Personal Injury & Wrongful Death

Landmark Cigarette Ruling Upheld

Last Friday the U.S. Court of Appeals in Washington essentially upheld a landmark ruling that found cigarette makers deceived the public for decades about the health hazards of smoking.
The Court of Appeals upheld the major elements of a 2006 ruling that found the nation’s top tobacco companies guilty of fraud and violating racketeering laws. The ruling said manufacturers must change the way they market cigarettes. It bans labels such as “low tar,” “light,” “ultra light” or “mild,” because such cigarettes have been found to
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Drug Companies Agree To Reimbursement of Taxpayers

The attorney general of Alabama has announced that 14 major drug companies will pay Alabama $89 million to settle a lawsuit accusing them of defrauding the state Medicaid agency. This lawsuit brought on behalf of the taxpayers of the state of Alabama is one of many throughout the United States brought by state’s Attorney Generals accusing drug manufactures of overcharging and defrauding states for the purchase of drugs used in state sponsored medicaid and health care programs. The lawsuits essentially allege a pattern of fraud
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Product Liability Claims And Other Claims Related To Dangerous Machinery

Georgia injury lawyers, handling a claim for a catastrophically injured employee or the family of a deceased employee, our investigation will often reveal that the employee received injuries while working on or around a piece of machinery that caused the death, some traumatic amputation or other trauma to the employee. In such a case, the attorney must consider potential product liability claims, such as defective design, manufacture, assembly, testing or failure to warn or misrepresentation. The Supreme Court of Georgia has outlined the
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South Carolina Teenager Seriously Injured After Being Thrown From ATV

Georgia and South Carolina injury lawyers are seeing ATV accidents involving serious injury and sometimes death are on the rise with the return of warm weather. Tragically many, if not most are preventable by using common sense and obeying ATV rules. Just this week, I read about a Summerville, South Carolina teenager who is fighting for her life as a result of being thrown from the back of a fast moving ATV. According to witnesses, neither the 32 year old ATV driver or the
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Brain Death

Our Atlanta based lawyers are constantly involved in cases involving brain injury and brain death. As tragic as these cases are, the families and loved ones are many times faced with the decision whether to cease life support after there has been a medical determination of brain death.
In general, brain death is considered to be the irreversible loss of brain function. The exact definition has changed throughout the years and is still subject to debate. The brainstem controls brain function and is responsible for
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Lawmakers Hold Hearing on Medical Device Safety Act

Defective medical devices can lead to the serious injury or death of innocent people. For this reason Georgia injury lawyers representing victims of defective and dangerous products were dismayed when the Supreme Court decision in Riegel v. Medtronic, held that consumers can’t sue medical device companies over medical devices that have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration. Now, victims of these dangerous products who say they were injured by faulty medical devices want Congress to pass legislation called the Medical
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Workers Compensation Injuries – Is There A Premises Liability and Negligent Security Third Party Claims?

The Georgia injury lawyers at Finch McCranie, LLP who handle workers compensation cases always investigate the possibility that there is a negligent third party who can be sued and held accountable for the client’s injuries and damages. As any injured worker knows, the income benefits available under the Georgia Workers Compensation Act are limited. A worker with serious injuries is never made whole with workers compensation benefits alone. Many serious on-the-job injuries or deaths are attributable to the negligence of someone other
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Congressman’s Death Highlights The Dangers of Operating An ATV

As the popularity of ATV’s (all-terrain vehicles) increases the Georgia injury lawyers at Finch McCranie, LLP see more ATV accidents resulting in death and serious injuries each year. Even experienced riders must be very careful when operating an ATV. On April 18th of this year, former Utah Congressman Bill Orton, age 60, died while operating his ATV. According to authorities, he was riding out on the sand and went off a very steep sand dune, and when he impacted the bottom, the front end
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Car Roof Crush Standards Increased

Many automobile crashes which our Georgia lawyers investigate involve serious injury and deaths which are caused by roof collapses in rollover situations. Tragically, many of these victims would have been less seriously injured or survived had the roof of the vehicle not collapsed. For many years, safety advocates have urged auto makers and the federal government to increase the minimal standards for vehicle roof strength.
Now, under pressure from Congress, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued increased roof-strength requirements. The long-awaited federal
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Limiting The Chance For Serious Injury Or Death From Grinding Wheel Explosions

The Georgia injury lawyers at Finch McCranie, LLP have previously posted on the danger posed by defective grinding wheels that explode or disintegrate. When a grinding wheel comes apart, it can result in serious eye injury and even death. Although there are several reasons why these wheels fail, it is thought that many of these are inferior, imported products.
To prevent injuries, the following procedures are recommended when using grinding wheels:
* Check the wheel before each use for any cracks or chips. If
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Was Your Breast Reduction Surgery Negligent? Breast Reduction Malpractice in Atlanta Explained

Breast reduction malpractice in Atlanta cases arise when a procedure meant to improve comfort, health, or quality of life instead leaves a patient with avoidable complications, permanent damage, or emotional distress due to medical negligence. 

