---
title: O.C.G.A. § 51-1-2. Ordinary diligence and ordinary negligence defined.
collection: code
id: 51-1-2
cite_as: O.C.G.A. § 51-1-2 (2025)
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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=13
date: 2025
status: active
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heading_path: TORTS / GENERAL PROVISIONS
---

# O.C.G.A. § 51-1-2. Ordinary diligence and ordinary negligence defined.

In general, ordinary diligence is that degree of care which is exercised by ordinarily prudent persons under the same or similar circumstances. As applied to the preservation of property, the term ‘‘ordinary diligence’’ means that care which every prudent man takes of his own property of a similar nature. The absence of such diligence is termed ordinary negligence.

## History

Orig. Code 1863, § 2034; Code 1868, § 2035; Code 1873, § 2061; Code 1882, § 2061; Civil Code 1895, § 2898; Civil Code 1910, § 3471; Code 1933, § 105-201.

## Law Reviews

For article, ‘‘The Georgia Jury and Negligence: The View from the Bench,’’ see 26 Ga. L. Rev. 85 (1992).

For case note, ‘‘Lynch v. Waters: Tolling Georgia’s Statute of Limitations for Medical Malpractice,’’ see 38 Mercer L. Rev. 1493 (1987).

For comment on Austin v. Smith, 96 Ga. App. 659, 101 S.E.2d 169 (1958), concerning gross negligence in relation to gratuitous automobile guest, see 20 Ga. B. J. 552 (1958). For comment on Planter’s Elec. Membership Corp. v. Burke, 98 Ga. App. 380, 105 S.E.2d 787 (1958), see 22 Ga. B. J. 249 (1959). For comment on Thomas v. Shaw, 217 Ga. 688, 124 S.E.2d 396 (1962), see 25 Ga. B. J. 221 (1962).

## History of Code Section.

The language of this Code section is derived in part from the decision in Southern Ry. v. Hill, 139 Ga. 549, 77 S.E. 803 (1891).