By Matt Stone

The Georgia appellate courts handed down two important decisions last week.  On March 20, 2012, the Court of Appeals issued an opinion holding that an insurer can create a “safe harbor” where a plaintiff who sends a time-limited settlement demand trying to set-up a bad faith claim unreasonably refuses to assure satisfaction of hospital liens.  Southern Gen. Ins. Co. v. Wellstar Health Sys., Inc., No. A11A2065, 2012 WL 917604 (Ga. Ct. App., Mar. 20, 2012).  On March 23, 2012, the Supreme Court issued an opinion upholding the Tort Reform Act of 2005’s amendment of O.C.G.A. § 51-12-33, requiring apportionment among multiple tortfeasors, even where a plaintiff bears no fault, and eliminating a co-defendant’s right of contribution or set-off. McReynolds v. Krebs, No. S11G0638 (Ga. Sup. Ct., Mar. 23, 2012). (more…)

By Ben Mathis and La’Vonda McLean

After several postponements, the National Labor Relations Board (“NLRB”) was moving forward with its posting requirements (“Notification of Employee Rights Under the National Labor Relations Act”), regarding employee union rights with a compliance date of April 30, 2012. (more…)

By Robert Baker

Commission Approves 3.2% Increase in Georgia Power Base Rates

At its March 20, 2012, Administrative Session the Georgia Public Service Commission approved Georgia Power Company’s base rate increase for all customers.  The average tariff increase is 3.2% and will be included in the April billing.  The base rate increase was due to the Company bringing Plant McDonough Units 4 and 5 on line.  An average residential customer will see an increase of $2.46 per month on their bill.  Base rates will increase again in early 2013 when Plant McDonough Unit 6 goes on line. (more…)