The immense impact of car accidents makes them exceptionally dangerous, and many of the injuries sustained by car accident victims require surgery and extensive follow-up care, which can make the recovery period that much more challenging. If another driver’s negligence leaves you injured, it’s time to consult with an experienced Atlanta car accident attorney.

 

Surgeries to Stabilize Broken Bones

Broken bones are painful, dangerous injuries, and when the break is compound or otherwise complicated, surgery is often required to help keep the bone stabilized while the fracture heals. This generally involves implanting screws, pins, rods, or plates in the affected area. The tendons and muscles that surround the broken bone can also be torn in the course of the accident and may require surgical repairs. Further, when a joint is damaged or shattered completely in a car accident, a partial or total joint replacement may be necessary. The recovery after surgery for a broken bone often requires months – or even years – of physical therapy.

 

Plastic Surgery

Severe burns and cuts are not uncommon in car accidents, and when such injuries are on or near the face, they can be disfiguring. Plastic surgery can help minimize the physical damage. When burns or cuts are on a hand or joint, plastic surgery is often necessary to help ensure that the victim regains as much mobility as possible.

 

Surgeries to Address Spinal Cord Injuries

Car accidents are closely related to spinal cord injuries, which can include any of the following:

• Herniated discs
• Dislocated vertebrae
• Broken vertebrae
• Torn soft tissue

Any one of these – or any combination of these – can lead to surgery, and some of the more common back surgeries include:

• Discectomies in which a portion of a herniated disc is removed to help relieve pressure, reduce nerve compression, or diminish irritation
• Vertebroplasty in which acrylic bone cement is injected into a broken vertebra’s cracked spaces
• Laminectomy in which the back portion of a vertebra, called the lamina, is removed in order to reduce excess pressure
• Spinal fusion in which multiple vertebrae are fused to allow increased stability and improved pain management 

 

Surgeries for Internal Injuries or Bleeding

When an internal organ is crushed, pierced, or punctured in the course of an accident, it can lead to life-threatening internal injuries and bleeding. For serious internal injuries, intensive surgical repairs are generally necessary.

 

Brain Surgeries

Our heads are especially vulnerable in car accidents, and brain injuries like concussions and skull fractures are common. Brain surgeries are often required to help stop bleeding, relieve pressure buildup, repair skull fractures, and remove clots. The recovery period after a brain surgery tends to be as challenging as it is lengthy.

 

An Experienced Atlanta Car Accident Attorney Is on Your Side

The accomplished Atlanta injury attorneys have an impressive track record of helping clients like you obtain the fair compensation they need to fully recover. Learn more by reaching out and contacting us online or calling us at 770-744-0890 today.

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At Spaulding Injury Law: Lawrenceville personal injury & Car Accident Lawyer, we want everyone in the Atlanta area to stay safe and healthy, including being aware of mask mandates and other health information relating to the COVID-19 pandemic in Georgia. With varying levels of COVID cases throughout the United States, mask mandates and policies are constantly changing, and you should be prepared for the rules regarding masks wherever you are going. 

No Statewide Mask Mandate in Georgia

Georgia lifted its statewide mask mandate, and people in the state are encouraged to follow the mask-related guidance provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This guidance includes:

• Masks can be a critical public health tool 
• Ensure your mask fits well and is suitable to protect from Covid-19
• Wear masks in situations involving indoor crowds and physical distancing is not possible

The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) also recommends that people get vaccinated against Covid-19. Vaccines combined with masks, when appropriate, provide strong protection against the virus. 

Keep in mind that while Georgia has no current mask mandates for the entire state, individual counties might impose additional requirements due to levels of positive COVID results.  

Mandate Lifted for Airports

At the end of April 2022, a federal court effectively ended the mask mandate in United States airports and on domestic flights. While many passengers still choose to wear a mask due to close proximity to others while traveling, masks are no longer required for travelers or airport staff. 

However, some international flights might have mask requirements. These include flights to several countries in the European Union, Asia, South America, Africa, and Oceania. If you are traveling internationally, you should always check the mask requirements before you leave so you are prepared to reach your destination without issue. 

Private Businesses Can Choose

Private businesses in Georgia have the option of requiring masks or not for both employees and patrons. Further, if an employee wants to wear a mask when it is not required by the company’s policy, the employer should not prevent the employee from wearing a mask unless it interferes with their ability to safely complete their job duties. 

