SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D. C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
October 20, 1995
(Date of Report)
GEORGIA-PACIFIC CORPORATION
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
GEORGIA
(State of Incorporation)
1-3506
(Commission File Number)
93-0432081
(IRS Employer Identification Number)
133 PEACHTREE STREET, N.E., ATLANTA, GEORGIA 30303
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
(404) 652-4000
(Registrant's Telephone Number, including area code)
Item 5. Other Events.
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As previously disclosed, the Corporation and several of its subsidiaries are
defendants in approximately 220 suits involving over 9,000 plaintiffs in several
state courts in Mississippi. These suits allege a variety of torts, including
nuisance and infliction of emotional distress. Two verdicts against the
Corporation awarding a total of $241,000 in compensatory damages and $4 million
in punitive damages were appealed by the Corporation. On October 19, 1995, the
Mississippi Supreme Court reversed the judgment in one of those cases, Ferguson
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et al. v. Leaf River Forest Products, Inc. et al. In Ferguson, compensatory
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damages of $200,000 and $3,000,000 in punitive damages were assessed against the
Corporation. The Mississippi Supreme Court ruled that the plaintiffs failed to
prove that the defendants had caused any emotional distress or created a
nuisance with respect to the plaintiffs' properties. The Court also ruled that
the plaintiffs had failed to show that the defendants' conduct constituted
intentional, willful, wanton or grossly negligent behavior. The Court reversed
the lower court verdict and ordered judgment for the defendants. No decision
has been issued by the Mississippi Supreme Court in the other case on appeal,
Simmons v. Leaf River Forest Products, Inc. et al.
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
DATED: October 20, 1995
GEORGIA-PACIFIC CORPORATION
By /s/ James F. Kelley
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James F. Kelley
Senior Vice President - Law and
General Counsel
