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# I n th e Co u r t o f

A p p eals o f

G eo r g ia

A1 6 A0 64 8 . HARRISON v . M CAFEE et al

. PE-0 2 6

P E T E R S O N , J u d g e.

It i s o ft en s ai d t h at “ n o t h i n g g o o d hap p en s aft er m i d n i g h t.” S ee, e.g

., Ma cFa l l

v. Ci t y o f Ro ch es t er , 7 4 6 F. Su pp

. 2d 4 7 4

, 4 77 (W .D.N.Y. 2 0 1 0 ). A s fu rt h er s u p p o rt

fo r t h i s p ro p o s i ti o n , i t w a s wel l aft er m i d n i g ht wh en a m as k ed m an bu rs t i n t o t h e

Sh am ro ck b ar an d s h o t J o hn Harri s o n i n t h e arm

. T h e m as k ed m an was n ev er fo u n d.

M o re t h an t wo y ears l at er, Harri s o n fi l ed a p rem i s es l i ab i l i t y l aws u i t ag ai n s t t h e b ar’ s

al l eg ed o wn ers , wh i ch t h e t ri al co u rt d i s m i s s ed as t i m e-b arred b y t h e t wo -y ear s t at u t e

o f l i m i t at i o n s ap p l i cab l e t o p ers o n al i n ju ry c l a i m s

. Harri so n arg u es t h at h i s l aws u i t

i s ti m el y un d er OCGA § 9 -3 -9 9

, wh i ch t ol l s t h e l i m i t at io n s p eri o d fo r cl ai m s fi l ed by

cri m e v i ct i m s , an d t h at we s h o u l d o v erru le o u r p reced en t t h at i n terp ret s t hat s t at u t e

as a p p l yi n g o n l y t o cl ai m s fi l ed ag ai n st t he al l eg ed p erp et rat o r. Becau s e ou r p ri o rd eci s i o n s m i s i n t erp ret ed t h e s t at u t e, we ag ree, ov erru l e o u r p ri o r d eci s i o n s , an d

rev ers e.

1

. FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL OVERVIEW

Th e pert i n en t ev i d en ce i s u n d is p ut ed

. Harri s o n w as s h o t i n t h e arm on J u n e 1 6,

2 0 1 1

, wh i l e p at ro ni zi n g a Maco n area res t au ran t an d b ar n am ed t h e Sh am ro ck

. As far

as t h e p art i es k n o w, t he s h o o t er, wh o was p art o f a g ro up o f m as k ed m en ap p aren t l y

at t em p t i n g t o ro b t h e b ar, h as y et t o b e arres t ed or pro s ecu t ed

. On Au g u st 1 4

, 2 0 1 3,

Harri s o n fi l ed a l a ws u i t ag ai ns t Darg an M cAfee, al leg i n g t hat McAfee o wn ed an d

o p erat ed t h e b ar at t h e t i m e of t h e s h o o t i n g an d had b een n eg l ig en t i n m ai n t ai n i n g t h e

p rem i s es

. In h i s an s w er, McAfee rai sed as affi rm at i v e d efen s es (1 ) H arri s o n ’ s fai l u re

t o j o i n as a p art y Twi s ted Sh am ro ck

, In c., a co rp o rat i o n McAfee fo rm ed t o o wn t h e

b ar, an d (2 ) t h e co m

p l ai n t was t i m e-b arred b y OCGA § 9 -3 -3 3’ s t wo -y ear s t at u t e o f

l i m i t a t i o n s fo r p ers o nal i n ju ry cas es

. M cAfee al s o fi l ed a m o t i o n t o d i s m i s s o n t h e

b as i s t h at Harri s o n ’ s cl ai m was t i m e-b arred

, b u t wi th d rew t he m o t i on aft er H arri so n

am en d ed h i s co m

p lai nt t o al l eg e t o l l i n g u n d er OCGA § 9 -3 -9 9 b as ed o n h i s s t at u s as

a cri m e v i ct i m . W it h p erm i s s io n o f t h e t ri al co u rt , Harri s o n fi l ed a s eco n d am en d ed

co m p l ai n t ad d i n g Twi s t ed Sh am ro ck as a d efen d an t

.

2Th e d efen d an t s m o v ed fo r s u m m ary ju d g m en t o n th e g ro u n d t hat H arri s o n ’ s

cl ai m s were t i m e-b arred

. In res p o n s e, Harri s o n arg u ed t h at h i s s u i t was fi l ed wi t h in

t h e t i m e p eri o d p erm i t t ed u nd er OCGA § 9 -3 -9 9 fo r t o rt s ari s i n g fro m a cri m e. H e

arg u ed t h at t h i s Co u rt ’ s d eci s i o n s h o l d i n g t h at OCGA § 9-3 -9 9 ap p l i es o n ly t o cri m e

v i ct i m s ’ s u i t s ag ai n s t t h e al l eg ed p erp et rat o rs w ere wro n g l y d eci d ed . Al t ern at i v el y ,

Harri s o n arg u ed t h at a d i fferen t p ro v i s i o n , OCGA § 9 -3 -9 4, t o l le d t h e l i m i t at i on s

p eri o d as t o h i s cl ai m ag ai n s t Twi s ted Sh am ro ck

, b ecau s e t h e co m p an y ’ s

ad m i n is t rat i v e d i s s o l u t i o n s ev eral y ears p ri o r t o t h e sh o o t i n g h ad ren dered t h e en t i t y

effect i v el y ab s en t fro m t h e st at e. Th e t ri al co u rt reject ed b o t h arg u m en t s an d g ran t ed

s u m m ary ju d g m en t fo r t he d efen d an t s

. H arri s o n ap p eal s t h e t r i a l co urt ’ s ru l i n g s o n

b o t h OCGA § 9-3 -9 4 an d OCGA § 9 -3 -9 9

, ex p l ici t l y urg i n g u s t o ov erru l e o u r

p reced en t t h at res t ri ct s t h e ap p l i c a t i o n o f OCGA § 9 -3 -9 9 t o s u i t s ag ai n s t al l eg ed

p erp et rat o rs

.

