 3 Ga. A p p

. 1 2 6,
1 3 7 (3 ) (7 4 6 SE2 d 7 93 ) (2 0 1 3 ).

1 9 See i d

. at 13 7 -1 3 8 (3 ); Fr ees e II, In c. v. Mi t ch el l

, 3 1 8 G a. Ap p

. 6 62

, 6 6 6 -6 6 7 (4 ) (7 34 SE2 d 4 91 ) (2 0 1 2 ); In g l es Ma r ket s v. Kemp l er , 31 7 G a. Ap p. 1 9 0 , 1 9 2 -1 9 3

15It i s u n d i s p u ted th at t h e d efe n d a n t s fai l ed t o g i v e no t i ce o f no n p art y fau l t as

req u i red b y OCGA § 51 -1 2 -3 3 (d ). 2 0 I n s t ead

, t h e d efen dan t s arg u e t hat d am ag es

s h o u ld hav e been ap p o rt i one d b et ween Dr. An g u s an d AW S acco rd in g to Dr. An g u s ’ s

an d Dr. Si m o n s en ’ s rel at i v e fau l t an d t h at b e c a u s e b o t h Dr. An g u s an d AW S are

p art i es , t h e 1 2 0 -d ay n o ti ce req u i rem en t o f OCGA § 5 1 -1 2 -3 3 (d ) d o es n o t ap p l y

. Th e

d efen d an t s arg u e, t h erefo re, th at ap p o rt i o n m en t i s p ro p er u nd er OCGA § 5 1 -1 2 -3 3

(b ), wh i ch g o v ern s ap p ort i on m en t b et ween p art i es an d d o e s n o t c o n t ai n a n o t i ce

req u i rem en t

. 2 1 Th i s arg u m en t i s m eri t l es s

.

(1 ) (7 30 SE2 d 4 44 ) (2 0 1 2 ).

2 0 Du ri n g t ri al

, at th e co n cl u si o n o f t h e ev id en ce, th e d efen d an t s o ral l y s o u g ht

t o ap po rt i o n d am ag es

. At th at t i m e, t h e d efen d an t s co n ced ed t h at th ey h ad n o t g i v en

s t at u to ry n ot i ce un d er O CGA § 5 1 -1 2 -3 3 (d ). W e n o t e t h at t he am en d ed co n s o l i d at ed

p ret ri al o rd er, i n wh i ch t he p l ai n t i ffs were perm i tt ed to fi l e Dr. Li ch t er’ s a m e n d ed

ex p ert affi d av i t

, was f

i l e d o n Ju l y 2 0

, 2 0 1 6

, m o re th an s i x m o nt h s b efo re t h e t ri al
b eg an o n Feb ru ary

6 , 2 0 1 7

.

2 1 See OCGA § 51 -1 2 -3 3 (b ) (“ W h ere an act io n i s bro u g h t ag ai n s t m o re t h an

o n e p ers o n fo r i n

ju ry t o p ers o n o r p ro p ert y , t he tri er o f fact

, i n i t s d et erm i n at i o n o f t h e
t o t al am o u n t o f d am ag es to b e award ed

, if an y , s hal l aft er a r e d u ct i o n o f d am ag es
p u rs u an t t o s u b s ect i o n (a) of t h i s Co d e s ect i o n , i f an y , ap p o rt i o n i t s award o f d am ag es

am on g th e p ers o n s w h o are l i ab l e acco rd i n g t o t h e p ercen t ag e o f fau l t o f each p ers o n. Dam ag es ap p o rt io n ed b y t h e tri er o f fact as p ro v id ed in t h i s Co d e s ect io n s h al l b e t h e l i ab i l i t y o f each p ers on ag ai n s t wh o m t h ey are award ed

, s h al l n o t b e a jo in t l i ab i l i t y

am on g t h e p ers o n s l i ab l e, an d s h al l n o t b e s u bject t o an y ri g h t o f co n t ri b u ti o n .”).

16Th e pl ai n t i ffs s u ed A W S o n ly fo r i ts st i p u l at ed l iab i li t y as t h e em p l o y er o f Drs

.

An g u s an d Si m o ns en ; t h ey as s ert ed n o d i rect li ab il i ty cl ai m ag ai n s t A W S. An

em pl o y er’ s v i cari o us l iab i l i t y i s d eri v at i v e an d im p o s ed b y st at ut e, b as ed s o l el y o n

i t s s t a t u s as th e act i v e t o rt feas o r’ s em pl o y er. 2 2 As t h e Su p rem e Co urt o f Geo rg i a

ex p lai n ed i n Jo h n s on St r eet Pr o p er t i es
, LLC v. Cl u r e , 2 3 “ fau l t ” as u s ed i n OCGA §

5 1 -1 2-3 3 ex t en d s t o t h o s e wh o “ h av e breach ed a l eg al d u ty in t h e n at u re o f a t o rt t h at

i s o wed fo r t h e pro t ect i o n o f t h e p l ai n t i ff, t h e b reach o f wh i ch i s a p ro x i m at e cau s e

o f h i s i n ju ry .” 2 4 Th erefo re,

[g ] en eral l y , wh ere a part y ’ s l i ab i l i t y i s s o l el y v i cari o u s, t h at p art y an d

t h e act i v e l y- n e g l i g en t t ort feas o r are reg ard ed as a s i n g l e t o rt feas o r.

