WOODS v. ALLIED VAN LINES INC (2012)

We granted the application for interlocutory review in this case to consider a legal issue of first impression: the admissibility under OCGA § 24–3–35 of an admission against interest by a third party, when that third party is alleged to be a person at fault under the apportionment statute, OCGA § 51–12–33. We conclude that, under these circumstances, admissions by a third party are admissible under OCGA § 24–3–35(2), when that third party's fault properly has been made an issue under OCGA § 51–12–33. We therefore affirm the trial court's denial of motions in limine to exclude them.

OCGA § 51–12–33(b), after its substantial revision in 2005, provides:

Where an action is brought against more than one person for injury to person or property, the trier of fact, in its determination of the total amount of damages to be awarded, if any, shall after a reduction of damages pursuant to subsection (a) of this Code section, if any, apportion its award of damages among the persons who are liable according to the percentage of fault of each person. Damages apportioned by the trier of fact as provided in this Code section shall be the liability of each person against whom they are awarded, shall not be a joint liability among the persons liable, and shall not be subject to any right of contribution.

OCGA § 51–12–33(c) further provides: “In assessing percentages of fault, the trier of fact shall consider the fault of all persons or entities who contributed to the alleged injury or damages, regardless of whether the person or entity was, or could have been, named as a party to the suit.”

The relevant facts for purposes of this analysis are not disputed. In August 2005, Woods' decedent, Jimmy Ray Woods, was killed in a multi-vehicle collision on Georgia Highway 20 in Bartow County. The incident began when a service van owned by B & W Mechanical Contractors (“B & W”) and driven by its employee, Green, crossed the center line and collided with a box truck owned by Budget Rental and driven by Ramey, an employee of Berger Transfer & Storage, Inc. Ramey's truck then crossed the center line and struck the car driven by Woods' decedent, who was killed. Green was charged with failure to maintain lane and second degree vehicular homicide, and he pled guilty to those charges.

Woods settled her wrongful death claims against Green and B & W and then filed this action against Ramey, Allied Van Lines, Berger Transfer and Storage Inc., Berger Atlanta, Inc., and various insurers. The Berger defendants then filed the notice prescribed by OCGA § 51–12–33(d).¹

Woods filed an omnibus motion in limine seeking to exclude 34 instances of evidence or testimony, including the traffic citations received by Green and his guilty pleas to those charges. The trial court denied those motions, ruling that “the traffic ticket issued to and the guilty plea therefrom by Jason Lee Green are admissible under OCGA § 51–12–33.”

Appellees argue that the trial court was correct for two reasons: (1) that under the provisions of OCGA § 51–12–33, Green became a “virtual defendant” and thus a party to the case; and (2) that Green's plea was admissible under OCGA § 24–3–35(2) as a third-party admission.² We find that the evidence here is admissible as a third-party admission because of the apportionment mandated by OCGA § 51–12–33. We therefore need not address the specific question of whether Green is a “virtual defendant”.

OCGA § 24–3–35 provides, in pertinent part: “The following admissions by third persons, strangers to a suit, shall be received in evidence ․ (2) Admissions by a third person which are against his interest, as to a fact collateral to the main issue between the litigants but essential to the adjudication of the cause.”³ The main issue presented in this action is not, as Woods contends, “who is at fault for causing the death of Jimmy Ray Woods.” The only issue between the litigants here is the negligence and thus the liability of the defendants for their part in the collision. Under the plain language of OCGA § 51–12–33, any assessment of fault against Green “shall not subject [him] to liability in any action.” (Emphasis supplied.) OCGA § 51–12–33(f)(2).

The question of Green's percentage of fault is therefore merely “collateral to the main issue” of the defendants' negligence and liability, but is “essential to the adjudication of the cause” due to the language of the apportionment statute.

This testimony was to facts collateral to the main issue in the case, which was the negligence of appellees. However, it was essential to the adjudication of this cause since whether or not [Green's] actions were the proximate cause of or contributed to the accident necessarily determined appellees' negligence and the extent of their liability.

Hadden v. Owens, 154 Ga.App. 467, 468(1), 268 S.E.2d 760 (1980). Green's guilty pleas therefore fall directly within the purview of OCGA § 24–3–35(2) and are admissible as an admission against interest of a third party. The cases cited by Woods are inapposite as they predate the extensive revision of the apportionment statute in 2005. See Ga. L.2005, p. 1, § 12.

Judgment affirmed.

BOGGS, Judge.

DOYLE, P.J. and ANDREWS, J., concur.