Hanlon v. Thornton, 462 S.E.2d 154 (Ga. Ct. App. 1995). · Go Syfert
Hanlon v. Thornton, 462 S.E.2d 154 (Ga. Ct. App. 1995). Cases Citing This Book View Copy Cite
92 citation events (34 in the last 25 years) across 6 distinct courts.
Strongest positive: DETHOMAS INVESTMENTS, LLC v. LMRK PROPCO, LLC (gactapp, 2025-07-14)
Treatment trajectory · 1996 → 2026 · click a year to view as-of
1996 2011 2026
Top citers, strongest first. 27 distinct citers. How cited ↗
examined Cited as authority (quoted) DETHOMAS INVESTMENTS, LLC v. LMRK PROPCO, LLC (4×) also: Cited "see"
Ga. Ct. App. · 2025 · signal: see · quote attribution · 2 verbatim quotes · confidence high
in a claim for fraudulent concealment, a plaintiff must prove the same five elements of a fraud claim.
cited Cited as authority (rule) Joan Giddens, et al. v. Tift Regional Health System, Inc. d/b/a Tift Regional Medical Center, et al.
M.D. Ga. · 2026 · confidence medium
Coleman v. Oasis Outsourcing, Inc., 779 F. App'x 649 (11th Cir. 2019) (citing Hanlon v. Thornton, 462 S.E.2d 154, 157 (Ga. Ct. App. 1995)).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) BRISTOL CONSULTING GROUP, INC. v. D2 PROPERTY GROUP, LLC
Ga. Ct. App. · 2023 · confidence medium
To be sure, in order to prove justifiable reliance, the Daltons must show “the defect could not have been discovered by [them] in the exercise of due diligence in the purchase of the Property.”18 But in stark contrast to situations involving arms- length transactions between buyers and sellers of property, such as those cited by 18 Clark, 357 Ga. App. at 689 (2) (punctuation omitted); see BPP069, LLC v. Lindfield Holdings, 346 Ga. App. 577 , 582-83 ( 816 SE2d 755 ) (2018) (noting that when a buyer could have protected itself by the exercise of due diligence, it cannot show justifiable reli…
cited Cited as authority (rule) PRICE & CO v. MAJORS MANAGEMENT, LLC
Ga. Ct. App. · 2022 · confidence medium
Hanlon v. Thornton, 218 Ga. App. 500, 501 (1) ( 462 SE2d 154 ) (1995). 16 that Price understood Anwar and his company to be the purchaser of the goods.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Trico Environmental Services, Inc. v. Knight Petroleum Company
Ga. Ct. App. · 2020 · confidence medium
Under this construct, we have held that “the law in Georgia is well-settled that in the purchase and sale of real estate there is an underlying principle of law to the effect that one cannot be permitted to claim that he has been deceived by false representations about which he could have learned the truth of the matter and could have avoided damage.” (Citation omitted.) Hanlon v. Thornton, 218 Ga. App. 500, 501-502 (1) ( 462 SE2d 154 ) (1995).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) James Paulk v. Thomasville Ford Lincoln Mercury (2×)
Ga. Ct. App. · 2012 · confidence medium
In order to 5 prove the element of justifiable reliance, the plaintiff must show that he exercised his duty of due diligence.” Hanlon v. Thornton, 218 Ga. App. 500, 501 (1) ( 462 SE2d 154 ) (1995).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Paulk v. Thomasville Ford Lincoln Mercury, Inc. (2×)
Ga. Ct. App. · 2012 · confidence medium
In order to prove the element of justifiable reliance, the plaintiff must show that he exercised his duty of due diligence.” (Citation omitted.) Hanlon v. Thornton, 218 Ga. App. 500, 501 (1) ( 462 SE2d 154 ) (1995).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Lehman v. Keller (2×)
Ga. Ct. App. · 2009 · confidence medium
That order has not been appealed. 4 (Punctuation and footnote omitted.) Meyer v. Waite, 270 Ga. App. 255, 257 (1) ( 606 SE2d 16 ) (2004). 5 Id. at 257-258 (1). 6 (Punctuation omitted.) Id. at 258 (1), citing Fowler v. Overby, 223 Ga. App. 803, 804 (1) ( 478 SE2d 919 ) (1996). 7 (Citation and punctuation omitted.) Hanlon v. Thornton, 218 Ga. App. 500, 501-502 (1) ( 462 SE2d 154 ) (1995). 8 (Citation and punctuation omitted.) Id. at 502 (1). 9 See Meyer, supra at 258 (1) (a); Fowler, supra; Hanlon, supra. 10 (Punctuation omitted; emphasis supplied.) Ekeledo v. Amporful, 281 Ga. 817, 819 (1) *374…
