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Medical expenses in a Georgia crash claim

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Contents
  1. Bills and amounts needed to satisfy them
  2. Letters of protection
  3. Which law applies
  4. Related entries
  5. References
Medical expenses in a Georgia crash claim
Governing standardReasonable value of medically necessary care[1]
ApplicabilityCauses of action arising on or after April 21, 2025[1]

Medical expenses are the costs of healthcare attributed to an injury. For claims governed by Georgia's 2025 medical-expense statute, recovery is limited to the reasonable value of medically necessary care, treatment or services. The amount is determined by the trier of fact, not automatically by adding the face amounts of bills.[1]

Bills and amounts needed to satisfy them

When a plaintiff has public or private health insurance, the statute makes relevant both the amounts charged and the amounts actually necessary to satisfy the charges under the insurance contract or applicable workers' compensation program. It applies whether or not that insurance has been or will be used to pay the charges.[1]

Letters of protection

A letter of protection or similar arrangement promises payment for treatment from a judgment or settlement. The statute makes specified information relevant and discoverable, including the agreement, itemized charges and referral information. If the provider sells the receivable, the purchaser's identity and purchase amount are also included.[1]

Which law applies

SB 68 makes its medical-expense provisions applicable to causes of action arising on or after its effective date, April 21, 2025. Earlier causes of action remain governed by prior law. The statute permits either side to challenge reasonableness or medical necessity, including projected future expenses; it does not guarantee reimbursement of every charge.[1][2]

References

  1. abcdef O.C.G.A. 51-12-1.1: medical and healthcare expenses. Justia. https://law.justia.com/codes/georgia/title-51/chapter-12/article-1/section-51-12-1-1/. independent. Checked . Source record
  2. ^ 2025 SB 68: signed tort legislation. Office of the Governor of Georgia. https://gov.georgia.gov/document/2025-signed-legislation/sb-68/download. official. Checked . Source record