FI FTH DI VI SI ON

M CFA DDEN, C. J.

, R I CKM A N, P. J.

, and SENI OR A PPELLA TE JUDGE PHI PPS

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.

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. ga a ppe a ls .us /r ule s

D E A D LIN E S A R E N O LO N G E R TO LLE D IN T

H I S

C O U R T. A LL FILIN G S M U ST B E S U B M I TTE D WITH IN

TH E TIM E S S E T B Y

O U R C O U R T R U LE S

.

M ay 21, 2021



# I n th e Co u r t o f

A p p eals o f

G eo r g ia

A2 1 A0 21 2 . W H ITE v . CHEEK.

R I C K M A N , Pres i d i n g J u d g e.

Th i s ap p eal co n cern s a p ers o n al i n ju ry act i o n ari s i n g fro m an au t o m o b i l e

acci den t i n v o l v i ng St ep h an Du way n e W h i t e an d W al t er Ch eek

. W h i t e ap p eal s fro m

t h e t ri al co u rt ’ s d en i al o f h i s m o t i o n t o en fo rce a s et t l em en t

. W h i t e co n t en d s t h at t h e

t ri al co u rt erred b y h o l d in g t h at o ral co m m u n i cat i o n s o n W h it e’ s b eh al f co ns t i t u t ed

a co u nt er-o ffer, an d t h u s an en fo rcea b l e s et t l em en t ag reem en t was n ev er fo rm ed

b et ween t h e p art i es . Fo r t h e reas o n s t h at fo l l o w, we affi rm

.

W e ap p l y a de n ov o s t an d ard o f r e v i e w t o a t ri al co u rt ’ s o rd er o n a

m o t i o n t o en fo rce a s et tl em en t ag reem en t. Becau s e t h e i ss u es rai s ed are

an al og o u s to t h os e i n a m ot i o n fo r su m m a r y ju d g m en t

, i n o rd er t o

s u cceed o n a m o t i o n t o en fo rce a s et t l em en t ag reem en t

, a p a r t y m u s t

s h o w t h e co u rt t h at t h e d o cu m en t s , affi d av i ts

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

ev i d en ce i n t h e reco rd rev eal t h at t h ere i s no ev i d en ce s u ffi ci en t t ocreat e a ju ry is s u e o n at l eas t o n e es s e n t i al el em en t o f t h e Ap p el lan t ’ s

cas e. Th u s , w e v i e w t h e ev i d en ce i n a l i g h t m o s t fav o rab le t o th e

n o n m o v i n g p art y

.

(C i t a t i o n an d p u n ct uat i o n om i tt ed .) Pr i t ch a r d v. Men d o z a , 3 5 7 G a. Ap p. 2 8 3

, 2 8 3

-

2 8 4 (8 50 SE2 d 4 7 2 ) (2 0 2 0 ).

So v i ewed

, t h e reco rd s h o ws t h at Ch eek fi l ed s u i t ag ai n s t W h i t e al l eg i n g t h at

wh i le h e was a p as s en g er i n a au t o m o b i l e d ri v en by W h i t e, W h it e l o s t co n tro l o f t h e

au t o m ob i l e an d cau s ed a co l l i s i o n t h at res u l t ed i n i n ju ri es t o Ch eek

. GEICO was

W hite ’ s lia bilit y i n s uran ce carri er. On J an u ary 1 0

, 2 0 1 9

, Ch eek ’ s co u n sel s en t G E I C O

a l et t er co n t ai n in g an offer o f co m p ro m i s e g o v ern ed b y OCGA § 9-1 1 -6 7 .1

. 1 Th e

o ffer p ro vi d ed i n p ert i n en t p art :

1 . Th e t i m e p eri o d wi t h i n wh i ch t h e m at eri al t erm s p u rs uan t t o OCGA

§ 9 -1 1 -6 7 .1 (a) m

u s t be accep t ed i s t

h i r t y

- fi ve (3 5 ) da ys fro m y o u r

recei p t o f t hi s o ffer;

2

. T h e am o u n t o f m o net ary p ay m en t is GEI CO’s l i a bi l i ty po l i cy l i m i t

o f $ 2 5 ,0 0 0 . . . .;

1 OCGA § 9 -1 1- 67 .1 “ g o v ern s t h e fo rm at i o n of s et t l em en t ag reem en t s p u rs u an t

t o a pre- s u i t o ffer t o s et t l e a t o rt cl ai m fo r p ers o n al i n j u ry , b o d i l y i n

ju ry , o r d eat h

ari s in g fro m th e u s e o f a m o t o r v eh i cl e an d p rep ared b y o r wi t h t h e as s i s t an ce o f an

at t o rn ey o n b eh al f o f a cl ai m an t o r cl ai m an ts ” (C i t a t i o n an d p u n ct u at i o n o m i t t ed .)

Gr a ng e Mu t

. Ca s . Co . v. W o o d a r d

, 3 0 0 Ga. 8 4 8 , 8 4 8 (7 9 7 SE2 d 8 14 ) (2 0 1 7 ).

23 . Th e p art y t h at M r. Ch eek wi l l rel eas e i s St ep h an D. W h i t e;

4

. Th e t y p e o f rel eas e t h at M r. Ch eek wi l l p ro v i d e to M r. W h i t e i s a

Gen eral Rel eas e t h at rel eas es “ al l p ers o n al an d b o d il y i n ju ry cl ai m s o f

M r. Ch eek ,” . . .;

5

. Th e cl ai m s t o b e rel eas ed b y M r. Ch eek p u rs u an t t o a Gen eral Rel eas e

are “ al l pers on al an d b o di l y i n ju ry cl ai m s o f M r. Ch eek ,” . . .;

Pu rs uan t t o OCGA § 9 -1 1 -6 7

. 1 (b ), accep t an ce o f t h e m at eri al t erm s

m ad e p u rs u an t to OCGA § 9 -1 1 -6 7 .1 (a) i s t o b e m ad e b y p ro v i d i n g

wri t t en accep t an ce o f t h e m at eri al t erm s ou t l i n ed i m m e d i at el y ab o ve

p u rs uan t OCGA § 9 -1 1-6 7 .1 (a) i n t h ei r en t iret y

.