Staying Safe this Summer

With mask mandates largely non-existent in Georgia, you and your family should take steps to protect yourselves from both injuries and illness. Some tips to keep your family in good shape include:

• Wear masks if you are going to a crowded place where you cannot keep your distance from others
• Stay away from people who have been exposed to Covid-19 or who are feeling possible symptoms
• Follow all traffic rules and drive defensively to avoid accidents whenever possible
• If you are in any type of accident, seek medical treatment right away for your injuries

Learn How an Atlanta Personal Injury Lawyer Might Help

Our Atlanta personal injury lawyer wants our community in and around Atlanta, Lawrenceville, Cumming, and Alpharetta to stay safe and in good physical condition. However, if you have an injury and believe someone else is to blame, we are ready to help. Contact our office for help today. 

Posted in Alpharetta, Atlanta, Cumming, Lawrenceville | Comments Off on Mask Mandates for Georgia

Alpharetta, Georgia, is home to many major corporations, including several Fortune 500 companies. Alpharetta is a very tech-friendly area, with miles of fiber optics and world-class internet speeds that lure premium companies to the region. These corporations employ people from within the city and several surrounding areas.

To keep this list accurate, we are cataloging the companies that employ the largest number of Alpharetta citizens, excluding surrounding towns. As you will see, the numbers are quite impressive. If you take all of the employers in the area and account for all of the employees from neighboring towns, you will quickly realize how important this city is to the economy of Georgia and the United States.

McKesson Technology Solutions

McKesson Technology Solutions is a computer system design company that specializes in technology for healthcare systems. They work with healthcare professionals worldwide to create better systems that lower costs and ultimately result in increased knowledge and better healthcare. They employ 2450 employees from the city of Alpharetta.

AT&T, Incorporated – Data Center

This major telephone communication, television, and internet data giant has a large data center in Alpharetta with state-of-the-art equipment. They employ 2200 Alpharetta residents, making them the second-largest employer in the area.

ADP, LLC National Account Service

ADP is internationally known for its payroll services software. Millions of people are paid through ADP; however, they employ 2100 Alpharetta citizens.

Fiserv Incorporated

This company is an international industry leader in financial services technology solutions. They have a fantastic reputation as an industry giant and as a top-of-the-line employer. They are the recipient of dozens of awards worldwide, including “World’s Most Admired Companies®” 2014-2017, which FORTUNE® presents. Fiserv employs more than 2000 people in Alpharetta.

Verizon

This major radiotelephone communications corporation offers state-of-the-art facilities for its employees in Alpharetta. They include a fitness center, VIP room, pool tables, foosball table, cafeteria, and arcade games. It is not surprising that 2000 people from the area work at this company.

Hewlett-Packard Mega Consolidated Data Center

This 200,000-square-foot data center was constructed in 2006. This high-tech facility can be managed remotely by the H.P. infrastructure solutions. The buildings were built to be eco-friendly with advanced air conditioning to allow cooling of the computer equipment for a lower cost than ever before possible. H.P. Data Center employs 1300 area residents.

There are a combined additional 3200 people employed by:

• UPS Supply Chain Solutions
• Comcast Cable Communications Incorporated Call Center
• Equifax Incorporated

Alpharetta is a very nice place to live and a lovely city to work in, and major companies are investing their futures in the city. Alpharetta, GA, puts into creating great neighborhoods, and schools, and ground-breaking advancements in technology are paying off with the presence of big-name companies that have established themselves in the city. The future looks bright for all those involved, and if you ever need help from a local Alpharetta personal injury lawyer, please reach out.

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A wrongful death claim addresses the loss of a family member to someone else’s negligence – or worse – and they are some of the most legally and emotionally challenging civil cases. No form of legal compensation can ever return your loved one to you, but a wrongful death claim may provide you with the resources necessary to remain on the path toward recovery.

If you are in the very difficult position of having lost a loved one to someone else’s wrongdoing, consult with an experienced Georgia wrongful death attorney today.

 

Wrongful Death: The Basics

Wrongful death claims are exceptionally complex, but better understanding the basics can help you better understand your own case. 

The Person Who Files

In Georgia, if the person who lost their life (the decedent) has a surviving spouse, it is their right to bring a wrongful death claim for the full value of their lost spouse’s life. If the decedent has no surviving spouse, this right goes to their surviving children or parents – in that order. 

If both a spouse and children are left behind, the surviving spouse must bring the wrongful death claim as the children’s representative. The spouse, however, is entitled to no less than one-third of the overall recovery – regardless of how many children are involved. If the decedent has no spouse, any compensation awarded is divided equally between all the surviving children, and if one or more of the decedent’s children are no longer living, those children’s children – the decedent’s grandchildren – are in line to receive their deceased parent’s share of the recovery. 

The Statute of Limitations

There is a limit on the amount of time family members have to file a wrongful death claim after losing a loved one to another party’s negligence, and this statute of limitations is two years in the State of Georgia. This means that you have two years from the date that your family member succumbed to their fatal injuries – not from the date of the accident that caused their injuries, if they are different dates.

