Peach Tree Times

NFIB member John Sambdman has raised concerns over the impact of frivolous lawsuits on small businesses in Georgia. Writing for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Sambdman, who is the CEO of Samson Tours in Atlanta and a member of the NFIB Georgia Leadership Council, shared an incident involving his company.

Sambdman recounted an event from 2018 when one of his company's school buses was stopped with flashing lights to load students along a DeKalb County road. A mother and her daughter were struck by another vehicle while running through a crosswalk. The child died shortly after, and although law enforcement identified the car's driver as at fault—resulting in jail time for her—the focus shifted to Sambdman's company due to its substantial insurance coverage.

"A bus company like mine is required to possess robust coverage," Sambdman explained. Despite no evidence suggesting negligence by his driver, his insurance settled for $5 million out of fear of jury verdicts that have become common in Georgia courts.

Sambdman praised Governor Brian Kemp's efforts toward legal reforms aimed at preventing such lawsuit abuses. "Gov. Brian Kemp is offering reforms that will restore balance to our broken system, and I highly encourage our legislators to pass legislation that will bring relief," he stated.

He emphasized that businesses are not seeking immunity but rather protection against predatory lawsuits targeting them due to their proximity to incidents. "No business is seeking immunity when someone is harmed because of negligence," Sambdman noted.

The full column can be accessed through the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.