2

. ANALYSIS

W h et h er a cau s e o f act i o n i s barred b y t h e s tat u t e o f l im i t at io n s gen eral l y i s a

m i x ed q u es t i o n of l aw an d fact

, b u t th e q u es t i o n i s o n e o f l aw fo r th e co u rt wh en t h e

fact s are n o t d i s p u t ed

. M

cGh ee v. Jo n es , 2 8 7 Ga. A p p

. 3 4 5, 3 4 7 (2 ) (6 5 2 SE2 d 1 6 3 )

(2 0 0 7). Th e p l ai nt i ff bears t he b u rd en o f es tab l i s h i n g th at a s tat u t e o f l i m i t at i o n s h as

3b een to l l ed

. Or r v. Ri ver Ed ge Cmt y. S er v. Bd

. , 33 1 Ga. Ap p

. 2 28

, 2 3 0 (1 ) (7 7 0 SE2 d

3 0 8) (2 0 1 5 ). W i t h cert ai n ex cep t i o n s , “ act i o n s fo r i n ju ri es t o t he p ers o n s h al l b e

b ro u gh t wi t h i n t wo y ears aft er t h e ri g h t o f act i o n accru es [.] ” OCGA § 9 -3 -3 3

. T h at

l i m i tat i on s p eri o d m ay b e t o l led fo r act io n s b y cri m e v ict i m s u n d er O CGA § 9 -3 -9 9,

en act ed b y t h e G en eral As s em b l y as p art o f t h e “ Cri m e Vi ct im s Res t i t u t i o n Act o f

2 0 0 5 .” Ga. L. 2 0 0 5 , p p . 8 8 -8 9

, § § 1 , 2 . Th e s t at ut e p ro v id es i n fu l l :

Th e ru n ni n g o f t h e p eri o d o f l i m i t at i o n s wi t h res p ect t o an y cau se o f

a c t i o n i n t o rt t h at m ay be b ro u g h t by t h e v ict i m o f an al l eg e d c r i m e

wh i ch ari s es o u t o f t h e fact s an d ci rcu m s t an ces rel at i n g t o th e

co m m i s s i o n o f s uch al l eg ed cri m e co m m it t ed i n t h i s s t at e sh al l b e t o l led

f r o m t h e d at e o f t h e co m

m i s s i o n o f t h e al l eg ed cri m e o r t h e act g i v i n g

ri se t o s u ch act i on i n t o rt u n t i l t h e p ro secu t i o n o f s u ch cri m e or act h as

b eco m e fi n al o r o t h erwi s e t erm i n at ed

, p ro v i d ed t hat s uch t i m e d o es n o t

ex ceed s i x y ears , ex cep t a s o th erwi se pro v i ded in Co d e Sect i o n

9 -3 -3 3 .1

. 1

OCGA § 9 -3 -9 9

.

a

. Ou r

t r ea t men t o

f O CGA §

9 -3 -9 9 t o d

a t e

1 T h e s o l e ch a n g e t o t h e s t at u t e s i n ce it s 2 0 0 5 en act m en t was m ad e i n 2 0 1 5,

wh en t h e Leg i s l at u re ad d ed t h e p h ras e “ ex cep t as o t h erwi s e p ro v i d ed i n Co de Sect i o n 9 -3 -3 3 .1 ,” i n an act creat i ng th at n ew Co d e s ect i o n , wh i ch ex t en d ed t h e l i m i t at i on s

p eri o d fo r l aws u i t s o ver ch i l d h o o d s ex u al ab u s e. S ee G a. L

. 2 0 1 5

, p

. 6 7 5

, § 2 -4 ; Ga.

L. 2 01 5 , p . 6 8 9 , § 4

.

4Th e G e or gia S upr e m e C ourt h as no t ad d res s ed wh et h er OCGA § 9 -3 -9 9 ap p li es

t o l aws u i t s ag ai n s t t h o s e w h o h av e n o t b een accu s ed o f cri m es ag ai n s t t h e pl ai n t i ff. 2

Beg in n i ng wi t h p as s i n g d i c t a a n d ev o l v i n g t o ex p l i ci t h ol d i n g s , o u r Co u rt h as s ai d

t h a t t h is t o l l i n g s t at u t e ap p l i es o n l y t o a cri m e vi ct im ’ s cl ai m s ag ai n s t s o m eo n e

accu s ed of co m

m i t t i n g t h e cri m e t h at fo rm s t h e b as i s fo r t h e s ui t :

• In 2 00 7

, we d es cri b ed OCGA § 9 -3 -9 9 i n a s t ri n g ci t e as “ t o ll i ng d u e to

pe ndi n g cri m i n al p ro secu t i o n of d efen d an t .” DeKa lb Med

. Ctr. v

. H aw k ins

, 288

Ga. Ap p

. 8 4 0

, 84 7 (2 ) (c) n

. 6 (6 5 5 SE2 d 8 2 3 ) (2 0 07 ). Th e p lai n t i ff i n t h at cas e

d i d n o t cl ai m cri m e v i ct i m s tat u s o r ci t e OCGA § 9 -3 -9 9 as a b as i s fo r t o l l i n g

i n h i s l aws u i t, h o wev er, s ee i d

. at 8 4 0 -4 3

, an d t he referen ce cl earl y was d i ct a.

• In Va l a d

es v. Us l u , 3 01 G a. Ap p. 8 8 5, 8 88 -8 9 (1 ) (6 8 9 SE2 d 3 3 8 ) (2 0 0 9 ), we

reject ed t h e p l ai n t i ffs ’ arg u m en t th at OCGA § 9-3 -9 9 to l l ed t h e t i m e fo r fi l i n g

t h ei r fal s e arres t a n d o th er cl ai m s ag ai n s t a co u nt y an d o n e o f i t s p o l i ce

o ffi cers

. W e ex p l ai n ed t h at “ [t ]h e s t a t u t e’ s p l ai n l an g uag e t o l l s t h e s t at u t e o f

l i m i t at i o n fo r an y cau se o f act i o n i n t o rt bro u g ht ‘ b y t h e v i ct i m o f an al l eg ed

2 Th e l o n e Geo rg i a Su p rem e Co u rt d eci si o n d i s cu s s i n g OCGA § 9 -3 -9 9,

Ben eke v. Pa rker

, 2 8 5 Ga. 7 3 3 (6 8 4 SE2 d 2 4 3 ) (2 0 0 9 ), co n cern ed t he i n t erp ret at i o n

o f t h e t erm “ cri m e” as i t i s u sed i n t h e s t at u t e, h o l di n g t hat t h e t erm en co m p as s ed a

v i o l at i o n o f t h e Un i fo rm Ru l es o f t h e Ro ad an d w as n o t li m i ted t o fel o n i es o r s p eci fi c i n t en t cri m es

.