The Full Value of the Decedent’s Life

In Georgia, wrongful death claims afford recovery for what the state terms the full value of the decedent’s life, which means the value of the decedent’s life from the decedent’s perspective. This value breaks down into two basic parts that include:

• Tangible value, which includes the amount the decedent would have earned and the value of the jobs around the house they would have performed had they lived 
• Intangible value, which includes the decedent’s relationships with loved ones and their overarching reasons for living

Often, family members also bring claims on behalf of their lost loved one’s estate for the losses the decedent experiences post-accident and prior to death, including:

• Physical and emotional pain and suffering
• Medical expenses
• Lost income

The decedent’s funeral and burial expenses can also be addressed in this category.

When a Crime Is Involved

The wrongful act that leads to the wrongful death claim can be a matter of someone else’s negligence or recklessness, but it can also be a matter of someone else’s criminal act. If your loved one was killed by a violent crime or traffic violation, for example, the statute of limitations may be temporarily halted – or tolled – while the criminal case is pending. 

The crime in question does not have to involve criminal intent in order for tolling to apply. In other words, even if your loved one was fatally injured in a car accident in which the at-fault motorist could have faced a criminal charge or traffic violation, the statute of violation can be paused from the accident date to the time the charge is finalized, or for six years, whichever is shorter. At this point, the two-year statute of limitations comes into play. 

The Wrongful Death Claim vs. the Estate Claim

Most states require a representative of the decedent’s estate to bring the wrongful death claim, but because Georgia distinguishes between wrongful death and estate claims, this isn’t the case in the State of Georgia. The surviving spouse of the decedent – or the next person in line to bring the wrongful death claim if there is no surviving spouse – files the wrongful death claim, and the administrator of the decedent’s estate files the estate claim, which covers the estate’s expenses, such as medical bills incurred prior to death.

Often, however, the surviving spouse, child, or parent is also the named administrator, which generally means they do both. When the decedent has no surviving spouse, children, or parents, their estate’s administrator – who can be appointed by the court if one is not named in the decedent’s will – can file both the estate claim and the wrongful death claim, and the recovery amount is then distributed in accordance with Georgia’s laws of inheritance. 

When Claimants Work in Unison

Sometimes, surviving family members are not in agreement regarding a wrongful death claim for any number of reasons. In these situations, the best path forward is finding a wrongful death attorney whom all parties trust and are willing to work with. If this isn’t a possibility, the parties can hire their own seasoned wrongful death attorneys, but failing to agree on the basics, such as the percentage of the recovery that each is entitled to, can seriously undermine the effectiveness of the wrongful death claim. 

Damages Sought

In wrongful death cases in Georgia, damages are valued from the decedent’s perspective. As such, the jury hearing the case is tasked with assessing the value the decedent placed on their own life. Toward this end, your skilled wrongful death attorney will help the jury learn more about your lost loved one – and what it is that gave their life special meaning. This is often achieved with evidence in the following forms:

• Photographs
• Videos
• Stories told by friends, family members, and other loved ones

Ultimately, the value of the decedent’s life must be calculated in accordance with the enlightened conscience of the jury. 

The estate claim addresses those additional losses the decedent experienced prior to death but as a result of the accident, including pain and suffering, the inherent terror involved, lost wages, medical bills, and funeral expenses.

 

The Amount of Time Involved

There are an array of factors to consider when it comes to how long it will take to resolve your wrongful death claim. 

Family Matters 

Some families are all on the same page when it comes to filing a wrongful death claim and some are decidedly not. The farther apart you and your family members are regarding your claim, the longer you can expect it to drag on. A knowledgeable wrongful death attorney can help you resolve any lingering disagreements between yourselves and move forward with greater focus, but if a survivor who is entitled to recovering decides to complicate the matter, considerable delays are likely. 

The Probate Court

If your wrongful death case does go to trial – instead of settling with the involved insurance provider – it will be at the mercy of the probate court’s docket in terms of how swiftly it can be tried. Courts throughout the State of Georgia – and the nation – are generally very busy, which means that you might have to wait a considerable amount of time to move your case through the legal system. 

The At-Fault Party

If the at-fault party is a powerful corporation or they have a powerful insurance company handling the claim, it can make a significant difference in how long your case will take. Consider the following:

• Large, powerful companies with deep pockets sometimes want to make their aggressive stance clear, and as a result, they set the stage for long, drawn-out battles. 
• These same companies sometimes want to resolve particularly egregious cases as swiftly as possible – in their focused efforts to do damage control. 
• If the at-fault party had very limited coverage, such as the minimum liability coverage for motorists in Georgia – $25,000 – the insurance company may want to resolve the matter as swiftly as possible since there is no risk of the damages exceeding this amount. 

