Personal Injury & Wrongful Death

Psychiatric/Psychological Privilege in Injury Cases in Georgia

Many times we represent clients’ who have been seriously injured in automobile, trucking or on-the-job accidents who have sought and received psychological or psychiatric counseling and treatment. During the course of litigation, insurance company lawyers often try to subpoena mental health records from mental health professionals. It is wise to be vigilant in monitoring these requests from insurance defense lawyers and to object to these requests.
Under Georgia law, “Parties may obtain discovery regarding any matter, not privileged, which is relevant to the subject matter
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Closing Arguments for Juries in Serious Injury Cases

.We continue in this artice our Previous blog and presentation on the delivery of effective Closing Arguments in jury trials.(See entry of 3/13/07). We continue as follows:
GIVE YOUR REMARKS A STRUCTURE
As discussed above, one should not rely upon the inspiration of the moment to deliver a closing argument. A winning summation is usually the result of meticulous, painstaking preparation done well in advance of the actual delivery of the remarks. In order to insure that such preparation is not wasted, obviously, it is
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Your Duties Under The Georgia Workers’ Compensation Act

We cannot tell people how many times unrepresented, injured workers sabotage their cases by failing to comply with their own obligations under the Georgia Workers’ Compensation Act. At a minimum an employee who sustains an on-the-job injury must do the following:
1. Report any on-the-job injury within 30 days of the date of the injury. Although the law provides that an employee should notify the employer within 30 days, any injury should be reported immediately. If you do not report your injury immediately, you may
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Basic Overview of Benefits Available Under the Georgia Workers’ Compensation Act

Many people are unaware of what benefits are available to an injured worker in Georgia. Accordingly we thought it might be helpful to clients or potential clients to have an overview of the basic benefits.
(A) TEMPORARY TOTAL DISABILITY WEEKLY INCOME BENEFITS:
If you are injured and begin losing time from work, you are entitled to receive 2/3 of your average weekly wage up to a maximum of $450.00 per week. The first seven days of compensation are not payable until or unless you have
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Bias In The So Called “Independent Medical Examination”

For over twenty years, we have handled personal injury claims and workers compensation claims of all types. Anyone who has done the same has witnessed the perversion of our system of justice by medical doctors who are performing so called “independent medical exams” for insurance companies and their lawyers. It has always amazed us that medical doctors who spent years of hard work to be able to exercise their own independent judgment in diagnosing and treating injured or sick people are so ready, willing and
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Preparing and Delivering Closing Arguments in Serious Injury Cases

We thought it would be interesting for our readers to understand how experienced attorneys prepare and deliver effective Closing Arguments to juries in serious injury cases. What we have decided to do is to blog about this very interesting subject in a series of brief articles over the next several days. What follows, in fact, is a portion of a presentation delivered by one of our attorneys at a continuuing legal education seminar for the Georgia Bar.
We begin as follows:

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Georgia Firefighter With Heart Attack Awarded Workers Compensation Benefits

Recently, we successfully represented a Georgia firefighter in a workers compensation claim against the county for which he worked. The injury he sustained was a heart attack. Needless to say, the employer denied his claim and took the position that his job had nothing whatsoever to do with the injury to his heart. In researching this injury, we learned that forty percent of on-duty firefighter deaths in the last decade were due to heart attack, according to a recent U.S. Fire Administration report. This is
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Workers Compensation Claims/Uninsured Georgia Employers And The Problems They Cause For Claimants

There is an ever increasing problem for many Georgia workers who become injured and disabled as a result of work injuries. The problem is uninsured employers. We recently got a call about a new workers compensation claim from a worker who was seriously injured as a result of a fall. In fact, this worker had been in the trauma unit of a hospital for several months at the time of this call. He had multiple orthopedic injuries, including leg and arm fractures requiring many surgeries.
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Atlanta Bus Accident Tragedy Takes 6 Lives

We heard today on a radio broadcast that struck very close to home that four young men from a college in Bluffton, Ohio had been killed, in addition to a bus driver and his wife. Nine others were seriously injured when a charter bus crashed off of an exit ramp off interstate highway I-75 (inside the city limits of Atlanta) back onto the highway. The facts and circumstances surrounding this tragedy are still being investigated, however, this is an all too familiar tragedy that we
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PRODUCTS LIABILITY

Products liability refers to the liability of any or all parties along the chain of manufacture of any product for damage caused by that product. This includes the manufacturer of component parts, the assembling manufacturer, the wholesaler, and the retail store owner. Products containing inherent defects that cause harm to a consumer of a product or someone to whom the product was loaned, given, etc. can be subjects of product liability suits.
Depending on the jurisdiction, product liability claims can be based on negligence, strict
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Medication Errors in Duluth Hospitals: Who’s Really Responsible?