5cri m e’ wh i l e t he p ro s ecu t i o n o f t h e d ef en d a n t i s p en d i n g, fo r a p e r i o d n ot to

ex ceed s ix y ears

. ” Id

. (em

p h as i s i n o ri g i nal ). Becau s e t h e defen d an t o ffi cer h ad

n o t b een p ro s ecu t ed fo r an y cri m e b as ed o n t h e i n ci d en t i n q u es t i o n , we h el d

t h at OCGA § 9-3 -9 9 d i d n o t t o l l t h e l im i t at io n s p eri o d. Id

. at 8 8 9 (1 ). Ou r

o p i n i o n d i d n o t m ak e cl ear o n wh at b as i s t h e p l ai n ti ffs t oo k th e p o s i t i o n t h at

t h ey were “ v i ct i m s ” wi t h i n t h e m ean i n g o f t h e s t at u t e, b u t t h e p ro secu t i o n o f

t h e p l ai n t iffs (fo r ob s tru ct i o n o f an o ffi cer, res ul t i n g in acq u i t t al s ) was t h e o n l y

p ro s ecu t i on m en ti o ned t h erei n

. Id

. at 88 7 (1 ). W e al s o d i d n o t id en t i fy an y

l an g uag e of th e s tat u t e , p l a i n o r o t herwi s e, t h at li m i t ed i t s sco p e t o cl ai m s

ag ai ns t a p ro secu t ed d efen d an t

.

• Th e fo l l o wi n g y ea r , w e fo l l o w ed Va l a d es i n reject in g a p l ai nt iff’ s arg u m en t

t h at OCGA § 9 -3 -9 9 t o l l ed t h e t i m e fo r fi l in g an an t e l i t em n o t i ce reg ard i n g h i s

l aws u i t ag ai n s t a co u n t y a n d i t s s h eri ff. Co l u mb i a Ct y. v. Br a n to n , 3 0 4 Ga.

Ap p

. 1 4 9

, 1 5 2 -5 3 (1 ) (6 9 5 SE2 d 6 7 4 ) (2 0 1 0 ). Th e pl ai n t i ff s ued t h e co u n t y an d

s h eri ff o v er t h e d eat h o f h i s wi fe, k i l l ed b y a m o t o ri s t wh o was th en p ro s ecu t ed

fo r fel o n y m

u r d e r b a s e d o n t h e m o t ori s t ’ s fel on y at t em p t t o el u d e a s h eri ff’ s

d ep u t y

. Id

. at 1 5 9 -5 1

. Th e p l ai n t i ff’ s s u i t ap p aren t l y was b as e d o n ev i d en ce

t h at t h e dep u t y h ad p u rs ued t h e m o t ori s t at a h i g h rat e o f s p eed

. Id

. at 1 5 0

. W e

6q u o t ed V a l a d es an d h el d t hat “ [b ] ecau s e t h e co un t y d efen d an ts were n ot

cri m i n al d e f

en d an t s i n a p ri o r p ro s ecu t i o n , OCGA § 9 -3 -9 9 do es n o t t o l l t h e

t i m e fo r fi l in g t h e an te l i t em n o t ice[.] ” Id

. at 1 5 2 -5 3 (1 ).

• In Ma

ys v. Ta r g et Co rp

. , 3 2 2 Ga. Ap p

. 4 4 (7 4 3 SE2 d 6 0 3 ) (2 0 1 3 ), we reject ed

as no n -b i n d i n g d i ct a st at em en t s i n Va l a d es ab o u t t h e p lai n l an g u ag e o f OCGA

§ 9 -3 -9 9

. Id

. at 4 6 n .2

. W e nev ert h el es s reaffi rm ed t h at OCGA § 9 -3 -9 9 t o l l s

t h e l i m i t at i o n s p eri o d o n l y fo r s u i t s b ro u g ht ag ai n s t p ers o n s accu sed o f cri m es

o f wh ich t h e pl ai n t i ff i s a v i ct i m

. I d

. at 4 6

. Th e p l ai n ti ff h ad al leg ed i n h er

l aws u i t ag ai ns t a ret ai l er t h at t h e d efen d an t ’ s em p lo y ee h ad p l ead ed g u i l t y to

a cri m i n al o ffen s e aft er h e cap t u red h er i m ag e w i t h a cel l p ho n e w h i l e s h e was

ch an g i n g i n a st o re d res s i n g r o o m

. I d

. at 4 4

. Fi n d i n g t h e s t at u t e was

“ am b i g u o u s as t o wh et h er i t t o l l s t h e l i m i t at i o n s p eri od fo r a cri m e v i ct i m ’s

cau s e o f act i on ag ai n s t t h e p ers o n accu s ed o f t h e cri m e o n l y , ” w e rel i ed o n

l an g uag e i n t h e c a p t i o n o f t h e en act i n g l eg i s lat i on th at s ai d a p u rp o s e o f t h e

l eg i s l at i o n was t o “ p ro v i de fo r a s t at ut e of rep o s e i n cert ai n t o rt act i o n s b ro u g ht

b y v i ct i m s o f cri m es a g ai n s t t h e p e r s on a ccu s ed of s u ch cr i m es .” Id

. at 4 6

(em p h as i s i n o ri g i n al ) ( q u o t i n g Ga. L. 2 0 0 5, p p . 8 8-8 9 , § 1 ).

7• Las t y ear, wi t h o u t fu rt h er an al y s i s o f t h e s t at u t o r y t ex t

, we rel i ed o n Ma ys ,

Br a n t o n , an d Va l a d

es t o reject a p l ai n t i f

f ’s to l l i ng arg um en t un d er O CGA §

9 -3 -9 9

, reaffi rm in g t h at t o l l i n g u nd er t h e s t a t u t e “ i s on l y av ai l ab l e i n s u i t s

ag ai ns t cri m i n al d efen d an t s

. ” Or r , 3 3 1 Ga. Ap p

. at 2 3 0-3 1 (1 ).

b

. Reexa mi n a ti o n o

f p l a i n l a n g u a g e o

f OCGA § 9 -3 -9 9

Al t h ou g h o ur p ri o r preced en t h as hel d co n s is t en t l y t h a t O C G A § 9- 3- 9 9 ap p li es

o n l y t o act i o n s b ro u g h t b y cri m e v i ct i m s ag ai n st pers o n s accu sed o f s u ch cri m es , we

n o w h o l d t hat s u ch an i n t erp ret at i o n i s co n t rary t o t he p l ai n l an gu ag e o f t h e s t at u t e.

