X

Thank you for sharing!

Your article was successfully shared with the contacts you provided.

In 1996, Larry Perkins d/b/a Royal Lion Transportation and Diane Finney d/b/a Executive Nonemergency Transportation were contract providers of non-emergency medical transportation services for indigents with the Georgia Department of Medical Assistance.1 These plaintiffs sued GDMA over the method used by it to calculate amounts owed for such transportation. In 1996, the plaintiffs were audited using a “straight line” audit method, which resulted in the denial of payment of some of their charges. Royal Lion previously brought suit to adjudicate GDMA’s use of the straight line audit, which resulted in an award of $26,526.93.2 Executive neither used the administrative appeal process nor otherwise challenged the results of the 1996 audit then, but seeks to do so now in this action.

GDMA answered and moved for either summary judgment or dismissal. The trial court granted summary judgment as to both plaintiffs. Executive failed to exhaust administrative remedies available below, and therefore, the superior court lacked subject matter jurisdiction to consider any suit against GDMA. The trial court should have dismissed Executive under OCGA § 9-11-12 b 1 for lack of subject matter jurisdiction as a defense in abatement rather than grant summary judgment on the merits; therefore, the judgment as to Executive is ordered vacated and an order of dismissal without prejudice entered instead. As to Royal Lion, it previously litigated the same issues and won a substantially smaller damage award than it seeks now; res judicata bars the relitigation of such issues; and the grant of summary judgment is affirmed as to Royal Lion.

 
Reprints & Licensing
Mentioned in a Law.com story?

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

More From ALM

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
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
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
July 11, 2024
New York, NY

The National Law Journal Elite Trial Lawyers recognizes U.S.-based law firms performing exemplary work on behalf of plaintiffs.


Learn More
July 22, 2024 - July 24, 2024
Lake Tahoe, CA

GlobeSt. Women of Influence Conference celebrates the women who drive the commercial real estate industry forward.


Learn More
August 12, 2024 - August 13, 2024
Sydney, New South Wales

General Counsel Summit is the premier event for in-house counsel, hosting esteemed legal minds from all sectors of the economy.


Learn More

COLE SCHOTZ P.C. TRUSTS & ESTATES ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT: NEW JERSEY OR NEW YORK OFFICES: Prominent mid-Atlantic la...


Apply Now ›

Post & Schell's Casualty Litigation Department is currently seeking an attorney with 2- 4 years of litigation experience, preferably in ...


Apply Now ›

A client focused Atlanta Personal Injury Law Firm is seeking an experienced, highly motivated, and enthusiastic personal injury attorney who...


Apply Now ›
06/21/2024
Daily Business Review

Full Page Announcement


View Announcement ›
06/14/2024
New Jersey Law Journal

Professional Announcement


View Announcement ›