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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Can a Duluth Truck Accident Lawyer Help in Drunk Driving Truck Cases?

When a truck driver chooses to drive under the influence, the consequences can be catastrophic. 

Drunk driving combined with the size and weight of a commercial truck often leads to life-altering injuries or even fatalities.

Victims and their families are left with overwhelming questions—how will medical bills be paid, who is responsible, and what legal steps can bring justice?

That’s where an experienced Duluth Truck Accident Lawyer becomes essential. 

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How a Duluth Truck Accident Lawyer Can Maximize Your Compensation

When you or someone you love suffers injuries in a truck collision, the damage goes far beyond property. 

Medical bills, lost wages, long-term rehabilitation, emotional distress, and diminished quality of life can follow.

Insurance companies and trucking firms are often prepared for aggressive defense. 

That’s where a Duluth Truck Accident Lawyer steps in—not just to file paperwork, but to level the playing field.

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Truck Accident Laws in 2025: Everything Victims Need to Know

Truck accidents are among the most devastating crashes on U.S. roads. Unlike car accidents, these cases often involve massive vehicles, complicated regulations, and multiple liable parties. That’s why truck accident laws exist—to protect victims and ensure accountability.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck crash, understanding these laws is the first step toward getting the compensation you deserve. Let’s break it down in plain language.

1. Overview of Truck Accident Laws in the U.S.

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How Does Wrongful Death Law Protect Minor Children?

When a parent passes away due to negligence or misconduct, the impact on minor children is devastating—both emotionally and financially.

In such tragic circumstances, families often turn to a Wrongful Death Lawyer for guidance.

Wrongful death laws are designed to provide justice and financial relief to surviving family members, particularly dependent children.

These laws recognize that children rely on their parents for not only love and care but also financial support,
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What Questions Should I Ask a Wrongful Death Lawsuit Lawyer in Georgia?

Losing a loved one due to someone else’s negligence is one of the most devastating experiences a family can face.

While no legal action can bring back a life, filing a wrongful death claim can help you pursue justice and secure financial support for the future.

Choosing the right Wrongful Death Lawyer is one of the most critical steps in this process.

In Georgia, laws surrounding wrongful death are specific and
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What Questions Should I Ask the Best 18-Wheeler Accident Lawyer in Atlanta?

When you or a loved one has been injured in a collision involving a large commercial truck, finding the right Truck Accident Lawyer becomes one of the most critical steps toward securing justice and compensation.

Atlanta’s busy highways see thousands of 18-wheelers every day, and unfortunately, accidents involving these massive vehicles often result in life-altering injuries and significant financial burdens.

That’s why hiring the best personal injury lawyer in Atlanta who specializes in trucking
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What Are the Benefits of Hiring a Georgia Wrongful Death Lawsuit Lawyer?

Experiencing the sudden loss of a loved one due to someone else’s negligence or intentional actions is a heartbreaking ordeal.

Beyond the emotional turmoil, families often face complex legal and financial challenges that can feel overwhelming during such a difficult time.

In Georgia, wrongful death laws are designed to provide compensation to surviving family members, but navigating these laws and ensuring justice is achieved can be daunting without professional guidance.

This is where hiring a skilled wrongful death lawyer becomes crucial.

Understanding Wrongful Death
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Can a Delivery Truck Injury Lawyer Sue Companies Like Amazon or UPS in Georgia?

Delivery trucks have become a cornerstone of modern life, ensuring that packages, goods, and essential items arrive at our doorsteps promptly.

However, with this surge in delivery services comes an increase in traffic incidents involving these vehicles.

When accidents occur, the aftermath can be physically, emotionally, and financially devastating for the victims.

Many wonder: can a delivery truck injury lawyer sue major companies like Amazon or UPS in Georgia?

The answer is yes, under certain circumstances, but the process is complex and requires expert
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How Do Lawyers Negotiate Settlements in Wrongful Death Cases?

When a family suffers the death of someone dear because of negligence or misconduct, the path through legal proceedings can seem intimidating. 

A wrongful death case allows surviving family members to pursue justice and financial compensation. 

While some cases proceed to trial, many are resolved through settlements. 

Understanding how lawyers negotiate these settlements is crucial for families seeking closure and fair compensation.

The Goal of a Wrongful Death Settlement

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What Is the Difference Between Economic and Non-Economic Damages in Wrongful Death?

Surviving relatives may have the right to file a wrongful death claim when a loved one dies as a result of negligence, recklessness, or deliberate misconduct. 

These lawsuits provide a way to hold the responsible party accountable and secure financial compensation for the losses endured by the family. 

However, wrongful death compensation is not one-size-fits-all. 

It is divided into two primary categories: economic damages and non-economic damages. 

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