Personal Injury & Wrongful Death

Sexual Predators in the Workplace

Many employment lawyers are confronted with hostile environment claims where managers exploit their positions to seek sexual favors from employees working underneath them. Such an employment case obviously involves sexual harassment but is entirely different and generally far less devastating to a victim when a sexual predator is hired by an employer and is allowed to gain access to vulnerable victims through their jobs. As an example, if a mental health facility hires someone unsuitable for a position and that person takes sexual advantage of
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Board of Commissioners To Conduct Independent Investigation of Fatal High Speed Chase

From newspaper accounts it appears that the Board of Commissioners of Clayton County may conduct an independent investigation into a police chase which resulted in the wrongful death of two innocent women who were returning from bible study when a pickup truck fleeing from a Clayton County police officer slammed into their vehicle on Old National Highway in Atlanta. The deadly pursuit began when the police noticed a suspect allegedly soliciting a prostitute. Even though this is a misdemeanor and a minor offense, Clayton County
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Georgia Man’s Wrongful Death- Was Alcohol A Factor?

The Georgia injury lawyers at Finch McCranie, LLP have handled many wrongful death lawsuits where alcohol was a factor in causing or contributing to our client’s death. Some of these cases have involved our representation of a guest passenger who was killed as a result of the negligence of the host driver. Such could have been the case on Friday evening when an Augusta, Georgia man, Earl Clark, died in an accident on Mike Padgett Highway. Clark was the passenger of a
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Clayton County Police Chase Resulting in Wrongful Death of Two Innocent Victims Is an Outrage

The Georgia injury lawyers at Finch McCranie, LLP have sued a number of police departments around the State of Georgia for the wrongful death of innocent citizens caused by police chases. Our experience has shown that following a high speed pursuit, the police begin immediately to plan their defense. We have already seen this in last week’s outrageous police chase in Clayton County. The police have told reporters that the officer had already slowed down “hoping that the fleeing suspect would slow
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Dangerous Drawstrings In Children Clothing

Our Atlanta product liability attorneys have represented parents of children killed and seriously injured by dangerous products.
Drawstrings in hooded sweatshirts have been long recognized as a danger to small children. There have been many reports of children strangled after the drawstrings have been accidently caught in various devices. Some of these incidents have resulted in death.
In November 2008, a 3-year-old boy died in Fresno, Calif., when the drawstring on his Hill Sportswear hooded sweatshirt became stuck on a playground set strangling him.
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Clayton County Georgia Police Chase Leads To Wrongful Death of Two Innocent Victims

The Georgia injury lawyers at Finch McCranie, LLP have several wrongful death lawsuits pending against various police departments throughout the state. They all involve police chases.They all involve police officers violating their own department policy with respect to police chases. They all involve the wrongful death of innocent victims and several involve the Clayton County Police. Will they ever get the message? Yesterday, Clayton County Police officers saw two men in a pickup truck appear to solicit a known
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Big Business Trys To Derail Financial Reform

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is again launching an attempt to protect its mega business members at the expense of ordinary U.S. citizens. The Chamber has been at the forefront in attempts to mislead Americans about a multitude of issues which affect millions of people, all to protect the profits of its controlling members. Now, the Chamber is rolling out an advertising campaign of at least $2 million aimed at defeating a central plank of the Obama administration’s financial-regulation overhaul.
But there won’t be any
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$5.3 MILLION WRONGFUL DEATH AWARD IN SMOKER’S DEATH

A Florida jury awarded a 92-year-old man over $5.3 million in his wrongful death lawsuit against Phillip Morris, the cigarette maker according to The Miami Herald. The man’s wife died in 1996 at the age of 63 from lung cancer after smoking 2 packs of Marlboro’s a day since she was 16-years of age. The apparent theory of the case was that the tobacco industry, including Philip Morris, misrepresented the risk of smoking in its advertising and knowingly sold a product which was addictive. Notwithstanding

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Google Alerts Demonstrate Dangers of Police Chases

If you go on Google and take advantage of a tool known as “Google News Alerts,” Google will send to you via e-mail news accounts in which certain terms are used. I typed in today the terms “police chase killed.” The following are headlines received from newspapers across the country which I received from this Google News Alert:
1) Victim In Police Chase Remembered as Caring Mom;
2) Woman Killed In Crash During Oakland Police Chase;
3) Toddler Killed In Police Chase;
4) One Man
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Wrongful Death Verdict For $13.8 Million Against Cigarette Maker

Georgia injury lawyers have not forgotten the sworn testimony the CEO’s of all of the major tobacco companies gave Congress a few years ago. Who could forget when these prominent men raised their right hands and swore that “Nicotine is not addictive”. Apparently a jury has not forgotten their testimony. Bloomberg reported that in a wrongful death case, a California jury has ordered Altria Group, Inc., the parent company of Philip Morris USA, maker of Marlboro cigarettes to pay $13.8 million in punitive
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Who Is the Best Personal Injury Lawyer in Duluth, GA, in 2026?

