---
title: O.C.G.A. § 51-1-13. Cause of action for physical injury; intention considered in assessing damages.
collection: code
id: 51-1-13
cite_as: O.C.G.A. § 51-1-13 (2025)
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md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/51-1-13.md
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source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/document/docs/default-source/joint-features-document-library/t51-(v39)-2017-pdf.pdf?sfvrsn=6b891965_0#page=119
date: 2025
status: active
corpus_version: 2025-supplement-89aa39ab3c68
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publisher: Georgia Commons, an independent project of Georgia Civic Data. Not the State of Georgia. Not legal advice.
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current_through: Including Acts of the 2025 Regular Session of the General Assembly
heading_path: TORTS / GENERAL PROVISIONS
---

# O.C.G.A. § 51-1-13. Cause of action for physical injury; intention considered in assessing damages.

A physical injury done to another shall give a right of action to the injured party, whatever may be the intention of the person causing the injury, unless he is justified under some rule of law. However, intention shall be considered in the assessment of damages.

## History

Orig. Code 1863, § 2910; Code 1868, § 2917; Code 1873, § 2968; Code 1882, § 2968; Civil Code 1895, § 3826; Civil Code 1910, § 4422; Code 1933, § 105-601.

## Cross References

Settlement offers and agreement for personal injury, bodily injury, and death from motor vehicle, § 9-11-67.1.

## Law Reviews

For comment on Tucker v. Howard L. Carmichael & Sons, 208 Ga. 201, 65 S.E.2d 909 (1951), holding child may maintain action for prenatal injury caused by negligence of another, see 14 Ga. B. J. 249 (1951). For comment on Wright v. Wright, 85 Ga. App. 721, 70 S.E.2d 152 (1952), see 15 Ga. B. J. 83 (1952). For comment on Plantation Pipe Line Co. v. Hornbuckle, 212 Ga. 504, 93 S.E.2d 727 (1956), holding that if a child born after an injury occurring at any period in its prenatal life can prove a tortious effect it will be allowed the right to recover, see 19 Ga. B. J. 87 (1956). For comment on Hornbuckle v. Plantation Pipe Line Co., 212 Ga. 504, 93 S.E.2d 727 (1956), recognizing child’s right of action for prenatal injuries suffered prior to viability, see 8 Mercer L. Rev. 377 (1957). For comment on Mims v. Boland, 110 Ga. App. 477, 138 S.E.2d 902 (1964), see 2 Ga. St. B. J. 133 (1965). For comment, ‘‘‘Am I My Brother’s Keeper?’: Reforming Criminal Hazing Laws Based on Assumption of Care,’’ see 63 Emory L.J. 925 (2014).