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Meyer v. Waite (2×)
Ga. Ct. App. · 2004 · confidence medium
Dominick, for appellees. 1 The trial court did not address the breach of contract claim. 2 OCGA § 9-11-56 (c). 3 Keller v. Henderson, 248 Ga. App. 526, 527 (1) ( 545 SE2d 705 ) (2001). 4 (Citations omitted.) ReMax North Atlanta v. Clark, 244 Ga. App. 890, 893 ( 537 SE2d 138 ) (2000). 5 Hanlon v. Thornton, 218 Ga. App. 500, 502 (2) ( 462 SE2d 154 ) (1995). 6 (Citations and punctuation omitted.) Fowler v. Overby, 223 Ga. App. 803, 804 (1) ( 478 SE2d 919 ) (1996). 7 (Punctuation omitted.) Id. at 803-804 (1), citing Hanlon, supra at 501-502 (1). 8 (Citation and punctuation omitted.) Webb v. Rushi…
cited Cited as authority (rule) Middleton v. Troy Young Realty, Inc.
Ga. Ct. App. · 2002 · confidence medium
Hanlon v. Thornton, 218 Ga. App. 500, 501-502 (1) ( 462 SE2d 154 ) (1995).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Dyer v. Honea (2×)
Ga. Ct. App. · 2001 · confidence medium
Honea had valued the business inventory at $52,696, but the sales contract failed to assign a value to the inventory. 2 Lau’s Corp. v. Haskins, 261 Ga. 491 ( 405 SE2d 474 ) (1991). 3 Chiaka v. Rawles, 240 Ga. App. 792 ( 525 SE2d 162 ) (1999). 4 Garrett v. NationsBank, 228 Ga. App. 114, 115 ( 491 SE2d 158 ) (1997). 5 GCA Strategic Investment Fund v. Joseph Charles & Assoc., 245 Ga. App. 460, 463-464 (3) ( 537 SE2d 677 ) (2000). 6 Hanlon v. Thornton, 218 Ga. App. 500, 501 (1) ( 462 SE2d 154 ) (1995); Jones v. Cartee, 227 Ga. App. 401 ( 489 SE2d 141 ) (1997); Consulting Constr.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Yarbrough v. Kirkland
Ga. Ct. App. · 2001 · confidence medium
Johnson, P. J., and Ruffin, J., concur. 1 See OCGA § 16-14-1 et seq. 2 “[T]he law in Georgia is well-settled that in the purchase and sale of real estate there is an underlying principle of law to the effect that one cannot be permitted to claim that he has been deceived by false representations about which he could have learned the truth of the matter and could have avoided [the] damage.” (Citations and punctuation omitted.) Hanlon v. Thornton, 218 Ga. App. 500, 501-502 (1) ( 462 SE2d 154 ) (1995) (affirming the trial court’s grant of summary judgment in favor of the sellers and holdin…
cited Cited as authority (rule) Artzner v. a & a EXTERMINATORS, INC.
Ga. Ct. App. · 2000 · confidence medium
In order to survive a motion for summary judgment, plaintiff must show some evidence as to each element. *770 (Citations omitted.) Hanlon v. Thornton, 218 Ga. App. 500, 501 ( 462 SE2d 154 ) (1995).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Najem v. Classic Cadillac Atlanta Corp.
Ga. Ct. App. · 1999 · confidence medium
“In order to prove the element of justifiable reliance, the plaintiff must show that he exercised his duty of due diligence. [Cit.]” Hanlon v. Thornton, 218 Ga. App. 500, 501 (1) ( 462 SE2d 154 ) (1995).
examined Cited as authority (rule) Clark v. Bryant (In Re Bryant) (3×)
Bankr. M.D. Fla. · 1999 · confidence medium
Id., quoting Hanlon v. Thornton, 218 Ga.App. 500 , 462 S.E.2d 154, 156-57 (1995).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Parks v. Multimedia Technologies, Inc.
Ga. Ct. App. · 1999 · confidence medium
Hanlon v. Thornton, 218 Ga. App. 500, 501 (1) ( 462 SE2d 154 ) (1995).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Klusack v. Ward
Ga. Ct. App. · 1998 · confidence medium
E.g., Hanlon v. Thornton, 218 Ga. App. 500, 501 ( 462 SE2d 154 ) (1995); Hill v. Century 21 Max Stancil Realty, 187 Ga. App. 754, 755 (2) ( 371 SE2d 217 ) (1988); see Deckert v. Foster, 230 Ga. App. 164 ( 495 SE2d 656 ) (1998).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Ali v. Fleet Finance, Inc.
