Georgia’s tort reform, Senate Bill 68 (SB 68), was signed into law on April 21, 2025, and it changes how personal injury cases are handled in areas such as evidence, damages, and trial procedure. It does not take away your right to file a claim, nor does it change your two-year deadline to do so. If someone else’s negligence hurt you, you can still pursue full compensation, and an experienced attorney can explain how the new rules apply to your case.
If you were recently injured in Warner Robins and you’ve heard that Georgia “changed the rules” on injury cases, it’s completely normal to feel worried about whether it’s still worth filing. You’re not alone, and the honest news is reassuring: you still have strong rights. The award-winning, top-rated attorneys at Griffin Law Firm, P.C. handle these cases every day, and your consultation is free (you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you). Here’s what Georgia’s 2025 tort reform actually does, in plain English.
In this article, our Warner Robins personal injury lawyers cover:
– What SB 68 is and when it took effect
– How the collateral source rule fits into the changes
– What else changed for car accident and injury claims
– What SB 68 did not change about your rights
– Frequently asked questions about Georgia tort reform
What is Georgia’s SB 68 Tort Reform, and When Did it Take Effect?
SB 68 is a broad tort reform law that Governor Kemp signed on April 21, 2025, as part of his tort reform package. It revised four titles of Georgia law relating to civil practice, contracts, motor vehicles, and torts, making comprehensive changes to civil practice, evidentiary matters, damages, and liability in tort actions. Supporters said the goal was to rein in very large awards, pointing to Georgia’s frequent “nuclear verdicts,” meaning civil awards of $10 million or more.
The law carries multiple effective dates, and some provisions apply only to cases going forward rather than to claims already in progress. Because that timing can affect your case, it’s smart to ask an attorney how the new rules apply to your specific situation. The most important point up front: none of this changes the fact that you can still file.
How Does the Collateral Source Rule Fit into the Changes?
The collateral source rule is the long-standing principle that the person who hurt you cannot reduce what they owe just because your health insurance or another source helped pay your bills. Under Georgia’s traditional approach, juries generally did not hear about discounts or “write-offs” because courts excluded that kind of evidence as derivative of a collateral source, including references to a hospital’s write-off of a plaintiff’s medical bill.
How medical expenses are presented and argued is one of the areas of evidence and damages that the 2025 reform addresses, and it can directly affect the value of your claim. Because SB 68 broadly revises Georgia’s evidence and damages rules, it can shape what a jury hears about medical bills and how those numbers are calculated, so the details of your treatment records matter more than ever. This is technical stuff, and it’s exactly the kind of thing our attorneys will walk you through so nothing catches you off guard.
Not sure how these changes affect your case? Call our Warner Robins office at 678-968-2414 for a free consultation.
What Else Changed for Car Accident and Injury Claims?
SB 68 made several other changes that can matter in a car accident or injury case:
– Seat belt evidence. Georgia’s old “seat-belt gag law” didn’t allow evidence of whether a person wore a seat belt, but SB 68 changed that, leaving it up to the judge on a case-by-case basis.
– Pain and suffering. The law imposes new limits on pain and suffering testimony, affecting how those damages are presented to a jury.
– Trial procedure. SB 68 makes bifurcating trials easier by allowing the liability and damages proceedings to be split so that a jury may decide fault before hearing damages evidence in certain cases.
– Premises liability. One provision of SB 68 limits the amount a plaintiff can recover in lawsuits alleging negligent security, which applies to some injuries that occur on another person’s property. Georgia’s general premises rule still applies: an owner who invites others onto the property is liable for injuries caused by failure to exercise ordinary care in keeping the premises and approaches safe.
None of these changes should scare you away from pursuing a legitimate claim. They change how a case is built, which is why working with experienced attorneys matters more than ever.
What SB 68 Did Not Change About Your Rights
SB 68 did not take away your right to seek compensation, and it left two rules that matter most before you file untouched. First, the deadline: in Georgia, actions for most personal injuries shall be brought within two years after the right of action accrues. Second, fault: Georgia still follows a modified comparative negligence rule, so you can recover as long as you’re less than 50% at fault, though the plaintiff shall not be entitled to receive any damages if the plaintiff is 50 percent or more responsible for the injury or damages claimed, and your percentage of fault reduces your award.
So the basics haven’t changed. If someone else caused your injuries, you can still hold them accountable and seek compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. And with Rich Griffin, your consultation is free, and you owe no fee unless we win.
Have questions about how Georgia’s new tort reform affects your claim? Contact Rich Griffin today. Call our Warner Robins office at 678-968-2414.
Frequently Asked Questions About Georgia Tort Reform
Can I still file an injury claim after SB 68?
Yes. Georgia tort reform changed how cases are handled, not whether you can bring one. If another person’s or a company’s negligence caused your injuries, you still have the right to seek compensation.
How long do I have to file after the 2025 changes?
Georgia generally gives you two years from the date of the injury to file a personal injury lawsuit. Some situations can shorten or affect that window, so it’s best to talk with an attorney early before evidence disappears.
Does Georgia tort reform mean I’ll receive less money?
Not necessarily. SB 68 changes how evidence and damages are presented, but the value of your claim still depends on your specific injuries and losses. Every case is different, and our attorneys build each one to pursue full and fair compensation.
How much does it cost to hire Rich Griffin?
Nothing upfront. We offer a free consultation and work on a contingency fee basis, meaning we charge no fee unless we recover compensation for you.
Georgia’s 2025 tort reform is real, but it isn’t a reason to give up on a valid claim. It’s a reason to work with a team that knows the new rules. The award-winning, top-rated attorneys at Griffin Law Firm, P.C. help injured individuals across Warner Robins, Snellville, and the surrounding Georgia areas. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes, and every case is different, but we’ll give you honest guidance about yours.
Injured and unsure what SB 68 means for you? Contact our Warner Robins office at 678-968-2414 for a free consultation.