2021 Georgia Code
Title 9 - Civil Practice
Chapter 3 - Limitations of Actions
Article 4 - Limitations for Malpractice Actions
§ 9-3-74. Barred Actions Not Revived

No action for medical malpractice which, prior to July 1, 1976, has been barred by the provisions of this chapter relating to actions shall be revived by this article.

(Code 1933, § 3-1105, enacted by Ga. L. 1976, p. 1363, § 1.)

- For survey article on torts, see 34 Mercer L. Rev. 271 (1982). For comment on statutes of limitations in medical malpractice actions in Georgia, see 33 Mercer L. Rev. 377 (1981).

O.C.G.A. § 9-3-74 means that O.C.G.A. § 9-3-71 is effective beginning July 1, 1976, but that no action will be barred under its terms until July 1, 1977. Allrid v. Emory Univ., 249 Ga. 35, 285 S.E.2d 521 (1982).

In effect, grace period provided in O.C.G.A. § 9-3-74 is not simply one year, but one year plus the number of years which have passed between the date of the alleged wrongful act and the effective date of O.C.G.A. § 9-3-71, and thus, the one year grace period provided in § 9-3-74 is reasonable. Allrid v. Emory Univ., 249 Ga. 35, 285 S.E.2d 521 (1982).

Cited in St. Joseph's Hosp. v. Mattair, 239 Ga. 674, 238 S.E.2d 366 (1977); Childers v. Tauber, 148 Ga. App. 157, 250 S.E.2d 787 (1978); Simons v. Conn, 151 Ga. App. 495, 260 S.E.2d 402 (1979); Hart v. Eldridge, 163 Ga. App. 295, 293 S.E.2d 550 (1982).

RESEARCH REFERENCES

ALR.

- Malpractice in diagnosis or treatment of tuberculosis, 75 A.L.R.2d 814.