Pro v i d i n g wri t ten accep t an ce o f t h e m at eri al t erm s o u t l in ed i m m ed i at el y

ab o v e p urs u an t t o OCGA § 9 -1 1 -6 7.1 (a) i n t h ei r en t iret y i s neces s a r y

t o fo rm a b in d i n g s e t t l em en t co n t ract

, b u t i t i s no t s uffi ci ent t o fo rm a

b i n d i n g s et t l em en t co n t ract

. In ad d it i o n t o t h e ab o v e

. . . th e fo l l owi n g

ACTS are m at er i a l to accep t an ce an d m u s t b e co m

pl et ed to fo rm a

b i n d i n g s et t l em en t co nt ract

, an d co m p l et i o n o f each an d ev ery on e o f th e

fo l l o wi ng ACTS wi t h o u t a v ari an ce o f an y s ort is req u i red as a m a t er i a l

t er m o f t h i s w r i t t en o ffer o f co m p ro m i s e i n ad di t i o n t o t h e m at eri al

t erm s s t at ed ab o v e p u rs u an t t o OCGA § 9 -1 1 -6 7 .1 (a):

1

. Pu rs u an t t o OCGA § 9 -1 1 -6 7 .1 (g ), p ay m en t i s req u i red wi t h i n fi ft een (1 5 ) d ay s aft e r t h e w ri t t en accep t an ce of t h i s o ffer o f co m p ro m i s e.

. . .

.

32

. Yo u r in s ured m us t p ro v i d e a s wo rn an d no t ari zed s tat em en t t h at t h ere

i s n o o t h er in su ran ce co v erag e av ai l ab l e to h i m t h at co u l d p ert ai n to t h i s

l o s s

. . . .

3

. Al l co m m

u n i c a t i o n s t o t h i s fi rm i n i t i at ed b y o r on b eh al f o f y o u r

i n s u ran ce co m

p an y o r y o u r i n s u red rel at i n g t o t h i s o ffer o f co m p ro m i s e

m us t be m a d

e i n wr i t i ng

. If a co m

m u n i cat i o n t o t hi s fi rm rel at i n g to t h i s

o ffer of co m

p ro m i se i s i n i t i at ed by o r o n b eh al f o f y o u r i n su ran ce

co m p an y o r y o u r i n s u red i n an y fo rm o t h er th a n wri t in g , t h at wi l l b e a reject i o n o f t h i s o ffer o f co m p ro m is e.

. . . Any o

ffer to r es o l

ve thi s ca s e

b y M r

. Cheek wi l

l b e m a d e in wr i t i ng

. Any a ccep t

a nce o f t hi s o f f e r

m us t b e m a d

e t hr o ug h p er fo r m a nce o

f t he a ct s r eq ui r ed i n t

hi s o ffer

o f co m p r o m i s e i n a d d it i o n t o wr i t t en a ccep t a nce o f t he m at er i a l ter m s

o f t hi s o ffer m a d e p ur s ua nt t o OCGA § 9 -1 1 -6 7

.1 (a ) i n o r d er fo r t hi s fi rm a nd M

r

. Cheek t

o a g r ee t ha t a b i nd

i ng a g r eem ent ha s b een fo r m ed

. Sp eci fi ca l l y, t hi s o ffer o f co m p r o m i s e ca nno t b e accep t

ed by

a m er e s t a t em ent o f unco nd i t i o na l a ccep t

ance of t hi s o f f e r ; i ns t ea d

a ccep t a nce o f thi s o f f e r r e q ui r es ful

l p er fo r m a nce o

f a l l ACTS

r e q ui r ed her ei n wi t

ho ut va r i a nce o

f a ny s o r t i n ad

d i t io n to wr i t

t en

a cc ep t ance o f t he m a ter i a l t

er m s of t hi s o ffer m a d e p ur sua nt OCGA

§ 9 -1 1-6 7

.1 (a ). I f a ny co nd

i ti o n o r r eq ui r em ent i

s no t m et b

y t he

s p eci fi ed d ea d li ne o r i

f a ny a d

d it i ona l t er m s , co nd i t i o ns , o r

r ep r es ent at i ves a r e r eq ues t

ed o f M r. Cheek o r i ncl ud

ed i n t he r el ea s e

b y GEI CO, t hen t her e ha s b een no a ccep t

a nce a nd no a

gr eem ent , a nd

t hi s o ffer wi l l b e i m m ed i a t el y a nd a ut o m a t i ca l l y wi t hd r a wn.

44

. Si n ce GEICO wi ll req u i re M r. Ch eek t o s i g n a rel eas e o f i ts i n su red

,

t h at rel eas e m

u s t fu ll y co m p l y wi t h each an d ev ery t erm an d co n d i t i o n

o f t h i s o ffer. . . .

(Em p h as i s i n o ri g i n al ). Th e let t er co n t ai n i n g t h e o ffer o f co m p ro m i s e al s o s t at ed t h at

,

“ i n t h e u n l i k e l y e v en t t h at GEICO n eed s an y ad di t io n al i n fo rm at i o n reg ard i n g

l i ab i l i t y o r d am ag es t o co m p l et e i t s ev al uat i o n o f t h i s c l ai m , p l eas e co n t act m e in

wr i t i ng t o l et m e k n o w. I w i l l d o m y b es t t o an s w er an y qu es t io n s y o u co u l d p o s s i b l y

h av e.”

Des p i t e t h e req u i rem en t i n t h e o ffer fo r a l l co m m u n i cat io n s fro m GEICO to

Ch eek ’ s co u n s el rel at in g to th e o ffer b e in wri t in g , o n J an u ary 18

, 20 1 9

, Ch ee k ’ s

co u ns el recei v ed t h e fo l l o wi n g v o i cem ai l:

Hey t hi s i s

. . . wi t h GEI C O i n s u r a n ce, I was cal l in g reg ard i n g y o u r

cl i en t

. . . Ch eek

. J u s t wan t ed t o l et y o u k no w t h at I was t h e n ew b o di l y

i n ju ry ad ju st er, i t lo ok s l ik e t h ere i s a qu es t i o n o f l i ab i l i t y o n o u r i n s ured

d ri v er . . . W

h it e. I am ju s t cal l i ng t o s e i f y o u g u y s wi l l b e ab l e, i f y o u

wo u ld al l o w, reco rd ed s tat em en t s fo r M r. Ch eek

. M y ph o n e n u m b er i s
. . ., cl ai m n u m b er i s . . . Th an k y o u.