There is no single personal injury lawyer in Duluth, who is best for every case. The right lawyer for a serious injury should have experience with your type of claim, sufficient investigative resources, a history of preparing cases for trial, clear fee terms, and a communication style that makes you feel informed rather than pressured.

Georgia generally provides two years to bring an action for personal injuries, although exceptions can change the applicable deadline. Georgia’s comparative-fault rules may also prevent recovery when an injured person is 50% or more responsible for the claimed harm.

Choosing the best lawyer is therefore not about finding the biggest advertisement or accepting a promise of fast compensation. It means identifying an attorney whose experience, resources, preparation, and communication practices fit the facts and demands of your case.

This decision becomes particularly important after a severe truck crash, possible medical negligence, catastrophic injury, or the preventable death of a family member. These claims may involve substantial losses, complicated evidence, corporate defendants, expert witnesses, and insurers with experienced defense teams.

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Do You Need a Medical Malpractice Lawyer in Atlanta for Nursing Home Neglect?

A Medical Malpractice Lawyer in Atlanta may be able to help when nursing home neglect involves improper medical care that injures a resident. 

However, not every nursing home complaint is classified as medical malpractice.

Some cases involve professional medical decisions, such as medication management, wound treatment, health monitoring, or emergency response. 

Others involve failures in supervision, hygiene, staffing, facility maintenance, or protection from abuse. A case may also include several types of negligence at the same time.

Determining what kind of claim may apply requires examining what happened, who was responsible, and how the conduct harmed the resident. 

A legal assessment can help families understand whether the matter involves medical malpractice, ordinary negligence, abuse, or another legal issue.

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What Happens If an Insurance Company Contacts You After a Wrongful Death in Duluth, GA?

If an insurance company contacts you after a wrongful death in Duluth, GA, the representative may ask about the incident, request a recorded statement, seek access to records, or discuss a possible settlement. 

You are not required to provide detailed answers or accept an offer immediately. The insurer’s role is to investigate the claim and protect its policyholder’s interests. 

Before signing documents, providing a recorded statement, or discussing compensation, consider obtaining legal advice about your family’s rights under Georgia law.

Why Would an Insurance Company Contact the Family?

An insurance company may contact surviving family members shortly after learning about a fatal accident or another incident that could result in a wrongful death claim.

The representative may be investigating:

  • How the death occurred
  • Who may be legally responsible
  • Whether the policy covers the incident
  • The amount of available insurance coverage
  • Whether another person or company shares responsibility
  • The financial value of the potential claim
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Common Allegations of Negligence in Psychiatric Malpractice Claims

Psychiatric care involves highly personal and often complex interactions between patients and healthcare professionals. 

Patients may rely on psychiatrists to evaluate their symptoms, identify mental health conditions, recommend appropriate treatment, prescribe and monitor medications, and respond to signs of a psychiatric emergency. 

Because of the nature of these responsibilities, mistakes or failures in care can sometimes have serious consequences.

When a patient believes that a psychiatrist or another mental health professional failed to provide appropriate care and that the failure caused harm, the circumstances may lead to a psychiatric malpractice claim. 

However, not every unfavorable treatment outcome or unsuccessful diagnosis constitutes malpractice. 

Mental health conditions can be difficult to diagnose and treat, and treatment outcomes can vary from one patient to another.

A malpractice claim generally requires evidence that the provider owed the patient a duty of care, failed to meet the applicable standard of care, and caused legally recognized harm. 

The exact requirements and available claims depend on the facts of the case and the law of the jurisdiction where the claim is brought.

The following are some of the common allegations that may arise in psychiatric malpractice cases.

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Wrongful Death Lawyer in Atlanta for Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect

When a nursing home resident dies, families may wonder whether the death resulted solely from an underlying medical condition or whether abuse or neglect played a role. 

While not every nursing home death gives rise to a legal claim, evidence may show that inadequate care, delayed treatment, medication errors, or other forms of neglect contributed to the resident’s death. 

Understanding how Georgia law addresses nursing home abuse, neglect, and wrongful death claims can help families evaluate their legal options. 

This guide explains the key legal principles, filing requirements, and evidence commonly involved in these cases. 

What Is Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect?

Nursing home abuse and neglect occur when a resident is harmed because of intentional misconduct or a failure to provide proper care. 

Abuse involves deliberate actions that cause physical, emotional, sexual, or financial harm. 