Ga. Ct. App. · 1998 · confidence medium
Ben Farmer Realty Co. v. Woodard, 212 Ga. App. 74, 75-76 ( 441 SE2d 421 ) (1994); Hanlon v. Thornton, 218 Ga. App. 500, 502 (2) ( 462 SE2d 154 ) (1995) (fraudulent concealment requires proof of same elements as fraud).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Reeves v. Edge
Ga. Ct. App. · 1997 · confidence medium
These are: (1) false representation by a defendant; (2) scienter; (3) intention to induce the plaintiff to act or refrain from acting; (4) justi *618 fiable reliance by the plaintiff; and (5) damage to the plaintiff. [Cit.]” Hanlon v. Thornton, 218 Ga. App. 500, 501 (1) ( 462 SE2d 154 ) (1995).
examined Cited as authority (rule) Fowler v. Overby (8×) also: Cited "see"
Ga. Ct. App. · 1996 · confidence medium
Hanlon v. Thornton, 218 Ga. App. 500, 501 (1) ( 462 SE2d 154 ) (1995).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Simmons v. Fanello
Ga. Ct. App. · 1996 · confidence medium
Hanlon v. Thornton, 218 Ga. App. 500, 501 (1) ( 462 SE2d 154 ) (1995).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Williams v. Fallaize Insurance Agency, Inc.
Ga. Ct. App. · 1996 · confidence medium
“In order to survive a motion for summary judgment, [Williams] must show some evidence as to each element. [Cit.] In order to prove the element of justifiable reliance, [Williams] must show that [she] exercised [her] duty of due diligence. [Cit.]” Hanlon v. Thornton, 218 Ga. App. 500, 501 (1) ( 462 SE2d 154 ) (1995).
discussed Cited "see, e.g." Huddleston v. R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. (2×)
N.D. Ga. · 1999 · signal: see, e.g. · confidence low
See e.g., Hanlon v. Thornton, 218 Ga.App. 500 , 462 S.E.2d 154 (1995) (requiring proof of reliance in cases of fraudulent concealment); Eason Publications, Inc. v. NationsBank of Georgia, 217 Ga.App. 726 , 458 S.E.2d 899 (1995) (requiring proof of reliance in a fraudulent omission case); Garbutt v. Southern Clays, Inc., 894 F.Supp. 456, 462 (M.D.Ga.1995) (finding that plaintiffs claims for fraud by misrepresentation or omission failed because they could not establish the element of reliance).
examined Cited "see, e.g." Brown v. Mann (4×)
Ga. Ct. App. · 1999 · signal: see, e.g. · confidence low
See, e.g., Hanlon v. Thornton, 218 Ga.App. 500, 501 , 462 S.E.2d 154 (1995); Hill v. Century 21 Max Stancil Realty, *925 187 Ga.App. 754, 755 (2), 371 S.E.2d 217 (1988); see also Deckert v. Foster, 230 Ga. App. 164 , 495 S.E.2d 656 (1998).
discussed Cited "see, e.g." Chin v. Chrysler Corp. (2×)
D.N.J. · 1998 · signal: see, e.g. · confidence low
See, e.g., Hanlon v. Thornton, 218 Ga.App. 500 , 462 S.E.2d 154, 156-57 (1995).
discussed Cited "see, e.g." Wilks v. Ford Motor Co. (2×)
D.N.J. · 1997 · signal: see, e.g. · confidence low
See, e.g., Hanlon v. Thornton, 218 Ga.App. 500 , 462 S.E.2d 154, 156-57 (1995).
discussed Cited "see, e.g." Smith v. Stanley (2×)
Ga. Ct. App. · 1996 · signal: see also · confidence medium
See also Hanlon v. Thornton, 218 Ga. App. 500, 502 (2) ( 462 SE2d 154 ) and Copeland v. Home Savings of America, F.A., 209 Ga. App. 173, 174 (433 SE2d *336 327).
Retrieving the full opinion text from the archive…
HANLON
v.
THORNTON Et Al.
A95A0926.
Court of Appeals of Georgia.
Aug 24, 1995.
462 S.E.2d 154
Barksdale, Irwin, Talley & Sharp, David B. Irwin, Barry G. Irwin, Daniel S. Digby, for appellant., Winburn, Lewis & Barrow, Gene M. Winburn, John J. Barrow, Fortson, Bentley & Griffin, Robert N. Elkins, Graham & Graham, Felix P. Graham, Jr., for appellees., Weissman, Nowak, Curry & Zaleon, Seth G. Weissman, Teresa L. Perrotta, amici curiae.
Andrews, Blackburn, McMurray.
Cited by 33 opinions  |  Published
1 passages pin-cited by 1 case
Pinpoint authority: bottom 63%
Citer courts: Court of Appeals of Georgia (2)
Andrews, Judge.

