Court Opinion

ID: 9583503
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-21 22:39:17.332313+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T13:39:03.169061
License: Public Domain

Pannell, Judge,
concurring specially. I do not agree with the conclusions reached in any of the cases cited in Headnote 1 of the opinion, but I am bound by the decision in them. My opinion is that a lay or expert witness may give his opinion as to the matters here involved where a proper foundation is laid therefor (Augusta & S. R. Co. v. Dorsey, 68 Ga. 228 (1); Sellers v. Johnson, 207 Ga. 166 (1) (60 SE2d 352); Central R. v. Coggin, 73 Ga. 689 (6); Atlanta Street R. Co. v. Walker, 93 Ga. 462, 465 (21 SE 48); Cone v. Davis, 66 Ga. App. 229 (6) (17 SE2d 849)), and his opinion testimony is not objectionable on the ground stated. It is my further individual view that while the opinion of any witness, lay or expert, as to the ultimate fact for determination by the jury (not arising under Code § 38-1708) may be inadmissible (see Travelers Ins. Co. v. Thornton, 119 Ga. 455 (1, 2) (46 SE 678)), that is not the case here or in Whatley v. Henry, 65 Ga. App. 668, supra, or Mars v. State, 163 Ga. 43, supra. The ultimate facts to be determined here are the negligence or lack of negligence of the parties and whether such negligence was or was not the proximate cause of the injuries.