Finch McCranie, LLP

The Complications Of A Serious Personal Injury Claim

Every serious injury claim our firm handles has its own set of complications, but one of the most complicating facts we are often confronted with is the case where someone is seriously injured in an automobile or tractor-trailer collision and they have no health insurance. Indeed, regardless of the type of claim, whether it be a slip and fall, a products liability claim, medical malpractice or any other tort case, the lack of available health insurance oftentimes severely compromises our ability to obtain justice for our clients. This also severely compromises the ability of the injured individual to obtain the necessary care to improve their health. While we often read in the paper about the crisis of our healthcare delivery system when it comes to poor and the indigent, we see this crises every day in our practice when innocent victim/clients who are suffering are unable to afford needed healthcare.

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Georgia Bicycling Laws

In addition to the bicycle laws already covered in past blogs, there are a few others with which all bike riders should be familiar.
One makes it unlawful for any person to sell a new bicycle or pedal unless the pedals on the bike or the pedal is equipped with a reflector of a type approved by the Department of Public Safety. The reflector must be situated so as to be visible from the front and rear of the bike during darkness from a distance
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Beware Medical Credit Cards

Many doctors and dentists are marketing medical credit cards to their patients. Doctors like the cards because they get paid immediately from the credit card companies rather than spending time collecting medical bills. Doctors and other health care providers are pushing the cards even in cases where the patient needs emergency care and may not be in a position to refuse the card or to intelligently make a proper financial decision.
Consumer lawyers report they are seeing a growing number of cases where patients say
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Contact Lens Solution Lawsuits Continue

In May of 2007, Advanced Medical Optics, Inc. recalled one of its contact lens cleaning solutions, known as AMO Complete Moisture Plus. Our firm is currently representing 2 individuals injured by this product. According to the Centers for Disease Control, contact lens wearers were seventeen (17) times more likely to contract a serious eye infection known as acanthamoeba keratitis if they used this product as opposed to other Multi Purpose Cleansing solutions. Even though the product was recalled from the market in May of 2007,
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Georgia Bicycle Laws – Use Of The Roadway

Our Atlanta bicycle accident attorneys review many bike injury cases in which it is alleged by the at fault motorist that the bike rider was riding in an unlawful manner. Continuing with our explanation of Georgia bicycle laws, Section 40-6-294 of the Official Code of Georgia controls the use of roadways and bike paths by bicyclists. It provides that every person operating a bike shall ride as close to right side road as practicable with the following exceptions:
1. except turning left or avoiding hazards
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A Wrongful Death Case:Client’s Son Dies Hero’s Death

In our wrongful death practice, obviously, our attorneys have seen many tragedies, sometimes with devastating consequences for our clients and their families. This past week was no different as we were retained to represent the family of a young man who died while attempting to save the life of another. This young man gave his life and service to another, one of the highest and noblest acts of self-sacrifice possible. And yet, the matter has gone largely unnoticed by the metropolitan Atlanta community simply because
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Anti-Consumer Decisions From Supreme Court Get Congressional Scrutiny

At a recent Senate hearing , several lawmakers blasted the U.S. Supreme Court over a series of opinions they say protect businesses at the expense of ordinary Americans. Committee Chairman Sen. Patrick Leahy, said the Court’s recent opinions on employment discrimination, federal preemption and mandatory arbitration have empowered and protected corporations while making it harder for workers and consumers to get redress.
Leahy pointed to Ledbetter v. Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., 127 S.Ct. 2162, handed down just over a year ago. In that case,
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Bicycle Laws – Equipment

As we previously wrote, there are specific laws regulating bicycles in the state of Georgia. Many of these requirement are unknown to bike riders, and in many instances are used by defendants to attempt to avoid liability for injuring bike riders. Our attorneys have seen one section in particular used many times by defense attorneys in an effort to try to shift blame from an at fault motorist onto the biker. That law, Section 40-6 -294 of the Official Code of Georgia, establishes requirements for
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Defective Tire Stem Dangers

Defective automobile tire valves manufactured in China are the subject of a recall. Some 6 million tire valve stems manufactured by Shanghai Baolong Automotive Corp. of China between July 2006 and November 2006 have been recalled. It is estimated that 36 million of these tire stems were manufactured.
The U.S. distributor of the tire valves, Dill Air Control Products, of Oxford, N.C., notified the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration of potential problems with the tire valve stems after it was named in a lawsuit filed
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Atlanta Bike Laws

Atlanta bicycle accidents and injuries are increasing at an alarming rate, as we have previously written. Yesterday, the Atlanta Journal Constitution published a story which echoed our information and addressed the growing conflict between bikers and automobile drivers.
Many bike riders, and most motorists, do not realize that under Georgia law and in most other states, a bike is considered a vehicle; and, with some exceptions, is subject to the same laws and rules as a motor vehicle. There are specific laws which relate only
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Georgia Patients Denied Recovery For Medical Malpractice