Ellsworth Hanlon sued the real estate agents and the sellers of a piece of real property in Clarke and Oglethorpe Counties. Hanlon alleged fraudulent misrepresentation and fraudulent concealment as to the presence of a landfill next to the property, the value of the property, and the condition of two trailers and a well that were on the property. Hanlon sought rescission of the sales contract, compensatory and punitive damages and attorney fees. The trial court granted defendants’ motion for summary judgment. Hanlon appeals.

In early 1990, Hanlon, who lived in California at the time, called Steve Brannen, a real estate agent with Purvis & Associates, about buying some property on which to put a mobile home park. On February 14, 1990, Hanlon came to Georgia, and Brannen showed him several pieces of property, including the parcel of land which is the subject of this suit. The following day, Hanlon executed a contract with Luther and Evelyn Smith to purchase the property for $150,000. Hanlon then returned to California.

On March 14, 1990, Hanlon and his wife returned to Georgia to close on the property. On the morning before the closing, Hanlon inspected the mobile homes on the property and made a list of defective items. Hanlon also had the Northeast Health District Water Lab test the quality of the well water on the property. The water lab found that the wells and the water were satisfactory. Also prior to closing, Brannen advised Hanlon to talk to Jack Griffith of the Oglethorpe County Commission about his plans to put a mobile home park on the site. Hanlon drove past the Clarke County landfill on his way to meet with Griffith, although he says he did not realize it was a landfill at the time.

At the closing, Hanlon presented his list of problems and defects of the mobile homes. Hanlon was warned that Georgia is a “buyer beware” state and these considerations should be taken into account before making an offer on the property. Hanlon left the closing, talked with a friend for about an hour and then returned to the closing. Hanlon demanded and received a price concession from the sellers for the defective items.

After the closing, Hanlon and his wife moved to Georgia and into one of the mobile homes on the property. Hanlon claimed that he then learned that the property was less than the 36 acres that had[*501] been represented in a flier and that it was not suitable for a mobile home park. Hanlon also discovered that the property was adjacent to a landfill. Because of the landfill, Hanlon claimed he was forced to spend $10,000 for a new well because the original well kept drying up and produced discolored water which smelled of sulphur. Hanlon states that he also had to replace a furnace, a stove and a refrigerator in the mobile homes, as well as re-coat one of the roofs.

On December 3, 1993, Hanlon filed a complaint against Steve Brannen and his employer, Purvis & Associates, R. M. Thornton, the listing agent and his company, Smith-Boley-Brown and the sellers of the property, Luther and Evelyn Smith, alleging fraudulent misrepresentations and concealment. The trial court granted defendants’ motions for summary judgment.

1. In enumerations of error 1 and 2, Hanlon claims that the trial court erred in finding there existed no genuine issues of material fact regarding his due diligence and justifiable reliance as to the sellers’ misrepresentations regarding the landfill and the value of the property.

Hanlon claimed that Brannen told him there were no landfills in the area and also that the property had been appraised at $150,000. Hanlon also claimed that he believed that Brannen was representing him as well as the sellers of the property, because this dual agency was allowed under California law and Brannen told him that Georgia law was the same as California law.

The tort of fraud has five elements. These are: (1) false representation by a defendant; (2) scienter; (3) intention to induce the plaintiff to act or refrain from acting; (4) justifiable reliance by the plaintiff; and (5) damage to the plaintiff. Crawford v. Williams, 258 Ga. 806 (375 SE2d 223) (1989). In order to survive a motion for summary judgment, plaintiff must show some evidence as to each element. Id. In order to prove the element of justifiable reliance, the plaintiff must show that he exercised his duty of due diligence. Hill v. Century 21 Max Stancil Realty, 187 Ga. App. 754, 756 (371 SE2d 217) (1988).

Hanlon cites Dorsey v. Green, 202 Ga. 655, 659 (44 SE2d 377) (1947), for the proposition that “[wjhile a party must exercise reasonable diligence to protect himself against the fraud of another, he is not bound to exhaust all means at his command to ascertain the truth before relying on the representations.” However, Dorsey involved actions of an executor of a will who had a fiduciary obligation which is lacking in this case. Dorsey, supra at 659. Moreover, “[t]he law in Georgia is well-settled that in the purchase and sale of real estate there is an underlying principle of law to the effect that one cannot be permitted to claim that he has been deceived by false representations about which he could have learned the truth of the matter and could[*502] have avoided damage.” (Citations and punctuation omitted.) Lester v. Bird, 200 Ga. App. 335, 338 (408 SE2d 147) (1991).

