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Robertsonv.Toyota Motor Corporation; Toyota Motor Corporation v. Robertson

CourtCourt of Appeals of Georgia
Docket No.A26A0988, A26A0989
DecidedSeptember 1, 2026
JudgesBarnes, P. J., Markle, and Hodges, JJ.
Tags
Products LiabilityWrongful DeathExpert TestimonySummary JudgmentPunitive Damages
Case Summary

Charles Robertson died of carbon-monoxide poisoning after his running Lexus remained in the attached garage below his apartment. His estate sued the apartment operator and Toyota, alleging negligent property management and vehicle defects, including inadequate warnings. In the consolidated appeals, the Court of Appeals affirmed summary judgment for the apartment operator and exclusion of the estate’s expert; it also upheld the denial of Toyota’s motion to exclude another expert. But Georgia wrongful-death law does not permit punitive damages on top of recovery for the full value of the decedent’s life, so the court reversed the denial of Toyota’s partial-summary-judgment motion on punitive damages.

Opinion

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