When someone is harmed at a church, camp, or nonprofit event, the path to justice can be complicated. In Georgia, many of these organizations are shielded by a legal concept known as charitable immunity. However, that protection is not absolute. In certain cases, families can still hold nonprofits accountable and recover damages despite their nonprofit status.

Understanding Charitable Immunity in Georgia

Charitable immunity is a legal defense that protects certain nonprofits from lawsuits. Georgia courts generally uphold this immunity when the organization provides services for free. However, when a nonprofit charges for access, such as tuition, camp fees, or event tickets, that immunity may no longer apply.

Even if services are free, nonprofits can lose immunity if they fail to use reasonable care. For example, if a camp ignores serious safety issues or hires someone with a known history of misconduct, they may still face liability.

When the Protection No Longer Applies

Nonprofits cannot use charitable immunity as a shield when their actions go beyond simple mistakes. In Georgia, courts often allow lawsuits to proceed when the claim involves:

  • Negligent hiring or supervision
  • Gross negligence or reckless behavior
  • Harm caused during paid programs
  • Incidents covered by the nonprofit’s insurance policy

Families may also sue if the organization ignored warnings or failed to respond to past complaints. A church that retains an employee despite reports of abuse, for instance, could be sued for negligence.

What to Focus on in These Lawsuits

These cases often succeed by focusing on how the organization handled staff, volunteers, and safety policies. The more you can show a pattern of careless behavior or ignored red flags, the stronger your case becomes.

Insurance coverage also matters. Even if immunity would otherwise apply, courts often allow claims up to the policy limits.

We Help Georgia Families Hold Nonprofits Accountable

At The Williams Litigation Group, we help families take legal action against nonprofits when harm could have been prevented. Our team understands how charitable immunity works and how to challenge it. If your child or loved one was injured at a camp, church, or daycare, contact us today.