While breast reduction surgery is widely performed and often successful, errors during planning, surgery, or post-operative care can result in serious harm. 

Understanding when a poor outcome crosses the line into malpractice is essential for protecting your legal rights.

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Do I Need a Truck Accident Lawyer for Spine or Brain Injuries?

Truck accidents are some of the most devastating collisions on the road.

The massive size and weight of commercial trucks compared to passenger vehicles often result in catastrophic injuries when crashes occur.

Among the most serious are spine and brain injuries, both of which can lead to long-term disabilities, permanent loss of mobility, and an overwhelming financial burden.

For victims and their families, navigating the legal process after such a life-changing accident can feel impossible without the right professional guidance.

If you or a loved
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What Makes Truck Accident Lawsuits Different from Car Accident Claims?

When someone is involved in a motor vehicle accident, whether it involves a car or a large commercial truck, the aftermath can be overwhelming.

However, truck accident lawsuits are fundamentally different from car accident claims in many ways.

These differences stem from the size and nature of trucks, the laws regulating them, and the unique challenges victims face when pursuing compensation.

Understanding these distinctions is crucial for anyone navigating the legal aftermath of a truck crash.

1. Severity of Injuries and Damage

One of the
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How Do Truck Accident Lawyers Deal with Semi-Truck and 18-Wheeler Crashes?

Accidents involving semi-trucks and 18-wheelers can be catastrophic, often resulting in severe injuries, extensive property damage, and tragic fatalities.

Unlike typical car accidents, crashes with large commercial vehicles bring unique challenges due to their size, the complexity of trucking regulations, and the multiple parties often involved.

This is where truck accident lawyers step in to provide essential legal guidance and support for victims and their families.

If you or a loved one has been affected
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2026 Guide: Who can file a wrongful death lawsuit in Atlanta, Georgia

Who can file a wrongful death lawsuit in Atlanta, Georgia is a question many families ask after a sudden, devastating loss caused by negligence, misconduct, or unsafe conditions. 

In moments of grief, families are often overwhelmed not only by emotional pain but also by uncertainty about their legal rights, timelines, and eligibility under Georgia law.

Wrongful death claims in Atlanta are governed by strict statutes that determine who may file a lawsuit, how compensation is distributed, and
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Medical Malpractice and Surgical Errors: What Patients Should Know Before Hiring a Lawyer

Surgical malpractice lawyer guidance is essential when a preventable surgical error causes serious harm.

Surgery places patients in a vulnerable position, relying entirely on the training, judgment, and care of medical professionals. While some complications are known risks, others stem from mistakes that should never happen. When surgical errors occur due to negligence, patients may have legal rights under medical malpractice law.

Understanding how surgical errors fit into medical malpractice claims and what to
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10 Signs You Should Hire a Truck Accident Lawyer After Being Hit by a Truck

Truck accident lawyer guidance is critical when a collision involves a commercial truck because these cases are fundamentally different from standard car accidents. 

The sheer size and weight of trucks increase the likelihood of catastrophic injuries, while the legal aftermath often involves powerful trucking companies, complex regulations, and aggressive insurance tactics.

After being hit by a truck, victims are often overwhelmed by medical treatment, lost income, and uncertainty about what to do next. 

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30 Questions You Should Ask Before Signing a Wrongful Death Agreement

A wrongful death agreement is often presented during one of the most emotionally overwhelming moments a family can face.

After the loss of a loved one, insurance companies or defense attorneys may offer a settlement that promises closure, financial support, and relief from a prolonged legal process.

But once signed, a wrongful death agreement is typically final and binding.

Many families assume a settlement offer automatically reflects fairness, legal compliance, or full compensation.

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Was Your Cancer Misdiagnosed? Understanding Malpractice Risk and Legal Options

Cancer misdiagnosis medical malpractice is one of the most serious and life-altering forms of medical negligence.

When cancer is missed, delayed, or incorrectly diagnosed, patients often lose access to early treatment options that could significantly improve survival. 

The harm caused by a diagnostic failure is rarely temporary—it can permanently alter a person’s health, finances, and quality of life.

Despite advancements in diagnostic imaging, oncology care, and standardized screening protocols, medical malpractice for cancer misdiagnosis continues
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Healthcare Communication Failures and Medical Malpractice: What Patients Need to Know in 2026

Healthcare communication failures and medical malpractice are closely connected issues in modern healthcare, especially as care delivery becomes more complex in 2026. 

Despite advances in digital records, telehealth, AI-assisted diagnostics, and multidisciplinary care teams, communication failures in healthcare remain one of the leading causes of preventable harm and medical malpractice due to poor communication.

Studies and expert analyses consistently show that patient safety and communication breakdowns often occur together.

When information is unclear, delayed, or misunderstood,
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