Here, Hanlon has failed not only to show that he exercised due diligence, but also that he made any independent effort whatsoever to discover the existence of any landfills in the area or the true value of the property. See Crawford, supra at 807. “When the means of knowledge are at hand and equally available to both parties to a contract of sale, if the purchaser does not avail himself of these means, he will not be heard to say, in impeachment of the contract, that he was deceived by the representations of the seller.” (Citations and punctuation omitted.) Hill, supra at 756. Further, the record shows that there was no fiduciary relationship between Hanlon and defendants and that Hanlon was aware that defendants were agents of the seller because this was specifically stated in the sales contract he signed. Moreover, paragraph 12 of the sales contract states that the purchasers have not relied on any representations of the real estate agents and if there are matters of concern to them, they have sought independent advice. Hanlon claims he should not be bound by this contract because he is seeking to rescind it. However, he has shown no basis for rescinding the contract. See Allen v. ReMax N. Atlanta, 213 Ga. App. 644, 646 (445 SE2d 774) (1994). Therefore, the trial court did not err in finding no genuine issues of material fact regarding Hanlon’s due diligence and justifiable reliance as to the seller’s representations regarding the landfill and the value of the property.

2. Next, Hanlon claims that the trial court erred in finding that his fraudulent concealment claims failed as a matter of law. Hanlon claimed that defendants concealed from him that there was a landfill in the area. He also claimed that Brannen told him that the trailers on the property were in good condition and the appliances worked, that the property had been appraised at $150,000 and that the wells on the property contained good drinking water.

In a claim for fraudulent concealment, a plaintiff must prove the same five elements of a fraud claim. Butler v. Terminix Intl., 175 Ga. App. 816, 817 (334 SE2d 865) (1985). Again, a plaintiff must prove that any “defect could not have been discovered by the buyer in the exercise of due diligence.” (Citations and punctuation omitted.) Webb v. Rushing, 194 Ga. App. 732, 733 (391 SE2d 709) (1990).

There is undisputed evidence in the record that Hanlon had the drinking water tested independently. Further, Hanlon inspected the trailers and made a list of problems. If he suspected there could be other problems, Hanlon should have had an inspector check the appliances. In addition, Hanlon could have asked for an independent appraisal of the value of the property.

As to the landfill, Hanlon claims that he asked about landfills in the area and was told there were none. Hanlon cites Ga.-Car. Brick & [*503] Tile Co. v. Brown, 153 Ga. App. 747 (266 SE2d 531) (1980), in support of his claim that concealing material facts may be fraud when the buyer asks a direct question and the truth is evaded. Ga.-Car. Brick, supra at 755. However, the facts in Ga.-Car. Brick are different from those in the instant case. The court found that the buyers in that case were entitled to rely on the representations made by defendant because the defendant had a special knowledge as to the properties of the bricks he was selling. Here, the defects and problems complained of were all easily discoverable. As discussed in Division 1, the buyer must prove that the defect could not have been discovered by the buyer in the exercise of due diligence. Webb v. Rushing, supra; Lively v. Garnick, 160 Ga. App. 591, 593 (287 SE2d 553) (1981). Hanlon has not shown that he even attempted to make an independent inquiry as to whether or not there was a landfill in the area. Since the existence of a landfill, as well as all the other items which Hanlon claims were fraudulently concealed by the defendants, was easily discoverable by Hanlon in the exercise of reasonable diligence, it cannot serve as a basis for finding defendants liable for fraudulent concealment. Lively, supra at 593.

Decided August 24, 1995 Reconsideration denied September 13, 1995 Barksdale, Irwin, Talley & Sharp, David B. Irwin, Barry G. Irwin, Daniel S. Digby, for appellant. Winburn, Lewis & Barrow, Gene M. Winburn, John J. Barrow, Fortson, Bentley & Griffin, Robert N. Elkins, Graham & Graham, Felix P. Graham, Jr., for appellees. Weissman, Nowak, Curry & Zaleon, Seth G. Weissman, Teresa L. Perrotta, amici curiae.

3. Because of our holdings in Divisions 1 and 2, it is unnecessary to address the remaining enumerations of error. Accordingly, we find that the trial court did not err in granting appellees’ motion for summary judgment.

Judgment affirmed.

McMurray, P. J., and Blackburn, J., concur.