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…)

Rollover Truck Accident Lawyer: Legal Help After Severe Crashes

Rollover truck accidents are some of the most dangerous and catastrophic crashes that can occur on the road. 

When a truck rolls over, it often results in severe injuries or even fatalities. 

Due to the immense size and weight of commercial trucks, a rollover accident can cause significant damage to both the vehicle and the surrounding infrastructure. 

If you’ve been involved in a rollover truck accident, it’s important to understand your
(more…)

Emergency Truck Accident Lawyer: What to Do in the First 24 Hours

Truck accidents can be catastrophic events, often involving severe damage, injuries, or even fatalities. 

With their size, weight, and speed, commercial trucks are much more dangerous than passenger vehicles in the event of a collision. 

If you or a loved one has been involved in a truck accident, every second matters—especially in the first 24 hours following the crash. 

During this critical period, the actions you take can significantly affect your
(more…)

How Can a Truck Accident Lawyer Help You: Crash, Insurance Claim, Compensation, and Complex Laws

A truck accident can turn your world upside down in an instant. One moment you’re driving down the highway, and the next you’re facing injuries, medical bills, and endless questions about what to do next. Unlike a regular car accident, truck accidents often involve multiple parties, complicated insurance policies, and strict federal regulations that can make the process feel overwhelming.

This is where a truck accident lawyer steps in. They are more than just legal representatives —
(more…)

Truck Accident Claim Lawyer Questions You Should Ask Before Hiring

A truck accident can change your life in an instant. One moment you’re driving along, the next you’re dealing with injuries, medical bills, insurance calls, and the stress of figuring out how to get your life back on track. If you’ve been in this situation, finding the truck accident claim lawyer could be the most important decision you make.

Why? Because truck accident claims are not only high stakes, they’re complex. You’re not just dealing with a simple
(more…)

Tractor-Trailer Crash in Georgia? Here’s What a Lawyer Can Do for You

If you or a loved one has been involved in a Tractor-Trailer Crash in Georgia, you know how life-changing these accidents can be. One moment, you’re driving down the highway — the next, you’re dealing with medical emergencies, insurance companies, and a totaled vehicle. It’s overwhelming. And if the accident wasn’t your fault, you’re likely asking: “Who’s going to pay for all this?”

That’s where an experienced truck accident attorney steps in. From untangling complex laws to
(more…)

Wrongful Death, Truck Accidents, or Medical Malpractice? Here’s How to Find the Right Lawyer in Atlanta

When life takes a tragic turn — a loved one lost in a preventable accident, a catastrophic truck crash, or a medical error that leaves lasting harm — you don’t just need a lawyer. 

You need the right lawyer. 

Someone with the experience, reputation, and results to fight for your justice. 

In Atlanta, legal representation can make or break your case. 

The question
(more…)

Semi-Truck Injury Lawyer Near Me: How to Choose After a Crash

When you’re hit by a semi-truck, your world doesn’t just shake—it shatters. 

In a moment, you’re injured, overwhelmed, and staring down a legal process that feels impossible to navigate. 

That’s why finding the right Semi-Truck Injury Lawyer Near Me is one of the most critical steps you can take to protect your health, finances, and future.

But how do you choose the right attorney after a crash?

This
(more…)

Best Medical Malpractice Lawyer in Atlanta for Wrongful Death and Serious Injury

When you or someone you love suffers due to medical negligence, the pain isn’t just physical—it’s emotional, financial, and lifelong. 

Especially in cases involving wrongful death or serious injury, the path to justice requires more than just legal knowledge. 

It demands compassion, experience, and a fierce commitment to holding negligent medical providers accountable.

In this guide, we explore what makes a Medical Malpractice Lawyer in Atlanta
(more…)

Affordable Wrongful Death Lawyer in Atlanta for Semi-Truck and 18-Wheeler Crashes

When a loved one’s life is tragically cut short in a semi-truck or 18-wheeler accident, families face unimaginable pain and confusion. 

These accidents often result in devastating consequences, both emotionally and financially. 

If you’re searching for an affordable wrongful death lawyer in Atlanta, you need a law firm that understands both the legal complexities of trucking cases and the deep emotional toll they take on families.

Finch McCranie LLP has decades
(more…)

Medical Malpractice Attorney vs. Defense Lawyer: What’s the Difference?

When people hear the term “lawyer,” they often think it means the same thing no matter the situation. 

But in the legal world, especially in complex cases like medical malpractice, there are very clear and important differences. 

Specifically, the role of a medical malpractice attorney is quite different from that of a Defense Lawyer

If you’re navigating a medical injury, understanding the difference could determine whether or
(more…)