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
(more…)

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
(more…)

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.

(more…)

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
(more…)

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
(more…)

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,
(more…)

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
(more…)

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
(more…)

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
(more…)

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
(more…)

Tractor-Trailer Accident Injury Claims Lawyer: Your Advocate After a Devastating Crash

When a tractor-trailer collides with a smaller vehicle, the results are often catastrophic.

Victims may face severe injuries, emotional trauma, and staggering financial losses.

During such an overwhelming time, one crucial decision can shape your path to recovery — hiring an experienced Tractor-Trailer Accident Injury Claims Lawyer.

These legal professionals specialize in handling complex truck accident cases and ensuring victims receive fair compensation for their pain, suffering, and losses.

If you’ve ever wondered what makes tractor-trailer accidents so complex or why you need a skilled
(more…)

Tanker Truck Accident Lawyer in Atlanta: Fighting for Victims of Dangerous Cargo Crashes

When a tanker truck crashes, the consequences are rarely minor.

These massive vehicles often carry hazardous materials—chemicals, fuel, or toxic cargo—that can explode, spill, or ignite in an instant.

In the chaos that follows, innocent drivers and passengers can suffer devastating injuries, property loss, or even death.

If you or a loved one has been affected by such a tragedy, you need more than sympathy—you need an experienced Truck Accident Lawyer who
(more…)

How to File a Claim After a Delivery Truck Crash in Georgia

Delivery trucks are a common sight on Georgia’s highways and city streets — from major carriers like FedEx and UPS to smaller local delivery services.

With the rapid rise in online shopping, the number of delivery trucks on the road has surged, and so have the accidents involving them.

These crashes can lead to serious injuries, vehicle damage, and financial loss.

If you’ve been involved in a delivery truck accident, understanding how to file
(more…)

Why Families Trust Finch McCranie LLP: The Best Wrongful Death Law Firm in Atlanta

Losing a loved one unexpectedly is one of life’s most devastating experiences. 

When that loss occurs because of another person’s negligence or wrongdoing, the pain is intensified by the need for justice. 

Families facing such tragedy often turn to a Wrongful Death Lawyer in Atlanta to help them seek accountability and compensation. 

Among the most trusted names in Georgia, Finch McCranie LLP stands out as a firm that
(more…)

What Are the Most Common Causes of Wrongful Death in Georgia?

Losing a loved one unexpectedly is one of life’s most painful experiences—especially when their death results from someone else’s negligence.

In Georgia, wrongful death refers to a situation where a person’s careless, reckless, or intentional actions lead to another person’s death.

Families in such circumstances not only face immense emotional pain but also significant financial hardships.

This is where seeking legal guidance from an experienced Wrongful Death Lawyer in Georgia becomes
(more…)

Wrongful Death vs. Medical Malpractice: What’s the Difference?

When a loved one passes away unexpectedly, the grief can be overwhelming—especially if the loss was preventable.

Many families struggle to understand whether the cause of death falls under medical malpractice or a wrongful death claim.

While the two legal concepts often overlap, they have distinct differences in definition, proof, and purpose.

Understanding these differences is essential when deciding what kind of legal action to pursue.

Whether you are seeking justice for medical negligence or filing a claim after an
(more…)

Can Medical Malpractice Be Considered a Wrongful Death in Atlanta?

When a loved one dies, families often look for someone to hold accountable. 

In Atlanta — and more broadly, in Georgia — the notion of “wrongful death” provides a legal pathway to seek compensation for preventable deaths. 

But can medical malpractice fall under the umbrella of wrongful death? 

The short answer is: yes — under certain circumstances. 

However, the answer is layered, involving Georgia’s wrongful death statute,
(more…)

Why You Need a Wrongful Death Lawyer in Duluth After a Fatal Accident

Losing a loved one in a tragic accident is a devastating blow—made even more painful when that death was due to someone else’s negligence or misconduct. 

In the aftermath, families often face legal, financial, and emotional hurdles all at once. 

That’s why hiring an experienced Duluth Wrongful Death Lawyer is not just advisable — it’s essential.

At Finch McCranie LLP, we understand how overwhelming this time can be.
(more…)

How Do Duluth Truck Accident Lawyers Handle Medical Bills?

When you suffer injuries in a truck collision, mounting medical bills are often one of the most immediate and stressful consequences. 

Knowing how Duluth Truck Accident Lawyers manage these medical expenses on your behalf can give you clarity, relieve some of your burden, and allow you to focus on recovery. 

In this guide, we walk through the key strategies, legal mechanisms, and services that a strong Truck Accident Lawyer near me(more…)

What If a Truck Driver Fell Asleep? Can an Atlanta Lawyer Help?

Drowsy driving is one of the most dangerous—and most overlooked—causes of serious truck crashes in the United States. 

Every year, hundreds of people are injured or killed when a truck driver falls asleep at the wheel. 

These accidents often happen without warning, leaving victims with life-changing injuries and emotional trauma.

When something like this happens, one question always arises: Can a lawyer really help?
The short
(more…)