Disability Law

Decoding Car Accident Reports in Georgia - The Georgia Uniform Motor Vehicle Accident Report

Posted on April 28, 2009
Each year we review hundreds of accident reports. I recently found a good guide to help people figure-out the cryptic codes and other information contained in Georgia accident reports. The Georgia Department of Transportation, headquartered in Atlanta, has created a nice guide for deciphering accident reports which can be found here...

Safety in the Workplace: A Video That Dramatizes Workplace Injuries

Posted on April 21, 2009
A friend showed me this video on YouTube. This is a real safety video that workers in industrial & manufacturer settings apparently see. While it dramatizes workplace injuries, it is meant to avoid real injuries. I have handles cases involving real injuries that are depicted in this video...

Today I Joined The Christian Trial Lawyers' Association

Posted on April 12, 2009
The Christian Trial Lawyers' Association is a national group of trial lawyers committed to Christian principles in the practice of law. While watching a video where people on the street were asked their opinions about attorneys, I was moved by one particular response...

Motion for Summary Judgment Under Georgia Law Explained

Posted on April 01, 2009
This week alone, I am working on two responses to insurance company lawyers' Motions for Summary Judgment. I have been asked to explain what this means. Well, it could be named something simpler such as, "Request To The Judge To Decide This Whole Mess Without A Trial...

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New Paulding County Courthouse Is Open - Here Are Photos I Took Yesterday

Posted on March 31, 2009
Yesterday, I had to file a new car accident injury case at the Paulding County Courthouse. I was fortunate enough to visit the new courthouse the very first day that it opened. I took an extra 15 minutes to check out the new courthouse. It is quite a sight...

The Workers' Compensation Insurance Company Will Not Even Pay The "Company Doctor" For My Medical Care After I Hurt at Work. What should I do?

Posted on March 27, 2009
Question: Why won't the workers comp insurance company or my job pay for my doctor and medical treatment when I got hurt at work? What you can you do? I was asked this very question this week. The answer is simple. In Georgia, if an employer/insurer controverts or denies your workers' compensation claim, they have no obligation to pay for any medical treatment if and until you either (a) come to an agreement whereby your case is deemed compensable and/or a doctor is agreed-upon to treat you;; (b) your employer and insurance company voluntarily "pick-up" your claim and offer you medical treatment; or (c) I take your case to court before an Administrative Law Judge of the State Board of Workers' Compensation and win...

Can You Get Punitive Damages When You Are Hurt In A Car Accident or Semi Truck Wreck Under Georgia Law? What Are Punitive Damages Anyway?

Posted on March 27, 2009
I just returned from court in a case in which we are seeking punitive damages. I get asked to explain the concept of punitive damages quite a bit. I will spare you the legal technicalities and provide a very general overview. Remember, please consult with a lawyer if you have further questions specific to your case...

Douglasville Accident Attorney As Seen in the Upcoming April Edition of Chapel Hill News & Views Magazine

Posted on March 24, 2009
Chapel Hill News & Views is a local magazine that features articles and business information about our community. Many people, including me, read it cover-to-cover as it has good insight, interesting articles, and valuable local event information. I believe the distribution has grown substantially over the past several years...

How Layoffs Affect Workers on Light Duty Following a Workers Compensation Injury

Posted on March 18, 2009
I have noticed that many of my clients have been laid-off from their jobs recently. Some of these clients have open workers compensation claims and return to their jobs doing light-duty work. I've been asked how the law affect the situations. under Georgia workers compensation law, a claimant can seek additional weekly benefit checks if they have returned to work light-duty, have been legitimately laid off, and search for work...

Case Law Update - Williams v. ConAgra - Attorneys filing a Notice of Claim for catastrophic designation should specifically request income benefits if weekly benefits have been suspended

Posted on March 15, 2009
On January 20, 2009, the Georgia Court of Appeals decided the case of Williams v. ConAgra Poultry of Athens. This case involved the employee seeking catastrophic injury payments pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 34-9-261. This case involved the interplay of the two-year change in condition statute of limitations pertaining to additional income benefits and the catastrophic designation...

Custodian who was injured at work while picking up a pill she dropped can collect workers? compensation benefits - Georgia workers? compensation case law update

Posted on March 13, 2009
On February 11, 2009 the Georgia Court of Appeals decided the case of Harris v. Peach County Board of Commissioners. This case involved the basic theory about whether or not an injured worker's on-the-job injury arose out of the course of the employment and in the scope of the employment...

Injured & Need An Attorney? Beware: Not All Injury Attorneys Are The Same, Whether You Are In Atlanta, Douglasville, or Elsewhere.

Posted on March 13, 2009
I heard an interesting comment today from one of the Georgia's top attorneys. Our discussion was about attorneys who treat the practice of law like a business instead of a profession. He made the remark that some lawyers get a new file and their first thought is what the amount of money that can be made in the least amount of time...

One of The Beauties of Handling Workers' Compensation Cases in Georgia

Posted on March 12, 2009
Pardon me while I step-up on my soapbox for a moment... I must commend the Administrative Law Judges of Georgia's State Board of Workers' Compensation cases for their willingness to resolve disputes, sometimes at the drop of a hat. I have called-upon several ALJ's in the past to give rulings on matters during depositions...

Douglasville will be the new home to a satellite campus of Georgia Highlands College.

