Personal Injury & Wrongful Death

Riding Mower Defects Endanger Children

Each spring and summer our attorneys see an increasing number of injuries to children caused by lawnmowers. An estimated 9,400 children are injured each year. Many of the accidents result in amputations of legs, hands, fingers, feet, and toes. Experts say that the most serious accidents occur when operators back up rider mowers with the mower blades engaged and run over small children they can’t see.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, back over accidents alone account for 560 injuries to children each year.
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Nursing Negligence

In the not too distant past, our lawyers’ experience had been that medical malpractice encompassed almost exclusively the negligent wrongs of physicians. However, as nursing has evolved into a sophisticated, technical, and specialized profession, nurses regularly assume roles previously in the exclusive domain of physicians. These include examinations, diagnosis, post-surgical monitoring, and treatments of patients. Sometimes this is done without any direct supervision from physicians. The nurse’s expanded role in patient care, the continual development of specialized and sophisticated medical technology, and the heightened emphasis
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Heat Related Sports Deaths: A Preventable Tragedy

This is the time of year where it seems that everyone who rides in an automobiles passes a high school football practice. The sweltering sun and heat of this summer, which is particularly hot, is obviously a danger to those practicing. If those responsible for the players are not careful, deaths can ensue. Indeed, it has almost become commonplace every summer to read about the death of a high school or college football player due to extreme heat conditions.
Our firm, regrettably, has been involved
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Legal Status Of Injured Person Determines Duty Owed By Premises Owner

In Georgia, owners and occupiers of land or buildings owe certain duties to those who come on the premises. The duties vary according to the relationship between the owner and the person coming onto the premises. The mere fact that one owns or occupies land or a building does not make one liable for injuries sustained by persons who have entered onto the land or the premises. It is a commonly accepted in Georgia law that the owner of a building or land is not
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Dangerous Toys Recalled

Toy maker Mattel, Inc. issued recalls yesterday for about 9 million Chinese made toys that could be potentially dangerous for children. The recalls were negotiated by the Consumer Products Safety Commission. The majority of the toys subject to the recall contain magnets that can be swallowed by children and the rest have lead paint. The recall includes play sets, including the Polly Pocket dolls and Batman action figures as well as almost a quarter of a million die cast cars that contains lead paint.
This
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Cell Phone Battery Danger Warning

Nokia Corp. warned Tuesday that up to 46 million batteries used in some of its cell phones could pose a serious risk of overheating. The batteries subject to the warning were manufactured by Matsushita from December 2005 to November 2006. Matsushita Battery Industrial Co. Ltd. of Japan is one of several suppliers that have together made some 300 million BL-5C batteries.
Nokia is the world’s largest mobile phone maker. The lithium-ion battery is one of 14 different types of battery used in Nokia phones.
Nokia
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Health Court Bills In Congress

Legislation is being considered in both houses of Congress to fund pilot projects in 10 states that would create administrative panels known as “health courts.” This legislation is being strongly supported the medical and insurance lobby. The legislation is based on systems in Scandinavia and New Zealand. The state of Florida also has an existing administrative procedure for dealing with birth-related neurological injuries.
The legislation, if passed in its current form, would eliminate jury trials in medical negligence cases. The standard by which the actions
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Criminal Charges In Big Dig Tunnel Collapse

Powers Fasteners Inc., the company that provided the epoxy adhesive blamed in the fatal Boston Big Dig tunnel collapse was indicted this week in the death of a woman killed on July 10, 2006, when tons of falling concrete crushed her automobile. Milena Del Valle, 39, was killed when as she and her husband drove through the Big Dig tunnel. Her husband escaped with only minor injuries.
An investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board concluded the collapse could have been avoided if designers and
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Mediation of Tort Claims

Our lawyers have successfully represented many clients at mediations, covering a wide range of actions such as truck accidents, medical malpractice, auto collisions, and premises liability. Our experiences have led us to conclude that, under the right circumstances, mediation can be of great benefit to plaintiffs. It generally allows the matter to be concluded long before a trial can be scheduled, removes the risks associated with the trial of some cases, and allows the client to control the result, as opposed to a jury, judge,
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Sovereign Immunity Precludes Many Valid Lawsuits

Many state, county, and local governments are protected from lawsuits even though their employees may have been extremely negligent in causing severe injuries to innocent citizens. In most instances, the doctrine of sovereign immunity precludes a lawsuit against these entities, unless the governing body, such as the legislature, has waived the protection of sovereign immunity. Even when there has been a waiver, it is generally restricted to a maximun amount of recovery.
For example, in a ruling involving last summers deadly Comair plane crash at
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How Weather Conditions Influence Truck Accident Liability: What Victims Should Know

Weather is a major factor in road safety, especially for large commercial trucks.

