Frequently Asked Questions

What does Georgia law allow an injured person or their family to recover in a lawsuit for personal injury or wrongful death?

Georgia law allows recovery for the following damages:
  • Compensation for the pain and suffering – past, present, and future – for the injured person or for the estate of the deceased; these damages are unlimited and valued by the enlightened conscience of an impartial jury
  • Compensation for the pain and suffering of the deceased prior to death; these damages are unlimited and valued by the enlightened conscience of an impartial jury
  • Compensation for the loss of past work earnings
  • Compensation for the loss of future work earnings
  • Compensation for the loss of relationship for a child, spouse, or parent; these damages are unlimited and valued by the enlightened conscience of an impartial jury
  • Compensation for the loss of other work and retirement benefits

What is sexual harassment?

  • Sexual harassment is an unwelcome advance or request for sexual favors, as well as other offensive conduct of a sexual nature, when (a) submission to the conduct is made a condition of employment or (b) submission or rejection is used as a basis for making employment decisions, or (c) when the conduct meets a threshold of severity or pervasiveness that creates a hostile working environment. Some examples of sexual harassment include:
  • Unwelcome comments about your clothing, your personal behavior, or your body
  • Unwelcome requests for sexual favors, repeated requests for dates outside of work
  • Making sexual innuendos or spreading rumors about your sex life
  • Threatening comments and/or behavior toward you that is sexual in nature
  • Unwelcome, inappropriate touching of your body, kissing, hugging, patting, or stroking
  • Making sexually derogatory gestures or facial expressions of a sexual nature, following or stalking you
  • Sending emails, text messages, or making phone calls that are inappropriate, unwanted, and sexual in nature

What does the law allow an injured person or their family to recover in a lawsuit for sexual abuse or sexual harassment?

Federal and/or Georgia law allows recovery for the following damages:
  • Compensation for the pain and suffering – past, present, and future – for the injured person; under Georgia law, these damages are unlimited and valued by the enlightened conscience of an impartial jury; under Federal law, there is a cap on damages between $50,000 to $300,00, depending on the size of the employer
  • Compensation for the loss of past work earning
  • Compensation for the loss of future work earnings
  • Compensation for the loss of other work and retirement benefits
  • Reinstatement to a job lost by the injured person because of the sexual abuse or harassment or because of a complaint about the sexual abuse or harassment