Personal Injury & Wrongful Death

Food Poisoning Danger – Recall Due To E. coli

Our firm was recently retained to represent a gentleman who almost died after he consumed a meal at a restaurant in south Georgia. It seems like our food supply is not as safe as it used to be. Time and time again we hear and read about horrific food poisoning injury cases, some resulting in death.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture reported this week that a New Jersey-based meat processor has voluntarily recalled 331,582 pounds of frozen ground beef products that may be contaminated with
(more…)

Effort to Control Hospital Infections

In an analysis made public this week, Consumers Union, the publisher of Consumer Reports Magazine, compared data compiled by the Federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services showing compliance with infection control measures for hospitals in Maryland and Virginia.
Consumers Union is advocating a bill before Congress that will require hospitals to publish their infection rates. The analysis determined that the hospitals in both states generally performed about as well as hospitals nationwide. But, according to the study, the hospitals in each state varied greatly
(more…)

Gadolinium Contrast Agent – A Dangerous Drug Under Investigation

Many of us who have handled serious personal injury cases, including those involving brain injury have seen MRI’s performed using various contrast agents for years. One of those agents does not appear to be as safe as once thought. Gadolinium, or gadodiamide, is a contrast agent which allows an MRI to define normal tissue from abnormal tissue in the brain and body. The FDA declared Gadolinium safe for use in contrast MRI’s in 1988.
In June 2006, the FDA first notified health care professionals and
(more…)

Avandia – A Dangerous Diabetes Drug

Avandia was approved by the FDA in May 1999 for use in improving control of blood sugar levels in Type 2 diabetics. Since its approval, Avandia, which is manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline, has been used by more than seven million people worldwide and is, today, being used by over one million Americans.
According to a study on Avandia conducted by the Cleveland Clinic which was published on May 21, 2007, by the New England Journal of Medicine, the popular drug is linked to a greater risk
(more…)

Defective Hernia Repair Mesh Patch Recalled

The Composix® Kugel Mesh Patch is used to repair inguinal, ventral and laparoscopic hernias. The purpose of the patch is to keep the intestines in the abdominal cavity. The patch is typically placed behind the hernia defect by means of an incision. The patch is then held open by a memory recoil ring.
The Composix® Kugel Mesh Patch was recently recalled by its manufacturer, Davol, Inc., a subsidiary of C.R. Bard, Inc., after it was discovered that the memory recoil ring can break under stress
(more…)

Serious Injury Settlements–Are They Taxable?

Many people we have represented in serious personal injury cases whether they workplace accidents, trucking accidents, automobile accidents or dangerous products have asked whether settlement proceeds or payments made to an injured party as aresult of a jury verdict are taxable. The general rule is that those payments are not taxable.
The Internal Revenue Code provides, “Except as otherwise provided”, gross income for the purpose of calculating Federal income tax includes “all income from whatever source derived”. Sec. 61(a). This definition is sweeping in scope,
(more…)

If You Are Injured In A Motor Vehicle Collision – Do’s and Don’ts

In Georgia, the driver of a vehicle involved in an accident resulting in injury to or death of any person or property damage to an apparent extent of $500.00 or more shall immediately, by the quickest means of communication, give notice of such accident to the local police department if such accident occurs within a municipality. If such accident occurs outside a municipality, such notice shall be given to the office of the county sheriff or to the nearest office of the state patrol.
In
(more…)

Report Underscores Dangers of Medicines

A recent study reported in the Archives of Internal Medicine has concluded that reports to the Food and Drug Administration of dangerous side effects and deaths from widely used medicines almost tripled between 1998 and 2005. The number of deaths and serious injuries from prescription and over-the-counter drugs climbed from 34,966 to 89,842 during the time period.
Powerful narcotic painkillers such as Oxycontin, were among 15 drugs most often linked with deaths in the study. Other drugs such as insulin, the arthritis drugs Vioxx and
(more…)

Closed Head Injuries and Brain Damage

Any trial lawyer who has ever handled a closed head injury case knows that brain damage can occur even if there is no direct blow to the head. Quite literally, the brain is like a bowl of Jell-O. If the head is shaken, the brain moves within the skull and due to acceleration and rotational forces, not necessarily direct blows, the brain can be damaged. Nor does an injury have to be severe to cause lasting brain injury. In short, a closed head injury without
(more…)

Consumer Drugs and Serious Injuries: A Growing Problem

According to an article that appeared in the U. S. News and World Report on September 10, 2007, the number of serious “adverse” drug events more than doubled between 1998 and 2005 in the United States as did a number of related deaths. Adverse event reports are filed when a doctor or hospital realizes that a patient has suffered a serious drug event that has resulted in death, hospitalization and/or other life threatening complications which requires medical intervention to prevent harm. Between 1998 and 2005,
(more…)

Why Personal Injury Settlements in Duluth Differ So Much Between Families

When two families experience similar accidents in Duluth — perhaps both involving a car collision or a tragic loss — it can be shocking to see how personal injury settlements differ dramatically. 

