What is the liability status of individuals serving charitable organizations in Georgia?

Individuals serving charitable organizations in Georgia generally enjoy a partial immunity from liability under specific conditions. This immunity is designed to encourage people to volunteer their time and efforts to charitable organizations without the looming fear of personal liability for negligence, as long as they are acting in good faith and within the scope of their responsibilities.

In Georgia, the law provides that volunteers are immune from liability for ordinary negligence when they are performing services for a non-profit organization or charitable organization, provided that they do not engage in gross negligence or intentional misconduct. This immunity helps protect volunteers from legal repercussions that may arise while contributing to charitable causes, thereby fostering community involvement.

Understanding the difference between ordinary negligence, gross negligence, and intentional misconduct is crucial. Ordinary negligence refers to a failure to exercise reasonable care, while gross negligence indicates a higher degree of negligence, typically involving a severe deviation from the standard of care. Intentional misconduct, on the other hand, involves a deliberate action taken with the desire to cause harm. In this context, the immunity provided under Georgia law is meant to protect volunteers from liability for ordinary negligence, thereby enabling them to contribute to the community without significant legal risk.