Fi v e d ay s aft er l eav i ng t h e fi rs t v o i cem ai l , Ch eek ’ s co u n s el recei v ed an o t h er

v o i cem ai l fro m

GEICO:

5H i t h i s is

. . . wi t h GEICO

. . . cal l i ng y o u reg ard in g

. . . Ch eek

. A

l i ab i l i t y cl ai m h as b een es t ab l i s h ed an d as s i g n ed t o m e. It ap p ears t hat

y o u sen t u s a n ot i ce o f po l i cy l im i t s d em an d

, seek i n g a cl ai m ag ai n st o u r

i n s u red

. . . W h i t e. I ju s t wan ted t o cal l an d let y o u kn o w t h at t he cl ai m

fo r l i ab i l it y i n v es t i g at io n h as b e e n a s s i g n ed t o m e fo r h an d l in g , w e’ d

l i ke t o t ry t o s ecu re [a] reco rd ed i nt erv i ew fro m Mr. Ch eek

. O u r

i n v es t i gat i o n at t h i s p o i n t i n d i cat es t h i s was a h i t an d ru n , s o I’ m a l i t t l e

co n fu s ed as t o wh ere t h e l i ab i l i t y res t s w i th M r. W h i te. So m ay b e if y o u

co u l d s h ed so m e l i g h t o n t h at

. I can b e reach ed at

. . ., o ur cl ai m n um b er

t o referen ce . . . Th an k y o u

.

Th ereaft er, Ch eek ’ s co u n s el s en t a l et t er t o GEICO ex p l ai n i n g t h at h e h ad

recei v ed GEICO’ s v o icem ai l “ rel at i n g t o t he o ffer o f co m p ro m i s e I s en t o n M r.

Ch eek ’ s b eh al f o n J an u ary 1 0

, 2 0 1 9.

. . . [an d s t a t i n g t h at ] [o ] b vi ou s l y , y o u r cal l

m ak es i t cl ear t hat G EICO h as ch o s en t o reject M r. Ch eek ’ s o ffer of co m p r o m i s e .”

Les s t h an a m o n t h l at er, GEICO’ s co u n s el s en t a l et t er s t at i n g t hat it was accep t i n g

Ch eek ’ s J an u ary 10

, 2 01 9 s et t l em en t d em an d l et t er an d al l o f i t s t erm s. Th at l et t er

i n cl u d ed a $ 2 5 ,0 0 0 ch eck p ay ab l e t o Ch eek

.

In M ay 2 0 1 9

, Ch eek ’ s co u n se l r e spon d ed b y sen d i ng a wri t t en rep l y st at i n g t h at

GEICO d ecl i n ed Ch eek ’ s o ffer o f co m p ro m i s e b y fai l i n g t o co m p l y wi th t h e t erm s o f

t h e o ffer an d ret u rn i n g GEICO’ s $ 2 5 ,0 00 ch eck

. Th ereaft er, W hi t e fi l ed a m o t i o n to

en fo rce a s et t l em en t

.

6Fo l l owi n g a h e a ri n g, t he t ri al co u rt i s s u ed an o rd er den y i n g W h it e’ s m o t i o n.

Th e t ri al co u rt h el d t hat a co n d i t i o n o f accep t an ce o f Ch eek ’ s offer was t h at GEICO

co u ld o n l y co m

m u n i cat e wi th Ch eek ’ s co un s el reg ard i n g t h e o ffer i n wri ti n g an d t h at

b y fai l i ng t o co m

p l y wi t h t h at co n d i t i o n, GEICO fai l ed t o es t ab li s h an en fo rceab l e

s et t l em en t ag reem en t

.

W h i t e co n ten d s t h at t h e t ri a l c o u rt erred b y h ol d i n g t h at an en fo rceab l e

s et t l em en t ag reem en t was n ev er fo rm ed b et ween t h e p art i es

.

Pu rs uan t t o OCGA § 9 -1 1 -6 7 .1

,

(a) Pri o r t o t h e fi l i n g o f a ci v i l act i o n , an y o ffer t o s et t l e a to rt cl ai m fo r

p ers on al i n

j u ry , b od i l y

i n ju ry , o r d eat h ari s i n g fro m t h e u s e o f a m o t o r

v eh i cl e an d p rep ared b y o r wi t h t h e as s i s t an ce o f an at t orn ey o n beh al f

o f a cl ai m an t o r cl ai m an ts s h al l b e i n wri t i n g an d co n t ai n t he fo l l owi n g

m at eri al t erm s : (1 ) Th e t i m e p eri o d w i t hi n wh i ch s u ch o ff e r m u s t b e

accep t ed

, w h ich s h al l b e n o t l es s th an 3 0 d ay s fro m recei p t o f t he offer;

(2 ) Am o u n t o f m o n et ary p ay m en t; (3 ) Th e p art y o r p art i es t h e cl ai m an t

o r cl ai m an t s wi l l rel eas e i f s u ch o ffer i s a c c e p t e d ; ( 4 ) Th e t y pe o f

rel eas e, i f an y , t he cl ai m an t or cl ai m an t s wi l l p ro v i d e t o each rel eas ee;

an d (5 ) Th e cl ai m s t o b e rel eas ed

.

(b ) Th e reci p ien t s of an o ffer t o s et t l e m ad e u nd er t h i s Co d e s ect i o n m ay

accep t t he s am e b y p ro v i d i n g wri t t en accep t an ce o f t h e m at eri al t erm s

o u t l in ed i n s u b s ect io n (a) o f t h is Co d e s ect i o n i n t h ei r en t i ret y

.

7. . .

