Sign In
Events
Newsletters
Search

Close

Close Search

Cancel

SEARCH
MY LAW.COMNEW

Bell v. Austin

The oath specified by O.C.G.A. § 24-9-60 is not mandated with regard to the admission of narrative medical reports under O.C.G.A. § 24-3-18, since admission of such a report does not involve oral testimony.

X

Thank you for sharing!

Your article was successfully shared with the contacts you provided.

Deborah Austin was injured when her car was struck from behind by a van operated by Curtis Bell. Seeking to recover damages, Mrs. Austin and her husband Appellees filed a tort action against Bell Appellant. Pursuant to OCGA § 24-3-18 a, they gave timely pre-trial notice that they intended to introduce into evidence a narrative medical report made by one of Mrs. Austin’s physicians. Also acting pursuant to OCGA § 24-3-18 a, Appellant filed a timely challenge to the admissibility of the report on various grounds, including an attack on the constitutionality of the statute itself. The trial court overruled the objections, and admitted the report at trial. The jury returned a verdict in favor of Appellees. Appellant filed a notice of appeal to the Court of Appeals, which properly transferred the case to this Court on the ground that it is within our jurisdiction over appeals raising constitutional issues. 1. A constitutional question will not be decided unless it is essential to the resolution of the case. Bagwell v. Cash , 207 Ga. 222, 223 4 60 SE2d 628 1950. Therefore, our initial focus is on the non-constitutional objections to admission of the record.

a Appellant contends that OCGA § 24-3-18 permits the jury to hear medical testimony without sanction of the oath otherwise required by OCGA § 24-9-60.

Trending Stories

 
Reprints & Licensing
Mentioned in a Law.com story?

License our industry-leading legal content to extend your thought leadership and build your brand.

LEARN MORE

More From ALM

Premium Subscription
With this subscription you will receive unlimited access to high quality, online, on-demand premium content from well-respected faculty in the legal industry. This is perfect for attorneys licensed in multiple jurisdictions or for attorneys that have fulfilled their CLE requirement but need to access resourceful information for their practice areas.
View Now
Team Accounts
Our Team Account subscription service is for legal teams of four or more attorneys. Each attorney is granted unlimited access to high quality, on-demand premium content from well-respected faculty in the legal industry along with administrative access to easily manage CLE for the entire team.
View Now
Bundle Subscriptions
Gain access to some of the most knowledgeable and experienced attorneys with our 2 bundle options! Our Compliance bundles are curated by CLE Counselors and include current legal topics and challenges within the industry. Our second option allows you to build your bundle and strategically select the content that pertains to your needs. Both options are priced the same.
View Now
Go to CLE Center
Credit Union Times Luminaries Awards 2024
November 07, 2024
Orlando, FL

This event shines a spotlight on the individuals, teams, projects and organizations that are changing the financial industry.


Learn More
Bank & Capital Markets Tax Institute (BTI) 2024
November 06, 2024 - November 07, 2024
Orlando, FL

BTI provides leading tax professionals from financial institutions with unmatched tools and resources.


Learn More
The American Lawyer Industry Awards 2024
November 13, 2024
New York, NY

Honoring outstanding legal achievements focused at the national level, largely around Big Law and in-house departments.


Learn More
Go to Events Go to Webcasts
Real Estate Paralegal

COLE SCHOTZ P.C.COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE PARALEGAL- NEW YORK OR NEW JERSEY OFFICES: Prominent mid-Atlantic law firm with multiple regional of...


Apply Now ›
ENTREPRENEURIAL TAX ASSOCIATE (Charleston, SC; no billable hour requirement; non-remote)

Our client, a small but highly sophisticated and entrepreneurial tax boutique in Charleston, SC, has asked for our firm s assistance in iden...


Apply Now ›
Corporate Counsel

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES AND TASKS:(1) Tasks and responsibilities include:Reviewing and negotiating commercial agreements for internal business...


Apply Now ›
Go to Lawjobs