W h en we co n s i d er t he m ean i ng of a s t at u t e, we m u s t p res u m e t h at th e

G e n eral As s em

b l y m ean t wh at i t s ai d an d sai d wh at i t m ean t. T o t h a t

en d

, we m u s t affo rd t h e s t at u t o ry t ex t i t s p l ai n an d o rd i n ary m ean in g , we

m u s t v i ew t h e s t at u t o ry t ex t i n t he co n t ex t i n wh i ch i t ap p ears , an d we

m u s t read t h e s t at u t o ry t ex t i n i t s m os t n at u ral an d reas on ab l e way , as an

o rd i nary s p eak er o f t h e En g l i s h l an g u ag e wo u l d

.

Dea l v. Co l ema n , 2 9 4 Ga. 1 7 0

, 1 7 2 -7 3 (1 ) (a) (7 5 1 SE2 d 3 37 ) (2 0 13 ) (ci t at i o n s an d

p u n ct u at i o n o m it t ed ). “ It i s wel l s et t l ed th at wh ere t h e l an g u ag e o f a s t at u te i s p l ai n

an d un am

b i g u o u s , ju d i ci al co n s t ru ct i o n is n o t on l y u n n eces s a r y b u t fo rb i d d en .”

No r r ed v. Tea ver , 3 2 0 Ga

. A p p

. 5 0 8

, 5 1 2 (1 ) (7 4 0 SE2 d 2 51 ) (2 0 13 ) (ci tat i o n an d

p u n ct u at i o n o m it t ed ).

8OCGA § 9 -3 -9 9 p ro v i d es fo r t o l l i n g as t o “ an y cau se o f act io n in t o rt ” b ro u g ht

b y a cri m e vi ct i m th a t “ a r i s e s o u t o f t h e fact s an d ci rcu m s t an ces rel at i n g t o t h e

co m m i s s io n o f s u ch al l eg ed cri m e.” In i ts o rd in ary u s a g e, “ an y ” refers t o “ o n e o r

s o m e i nd i s cri m i n at el y of wh at ev er k i nd ,” “ o n e, s o m e, o r al l i n d i s cri m i n at el y o f

wh at ev er q u an t i ty ,” a n d “ u n m eas u red o r u nl im i t ed i n am o u n t, n u m b er o r ex t en t

. ” 3

W eb s t er’ s New Co ll eg i at e Di ct i o n ary 9 3 (9 t h ed

. 1 9 91 ). So t h e s t at u te ap p l i es t o an y

cau s e of act i o n i n t o rt , wi th o u t l i m i t at i o n , s o l o n g as t h at cau se o f act i o n i s b ro u g ht

b y a cri m e v i ct i m an d “ ari s es o u t o f t he fact s an d ci rcu m s t an ces rel at i ng t o t h e

co m m i s s io n o f s u ch al leg ed cri m e.”

W e h av e p rev i o u s ly co ns t ru ed “ ari si n g o u t o f” t o m e a n “ h a d i t s o ri g i n s i n,”

“ g rew o ut o f,” o r “ fl o wed fro m .” BBL-M c C a r t h y

, LLC v. Ba l d

wi n Pa vi n g Co

. , 2 8 5

Ga. A p p

. 4 9 4

, 49 8 (1 ) (6 4 6 SE2 d 68 2 ) (2 00 7 ). “ M o reo v er, we h av e al s o hel d t h at t h e

t erm ‘ ari s i ng o u t o f’ d o es n o t m ean pro x i m at e cau s e i n th e s t ri ct l eg al s en s e

. . . .

Al m o s t a n y c a u s al co n n ect i o n o r rel at i o n s h i p w i l l d o .” Id

. (ci t at i o n s o m i t t ed ). In

d et erm i n i n g wh et h er an i n ju ry o ccu rs b y an acci d en t “ ari s i n g o u t of” a p er s o n ’ s

em pl o y m en t fo r p u rp o s e s o f wo rk er’ s co m p en s at i o n l aw, we co n si d er wh et h er t h e

3 Th e u s e of th e wo rd “ an y ” can creat e s om e am b i g u i t y o n l y wh en i t i s u n cl ear wh et h er i t m ean s “ al l ” o r “ an y o n e” o f s o m et hi n g. See, e.g

. , Mo r r i s o n v. Cl a bo r n , 2 9 4 Ga. Ap p . 5 0 8 , 5 1 1-1 2 (2 ) (6 6 9 SE2 d 4 92 ) (2 0 0 8 ). Th ere i s n o s u ch am bi g u i t y h ere.

9i n

ju ry wo u l d h av e o ccu rred “ b u t fo r t h e fact t h at t he co n d it i on s an d o b l i g at i o n s o f t h e

em pl o y m en t p laced cl ai m an t i n t h e p o s i t i o n w h ere h e was i n j u red .” S t u r

g es s v. OA

Lo g i s t i cs S

er vs

., In c. , No

. A 1 5 A2 1 3 9

, 2 0 1 6 Ga. Ap p. LEXIS 1 3 6, 8 (1 ), 20 1 6 W L

9 5 2 5 0 9

, 3 (Ga. Ct

. Ap p

. M arch 1 0

, 2 0 1 6 ) ( q u o t i ng Ch a p ar r a l Bo a t s , In c. v. Hea t h

,

2 6 9 Ga. Ap p

. 3 3 9

, 3 4 3 (1 ) (6 0 6 SE2 d 5 6 7 ) (2 0 0 4 )) (em ph as i s o m i t t ed ). Si m i l arl y , in

d et erm i n i n g wh et h er in s uran ce cl ai m s “ ari s e o u t of” ex c l u d ed co nd u ct

, we al s o

co n du ct a “ b u t fo r” an al y s i s

. S ee Co n ti n en t a l Ca s. Co

. v. H.S .I. Fi n a n

. Svs

., In c. , 2 6 6

Ga. 26 0

, 2 6 2 (4 6 6 SE2 d 4 ) (1 9 96 ); Ci ty o f Co ll eg e Pa r

k v. G a

. In t er l o ca l Ri s k Mg mt

.

Ag en cy , 3 1 3 Ga. Ap p . 2 3 9

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

If we p res um e — as we m u s t

— t h at t h e Gen eral As s em b l y m ean t wh at i t s ai d

an d s ai d wh at i t m ean t, we m us t co n cl u d e t h at t h e t o l l i n g p r o v i s i o n ap p l i es h ere.