(d ) Up o n recei pt of an o ffer t o s e t t l e s et fo rt h i n s u b s ect io n (a) o f t h i s

Co d e s ect i o n , t h e r e c i p i en t s s h al l h av e t h e ri g ht t o s eek cl ari fi cat i o n

reg ard i n g t erm s , l i en s , su b ro g at i on cl ai m s , s t an d i n g to rel eas e cl ai m s ,

m ed i cal b i l l s , m ed i c a l reco rd s , an d o th er rel ev an t fact s

. An at t em p t t o

s eek reas on ab l e cl ari fi cat i o n s h al l n ot b e d eem ed a co u n t ero ffer.

. . .

W h en i n t erp ret i n g p ro vi s i o n s o f a s t at u te, s u ch as OCGA § 9 -1 1 -6 7 .1

,

we m u s t p res um e t h at t h e Gen eral As s em b ly m ean t wh at i t s ai d an d s ai d

wh at i t m ean t

. To th at 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 nary m ean i n g , w e m u s t v i ew t h e s t at u t ory t ex t i n th e co n tex t i n

wh i ch i t ap p ears , an d w e m u s t read th e s t at ut o ry t ex t i n i t s m o s t n at u ral

an d reas o n ab l e way , as an o rd i n ary s p eak er o f th e En g l i sh l an g u ag e

wo u ld

.... [I] f t h e s t at ut ory t ex t i s cl ear an d u n am b i g u o u s, we at t ri b u t e t o

t h e s t at u t e i t s p l ai n m ean i n g , an d o u r s earch fo r s t at ut o ry m ean in g i s at

an en d

.

(Ci t at i o n an d pu n c t u a t i o n om i t t ed ). Dea l v. Co l ema n , 2 9 4 Ga. 1 7 0

, 17 2 -7 3 (1 ) (a)

(7 5 1 SE2 d 3 37 ) (2 0 13 ). “ Ad d i t i o n al ly

, al l s t at u t es are p res u m ed t o b e en act ed b y t h e

l eg i s lat u re w i t h fu l l k n o wl ed g e o f th e ex i s t i n g co n d i t i o n o f t h e l aw an d wi t h referen ce

t o i t

. Th ey are t h erefo re to b e co n s t r u e d i n co n n ect io n an d i n h arm o n y wi t h t h e

8ex i s t in g l aw.” (Ci t at i o n an d p u n ct u at i o n om i t t ed .) Gr a n ge Mu t

. Ca s

. Co

. v. W o o d a r d

,

3 0 0 Ga. 8 4 8

, 8 5 2 (2 ) (A) (7 9 7 SE2 d 8 1 4 ) (2 0 1 7 ).

“ In en act i n g OCGA § 9

- 1 1

- 6 7 .1

, t h e G en eral As s em b l y act ed ag ai n s t t h e

b ack dro p o f a l arg e b o d y of l aw o n co n t ract fo rm at i o n g en eral l y an d set t l em en t

fo rm at i o n s p eci fi cal l y

. ” W o o d ar d

, 30 0 Ga. at 85 2 ( 2 ) (A). “ A s p art of t h at ex i s t i n g

l aw, s et tl em en t ag reem en t s m u s t m eet t h e s am e req u i rem e n t s o f f o rm at i o n an d

en fo rceab i li t y

as o t h er co nt ract s .” (Ci t at i o n an d p un ct u at i o n om i t t ed

. ) Id

. “ Th ere i s

n o en fo rceab l e s et t l em en t b et ween p art i es ab s en t m u t u al ag reem en t b et ween t h em .”

Id . Acco rd i n g ly

,

an an s wer t o an o ffer wi l l n o t am o u nt t o an accep t an ce, s o as t o res u l t i n

a co nt ract

, un l es s i t i s u n co n d i t i o n al an d i d en t i cal wi t h t h e t erm s o f th e

o ffer. T o co n s t i t u te a co nt ract

, t h e o ffer m u s t b e accep t ed u n eq u i vo cal l y

an d wi th o u t v ari an ce o f an y s ort

. A p u rp o rt ed accep t an ce o f a p l ai n t iff’ s

s et t l em en t offer w h ich i m p o s es c o n d i t i o ns wi l l b e co n s t ru ed as a

co u n t er-o ffer t o t h e o ffer t o s et t l e fo r t h e p o l i cy l im i t s.

(Ci t at i o n an d p u n ct uat i o n om it t ed .) Id

. “ Th es e bas i c co n t ract l aw p ri n ci p l es fi n d t h ei r

o ri g i n i n t h e co m

m on l aw.” W

o o d a r d , 3 0 0 Ga. at 8 53 (2 ) (A).

“ [I] t i s al s o a fu n d a m e n t a l p ri n ci p l e o f co nt ract l aw t h at “ an o ffero r i s t h e

m as t er of h i s o r h er o ffer, an d free t o s et t h e t erm s t h ereo f.” (Ci t at i o n an d pu n ct u at i o n

9o m it t ed .) W

o o d ar d

, 3 0 0 Ga. 84 8 at 8 5 3 (2 ) (A). “ Th i s p ri n ci p le al s o fi n d s i t s o ri g in

i n t h e co m

m o n l aw.” Id

. “ Th e co m

m o n -l aw ru l es are s t i l l o f fo rce an d effect i n t h i s

St at e, ex cep t wh ere t h ey h a v e b e e n ch an g ed b y ex p res s s t at u t o ry en act m en t o r by

n eces s ary im

p li cat i o n

. ” (Ci t at i o n an d p u n ct u at i o n o m i tt ed .) Id

. a t 8 5 4 (2 ) (B).

Acco rd in g ly o ur Su p rem e Co u rt h as co n cl u d ed t h at “ t h e p l ai n l an g u ag e o f OCGA §

9 -1 1 -6 7

. 1 d o es n o t ex p res s ly o r b y n eces s ary i m p li cat i o n co n t rav en e t h es e co m m o n

l aw p ri n ci p l es .” Id

.