Th u s , wh ere a d efen d an t em p l o y er’ s li ab i l i t y i s e n t i rel y d ep en d en t o n

2 2 See OCGA § 5 1 -2 -2 (“ Ev ery p ers o n s h al l b e l i ab l e fo r t o rt s co m m i t t ed b y h i s

. . . s e r v a n t b y h i s co m

m an d o r i n t h e p ro secu t i o n an d w i th i n t h e sco p e o f h i s b u s i n es s , wh et h er t h e s am e are co m m i t t ed b y n eg l ig en ce o r v o l un t ari l y .”).

2 3 3 0 2 Ga. 5 1 (8 05 SE2 d 6 0 ) (2 0 1 7 ).

2 4 (Pu n ct u at i o n o m i t t ed .) Id

. at 5 8 (1 ) (b ), qu o ti n g Ma r t i n v. S i x F l a g s O v er Ga

., L.P.

, 3 0 1 Ga. 3 2 3, 3 3 7 (III) (8 0 1 SE2 d 2 4 ) (2 0 1 7 ). See al s o Za ld i va r v. Pr i cket t

, 2 9 7 Ga. 5 8 9

, 6 0 0 (1 ) (7 7 4 SE2 d 6 8 8 ) ( 2 0 1 5 ) (“ OCGA § 51 -1 2 -3 3 (c) req u i res t h e
t ri er o f fact i n cas es t o wh i ch t h e s t at u t e ap pl ies t o ‘ co n s i d er t h e fau l t o f al l p ers on s

o r en t i t ies wh o co n t ri b u t ed t o th e al leg ed i nju ry o r d am ag es ,’ m ean i n g al l pers o n s o r

en t i t i es wh o h av e b reach ed a l eg al d u t y in to rt t h at i s o wed w i t h res p ect t o t h e
p l ai n t i ff, t h e b reach o f wh i ch i s a p ro x i m at e cau s e of t h e i n ju ry s u s t ai n ed b y t h e
p l ai n t i ff.”).

17p ri n ci p l es o f vi cari o u s l i ab i l i t y , s u ch as res p o n deat s u peri o r,

. . . un l es s

ad d i ti o n al an d i n d ep en d en t act s o f n eg l i g e n c e o v er an d ab o v e t h o s e

al l eg ed ag ai n s t th e s erv an t o r em p lo y ee are al l eg ed ag ai n s t th e

em p l o y er, a v e r d i ct ex o n erat in g th e em pl o y ee al s o ex o n erat es th e

em p l o y er. 2 5

Here, b ecau s e AW S’ s li ab i l i t y t o th e p l ai n t iffs “ was p u rel y v i cari o us i n n at u re

fo r t h e act s o f [Dr. Si m o ns en ] ,” ap p o rt io n m en t i s n o t p ro p er b et ween AW S an d Dr.

An g u s

. 2 6 No t wi t h st an d i n g t he d efen d an t s ’ at t em p t s t o ch aract eri ze t hei r req u es t fo r

ap p ort i o n m en t as b et w een p art i es , th ey act u al l y s eek to ap p o rt io n b et w een Dr. An gu s

an d Dr. Si m on s en , a n o n-p art y u n d er OCGA § 5 1 -1 2 -3 3 (b ). By f a i l i n g t o g i v e t h e

m an d at o ry n o t i ce req u ired b y t h at Co d e sect i o n , t h e d efen d an t s wai v ed t h ei r ri g h t to

ap p ort i o n d am ag es in t h at m an ner. 2 7 Th u s , t h e t ri al co u rt erred b y g ran t i n g a n ew t ri al

as t o ap p o rt i o n m en t , an d we t h erefo re rev ers e t h at p o rt i o n o f t h e o rd er.

3

. A t t o rn ey

f ees

. Th e p l ai nt i ffs al so arg u e t h at t h e tri al co u rt erred b y ru l i n g t h at

t h ei r cl ai m

fo r at t o rn ey

fees an d ex p en s es was p rem at u re. In l i g h t of o u r h o l d i n g i n

2 5 (Pu n ct u at i o n o m i tt ed .) PN E xp r es s
, In c. v. Zeg el

, 3 0 4 Ga. A p p

. 6 72

, 6 8 0 (5 ) (6 9 7 SE2 d 2 2 6 ) (2 0 1 0 ).

2 6 (Pu n ct u at i o n o m i t t ed .) Id

.

2 7 See Mo ni t r o ni cs , 3 23 Ga. Ap p . at 1 37 -1 38 (3 ).

18Di v is i o n 2 rev ers in g t h e t ri al co u rt ’ s g ran t o f a n ew t ri al as t o ap p o rt i o n m en t

, we

v acat e t h e t ri al co u rt ’ s ru l i ng as t o t h e p lai n t i ffs ’ cl ai m fo r at t o rn ey fees an d ex p en s es

an d rem an d fo r p ro ceed i n gs co n s i s t en t wi t h t h i s o p i n io n

.

J u d g men t i n Ca se No s

. A1 8 A1 55 2

, A 1 8

A1 5 5 3, a n d A1 8

A1 5 5 4 a f f i r med

.

Ju d gmen t in Ca s e No s

. A 1 8

A1 50 8 a n d A1 8

A1 5 5 5 r ever

s ed i n p ar t

, va ca t ed i n p ar t

,

a n d ca s e r ema n ded . Di l l a r d

, C. J., a n d Mer ci er

, J., co n cu r

.

19