Harri s o n i s t he vi ct i m o f an al l eg ed cri m e co m m i t t ed i n t h i s s t at e. He h as fi l ed a

l aws u i t co n t ai n i ng a cau s e o f act i o n in t o rt

. A n d h is cau s e o f act i o n i n t o rt ari s es o ut

o f t h e fact s an d ci rcu m s t an ces rel at i n g t o t h e co m m i s s i o n o f t h e al l eg ed cri m e; b u t fo r

t h e cri m e, t h ere wo u l d b e n o cau s e o f a c t i o n

. “ [A] ny cau s e o f act i o n i n t o rt ” t h at

“ ari s es o ut o f t h e fact s an d ci rcu m s t an ces rel at i n g t o t h e co m m i s s i o n o f s u ch al l eg ed

cri m e” m ean s p reci s el y t h at ; th ere i s n o q u al i fy i n g or l i m it i ng l an gu ag e t h at n arro ws

t h e s co p e o f t h e s t at u t e b as ed o n t h e i d en t i ty o f t h e ci v il d efen d an t

.

10In Ma ys , w e s ai d t h e l an g u ag e o f OCGA § 9-3 -9 9 was am b i g u o u s

. 3 2 2 Ga.

A p p

. at 4 6

. Bu t i t i s n o t

. Th at t h e s tat u t e do es n o t i d en t i fy t h e p art i cu l ar ci v i l

d efen d an t s ag ai n s t wh o m i t ap p l i es d oes no t m ak e i t am b i g uo u s , i t m ak es i t u nl i m i t ed

.

Th e G en eral As sem

b l y kn o ws h o w t o l i m it t h e s ort o f ci v i l d efe n d a n t s t o w h i ch a

s t at u te ap p l i es , wh en i t wi s h es t o d o s o

. S ee, e.g

., OCGA §§ 2 -7 -1 7 0 (d ); 7 -1 -4 4 0 ; 8 -2

-

1 1 7 ; 9 -3 -3 0 .2 (b ); 1 0-1 -6 2 3(f); 1 0 -1 -8 14 ( b )

. B u t i t d i d n ot d o s o h ere, l ead i n g u s to

co n cl u d e t h at i t d i d n o t i nt en d t o l im i t th e s t at u t e’ s reach t o cl ai m s ag ai n st o n l y a

cert ai n s u b s et o f ci v i l d efen d an t s

. S ee G a y v. Owen s , 2 9 2 Ga. 4 80 , 4 81 -8 2 (1 ) (7 3 8

SE2 d 6 1 4) (2 0 1 3) (wh en Gen eral As s em b l y us es a ph ras e i n o t h er s t at u tes

, co u rt s d o

n o t read t h at p h ras e i n t o a s t at u t e t h a t d o e s n o t co n t ai n i t ). Th i s cas e i s s im i l ar to

No r r ed , i n wh i ch we o v erru l ed p ri o r p reced en t t o h ol d t h at OCGA § 9 -3 -7 2 , wh i ch

t o l l s t he l i m i t at i o n s p eri o d fo r m ed i cal m al p ract i ce cas e “ wh ere a fo rei g n o b ject h as

b e e n l eft i n a p at i en t ’ s b o dy ,” i s n o t li m i t ed t o cas es i n wh ich t h e o b ject i s l eft

u n i n t en t i on al l y

. 3 2 0 Ga. A p p

. at 5 1 0 -1 3 (1 ). As i n t h at cas e, t he p l ai n l an g u ag e o f

OCGA § 9 -3 -9 9 i s cl ear an d “ [t ] h ere i s n o l an g u ag e i n t h i s Co d e s ect i o n l i m i t i n g i t s

ap p li cat io n ” t o cas es i n wh i ch t h e p art y s u ed has b een cri m i n al l y accu s ed

. Id

. at 5 1 2

-

1 3 (1 ).

11M cAfee an d Twi s t ed Sh am ro ck u rg e us t o ad h ere to Ma ys ’ rel i an ce o n t h e

cap t i on o f t h e bi ll th at en act ed OCGA § 9 -3 -9 9 as ev i d en ce th at t h e Leg i s l at u re

i n t en d ed fo r t h e to l l i n g p r o v i s i o n t o ap p l y t o cau s es o f act io n ag ai n s t o n l y t h o s e

accu s ed o f a cri m e. W e m ay ex am i n e t h e t i t l e o r cap t i o n o f an act of t he Gen eral

As s em b l y “ wh en t h e act i s do u b t fu l

, fo r t h e pu rp o se o f fi n d i n g t h e l eg i s l at i ve i n t en t

t h ereo f[.] ” Mo or e v. R o b i n so n , 2 0 6 Ga. 2 7

, 4 0 (6 ) (5 5 SE2 d 7 1 1 ) (1 9 49 ). Ho wev er,

as we reco gn i zed in Ma

ys , t h e cap t i o n “ i s n o t a p art o f th e ac t an d t h erefo re can n ot

co n tro l o v er i t s pl ai n m ean i n g

. ” 3 2 2 Ga. Ap p

. at 4 6 ( qu o t i n g S p a ld i n g Co u nt

y Bd

. of

El ect i o n s v. McCo rd

, 2 8 7 Ga. 8 3 5

, 8 3 7 (1 ) (B) (7 0 0 SE2 d 5 5 8 ) ( 2 0 1 0 ) )

. S ee a l s o

S t a t e v. W

a r e , 2 82 G a. 6 7 6

, 6 7 8 (6 5 3 SE2 d 2 1 ) (2 0 0 7) (“ [I] t i s fu n d am en t al t h at t h e

p ream bl e o r cap ti o n of an act i s n o p art t h ereo f an d can n o t co n t ro l t h e p l ai n m ean i n g

o f t he b o d y o f t h e act

. ”). Th e m ean i n g o f OCGA § 9 -3 -9 9 i s pl ai n an d th u s can n o t b e

i n fo rm ed o r ch an ged b y

t he cap t i o n o f t h e en act i n g l eg i s l at i o n

.

Th e cas es ci t ed b y M cAfe e an d Twi s ted Sh am ro ck to th e co n t rary are

d i s t i n gu i sh ab l e. In Mo o r e , o u r Su p rem e Co u rt ex p l ici t l y fo u n d t h e s t at u t e i n q u es t i o n

t o b e am b i g u o u s b efo re co n s i d eri n g t he cap t i o n of t h e act

. Mo o r e , 2 0 6 Ga. at 3 9 (6 ).