Un d er OCGA § 9 -1 1 -6 7 .1 (d ), W hi t e was p erm i t ted t o s eek reas o n ab l e

cl ari fi cat i o n “ reg ard i n g term s, l i en s , s u b ro g at i o n cl ai m s , s t an di n g t o rel eas e cl ai m s ,

m ed i cal b i l l s , m ed i cal reco rd s , an d o t h er rel ev an t fact s ” an d “ [a] n at t em p t t o s eek

reas o n ab l e cl ari fi cat io n s h al l no t b e d eem ed a co u nt ero ffer.” N o t h in g i n t h e p l ai n

l an g u ag e o f OCGA § 9 -1 1 -6 7 .1

, h o wev er, li m i t ed Ch eek ’ s ab i l i t y a s t h e o ffero r to

req u i re t h at a req u es t fo r cl ari fi cat i o n b e i n wri t i n g

. See W o o da r d

, 3 0 0 Ga. at 8 5 4 -8 5 5

(2 ) (B ) (“ [OCGA § 9 -1 1-6 7 .1 (a)] d oes n o t ex p res s ly l im i t Pre-Su i t Offers t o al l o w

o n l y t h e fi ve t erm s l is t ed t h erei n ; i t reas o n ab l y can b e read to req u i r e m e r e l y t h at

ev ery Pre-Su i t Offer in cl u d e, at a m i ni m u m , t h o s e fi v e t erm s. G i v e n t h a t u n d er t h e

co m m o n l aw an o ffero r i s free t o s et t he t erm s o f h is o f h er o ffer, we read s u b s ect i o n

10(a) i n t h i s fas h i o n , i n h arm o n y wi t h t h e ex i s t i n g l aw: ev ery Pre-Su i t Offer m u s t

co n tai n t h e fi v e en u m erat ed t erm s , b u t ad d it i on al t erm s are n o t p ro h i b i t ed .”).

Ch eek u nam

b i g uo u s l y s t at e d i n hi s o ffer t h at “ [a] l l co m m u n i cat io n s t o t h i s fi rm

i n i t i at ed b y o r o n b eh al f o f y ou r i n s u ran ce co m p an y o r y o u r i n s ured rel at i n g t o t h i s

o ffer o f co m

p ro m i s e m us t b e m a d

e i n wr i t ing ” an d Ch eek i n vi t ed a req u es t fo r

cl ari fi cat i o n , i f n eces sary , i f i t was i n wri t i n g. W h i te v i o l at ed t h i s req u i rem en t wh en

GEICO rep res en t at i v es l eft a v oi cem ai l fo r Ch eek t hat ex p res s l y m en t i o n ed recei v i n g

t h e o ffer, qu es t io n ed l iab i l i t y , an d s ou g h t fu rt h er i n fo rm at io n ab o ut th e cl ai m

.

Becau s e W h i t e’ s rep res en t a t i v e s v i o lat ed t h e ex p res s t erm s o f t h e o ffer, t h e p art i es

d i d n o t reach a bi n d i n g s et t l em en t ag reem en t

. 2 Acco rd i n g ly

, w e affi rm t h e t r ia l c our t ’ s

d en ial o f t h e W h i t e’ s m o ti o n t o en fo rce s et t l em en t

. See Pr i t ch a rd

, 35 7 Ga. Ap p

. at

2 8 9 (rev ers i n g a g ran t o f a m o ti o n t o en fo rc e m e n t s e t t l em en t u n der OCGA § 9 -1 1

-

2 We f e e l co m p el l ed to n o t e t h at W h it e arg u es t h at o u r h o l d i n g “ s et s u p ”

i n s u rers fo r “ b ad fai t h ” cl ai m s. Th i s cas e, h o wev er, is n o t ab o ut b ad fai t h

, i t i s ab o ut

t h e bas ic co nt ract p ri n ci p l e t hat t h e o ffero r i s th e m as t er o f h i s offer. A s C h e e k

ex p lai n ed i n h is b ri ef t o t h i s Co u rt

, h e i n v i t ed cl ari fi cat i o n o f t h e o ffer i n w ri t i n g an d

t h i s co u l d h av e b een d o n e b y m ai l

, em ai l

, o r by facs i m i l e. Th e o ffer s t at ed “ [w] e h av e

s u p p li ed y o u wi t h al l in fo rm at i o n n eces s ary t o ev al u at e t hi s o ffer of co m p ro m is e; h o wev er s h o u ld y o u h av e an y q u es t io n s reg ard i n g t h i s o ffer o f co m p ro m i s e, p l eas e d o n o t h es it at e t o co n t act m e i n wr i t i ng at t he ab o v e ad d res s or b y facs i m i l e at [fax

n u m b er] o r b y em ai l at [em ai l ad d res s] .” W e can no t h o ld t h a t Wh i t e was “ s et u p ”

wh en he was ex pres s ly g i v en t h ree o t her acc ep t ab l e fo rm s o f co m m u n i cat i o n to

co rres p o n d wi th Ch eek ab o u t t h e s et t l em en t o ffer.

116 7 .1 wh ere t h e o fferee “ d i d n o t p erfo rm an act t h at w as req u i red fo r accep t an ce o f .

. . t h e o ffer, an d t h e p art ies d id n o t reach a b i n d i ng s et t l e m e n t a g r eem en t .”); s ee

g en eral l y Kemp er v. Br own , 3 2 5 Ga. Ap p . 8 0 6

, 8 0 8 (1 ) (7 5 4 SE2 d 1 4 1 ) (2 0 1 4 ) (“ A

p u rp ort ed accep t an ce o f an o ffer t h at v ari es ev en on e t e r m o f t h e o ri g i n al o ffer i s a

co u nt ero ffer.”). 3

Ju d g men t af fi r med

. S en io r A p p el l a t e Ju d

g e Her b er t E. Ph i

pp s

, co ncu r s a n d

McFa d den , C. J., co ncu r

s s p eci a l l y

.

3 Gi v en o u r co n cl u s i o n , we n eed n o t ad d res s W h i t e’ s rem ai n i n g arg um en t s as

t o wh y t h e t ri al co u rt erred b y

d en y in g h i s m o t i o n t o en fo rce s et t lem en t

.

12

# I n th e Co u r t o f

A p p eals o f

G eo r g ia

A2 1 A0 21 2 . W H ITE v . CHEEK.