Posted on March 11, 2009
Georgia Highlands College, a two-year college currently located in Rome, Georgia, is scheduled to open a campus in Douglasville. Although the location has not been announced, it is estimated that 1500 students will attend the school which may open up as soon as August of 2009...

Construction worker hurt on jobsite cannot maintain lawsuit against his statutory employer - Workers compensation case law update

Posted on March 11, 2009
On February 13, 2009 the Georgia Court of Appeals decided the case of Creeden v. Fuentes. In this case, a construction worker was injured while working on a house. The injured worker fell down an elevator shaft. The Court of Appeals held that the exclusive remedy provision of Georgia's Workers' Compensation Act at O...

Jack Clay Listed in Georgia SuperLawyers Magazine for 2009

Posted on March 09, 2009
Douglasville injury attorney Jack Clay has been listed in Georgia's SuperLawyers Magazine. Mr. Clay was named a Rising Star in the annual publication that is sent to attorneys across the state. Only the top 2.5% of lawyers under 40 years of age are named SuperLawyers Rising Stars after a rigorous nomination and selection process...

Workers? Compensation Case Law Update ? Fictional New Accident Legal Theory versus Change in Condition; Georgia Court of Appeals clarifies circumstances under which an injured worker may collect workers? compensation benefits

Posted on March 05, 2009

Georgia State Patrol Post in Villa Rica, GA Remains Busiest in State for Car AccidentInvestigations ? Troopers Explain Common Causes of Serious Collissions on Georgia's Highways

Posted on March 03, 2009

To Hire An Attorney or Not: The Affect of Atlanta & Georgia's Economy on Workers' Compensation Claimants

Posted on March 01, 2009

Our Firm Profile Has Been Updated...

Posted on February 27, 2009

Douglasville Blast at Young Refinery Injures Three Workers

Posted on February 25, 2009
CBS News in Atlanta is reporting that a blast injured three workers. The blast reportedly happened at 11:20 a.m. at the Young Refining facility near Highway 78 in Douglasville, GA. Three workers reportedly suffered burns and two were taken to area hospitals...

Deadly Work Accident in Atlanta - Dekalb County Worker Dies After Falling Down Landfill Shaft

Posted on February 19, 2009
The Atlanta Journal Constitution is reporting that a man fell down a 55 foot ventilation shaft on February 7, 2009 and died at the Seminole Road Landfill. The worker was reportedly a contract worker. This horrible work accident was the second time that week that an Atlanta worker was killed underground...

Georgia Law on Late Payment of Workers' Compensation Settlement Checks

Posted on February 19, 2009
Question: I was hurt at work. I have settled my case and am ready to get on with my life. When is my workers compensation settlement check due? What happens if they don't pay on-time? Answer: Within 20 days. If the check is not paid timely, the employer/insurer owes a 20% penalty...

Georgia General Assembly Is In Session in Atlanta: Will There Be Changes For Georgia's Workers' Compensation Laws?

Posted on February 19, 2009
The Georgia General Assembly in assembled in Atlanta and currently in session. Each year, the Georgia House and Senate pass one or more workers? compensation bills changing the law. My sources tell me that the overwhelming majority of time and attention in this year?s session will go toward budget problems...

I Was Hurt at Work in Georgia - - What Benefits Can I Obtain for Me & My Family?

Posted on February 19, 2009
There are three basic benefits that injured workers in Georgia?s workers? compensation system are entitled to receive. First, you can obtain income benefits in the form of Temporary Total Disability or Temporary Partial Disablity to replace income you have lost because of your injury...

Paulding County Man Injured in Car Accident With Teen Who Was Given Alcohol By Step-Mother

Posted on January 31, 2009
The Atlanta Journal Constitution is reporting that a teenager, who was given alcohol by his step-mother, died in a car accident and injured another person. Richard C. Reyes, 25, of Dallas, GA was injured when his vehicle was struck by the teenager. It is reported that he is in stable condition at WellStar Kennestone Hospital...

Douglasville Car Accident Involving SIngle Car Roll-over Injures One

Posted on January 29, 2009
An SUV rolled-over on I20 in Douglas County between South Baggett Road and Bright StarRoad into a ditch injuring two people. Single car collisions can be among with worst car and truck accidents. We have represented passengers in these scenarios in many cases...

The Polarization of the Legal Profession: A Conversation With A Prominent Atlanta Workers' Compensation Defense Attorney

Posted on January 19, 2009
I recently spent some time with a friend who ranks among the best up and coming workers' compensation defense attorneys in Georgia. While much of our conversation focused on family and things unrelated to the practice of law, we also discussed the legal profession...

Lawyers Should Avoid The Ghost of Chirstmas Past & Embrace Technology

Posted on December 26, 2008
Attorneys can be very resistant to change. Ebenezer Scrooge, in A Christmas Carol, was visited by the Ghost of Christmas Past. Ebenezer learned from this experience the necessity to change his past ways to ensure a happier and brighter future. I am constantly amazed by fellow lawyers' reactions when I tell them I strive to have as paperless an office as possible...

One Lawyer's Perspctive After Using Google's Picasa 3 To View Photos & Documents

Posted on December 24, 2008
I have been using Picasa for several years to view photographs. Lately, I have been reviewing our photographs in past and present case files. For those of you who do not use Picasa, it can be wonderful tool for workers' compensation lawyers, personal injury attorneys, or any other specialty for that matter...

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