In Co n cer n ed Ci t i

z en s of W i l l a co o ch ee v. Ci ty o

f W i l l a co o ch e , 2 8 5 G a. 6 2 5

, 6 2 6 (6 8 0

SE2 d 8 4 6 ) (2 0 0 9) t he Co u rt d i d n o t u s e t he p ream b l e t o ch an g e t h e p l ai n m ean i n g o f

12t h e st at u t e, b u t an no u n ced i t s co n cl u s i o n b as ed o n a pl ai n read i n g o f t h e ch art er an d

am en d m en t b efo re ad d i n g t h at i t s co n cl u s io n was “ b u t t res s ed ” b y t h e p ream

b l e. 4 In

Ho l co mb v. Lo n g , 3 2 9 Ga. Ap p

. 5 1 5

, 5 1 8 -1 9 (1 ) (7 6 5 SE2 d 6 8 7 ) (2 0 14 ), t h i s Co u rt

ex am i n ed a co d i fi ed p ream b l e i n d et erm i ni n g t h e i n t en t o f t h e G e n e r a l A ss em b l y ,

wh i ch i s di fferen t fro m th e s o rt o f cap t i o n rel i ed o n b y t h e d efen dan t s h ere. S ee i d

. at

5 1 8 -1 9 (1 ) (ex am i n i n g OCGA § 4- 12- 1)

. U n li k e cap t i o ns , co di fi ed p ream b l es a r e p art

o f t h e act an d ap pro pri at e t o read i n p ari m at eri a. 5 S ee Ho l co mb

, 3 2 9 Ga. Ap p

. at 5 1 8

-

1 9 (1 ) n

. 15 (co d i fi ed p ream b l e was “ p art o f an act p as s ed b y t he Gen eral As s em

b l y

an d ap p ro v ed by t h e g ov ern o r”); cf

. Ga y , 2 9 2 Ga. at 4 8 2 (1 ) (“ St at u t es are n o t t o b e

co n st ru ed i n a v acu u m , b ut i n rel at i o n t o o t h e r s t a t u t e s o f wh i ch t h ey are a p art .”)

(ci t at i o n an d p u nct u at io n o m i t ted ).

4 M o r eo v er, Co ncer n ed Ci t i z en s i n v o l ved t h e i n t erp ret at i o n o f a ci t y ch art er

an d an am en d m en t t h eret o , an d t h u s t he Co u rt was n ot b ou n d b y it s ru l es o f

co n st ru ct i o n as t o en act m en t s o f t h e Geo rg i a Gen e r a l As s em b ly

. S ee Co n cer n ed

Ci t i z en s , 2 8 5 Ga. at 6 2 5

.

5 W h en t h e Gen eral As sem b ly co d i fi es i t s i nt en t fo r a co m p reh en s i v e st at u t o ry

s ch em e, th at co d i fi ed pream b l e b eco m es part o f t h e s t a t u t o ry co n t ex t i n wh i ch we read in d i v i d u al p as s ag es

. Th i s i s q u i t e di fferen t f r o m t h e u n co d ifi ed

, fo rm al i st i c

cap t i on t h at acco m

p an ies ev ery b il l th e Gen eral As s em b l y co n s i d ers , wh i ch b o t h we

an d o u r Su prem e Co u rt h av e m ad e cl ear i s n o t p art of t h e act

. S ee W a r e , 2 8 2 Ga. at

6 7 8 ; Ma ys , 3 2 2 Ga. Ap p . at 4 6

. It is t h e l at t er k in d o f cap t i o n t h at Ma ys i n co rrect l y rel i ed u p o n t o ch an g e t h e p l ai n l an g u ag e o f t h e s t at u t e.

13M cAfee an d Twi s t ed Sh am ro ck al s o arg u e t hat l i m i ti n g t h e t o l l i ng p ro v i s i o n

t o act i o n s ag ai n s t t h o s e accu s ed o f cri m es “ m ak es p ract i cal s en s e.” Bu t o u r d eci s i o n

d o es n o t res t o n t h e rel at i v e p o l i cy m eri t s o f o n e co n s t ru ct io n o v er an ot h er. W h en

s t at u to ry l an g u ag e is cl ear, “ i t i s t h e so l e ev i d en ce o f t h e ul t i m at e l eg i sl at iv e i n t en t .”

No r r ed

, 3 2 0 G a

. A p p

. at 5 1 2 (1 ) (ci t at i on an d p u n ct u at i on o m i t t ed ). Th e p l ai n

l an g u ag e o f O CGA § 9 -3 -9 9 cl earl y ap p l ies reg ard l es s o f a cri m e v i ct i m ’ s ch o i ce o f

ci v i l d efen d an t

. 6

c. S t a r e d

eci s i s co ns i der at io n s

Hav i n g co n cl u d ed t hat o u r p ri o r i n terp ret at i o n s o f OCGA § 9 -3 -9 9 m is read t h e

p l ai n lan gu ag e of th e s t at u t e, we m u s t co n s i d er wh et h er t he d o ct ri ne o f st are d eci s i s

n o n et h el es s co u n sel s u s to ad h e r e t o t ho s e p ri o r d eci si o n s

. “ St are d eci s i s i s an

i m p o rt a n t p ri n ci p le t h at pro m o t es th e ru l e o f l aw, p art i cu l arl y i n th e co n t ex t o f

s t at u to ry i n t erp ret at i on , w h e r e o u r i n co rrect d eci s i o n s are m o re eas i l y co rrect ed by

6 M o reo v er, t h ere are co n cei v ab l e p ol i cy arg u m en t s cu t t i n g t h e ot h er way

. As

Harri s o n p o i nt s ou t

, reco rd s rel at ed t o a pen di ng i n v es t i g at i o n o r p ro s ecu ti o n m ay b e rel ev an t t o t h e v i ct i m ’ s ci v i l cl ai m ag ai n s t s o m eo n e o t h er th an t h e p erp et rat o r o f t h e cri m e. Bu t t h o se reco rd s m ay b e u n av ai l ab l e t o a cri m e v i ct i m un t i l th at i n v es t i g at i o n

o r p ro s ecu t i on is co m

p l et e. S ee OCGA § 5 0 -1 8-7 2 (a)(4 ) (ex cl u di n g fro m Op en Reco rd s Act d i scl o s u re req u i rem en t s law en f o r c e m en t reco rd s o f p en d i n g i n v es t i g at i o n s an d p ro s ecu t i o n s ). So m e m i g h t al s o wi s h t o affo rd cri m e v i ct i m s

g en eral l y s o m e b reat h in g ro o m

b efo re t h ey

n eed t o co n t em

p l at e a ci v i l l aws u i t

.

