Personal Injury & Wrongful Death

In An Accident While Traveling Out Of Town: What Law Controls?

We are often called by clients who have traveled through the Atlanta area only to be the unfortunate victim of a third party’s negligence. Calls usually come from those in car accidents or tractor-trailer collisions. Sometimes a slip and fall is involved or a defective product. These innocent persons sometimes are hospitalized following the incident in Georgia and then sent back to their home states for follow up treatment. When they reach out to an attorney the usually are being overwhelmed with medical
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Wrongful Death Cases: Who Has The Claim?

It is not unusual for our firm to be contacted by family members who are bereaved over the death of a close family relative. Oftentimes the individual is killed through the negligence of a third party and the family member simply wants to understand the law that pertains to the claim. Sometimes, however, family members can get in an argument among themselves as to who has the right to pursue the claim for the wrongful death. While Georgia, like many states, has a statutory scheme
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Structured Settlements In Serious Injury Cases

In any serious injury case involving permanent or lifetime injuries, careful consideration should be given to whether a structured settlement should be part of any settlement of such a case. A structured settlement agreement is a device whereby if the overall lump sum amount can be agreed upon, a certain percentage of it can be set aside and invested in an annuity that will pay benefits over the victim’s lifetime, usually on a monthly basis. Such benefits are extremely important for people who are disabled because it provides them a safety net and allows them to pay rent and other necessary living expenses as they grow older. Particularly in those cases where a victim is incapacitated and unable to work, a structured settlement agreement can provide a lifetime of revenue for necessary living expenses.
One of the main advantages of a structured settlement agreement is that the benefits are not taxable. As an example, if someone were to settle a personal injury case for $500,000.00 and allocate $200,000.00 for a structured settlement annuity, any benefits generated from the structured settlement annuity would be non-taxable. However, if the settling individual were to receive the entire amount in cash and then invested a portion of the money and made the same monthly interest, taxes would have to be paid on the interest earned, assuming that there was enough income otherwise generated to be subject to taxation.

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Hospital And Medical Liens: What Should A Victim Do?

In a serious injury case the victim is usually overwhelmed with medical expenses, lost wages, terrible pain and suffering, and a total disruption in their personal, family and home life. If they are fortunate enough to have good counsel and they are fortunate enough to get a good settlement from the third party responsible for inflicting the injuries upon them, it will not be uncommon for such a victim to have to deal with a host of medical lien issues. The most common medical liens
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Implantable Defibrillators Frequently Used In Inappropriate Cases

More than 20% of patients who received an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator — a high-tech device that produces electrical impulses to regulate heartbeats and prevent life-threatening arrhythmias — in recent years were not good candidates to receive the device, a new study suggests.
Researchers at Duke University looked at more than 111,000 patients who received ICD implants between 2006 and 2009. More than 25,000 of those patients did not meet evidence-based criteria for receiving the device, according to the study.
The risk of dying in the hospital
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Inhalers Recalled Due To Mislabeling

The Food and Drug Administration is also concerned that hospital, med-center and emergency patients may be given the higher dose, as correctly labeled outer packaging is generally discarded.
Health care providers seeing only the mislabeled bottle would be very likely to give the wrong dose, especially since the two solution strengths are distilled in equal sized bottles. The .05 mg/3 ml bottles look just like the 2.5 mg./ 3 ml bottles. Only the strength differs.
Albuterol Sulfate Inhalation is sold in single use dosage bottles,
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Subrogation Claims In Personal Injury Cases

In car accidents, tractor-trailer accidents, medical malpractice or other serious injury cases, in the event a settlement is reached, there is always the possibility of a subrogation claim being asserted by a third party against the settlement proceeds. Subrogation claims are usually claims held by insurance carriers that have paid medical benefits. The victim who was injured by the negligent truck driver, for example, may have incurred hundreds of thousands in medical bills for expensive surgery. If a third party health insurance carrier pays these
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Food-Borne Safety Bill Signed But in Trouble

Each year, according to the most recent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates, 48 million people, that is one in six Americans, are sickened by food-borne illnesses. Of those, 180,000 are hospitalized and 3,000 die.
The first major overhaul of the nation’s food-safety infrastructure since 1938 was signed into law yesterday by President Obama.
The Food Safety Modernization Act moves the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) away from its early-20th-century role of responding to adulterated food to a more modern one of requiring companies
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Electric Adjustable Beds Singled Out For Dangers

Electric adjustable beds have been singled out for causing serious injuries and death. Yesterday, the Food and Drug Administration issued a warning to Invacare Corp. for failing to report and address malfunctions with its electric beds, including electronics that allegedly caught on fire causing injury and death.
The FDA posted a warning letter to the Ohio-based company Tuesday morning. Invacare makes a variety of medical equipment, including wheelchairs, oxygen tanks and electric beds.
In its Dec. 15 warning letter, the FDA said the company
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Settlement Releases In Personal Injury Cases

Anytime a serious injury case is settled for a particular amount of money, the insurance company for the at fault third party involved will insist on a Release of all claims, not only against their insured responsible for the damages but also for the insurance company issuing the check on their behalf. This is standard as part of any serious injury or personal injury case whereby monies are paid as consideration for a settlement. In all such cases, counsel should be conferred with because the
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Georgia Wrongful Death Lawyer: Why Families Need Legal Help After Intentional Violence

Intentional violence can take the life of a person, and it should never be ignored. 