Georgia medical malpractice cases have become increasingly difficult to bring as the legislature enacts more and more restrictive laws. A fact which many do not know is that patients injured by highly negligent actions in Georgia emergency departments have no right of recovery. This is due legislation which established a gross negligence standard which governing the actions of emergency room personnel.
This standard has been interpreted by the Georgia courts as requiring almost intentional conduct.
The extreme unfairness of this law is illustrated by a
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The Summer Motorcycle Season Has Begun In Georgia

Anyone who spends time in the mountains of Georgia or North Carolina knows that the summer motorcycle season is here. It is time for many of us to hit the open road once again. Before you do, we suggest you review some important safety tips, that may help keep you safe this season. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), approximately 5,100 people died in motorcycle crashes in 2007. This alarming statistic is the highest level since the Department of Transportation began collecting data in 1975.
Many bikers take precautions to avoid accidents, but even when all safety precautions have been made, other driver’s make mistakes that cause serious injuries. A Georgia man lost his foot as a result of an inattentive driver who ran a traffic light; a North Carolina man lost his life when a tractor-trailer turned left into his right of way; and a Florida man suffered a traumatic brain injury when the defendant driver ran a red light. The fact is that there is no way to completely eliminate the risk, even for the most skilled bikers but staying alert and ride defensively can help.

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The Federal Tort Claims Act: Determining The Law Of Liability

When a claim is asserted against the United States government, the claim is based on the alleged liability of the United States in accordance with the law of the place where the negligent act or omission occurred. As an example, if a postal truck runs over someone in the State of Georgia, the laws of the State of Georgia will control whether the acts of the postal carrier driver were negligent. The liability of the United States as stated in other entries is the same
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Motorcycle Accident Result in Serious Injuries

The motorcycle accident lawyers at Finch McCranie, LLP have represented many motorcycle riders over the years who have been seriously injured in collisions involving automobiles. A few months ago we settled a case where our client sustained very serious injuries to his leg and foot when his motorcycle was hit broadside in an intersection by a doctor who ran a red light in her SUV. Although the motorcycle was not demolished, the injuries were devastating. As a result of the injuries he sustained, doctors had to amputate several toes and part of his foot. In this case and most others, the motorcycle rider was obeying the law and did nothing to cause or contribute to the collision.

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Serious Burn Injuries In Georgia

Georgia injury lawyers know that accidents involving serious burn injuries are more common than one might think. The American Burn Association estimates that 1.1 million significant burn injuries occur every year in the United States. Most commonly, burns are caused by: automobile accidents, gas and other flammable liquid fuel explosions, scalding/hot water, electrical accidents, industrial accidents, gasoline spills, building fires, defective candles, lighters and matches; however, the causes are numerous. We have seen cases involving propane powered forklifts which leak gas inside
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The Federal Tort Claims Act: Where To File And Who To Sue

Assuming an administrative claim is properly submitted and is denied and a lawsuit is thereafter commenced, the lawsuit must be filed in United States District Court, not in a state court. One advantage of proceeding under the Federal Tort Claims Act is that such a suit can be brought in the Federal Judicial District where the plaintiff resides or where the negligent act or omission occurred. Thus, if a person is traveling, as an example, and is hit by a postal carrier running a stop
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Dog Bite Cases In Georgia

Georgia injury lawyers see numerous dog bite cases every year. More than 4.7 million people in the United States are bitten by dogs every year. Nearly one out of every six bites are serious enough to require medical attention.

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The Federal Tort Claims Act: No Right To A Jury Trial

Under the specific provisions of the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) there is no right to a jury trial. See 28 U.S.C. § 2492. This is one of the disadvantages of suing the United States government but because the FTCA is a limited waiver of sovereign immunity, the provisions of the Act control. Simply stated, the limited waiver provisions provide that there is no right to jury trial when suing the United States government. What this means is that once the case is assigned to
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New Georgia Laws In Effect To Curb Automobile Accidents and Truck Accidents

Beginning today, several new Georgia laws intended to reduce automobile accidents, tractor trailer truck accidents and motorcycle accidents go into effect. One of these is the Texting While Driving law. Georgia drivers under the age of 18 will be charged if they talk or text on a cell phone while driving. Under this new law, all drivers, regardless of age will be charged if they write, send or read a text message, email or access the Internet while driving. If found guilty a motorist will be fined $150.00 and will be assessed 1 point on his or her driving record.

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Georgia Bicycle Accidents

The Georgia injury lawyers at Finch McCranie, LLP represent clients who have suffered personal injuries from bicycle accidents or who are survivors of cyclists killed in accidents caused by the careless or negligent conduct of others. Surprisingly, many of these bicycle accidents do not involve other drivers but were caused by the negligence of road contractors, construction companies, and even public utility companies. Injuries suffered as a result of these types of accidents can be severe and life altering. Most common are nerve damage, broken or dislocated bones, and injuries to the neck, back, brain, or spinal cord. Sadly, some of these bicycle accidents result in the wrongful death of the cyclist.

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