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

.

Th i s i s an ot h er o f t h e cas es ari s in g o ut of t h e u n i n t en d ed co n s eq u en ces o f o u r

Su p rem e Co urt ’ s d eci s i o n i n S o u t h er n Gen

. In s

. Co

. v. Ho l t

, 2 6 2 Ga. 26 7 (4 1 6 SE2 d

2 7 4 ) (1 9 9 2 ). Un d er H

o l t an i n s u rer t hat p as ses u p an o p p o rt u n i t y t o s et t l e a cl ai m

wi t h i n p o l i cy li m i ts can b e l iab l e t o i t s i n su red fo r a b ad fai t h cl ai m

. Th at ru l e creat es

an i n cen t i v e, i n cas es w h ere d am ag es g reat l y ex ceed p o l i cy l im it s , fo r a p l ai n t i ff to

at t em p t t o s et u p a b ad fai t h cl ai m

.

Th e Gen eral As sem

b l y ad d res s ed t hat p erv ers e i n cen ti v e b y ad op t i n g OCGA

§ 9 -1 1 -6 7 .1

. O u r Su p rem e Co u rt co n s t ru ed t h at s t at u t e i n l i gh t o f “ t h e b ack d ro p o f a

l arg e b o d y o f law” un d er wh i ch an accep t an ce i s e f f e ct i v e o n l y i f “ t h e o ffer [i s ]

13accep t ed u n eq u i v o cal l y an d wi t h o u t v ari an ce o f an y s o rt ” b ecau s e “ an o ffero r i s t h e

m as t er o f h i s o r her o ffer, an d free t o s et t h e t erm s t h ereo f,” Gr a n ge Mu t

. Ca s

. Co

. v.

W o o d a rd

, 3 0 0 Ga. 84 8

, 8 5 2

- 8 5 3 (2 ) (a) (7 9 7 SE2 d 8 1 4 ) (ci t at i o ns an d pu n ct u at i o n

o m it t ed ), an d “ co n cl u d e[d ] t hat t h e pl ai n l an gu ag e o f OCGA § 9-1 1 -6 7 .1 d o es n ot

ex p res s l y o r b y neces s ary i m pl icat i o n co n trav en e t h es e co m m o n l aw p ri n ci p l es .” Id

.

at 8 5 4 (2 ) (b ).

I wri t e sep arat e l y b e c a u se, wh i l e I ag ree t h at we m u s t affi rm th e t ri al co urt ’ s

d en ial o f t h e m o ti o n t o en fo rce a s et t l em en t i n t hi s cas e, I wo u ld d o s o fo r d i fferen t

reas on s

. I wo u l d h o l d t h at u n der OCGA § 9 -1 1 -6 7 .1

, as au t h o ri t at i v el y co n s t ru ed in

Gr a ng e , pl ai n t i ff Ch eek can n o t i n v o k e t h e p ro v i s i o n o f t he set t lem en t ag reem en t o n

wh i ch t h e m ajo ri t y rel ies t o d ecl are h i s o ffer reject ed ; b u t Ch eek can i n v o k e o t h er

p ro v is i o n s t o ach i ev e t h at en d

.

So Ch eek w i ll n ow b e ab l e t o p ro ceed t o ward a b ad fai t h cl ai m

. Bu t i n m y v i ew

s u ch a cl ai m w o u l d l a c k m eri t b ecau s e o f t he o n ero u s req u irem en t s m ad e o f t h e

i n s u rer i n Ch eek ’ s o ffer l et t er. I h av e g rav e co n cern s ab ou t t h e co n t en ts o f t h at o ffer

l et t er. B ecau s e it h as been rep res en t ed t o th i s co u rt t h at th e l et t er i s a fo rm wi th

b ro ad er u s e t h an t h is p art i cu l ar cas e, I t ak e t h e o p p o rt u ni t y i n t h i s s p eci al co n cu rren ce

t o ex p lai n m

y co n cern s.

141

. Th e vo i cema i ls wer e n o t a co u n t er o

f f er u n d er OCGA §

9 -1 1 -6 7.1

.

Un d er OCGA § 9 -1 1 -6 7 .1 (d ) an at t em p t t o s eek reas o nab l e cl ari fi cat i o n i s n ot

a co un t ero ffer. So I res p ect fu ll y d i s ag ree wi t h t h e m ajo ri ty ’ s co n cl u s i on t h at

, b ecau s e

t h e i n q u i ri es m ad e b y W h i t e’ s i n s u rer were m ad e in v oi cem ai l s, th ey co n s t i t u t ed a

co u nt ero ffer. OCGA § 9 -1 1 -6 7 .1 (d ) p ro v i d es t h at

[u ] p o n recei p t o f an o ffer t o s et t l e s et fo rt h i n s u b s ect i on (a) o f t hi s Co de

s ect i o n , th e reci p i en t s s h al l hav e t he ri g ht t o seek cl ari fi cat io n reg ard i n g

t erm s , l ien s , s u b ro g at io n cl ai m s , s t an d i n g t o re l e as e cl ai m s , m ed i cal

b i l l s , m ed i cal reco rd s , an d o t h er rel ev an t fact s

. An a t t emp t t o s eek

r ea s on a b le cl a r i

f ica t i o n s h a l l

n o t b e d eemed a co un t er of

f er

.

(Em p h as i s s u p p li ed .)

GEICO’ s v oi cem ai l s were reas o n a b l e cl ari fi cat i o ns o f fact s rel ev an t t o t h e

o f f e r. As p art o f i t s as s es s m en t o f t h e o ffer, GEICO as k ed wh et h er Ch eek w o u l d

m ak e a reco rd ed s t at em en t ab o u t t h e i nci d en t

. Un d er O CGA § 9 -1 1 -6 7.1 (d ), GEICO

co u ld m ak e t h es e i n q u iri e s w i t h o u t i t s at t em p ts bei n g d eem ed a co un t ero ffer. An d

Ch eek co u l d n o t fu rt h er l i m i t t h e t y pes o f req u es ts fo r cl ari fi cat i on p ro t ect ed u n d er

s u b s ect i o n (d ).

