Catherine Bailey, a high school teacher, filed a negligence lawsuit against Make A Difference Ministries, Inc., operating as Camp Highland, after sustaining injuries during an evacuation of the camp’s “Teams Course” amid heavy rain. The trial court granted summary judgment in favor of Camp Highland, citing a liability release form signed by Bailey. However, Bailey amended her complaint to include claims of gross negligence. The Court of Appeals of Georgia partially affirmed and reversed the trial court’s decision, allowing the gross negligence claim to proceed. The court found that there was room for reasonable disagreement on whether Camp Highland’s actions constituted gross negligence due to the lack of formal evacuation procedures during severe weather conditions. However, the court upheld the dismissal of Bailey’s claims for punitive damages and attorney fees.
Source: A24A0546_CATHERINE_BAILEY_et_al_v_MAKE_A_DIFFERENCE_MINISTRIES_INC_Opinion.pdf
