A recent opinion piece in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution titled “Frivolous Lawsuits Hurt Georgia’s Businesses” misrepresents key facts about a tragic case involving an eight-year-old girl’s death at a school bus stop. Cannella Snyder represented the family of the child who was killed and would like to set the record straight. The opinion, authored by John Sambdman, CEO of Samson Tours, omits critical details about the case and distorts the role of litigation in ensuring accountability for businesses that break the law and endanger Georgia children.
The Legal Standards That Protect Georgia’s Schoolchildren
Georgia law is designed to protect children at school bus stops. One such law, O.C.G.A. § 40-6-162, prohibits school buses from activating visual stop signals while loading or unloading at a traffic light. The reason is clear: drivers making split-second decisions may follow a green traffic light and unintentionally overlook a bus stop sign, leading to devastating consequences.
Unfortunately, that exact thing happened when our client’s eight-year-old daughter was struck and killed while crossing the street to board her bus. The driver who hit the child, a mother taking her own children to school, went through the intersection after seeing the green light, unaware that a bus stop sign was out. Mr. Sambdman’s article suggested the driver received a significant jail sentence. That was not true as the driver took full responsibility for the tragic accident and her sentence included no jail time. Thankfully, the AJC has now corrected that factual misstatement after being advised of the error.
Samson Tours’ Failure to Follow Safety Regulations
Mr. Sambdman claims his company did nothing wrong in an attempt to paint his company as the victim. The truth is the opposite. The school district had designated a list of approved bus stops in compliance with Georgia law. Samson Tours, Mr. Sambdan’s private bus company, had been given this route and was expected to follow it. However, an investigation revealed that the company had been using the prohibited stop at the traffic light for months. Despite having GPS tracking on its buses, there was no evidence that Samson Tours instructed its drivers to return to the legally approved stop that had been vetted for safety.
The lawsuit against Samson Tours alleged that the unauthorized stop created a dangerous situation, confusing drivers and leading to the child’s death. If Samson Tours had followed the approved route, this tragedy could have been prevented. Ultimately, our legal team representing the victim’s family secured a settlement for the full limits of Samson Tours’ insurance policy, demonstrating the strength of the case the firm built.
Accountability vs. Corporate Advocacy for ‘Tort Reform’
Instead of taking meaningful steps to improve safety, Mr. Sambdman has used this tragedy to advocate for so-called “tort reform.” He has testified before the state legislature, spoken publicly, and even hosted the governor’s tort reform roundtable, positioning himself as a victim of rising insurance premiums rather than addressing the role his company had in the child’s tragic death.
If Samson Tours’ insurance premiums have gone up, it is likely due to the company’s own practices. Insurance carriers assess risk when determining premiums, and companies that fail to follow safety regulations, allow drivers to violate the law, and refuse to take responsibility for preventable accidents will inevitably be deemed higher-risk and face higher premiums. Thank goodness the citizens of Georgia have courts where they can turn to for justice when corporations refuse to take responsibility. But if CEOs like Mr. Sambdman have their way and the law is changed that right may go away forever.
The Importance of the Civil Justice System
Georgia’s legal system exists to ensure that individuals and families can seek justice when businesses fail to uphold their responsibilities and harm the innocent. Litigation is not about punishing companies—it is about ensuring accountability and preventing future tragedies. When corporations cut corners on safety, the consequences can be devastating, particularly for the most vulnerable members of the community. Ensuring justice for victims is not “frivolous litigation.” It is a necessary process to uphold the laws designed to protect Georgia’s children and families. Instead of shifting blame and seeking to limit legal accountability, businesses should focus on compliance, training, and proactive safety measures to prevent such tragedies from occurring in the first place.