It is one of those unexpected situations that leaves families helpless and creates uncertainty about what to do after losing a loved one. 

After having a calamitous experience of wrongful death, families get blank and feel challenged at the time of immediate action. 

A Georgia wrongful death lawyer at  Finch McCranie LLP
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Cosmetic Surgery Complications: When You Need a Cosmetic Surgery Malpractice Attorney

Many people get cosmetic surgery to improve their appearance, correct imperfections, and boost their confidence, but most procedures go smoothly, some patients experience severe complications that go far beyond an unsatisfactory result. 

When cosmetic surgery leads to preventable injury, disfigurement, or long-term medical problems, it may be more than a bad outcome and require medical malpractice attorney

This guide explains when complications become malpractice, warning signs you should never ignore, and how a cosmetic surgery malpractice
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Is it Possible to Claim an Injury During Holidays?

The holiday season is assumed to be a leisure day for all, including residents and office workers. 

However, hiring a personal injury attorney in Atlanta becomes necessary after a serious truck accident that can turn your life into a nightmare

Whether it is medical malpractice, felony murder, wrongful death, highway accidents, a fall from a high-storey building, or any other unexpected situation, accident lawyers have specially acquired
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Top 10 Questions to Ask During the Hiring Process of a Truck Accident Lawyer

Questions to ask a truck accident lawyer during the hiring process are crucial for ensuring that you hire the right attorney for your case. 

Asking the right questions helps you gauge their experience, approach, and communication style, making sure your expectations align. 

This guide covers the essential questions to ask during your first meeting with a truck accident lawyer to help you make an informed decision and get the best possible representation

Why
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How Do Medical Malpractice Lawyers in My Area Investigate Hospitals or Clinics?

Medical malpractice can be a devastating experience, leaving patients and families with physical, emotional, and financial burdens.

When a medical error occurs, understanding whether it constitutes malpractice and determining the responsible parties requires careful investigation.

Medical malpractice lawyers play a critical role in this process, leveraging their expertise to scrutinize hospitals, clinics, and healthcare providers to build a strong case.

If you are searching for medical malpractice lawyers in
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What Can a Local Wrongful Death Lawyer Do Right Now for My Family?

Losing a loved one is one of the most devastating experiences a family can endure.

When that loss occurs due to someone else’s negligence, recklessness, or intentional actions, the grief is often compounded by feelings of anger, confusion, and financial stress.

During such a time, knowing where to turn for help can make a critical difference.

A local wrongful death lawyer can provide immediate, practical support, helping families navigate
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Can a Lawyer Still Help if the Medical Mistake Happened a Year Ago?

Medical malpractice is a serious issue that affects thousands of patients every year.

Unfortunately, medical errors can have lasting consequences, both physically and financially.

Many victims wonder if they can still take legal action when the mistake happened months—or even years—ago.

The short answer is yes, but there are important factors to consider.

Understanding how medical malpractice claims work, the role of an attorney, and the
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Why Do Lawyers Get Better Compensation Results Than Handling It Alone?

When someone suffers harm because of a doctor’s mistake, a hospital oversight, or a preventable medical error, the aftermath can feel overwhelming.

Medical malpractice cases are known for being complex, evidence-heavy, and aggressively defended by insurance companies.

Many victims wonder whether they should hire an attorney or try handling the case themselves to save money or speed up the process.

But the truth is clear: lawyers consistently secure better compensation outcomes
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How Can an Attorney Guide Me Through the First 48 Hours?

When a medical procedure goes wrong or a healthcare provider fails to deliver the standard of care you deserved, the first 48 hours after the event are some of the most overwhelming moments a person can experience.

You may be in pain, confused about what happened, and unsure how to protect your rights.

This is where the calm, strategic guidance of an experienced medical malpractice attorney becomes essential.

Their
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What Does a Lawyer Do to Preserve Evidence Right After an Accident or Death?

When a truck accident occurs, the aftermath can feel chaotic, overwhelming, and confusing—especially when injuries or a tragic loss of life are involved.

The actions taken in the first hours and days after the crash can shape the entire legal outcome.

This is why preserving evidence becomes the top priority.

Victims and families often have immediate concerns such as medical care, funeral costs, lost income, or even applying for financial support like a Truck
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