14t h e d em o crat i c pro ces s.” S t a t e v. Ja cks o n , 2 8 7 G a. 6 4 6

, 6 5 8 (5 ) (6 9 7 SE2 d 7 5 7 )

(2 0 1 0) (ci t at i o n o m i t ted ). Ho wev er, i t “ i s n ot an i nex o rab l e c o m m a n d ” b u t “ a

p ri n ci p l e o f p o l i cy .” Id

. (ci t at i o n an d p u n ct u at io n o m i t t ed ). “ In co n s i d eri n g wh et h er

t o reex am i n e a p ri o r erro n eo u s h o l d i n g , we m u s t bal an ce t h e i m

p o rt an ce o f h av i n g

t h e q ues ti o n d

eci d ed ag ai n s t t he i m

p o rt an ce o f h av i n g i t d

eci ded r i gh t .” Id

. (em

p h as i s

i n o ri g i n al ). Fact o rs t o co n s i d er i n cl u de (1 ) th e ag e o f t h e p reced en t

, (2 ) t he rel i an ce

i n t eres t s at s t ak e, (3 ) t h e w o rk ab i l i t y o f t h e d eci s i o n , an d, m o s t i m p o rt an t ly , (4 ) t h e

s o u n dn es s o f i t s reas on i n g

. Id

.

As d em on s t rat ed ab o ve, t h e reas o ni n g o f o u r p ri o r deci s io n s on t h i s q u es t i o n

i s u n s o un d

, wh i ch wei g h s s t ro n g l y i n fav o r o f o v ert u rn i n g t h em

. Ou r ru li n g s at i s s u e

h ere are rel at i v el y

y o u n g: It was l es s t h an s ev en y ears ag o , i n Va l a d es , t h at we fi rs t

h el d t h at OCGA § 9 -3 -9 9 ap p l i es o n l y t o a cl ai m ag ai n s t s o m eo n e accu s ed o f a cri m e

ag ai n s t t h e p l ai n t i ff. W e an d o ur Su p rem e Co u rt h av e o verru l ed erro n eo u s st at u t o ry

i n t erp ret at io n s far o ld er t h an th at

. S ee W o o da r d v. S t a te

, 2 9 6 Ga. 8 0 3

, 8 0 8 -1 4 (3 ) (7 7 1

SE2 d 3 6 2) (2 01 5 ) (o v erru l i n g 2 4 -y ear-o l d i n t erp ret at i o n o f j u s ti fi cat i o n d efen s e

s t at u te); Ja cks o n , 2 87 Ga. at 6 5 9 -6 0 (5 ) & (6 ) (o v erru l i n g nearl y 29 -y ear-o ld

i n t erp ret at io n o f fel o n y m u rd er s t at u t e); Du r r en ce v. S ta t e , 2 8 7 Ga. 21 3

, 2 16 n .5 (6 9 5

SE2 d 2 2 7 ) (2 0 10 ) (o v erru li n g 2 6 -y ear-o l d i n t erp ret at io n o f i n s an i t y d efen s e s t at u t e);

15Gi l es v. St a t e Fa r m M u t

. In s

. Co

. , 3 3 0 Ga. Ap p

. 3 1 4

, 3 1 9

- 2 1 ( 2 ) (7 6 5 SE2 d 4 1 3 )

( 2 0 1 4 ) (o v erru l i n g 3 6 y ears o f erro n eo us cal cu l at i o n o f s tat u t o ry g race p eri o d f o r

p erfect in g s erv i ce). O u r p r i o r in t erp ret at i o n o f O CGA § 9 -3 -9 9 affect s n o p ro p ert y

o r co n t ract i s s u es an d es t ab l i s h es n o s u b s t an t i v e ri g h t s , so i t d o es n ot creat e t h e s o rt

o f rel i an ce i n teres t s t hat co u n s el ag ai ns t o v ert u rn i ng p reced en t

. Ja cks o n , 2 87 Ga. at

6 5 8 -5 9 (5 ). Ad d i ti o n al ly

, ou r cas e l aw i s i n co n s is t en t as to wh et h er i t l im i t s t h e

s t at u te t o cl ai m s ag ai ns t t h o s e wh o h av e b een accu s ed of co m m i t ti n g t h e cri m e fro m

wh i ch t h e cau s e o f act i o n ari s es , o r l i m i t s t h e s t at u t e t o cl ai m s ag ai n s t t h o s e wh o

act u al l y h av e b een pro secu t ed

. Co mp a re M a ys , 3 2 2 Ga. Ap p. at 4 6 (l i m i ti n g t o l l i n g

t o cl ai m s ag ai n s t t h o s e “ accu s ed ” o f a cri m e o f wh i ch t h e p l ai nt i ff w as a vi ct i m ); wi th

Or r , 3 31 Ga. Ap p

. at 2 3 0 (l i m i t i n g t ol l i n g t o cl ai m s ag ai n s t “ cri m i n al d efen d an t s ”);

Br a nt o n , 3 0 4 Ga. Ap p

. at 1 5 3 (s am e); a n d Va l a d e s , 3 0 1 Ga. Ap p

. at 8 8 9 (l i m i t i n g

t o l l i n g t o cl ai m s ag ai n s t th o s e wh o h a v e b e e n “ p ro secu t ed ”). Th at l ack o f cl ari t y

al o n e creat es s o m e wo rk ab i l it y co n cern s

.

Th at l eav es n o t h i ng o n t h e s i d e o f reaffi rm i n g o u r p ri o r c a s e law, ex cep t t h e

f a ct th at i t i nv o l v ed th e co n s t ru ct i o n o f a s t at u t e. Al t h o u g h cert ai n ly t h e G e o r g i a

Gen eral A s s em

b l y can co rrect an erro n eo us s t at u to ry i n t erp ret at i o n m o re eas i l y t h an

i t can res p o n d t o an co n s t i t u ti o n al ru l i n g o f wh i ch i t d i s ap p ro v es , w e m i n im i ze t h e

16c o m

p l ex i t i es o f t h e l eg i s l at i v e p ro ces s i f we as s u m e t h at l eg is l at iv e i n act i o n i n t h e

face o f a co u rt ’ s erro n eo u s co n s t ru ct i o n o f a s t at u te am o u n t s t o a g reem en t

. In d eed

,

“ i t can b e p eri l o u s t o rel y h eav i l y o n l eg is l at i v e s i l en ce an d in act i o n t o co n cl u d e t h at

a co u rt ’ s i n t erp ret at i on o f a s t at u t e i s co rrect .” Ja cks o n , 28 7 Ga. at 6 59 (5 ) n .8

.