When a loved one is admitted to a hospital, families trust doctors and nurses to deliver the right treatment, follow proper procedures, and monitor medication carefully. 

Yet every year, patients across the United States—and right here in Duluth—suffer harm because of avoidable medication errors. 

These mistakes can lead to severe complications, lifelong injuries, or even death.

When this happens, one question arises: Who is really responsible?

Understanding liability in hospital medication
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Why Personal Injury Settlements in Duluth Differ So Much Between Families

When two families experience similar accidents in Duluth — perhaps both involving a car collision or a tragic loss — it can be shocking to see how personal injury settlements differ dramatically. 

One family may receive what seems like full justice, while another struggles to cover even basic expenses.

At Finch McCranie LLP, we’ve spent decades helping families understand exactly why this happens. Settlement differences aren’t random. 

They’re based
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What If You Feel Fine After an Accident? Duluth Personal Injury Lawyers Warn What Comes Next

You step out of your car after an accident. Your hands are shaking, your heart’s racing—but strangely, you feel fine. 

No pain. No dizziness. No bleeding. You might even think, “I guess I got lucky.”

But according to leading Duluth Personal Injury Lawyers, that momentary calm can be deceiving. 

The body’s natural response to trauma often masks symptoms of serious injury. 

Adrenaline floods the system,
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Can Siblings File a Wrongful Death Claim in Atlanta? What Duluth Families Should Know

When a loved one dies because of another party’s negligence or wrongful conduct, the family may face difficult questions about who has the legal authority to take action.

For siblings in Duluth and Metro Atlanta, one question often arises: Can a brother or sister file a wrongful death claim in Atlanta?

Georgia law limits who may bring a claim, so a sibling’s eligibility depends on the surviving family members and whether the sibling has authority to represent the deceased person’s estate.

Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim in Georgia?

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Can a Duluth Wrongful Death Attorney Help if There’s No Police Report?

Losing someone you love is one of the hardest experiences a family can endure. 

When that loss happens because of another person’s negligence — a careless driver, a reckless company, or even a medical mistake — it becomes not just painful, but deeply unjust. 

Families want answers. 

They want accountability. 

And they often wonder: 

Can we still take legal action if there’s no
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Truck Accident Lawyer for Spine and Brain Injury Cases in Atlanta

Truck accidents are among the most dangerous types of crashes on the road.

When a semi-truck or 18-wheeler collides with a smaller vehicle, the impact can be devastating — often leading to serious or permanent injuries.

Two of the most life-changing outcomes after a truck crash are spinal cord injuries and traumatic brain injuries (TBIs).

These are not just medical emergencies — they are events that can change a person’s entire future.

If you or a loved one has suffered one of these
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How to Get Medical Help After a Truck Accident with No Insurance in Atlanta

A truck accident can turn your whole life upside down in just a few seconds.

You’re hurt, scared, and worried about what to do next.

But for many people, the biggest question isn’t just about recovery — it’s how to get medical help if you don’t have health insurance.

If you’ve been injured in a truck crash in Atlanta, Georgia, don’t panic.

You still have options. In fact, there are several ways to get the medical care you need and protect your right to compensation
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What Makes Truck Accident Lawsuits Different from Car Accidents in Atlanta?

Not all vehicle accidents are the same.

If you’ve ever seen the aftermath of a truck crash on I-75, I-285, or I-85 in Atlanta, you already know — a semi-truck accident can destroy multiple vehicles in seconds.

But beyond the physical damage, these cases are legally very different from car accidents.

When you’re hit by a commercial truck, the process for getting justice and compensation is far more complex.

That’s why working with an experienced truck accident lawyer in Atlanta can make all the
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What Happens If a Truck Accident Involves a Hazardous Material Spill in Atlanta?

Truck accidents are always serious, but when the truck is carrying hazardous materials, the danger multiplies instantly.

Fires, explosions, and toxic leaks can threaten entire neighborhoods — not just the people involved in the crash.

For victims, this type of accident is terrifying and confusing.

You may be wondering: Who’s responsible for the cleanup, who pays for the damage, and what happens to those injured or exposed?

If you’ve been affected by a hazmat or chemical truck accident in Atlanta, here’s what you need to
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Is a Georgia 18-Wheeler Accident Law Firm Worth Hiring After a Crash?

If you’ve been involved in a crash with an 18-wheeler or commercial truck, your life can change in seconds.

These massive vehicles often weigh up to 80,000 pounds — and when they collide with a passenger car, the results are almost always devastating.

In the aftermath, victims are left with hospital bills, lost wages, and endless phone calls from insurance companies.

So, it’s natural to wonder: Do I really need to hire a Georgia 18-wheeler accident law firm, or can I handle this on my
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