Ou r Su p rem e Co u rt ’ s co ns t ru ct i o n o f OCGA § 9 -1 1-6 7 .1 i n G r a n g e Mu t

. Ca s

.

Co

. v. W o o d a r d

, s u p ra, 3 0 0 Ga. 8 4 8

, i s n o t t o th e co n t rary

. Gr a n g e’s co ns t ru ct i o n o f

15o t h er s u b s e ct i o n s o f t h at s t at u t e was arg uab l y n arro wer t h an t h e leg i s l at u re h ad

i n t en d ed

. See W

r i g h t v. Nel

s o n ,

_ _ G a. A p p

.

_

_ (8 5 6 SE2 d 4 2 1 ) (Cas e No

.

A2 0 A1 86 8

, d eci d ed M arch 1 1

, 2 0 2 1 ) (M cFad d en , C.J

., co n cu rri n g fu l l y an d

s p eci al l y ); s ee al s o 2 02 1 Geo rg i a Ho u s e Bi l l No

. 71 4 (am en d i n g OCGA § 9 -1 1 -6 7

. 1

(b ) (1 ) t o ad d

, “ [ u ]n l e s s o t h erwi s e ag reed b y b o t h t he o ffero r an d th e reci p i en t s in

wri t in g , t h e t erm s o u t l in ed i n su b s ect io n ( a ) o f t h i s Co d e s ect io n s h al l b e t h e o n l y

t erm s wh i ch can b e i n cl u d ed in an offer t o s et tl e m ad e u n d er t h i s Co d e s ect i o n ,” an d

am en d i n g OCGA § 9 -1 1 -6 7.1 (d ) t o ad d “ i f a rel eas e i s n o t p ro v i d ed wi th an o ffer to

s et t l e, a reci pi en t ’ s pro vi di n g o f a p ro p o s ed rel eas e s h al l n ot b e deem ed a

co u nt ero ffer”).

Bu t t h e s a m e c a n n o t b e s ai d o f Gr a n ge ’ s co n s t ru ct i o n o f t h e vers i o n o f

s u b s ect i o n (d ) t h at was b efo re i t an d i s ap p l i cab l e here: “ OCGA § 9 -1 1 -6 7 .1 p ro v i d es

i n s u b s ect i o n (d ) th at t h e reci p i en t o f a Pre-S u i t O f f er m ay s eek ‘ reas o n ab l e

cl ari fi cat i o n ’ o n t h e t o pi c o f l i en s an d o t h er t erm s wi t h o u t t ran s fo rm i n g wh at wo u ld

o t h erwi s e be an accep t an ce i n t o a co u n t ero ffer.” Gr an g e , 30 0 Ga. at 85 7 (2 ) (b ). So

b ecau s e OCGA § 9 -1 1 -6 7

. 1 (d ) p ro v i d ed (an d co n t i n u es to p ro vi d e) t h at no at t em pt

t o s eek reas o n ab l e cl ari fi cat io n co n s t it u t es a co u nt ero ffer, Ch eek can n ot u s e t h e

16“ m as t er o f t h e o ffer” pri n ci pl e t o treat cert ai n t y p es of at t em

p t s t o s eek reas o n ab l e

cl ari fi cat i o n as co u n t ero ffers

.

2

. GEICO d i d n o t co mp l et e t h e a ct s n eces s a r

y t o a ccep t

t h e o ff er

.

Nev ert h el es s , I am p ers u ad ed b y Ch eek ’ s al tern at i v e arg um en t t h at th ere was

n o s et t l em en t ag reem en t t o en fo rce b ecau se GEICO di d n ot m eet o n e o f t h e t erm s o f

accep t an ce. GEICO d i d n o t d el i v er a rel eas e t h at fu l l y co m p li ed wi t h ev ery

t erm o f

t h e o ffer. In s t ead

, GEICO d el i v ered a p ro po s ed rel eas e t h at d i ffered fro m t he o ffer’ s

req u i rem en t s i n cert ai n res pect s

. Fo r ex am p l e, Ch eek ’ s o ffer pro v i ded th at t h e rel eas e

co u ld n ot co n t ai n “ d en i al s o f l i a b i l i ty ” o r “ n o n-ad m i s s i o n s o f l i ab i l i t y ,” b u t t h e

p ro p os ed rel eas e del i v ered b y GEICO s t at ed t h at it “ i n n o way p reju di ces t h e ri g h t s

o f [W h i t e] t o d en y li ab i l i t y ” an d t h at i t “ i s n o t an ad m i s s i o n o f l iab i l i t y b y [W h i t e] .”

Un d er t h i s co u rt ’ s d eci s i on i n Pr i t ch a r d v. Men d o z a , 3 57 G a. Ap p

. 2 8 3

, 2 8 8-2 8 9 (8 5 0

SE2 d 7 42 ) (2 0 2 0 ), GEICO’ s fai l u re t o d e l i v e r a fu ll y co m p l i an t rel eas e m ean t t h at

GEICO d i d n o t accep t t he o ffer.

I n o t e t h at

, as am en ded i n t h e 2 0 2 1 l eg i s l at i v e s es si on , OCGA § 9-1 1 -6 7 .1 (d )

n o w p ro v i d es , “ i f a rel eas e i s n o t p ro v id ed wi t h an offer t o s e t t l e, a reci p i en t ’ s

p ro v id i n g o f a p ro p o s ed rel eas e s h al l n o t b e d eem ed a co u n t ero ffer.” 2 0 2 1 Geo rg i a

Ho u s e Bi l l No

. 7 1 4. Bu t fo r t h i s cas e t h e fo rm er l aw co n t ro l s

. So n o set t l em en t

17ag reem en t was fo rm ed

, an d t he t ri al co urt d i d n o t er r i n d en y i n g W hi t e’ s m o t i o n to

en fo rce a s et t l em en t ag reem en t . See Pr i t ch a r d , 3 5 7 Ga. Ap p . at 2 8 8 -2 8 9

.

3

. Th e p r os

p ect i ve b a d

f ai t h cl a i m.