Even mild rain, fog, snow, or wind can turn routine driving into a serious hazard—and complicate questions of legal responsibility.

Truck drivers must be trained to adapt to these conditions, yet many accidents happen because of poor decisions or company negligence.

Proving liability in weather-related crashes is challenging, but with fast action and deep legal knowledge, it’s possible to hold the right
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What Truck Accident Victims Should Know About Electronic Logging Device (ELD) Data

One of the most devastating events on our roadways is a truck accident.

These collisions frequently cause serious injuries or fatalities because of the size and weight of commercial vehicles.

In the aftermath, victims and their families are left not only coping with trauma and medical bills but also searching for answers: What caused the accident? Could it have been prevented? Who is liable?

More precise and fact-based solutions to these problems are now feasible
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Is There a Cap on Wrongful Death Compensation? What Families Should Know About Limits

One of the most terrible things a family can go through is losing a loved one because of the carelessness of another person.

Knowing your legal rights and alternatives becomes crucial during this extremely taxing period, particularly with regard to wrongful death compensation.

Is there a cap on wrongful death damages? This is a question that many families have.

The answer isn’t simple and varies widely depending on where you live and the specifics of your
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Legal Rights of Parents in Unborn Child Wrongful Death Cases

It is an unfathomable sadness to lose an unborn child as a result of someone else’s carelessness.

In Georgia, parents have legal avenues to seek justice and compensation through wrongful death claims.

However, these cases are fraught with complexities, and understanding the legal framework is crucial.

Understanding Wrongful Death in the Context of Unborn Children

Georgia law allows parents to pursue wrongful death claims for the loss of an unborn child, provided certain conditions are met.

Usually at 24 weeks of gestation, the fetus
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Medical Malpractice Settlements vs. Jury Trials: Which Is Right for You?

When a medical procedure goes wrong, the consequences can be devastating—emotionally, physically, and financially.

Victims and families often face a whirlwind of pain, confusion, and legal questions.

One of the most important decisions you’ll face in a medical malpractice case is whether to accept a settlement or pursue a jury trial.

Each path comes with its own risks and rewards, and making the right choice could shape the outcome of your entire case.

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Who Can File a Medical Malpractice Claim? Understanding Your Rights

You may be able to file a medical malpractice claim when you or a loved one experienced harm as a result of a medical professional’s carelessness.

Many people aren’t sure whether they have the right to file or if their situation qualifies as malpractice.

As seasoned medical malpractice attorneys at Finch McCranie LLP, we believe understanding your legal rights is the first step in holding healthcare providers accountable and seeking the justice you deserve.
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How Settlements Work in Medical Malpractice Cases

Without competent legal assistance, allegations of medical negligence can be difficult to handle due to their complexity, emotional content, and difficulty.

It’s essential to understand how settlements in medical malpractice cases work if you or a loved one experienced harm as a consequence of a healthcare provider’s negligence.

Many parties prefer to settle their cases out of court, but it’s crucial to understand what that process involves, what to anticipate, and how an experienced medical malpractice
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What Evidence Is Critical in Truck Accident Injury Lawsuits?

Truck accidents frequently result in catastrophic injuries or fatalities, making it one of the most damaging categories of personal injury incidents.

A accident between a commercial truck and a smaller vehicle can have serious financial, psychological, and physical repercussions.

In the aftermath, pursuing legal action may be the only way for victims to secure the compensation they deserve.

But not every claim is successful. The quality and extent of the evidence acquired nearly totally determines
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The Role of Expert Witnesses in Medical Malpractice Lawsuits

In medical malpractice trials, expert witnesses are essential because they help the court make sense of complicated medical data.

With a background in healthcare, they analyze medical records to identify whether the standard of care was breached and explain how such breaches caused harm.

Their evidence enables the holding of negligent medical professionals accountable by translating medical jargon into English that juries and judges can easily understand.

Having worked both as a nurse and now
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How a Surgical Negligence Lawyer Can Help If You Suspect Malpractice

Surgical procedures, regardless of complexity, require absolute precision, coordination, and adherence to medical protocols Patients entrust surgical specialists with their trust and even their lives.

But what happens when that trust is broken? When a routine or high-risk surgery results in unexpected harm, and the cause seems to stem from something more than chance?

If you suspect that your injuries, complications, or unexpected outcome after surgery are due to negligence, it’s essential to take proactive steps.

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