Court Opinion

ID: 9582187
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-21 22:23:36.777872+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T13:37:30.915925
License: Public Domain

Birdsong, Judge,
dissenting.
I concur in the dissent authored by Judge Quillian. While I agree that generally the law as set forth in the cases cited by Judge Smith, to wit: Ross v. Jackson, 123 Ga. 657 (51 SE 578); Wilson v. Elijah A. Brown Co., 62 Ga. App. 898 (10 SE2d 219); Robinson v. Odom, 35 Ga. App. 262 (133 SE 53) is correct, however, in none of these cases was there an exculpatory provision as in the instant case, and therefore are inapposite.
Furthermore, a similar provision absolving the landlord due to his sole but simple negligence has been held not to contravene public policy. Jaffe v. Davis, 134 Ga. App. 651, 652 (215 SE2d 533). Evidence showing nothing more than a simple breach of warranty demonstrates at best simple negligence and in the absence of evidence that the omission by the landlord was either wilful in nature or so charged with indifference to consequences as to evidence a wantonness equivalent to an actual intent, such a release provision is sufficient to absolve the landlord from acts of simple negligence. See Brady v. Glosson, 87 Ga. App. 476, 478 (74 SE2d 253).
I respectfully dissent.