WWHGD Partner Rick Sager Quoted in Law360 Article

Biggest Georgia Rulings Of 2023: Midyear Report

In an article published on July 14, 2023 in Law360, Rick Sager provided insight into two of the biggest Georgia rulings of 2023 so far. These rulings dealt with the sovereign immunity and punitive damages cap.

The sovereign immunity ruling means plaintiffs will need to file multiple lawsuits over the same issue if it involves the state, or an entity covered by the waiver, and a party not included in the waiver.

"It is a little impractical," said Sager. “But at the same time, I think it reflects the [Georgia] Supreme Court not only giving importance to the plain meaning of the text of a statute but also to the concept of sovereign immunity."

Sager also sees the result of another major case as one reinforcing the punitive damages cap in Georgia law, saying, “If you didn't have a $250,000 cap in nonspecific intent-to-cause-harm cases, I think we could really see the numbers getting way, way, way more out of hand. I think it's important for the state and for keeping and attracting businesses to the state."

To read the full article, click here.