As a co n seq u en ce of ou r deci s i o n t o d ay , pl ai nt i ff Ch eek can co n t i n u e t o p u rs u e

t h e p o t en t i al b ad fai t h cl ai m u n derl y i n g t h e co n t ract fo rm at i o n i s s u es d i rect l y b efo re

u s

. Th es e b ad fa i t h cl ai m s u s u al l y co m e t o u s th at way , as in ch o at e i s su es an d

m o ti v at i n g fact ors i n act io ns t o en fo rce s et t l em en t ag reem en ts

. W e rarel y s ee an

ap p eal t h at d i rect l y ad d res s es t h e m eri t s o f a b ad fai t h cl ai m , s u ch as t h e reas o n ab i l i t y

o f an i ns u rer’ s act i o n s

. B u t a s d et ai l ed b el o w , t h e l an gu ag e o f t he d em an d l et t er in

t h i s cas e d i rect l y i m

p li cat es t h e q u es t i o n o f t h e i n su rer’ s reas o nab i l i t y

. An d it ap p ears

t h at t h e d em an d l et t er i s n o t u n i q u e t o t h i s cas e. In d eed

, Ch eek ’ s co u n s el rep res en t ed

at o ral arg u m en t t h at th e d em an d l et t er at i s s u e is a wi del y u s ed fo rm

. An d i t ap p ears

s i m i l ar t o t h e l an g u ag e o f th e offer i n Pr i t ch a r d v. Men d o z a , s u pra, 3 5 7 Ga. Ap p

. 2 8 3.

Fo r t h i s reas o n, I t h i n k i t ap p ro p ri at e i n t h i s wri ti n g t o ad d res s th e ro l e o f t h at l et t er

i n as s es s i n g t h e m eri t s o f a b ad fai t h cl ai m

.

Th e o ffer b efo re u s s p eci fi es t h at i t co ul d b e accep t ed o n l y t h ro u g h co m p l i an ce

wi t h it s m an y req u i rem en t s

. Th o s e req u i rem en t s are bu ri ed i n a 2 2 -p ag e , s i n g l es p aced l et t er t h at i n cl u des 16 fo o t n o t es an d i s fi l l ed wi t h warn i n g s an d t h reat s o n a

18wi d e v ari et y o f su b j ect s

. Am on g i t s req u i rem en t s i s del i very o f a rel eas e t h at fu l l y

co m p l ies wi t h nu m ero u s s p eci fi cat i o n s s et o u t i n t h e t ex t an d fo o tn o t es o f t h at l et t er.

Bu t t h e o ffer s t at es th at Ch eek ’ s at t o rn ey was u n wi l l i n g t o wo rk wi t h GEICO to

en s u re t h at t h e rel eas e was co m p l i an t

.

Ex am in at i o n of t h e offer l ead s i n es cap ab l y t o t he co n cl u s i o n t h at an

u n d ert ak i n g t o ex tract an d c o m p l y w i t h al l o f it s req u irem en ts wo u l d req u i re h o u rs

o f wo rk ov er an d ab o v e t h e effo rt n o rm al ly n eces s ary t o f i n a l i ze a set t l em en t

. An d

h av in g ex p en d ed t h at effo rt

, GEICO co u ld no t b e cert ai n o f s u cces s

. In d eed

, Ch eek ’ s

at t o rn ey s res p o n d ed t o t h e at tem p t ed accep t an ce wi t h a d ecl arat i o n t h at t h ey d eem ed

i t a reject i o n —

an d d i dn ’ t co m e u p wi th t h ei r reas o ns u n t i l t h ree m o n t h s l at er.

Ord i n ari l y g o o d an d b ad fai t h are q ues t i o ns fo r a ju ry

. Bu t u n d er s o m e

ci rcu m s t an ces , s u m

m ary j u d gm en t i s i n o rd er. See Ami ca Mu t

. In s

. C o

. v

. S a n d er s ,

3 3 5 Ga. Ap p

. 2 4 5

, 2 5 0 ( 7 7 9 S E2 d 4 5 9 ) (2 0 1 5 ) (“ [a] n i ns u rer

. . . h av i n g an y

reas on ab l e fact u al o r l e g a l g ro u n d ” fo r i ts co nd u ct can b e en t i t l ed t o s u m m ary

ju d g m en t ) (co n s t ru i n g O C G A § 3 3 -4 -6

, co n cern in g i ns u rer’ s l i ab i l i t y fo r b ad fai th

fai l u re t o p ay l o s s co v ered b y p o l i cy o f in s u ran ce, an d § 33 -4 -7

, co n cern i n g in s u rer’ s

l i ab i l i t y fo r b ad fai t h fai lu r e t o i n v es t ig at e, ad j u s t

, an d s et t l e cl ai m u n d er m o t o r

v eh icl e l i ab i l i t y

p o li cy , an d ci t i n g cas e l aw co n s t ru in g t h o s e s t at u t es ).

19“ [T] h at t he o f f e r o r l a c k e d i n t en t t o s et t l e th e cl ai m ” h as b een fo un d t o b e

“ o b ject i v e ev i den ce” o f t h e ab s en ce of g o o d fai th

. R i ch a r d s o n v. Lo ckl

yn , 3 3 9 Ga.

Ap p

. 4 57

, 4 6 0-4 6 1 (7 9 3 SE2 d 6 4 0) (2 0 16 ) (ap p eal fro m d en i al m o t i o n fo r at t o rn ey

fees u n d er Geo rg i a’ s “ o ffer o f s et t lem en t s t at u t e,” OCGA § 9 -1 1 -6 8 ).

Th e 2 2-p ag e offer l et t er i s co m p el l i n g , if n o t d i s p o s i t i v e, ev id en ce o f a l ack o f

i n t en t t o s et t l e t he cl ai m

an d s o o f b ad fai t h . Per fo rce i t i s n o t b ad fai th to reject an

o ffer m ad e i n b ad f

a i t h

. ( B u t reject i o n o f a b ad fai t h o ffer w o u l d n o t d is ch arg e an

i n s u rer’ s d u t y

u n d er Ho l t t o accep t a s u b s eq uen t g oo d fai t h o ffer.)

20