“ Leg i s l at i v e i n act i o n freq u en t l y b et o k en s u n awaren es s , p reo ccu p at i o n, o r p aral y s i s .”

Id

. (p u n ct u at i o n an d ci t at i o n o m i t t ed ). I n f a ct

, b ecau s e o u r p ri o r erro r i n v ol v ed an

i n co rrect i n t e r p r e t a t i o n o f a s tat u t e en act ed b y a co -eq u al b ran ch o f g o v ern m en t

,

rat h er th an , s ay , o u r o wn p ro n ou n cem en t o n m at t ers o f ju d g e-m ad e l aw, s ep arat i o n

o f p owers co n si d erat io n s co u n s el i n fav o r o f reach i n g t he co rrect deci s i o n, ev en if i t

m ean s rev ers i ng co u rs e, les t we fai l t o ap p ly fai th fu l l y t h e l a w as en act ed b y t h e

l eg i s lat i v e b ran ch

. Cf

. Et ki n d v. S u a r ez , 2 7 1 Ga. 3 5 2

, 3 5 7 (5 ) (5 1 9 SE2 d 2 1 0 ) (1 9 9 9 )

(reject i ng req u es t t o o v erru l e p r i o r deci s i o n, n o t i n g t h at p ri o r ru l i n g “ i s n o t an

erro neo u s st at em en t o f t h e l aw i n Geo rg ia, b u t m erel y a p ro no u n cem en t b y a m ajo ri t y

o f [t he s t at e Su p rem e] Co u rt as t o t h e p ro p er co n st ru ct io n o f t h e t o rt l aw o f t h i s s t at e

as a m at t er o f fi rs t i m

p res s io n ”). We co n cl u de t h at st are d eci s i s d o es no t warran t

h o l d i n g fi rm

t o o u r p ri o r erro n eo us co n s t ru ct i o n o f OCGA § 9 -3 -9 9.

3

. CONCLUSION

17Bas ed o n t he p l ai n l an gu ag e o f OCGA § 9 -3 -9 9

, we h o l d t h at t h e s t at u t e

ap p li es r e g a r d l e s s o f wh et h er t h e d efen d an t i n t he cas e h as b een accu s ed o f

co m m i t t i n g th e cri m e fro m w h ich t h e cau s e o f act i o n ari s es

. W e, th erefo re, o v erru l e

Va l a des

, Br a n t o n , Ma

ys , an d Or r t o th e ex t en t t h at t h ey i m p ro p erl y l i m i t th e s t at u t e’ s

ap p li cat io n

. W e al s o di s ap p ro v e d i ct a i n DeKa l b Med i ca l Cen t er t h at i s i n co n s i s t en t

wi t h t h e h o l d i n g o f t h i s o p i n i o n

.

As o u r Su p rem e Co u rt d i d wh en i t co ns t r u ed an o t her as p ect o f OCGA §

9 -3 -9 9

, “ we reco g n ize t h at o u r h o ld i ng i n th i s cas e wi l l hav e a s i g ni fi can t i m p act o n

p ers o n al i n

ju ry act i o n s ” b y

cri m e v i ct i m s

. B en eke

, 2 8 5 Ga. at 7 3 5

.

No n et h el es s , we are co n s t rai n ed b y t h e l an g u ag e o f t h e s t at u t e to reach

t h i s res u l t. If th e Leg i sl at u re h ad i n t en d ed t o l i m i t t h e ap p l icat i o n o f

OCGA § 9-3 -9 9 t o [cl ai m s ag ai n s t t h o s e accu s ed o f co m m i t ti n g a cri m e

o f wh ich t h e p lai n t i f

f was a v i ct im ]

, i t cert ai n l y co u l d h av e do n e s o

. It

d i d n o t

, an d an y u n d es i rab l e res u l t i s a m at t er p ro p erl y ad dres s ed b y th e

Gen eral As s em

b l y rat h er t h an t h e co u rt s

.

Id

.

18M cAfee an d T wi s t ed Sh am ro ck h av e n o t ch al l en ged Harri s o n ’ s i n v o cat i o n o f

OCGA § 9 -3 -9 9 o n an y g ro u n d o t h er t h an rel i an ce o n o u r n o w-o v ert u rn ed cas e l aw.

W e, t h erefo re, rev ers e t he t ri al co u rt ’ s o rd er g ran t i ng s u m m ary ju d g m en t

. 7

Ju d g men t r ever

s ed

. An dr e w s

, P. J., B ar n es

, P. J., Ph ip p s

, P. J., Di l l a r d,

McFa d den

, Bo g g s

, R a y, Br a n ch

, McMi l li a n

, R i c kma n a n d Mer ci er

, JJ., co n cu r

.

Mi l l er

, P. J. a n d E l l i n g t o n

, P. J. co n cu r i n j u d g men t o n l

y. Do yl e, C. J. n ot

p a r t i ci p a t i n g

.

7 In t h e l i g h t o f o u r ru li n g as t o Harri s o n’ s t o l l i n g arg um en t b as ed o n OCGA § 9 -3 -9 9

, we n eed n o t reach h i s al t ern at iv e arg u m en t b as ed o n OCGA § 9 -3 -9 4

, in

wh i ch h e co nt en d s t h at Twi s t ed Sh am ro ck ’ s ad m i n i s t rat i v e d i s s o l u t i o n p ri o r t o t h e

s h o o ti n g ren d ered t h e en ti t y effect i v el y ab s en t fro m t h e s tat e u n t i l t h e d efen d an t s ad m i t t ed t h e co m

pan y ’s ex is t en ce i n t h ei r an swers

. A ru l i n g i n Harri s o n ’ s fav o r o n

t h i s en u m erat io n o f erro r wo u ld n ot o b v i at e t h e n eed t o ev al u at e o u r p reced en t o n OCGA § 9 -3 -9 9

, as t he OCGA § 9 -3 -9 4 arg u m en t ap p l i es o n l y t o Harri so n ’ s cl ai m

ag ai n s t o n e o f t h e d efen d an t s

.

19