In a ruling the prevailing lawyer said could lead to a “dramatic effect” on premises liability litigation, the Georgia Court of Appeals ruled a provision in a residential lease limiting the time a tenant can sue to one year applies to any sort of claim, including personal injury claims that would otherwise fall under the state’s two-year statute of limitations.

The May 1 opinion said that, under Georgia law, parties are free to sign away “numerous and substantial rights,” and its provisions are enforceable unless prohibited by statute or public policy.

The plaintiffs attorney, Atlanta solo Matthew Gebhardt, said he thinks the trial and appellate court adopted too narrow of a reading on existing case law.

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