Columbus Regional Healthcare System v. Henderson

SEARS, Chief Justice.

We granted certiorari in this case to consider whether, under the circumstances of this case, the trial court was authorized to apply the additur provision of OCGA § 51-12-12 (b). For the reasons that follow, we conclude that the trial court erred in applying OCGA § 51-12-12 (b).

The appellees, Sadie Henderson and Willie Preston, are the parents of Celeste Henderson, who died on February 4, 1997, when she was 15 months old. Celeste died at a medical center operated by the appellant, the Columbus Regional Healthcare System (“Columbus Regional”), following surgery for a…