Neglect refers to failing to meet a resident’s essential needs, such as providing adequate food, water, hygiene, medical care, supervision, or assistance with daily activities. Both abuse and neglect can affect a resident’s health, safety, and quality of life. 

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Who Can Sue for Wrongful Death? A Complete Guide for 2026

Losing a loved one because of another person’s negligence, recklessness, or intentional misconduct can leave a family facing both emotional trauma and unexpected financial challenges. 

In these situations, surviving family members may have the right to pursue a wrongful death claim against the party responsible for the loss. 

However, not everyone connected to the deceased is automatically allowed to file a lawsuit. 

State law generally determines who has legal standing, what damages may be recovered, and how long the family has to take action. 

Understanding these rules can help families identify their legal options and protect their rights during an extremely difficult time.

What Is a Wrongful Death Claim?

A wrongful death claim is a civil lawsuit filed when someone’s death results from another party’s negligence, recklessness, wrongful act, or misconduct. 

These cases may involve car accidents, medical malpractice, defective products, workplace incidents, dangerous premises, or nursing home neglect.

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What Defines Medical Malpractice Lawyers Top-Rated in Georgia?

Choosing a medical malpractice lawyer requires more than looking at online ratings, awards, or years of practice. 

Patients and families dealing with a suspected medical error need an attorney who can evaluate complex medical records, understand the applicable legal standards, work with qualified experts, and determine whether negligence caused harm.

The term “top rated” does not represent a specific legal certification or guarantee of success. Instead, it may refer to professional recognition, client feedback, peer reviews, or an attorney’s experience handling similar cases. 

A careful evaluation should focus on the lawyer’s qualifications, approach to investigation, communication, and ability to handle the medical and legal issues involved in a Georgia malpractice claim.

What Does “Top Rated” Mean for a Medical Malpractice Attorney?

“Top rated” is not a formal legal designation or a guarantee of an attorney’s success in a medical malpractice case. 

The term may refer to professional recognition, peer evaluations, client feedback, legal directories, or experience in a specific area of law.

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What should you know about Psychiatric Malpractice and Patient Rights

Mental health patients rely on psychiatrists and other professionals for accurate diagnosis, appropriate treatment, medication management, and ongoing care. 

When a provider fails to meet the accepted standard of care and causes harm, psychiatric malpractice may be involved. 

Understanding patient rights, including the right to appropriate treatment and informed care, can help patients and families recognize potential negligence and determine when to seek legal advice. 

What Is Psychiatric Malpractice?

Psychiatric malpractice is a form of medical negligence involving improper care by a psychiatrist or other mental health professional. 

Responsibilities may include diagnosing conditions, creating treatment plans, prescribing and monitoring medications, and assessing patient risks. 

A malpractice claim generally requires showing that the provider failed to meet the accepted standard of care and that this negligence caused or contributed to the patient’s harm. 

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Georgia Delivery Truck Injury Lawyer for Accident Compensation Claims

Delivery vehicles are a regular presence on Georgia roads. Package trucks and commercial vans travel through Atlanta neighborhoods, apartment communities, shopping centers, office developments, loading areas, and major highways every day. 

Their frequent stops and close interaction with pedestrians, cyclists, parked vehicles, and local traffic can create complicated situations when a collision occurs.

A crash involving a package delivery vehicle may look similar to an ordinary car wreck at first. 

However, the legal investigation can become more complex because the driver may work for a national delivery company, a local logistics provider, a staffing agency, or an independent contractor. 

The vehicle may also be owned, leased, or maintained by another business.

A Georgia delivery truck injury lawyer examines these relationships to determine who controlled the driver, who owned the vehicle, which insurance policies may apply, and whether a preventable failure contributed to the collision. 

The availability of financial recovery depends on the evidence, the nature of the injuries, the applicable law, and the conduct of each person or business involved.

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How an Experienced Wrongful Death Lawyer Handles Drowning Cases

The loss of a loved one in a drowning can leave a family with difficult questions about what occurred and whether someone could have prevented the incident. 

A swimming pool, lake, dock, boat, or other water setting may appear safe, yet failures involving supervision, maintenance, access control, or emergency response can create serious risks.

An experienced wrongful death lawyer near me in Duluth can examine the circumstances surrounding a fatal drowning and help determine whether another person, property owner, company, or organization may be legally responsible. 

This process requires more than identifying a dangerous condition. The evidence must connect the actions or inaction of a responsible party to the death.

Each drowning case presents different legal and factual issues. A child may enter an unsecured residential pool, a hotel guest may experience distress in an inadequately monitored swimming area, or a boating passenger may be placed at risk by careless operation. 

An attorney must study the setting, the people involved, the available records, and the duties that applied at the time.

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