One family may receive what seems like full justice, while another struggles to cover even basic expenses.

At Finch McCranie LLP, we’ve spent decades helping families understand exactly why this happens. Settlement differences aren’t random. 

They’re based
(more…)

What If You Feel Fine After an Accident? Duluth Personal Injury Lawyers Warn What Comes Next

You step out of your car after an accident. Your hands are shaking, your heart’s racing—but strangely, you feel fine. 

No pain. No dizziness. No bleeding. You might even think, “I guess I got lucky.”

But according to leading Duluth Personal Injury Lawyers, that momentary calm can be deceiving. 

The body’s natural response to trauma often masks symptoms of serious injury. 

Adrenaline floods the system,
(more…)

Can Siblings File a Wrongful Death Claim in Atlanta? What Duluth Families Should Know

When a loved one dies because of another party’s negligence or wrongful conduct, the family may face difficult questions about who has the legal authority to take action.

For siblings in Duluth and Metro Atlanta, one question often arises: Can a brother or sister file a wrongful death claim in Atlanta?

Georgia law limits who may bring a claim, so a sibling’s eligibility depends on the surviving family members and whether the sibling has authority to represent the deceased person’s estate.

Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim in Georgia?

(more…)

Can a Duluth Wrongful Death Attorney Help if There’s No Police Report?

Losing someone you love is one of the hardest experiences a family can endure. 

When that loss happens because of another person’s negligence — a careless driver, a reckless company, or even a medical mistake — it becomes not just painful, but deeply unjust. 

Families want answers. 

They want accountability. 

And they often wonder: 

Can we still take legal action if there’s no
(more…)

Truck Accident Lawyer for Spine and Brain Injury Cases in Atlanta

Truck accidents are among the most dangerous types of crashes on the road.

When a semi-truck or 18-wheeler collides with a smaller vehicle, the impact can be devastating — often leading to serious or permanent injuries.

Two of the most life-changing outcomes after a truck crash are spinal cord injuries and traumatic brain injuries (TBIs).

These are not just medical emergencies — they are events that can change a person’s entire future.

If you or a loved one has suffered one of these
(more…)

How to Get Medical Help After a Truck Accident with No Insurance in Atlanta

A truck accident can turn your whole life upside down in just a few seconds.

You’re hurt, scared, and worried about what to do next.

But for many people, the biggest question isn’t just about recovery — it’s how to get medical help if you don’t have health insurance.

If you’ve been injured in a truck crash in Atlanta, Georgia, don’t panic.

You still have options. In fact, there are several ways to get the medical care you need and protect your right to compensation
(more…)

What Makes Truck Accident Lawsuits Different from Car Accidents in Atlanta?

Not all vehicle accidents are the same.

If you’ve ever seen the aftermath of a truck crash on I-75, I-285, or I-85 in Atlanta, you already know — a semi-truck accident can destroy multiple vehicles in seconds.

But beyond the physical damage, these cases are legally very different from car accidents.

When you’re hit by a commercial truck, the process for getting justice and compensation is far more complex.

That’s why working with an experienced truck accident lawyer in Atlanta can make all the
(more…)

What Happens If a Truck Accident Involves a Hazardous Material Spill in Atlanta?

Truck accidents are always serious, but when the truck is carrying hazardous materials, the danger multiplies instantly.

Fires, explosions, and toxic leaks can threaten entire neighborhoods — not just the people involved in the crash.

For victims, this type of accident is terrifying and confusing.

You may be wondering: Who’s responsible for the cleanup, who pays for the damage, and what happens to those injured or exposed?

If you’ve been affected by a hazmat or chemical truck accident in Atlanta, here’s what you need to
(more…)

Is a Georgia 18-Wheeler Accident Law Firm Worth Hiring After a Crash?

If you’ve been involved in a crash with an 18-wheeler or commercial truck, your life can change in seconds.

These massive vehicles often weigh up to 80,000 pounds — and when they collide with a passenger car, the results are almost always devastating.

In the aftermath, victims are left with hospital bills, lost wages, and endless phone calls from insurance companies.

So, it’s natural to wonder: Do I really need to hire a Georgia 18-wheeler accident law firm, or can I handle this on my
(more…)

18-Wheeler Wreck Lawsuits Explained by Atlanta Truck Accident Attorneys

When an 18-wheeler collides with a smaller vehicle, the aftermath can be devastating.

The massive size and weight of these trucks make accidents catastrophic, often leaving victims with severe injuries, emotional trauma, and financial hardship.

Understanding how to navigate the complex process of an 18-wheeler wreck lawsuit is crucial — and that’s where the guidance of an experienced Truck Accident Lawyer becomes indispensable.

In this article, Atlanta’s top truck accident attorneys explain everything you need to know about 18-wheeler wreck lawsuits — from causes
(more…)