Georgia § 51-12-5 - Additional damages for aggravating circumstances.

§ 51-12-5. Additional damages for aggravating circumstances.

In a tort action in which there are aggravating circumstances, in either the act or the intention, the jury may give additional damages to deter the wrongdoer from repeating the trespass or as compensation for the wounded feelings of the plaintiff. This Code section shall apply only to causes of action for torts arising before July 1, 1987. (Orig. Code 1863, § 2998; Code 1868, § 3011; Code 1873, § 3066; Code 1882, § 3066; Civil Code 1895, § 3906; Civil Code 1910, § 4503; Code 1933, § 105-2002; Ga. L. 1987, p. 915, § 4.) Cross references. - Punitive damages, § 51-12-5.1 . Law reviews. - For article surveying torts law, see 34 Mercer L. Rev. 271 (1982). For article, "Punitive Damages - Their Permissible Scope," see 19 Ga. St. B. J. 118 (1983). For article discussing damages in an excess liability action, "The Liability Insurance Policy - Above and Beyond Coverage: Extra-Contractual Rights and Duties," see 22 Ga. State Bar J. 137 (1986). For article, "The Torok Tort: Recovery for Abusive Litigation," see 23 Ga. St. B. J. 84 (1987). For annual survey of the law of evidence, see 38 Mercer L. Rev. 215 (1986). For article, "Nonjudicial Foreclosures in Georgia Revisited," see 24 Ga. St. B. J. 43 (1987). For article, "Products Liability Law in Georgia Including Recent Developments," see 43 Mercer L. Rev. 27 (1991). For note, "Allowance of Punitive Damages in Products Liability Claims," see 6 Ga. L. Rev. 613 (1972). For comment on Atlanta Journal Co. v. Doyal, 31 Ga. App. 592 , 60 S.E.2d 802 (1950), see 13 Ga. B. J. 234 (1950). For comment discussing admissibility of evidence of malice not previously pleaded, in light of Van Gundy v. Wilson, 84 Ga. App. 429 , 66 S.E.2d 93 (1951), see 14 Ga. B. J. 358 (1952). For comment on Aderhold v. Zimmer, 86 Ga. App. 204 , 71 S.E.2d 270 (1952), see 15 Ga. B. J. 355 (1953). For comment, "Are Excessive Punitive Damages Unconstitutional in Georgia?: This Question and More in Colonial Pipeline Co. v. Brown," see 6 Ga. St. U.L. Rev. 85 (1989).