Some companies – like many car manufacturers – are invested in fighting to the bitter end regardless of how clear-cut the case is, while others experience genuine remorse and are interested in righting their wrongs promptly. A wide range of factors can play into this equation, but your savvy wrongful death attorney will help you better understand how your claim is likely to play out and will help you make the right decisions for you moving forward. 

The Family’s Objective

Sometimes, the family members of a lost loved one are more interested in making an important point than they are in being compensated for their immense loss. For example, if you believe your loved one died as a result of something more nefarious, deliberate, or systemic than simple negligence, you may be motivated to see your case all the way through to a trial. 

If, on the other hand, your loved one lost their life as a result of someone else’s careless act that was not something the at-fault party made a practice of, wrapping up your claim more quickly may be your goal. How a family finds closure, even if this closure simply means continuing to move forward, is unique to the family in question, which means that you’ll need to be in touch with what you hope to accomplish with your wrongful death claim.

 

FAQs

If you have lost a loved one to someone else’s wrongdoing, you almost certainly have a long list of questions, and the answers to some of those asked most frequently by others in your difficult position can help. 

How do I know if I have a wrongful death claim?

If another person or entity – without legal justification – causes your loved one to die, it’s a wrongful death. Wrongful death claims are typically based on negligence, carelessness, or recklessness, but they can also be based on criminal acts that are predicated on intent. The most important step when it comes to determining if your loss of a loved one amounts to a wrongful death claim is discussing the matter with a dedicated wrongful death attorney.

How long do I have to file my wrongful death case?

Generally, you have two years from the date your loved one lost their life to file a wrongful death lawsuit.

Who can file the wrongful death case?

The matter of who can bring a wrongful death lawsuit in Georgia is determined by who survives the decedent. 

A Surviving Spouse

If the decedent was married at the time of the fatal accident, their surviving spouse is entitled to file the wrongful death claim. If the decedent had children, the spouse must bring the case on behalf of them as well. A decedent’s children are authorized to file a wrongful death case if the surviving spouse does not or if the surviving spouse is responsible for the decedent’s death. 

Surviving Children with no Surviving Spouse

If the decedent has no surviving spouse, any of their children are authorized to file the wrongful death case. 

No Surviving Spouse or Children

If the victim in question has neither a surviving spouse nor surviving children, their parents can file the case. If both parents are alive, either parent – or both of them together – can file the wrongful death case, and barring specific circumstances, both must share the recovery equally. 

No Survivors

If the decedent has none of the above-listed survivors, the administrator of their estate can file the claim on behalf of the victim’s next of kin, who will benefit in accordance with Georgia’s inheritance laws.

 

Turn to an Experienced Georgia Wrongful Death Attorney for the Help You Need

If you’ve lost a loved one to the negligence of another person or entity, the formidable Georgia wrongful death attorneys at Spaulding Injury Law have the experience, legal skill, and drive to help guide your case toward a favorable resolution that allows you and your family to move forward on the path toward recovery. Your case is important, so please don’t wait to contact us online or call us at 770-744-0890 and schedule your free case evaluation today.

Posted in Personal Injury | Comments Off on Georgia Wrongful Death Statute

If you don’t love a good food truck, you don’t know what you’re missing, and if you know, you know. The Grant Park festival called the Food-O-Rama Food Truck Festival, is a great opportunity for food truck enthusiasts and the newly curious alike to explore a world of enticing and exciting epicurean delights. This year’s festival is on Saturday, September 3, in Grant Park from noon to 8 PM, and we’d love to see you there.

Get It While It’s Hot

This foodie extravaganza will host 50 of the most popular food trucks across the region, and there’s even a Vegan Alley for all you vegans – and aspiring vegans – out there. The food truck blowout, however, does not end with fulfilling your wildest food dreams – there are also craft beers on tap, special cocktails, live music, local arts and craft vendors, and much more. The festivities are free to attend, but you’ll need your wallet and a valid ID if you plan on partaking. If you are at least 21 and plan on enjoying a tall one (or any other alcoholic beverage), you’ll need to purchase a $10 wristband (that will score you a free beer token).

Grant Park

Grant Park in downtown Atlanta was gifted to the city in 1883, and it remains a gift to its 2 million visitors each year. The oldest park in the city, Grant Park is an imposing 131 acres of public green space that is located at 800 Cherokee Ave – just south of Oakland Cemetery. If you’re headed to the Food-O-Rama, alternate transportation is naturally recommended – and encouraged. Atlanta sees more than its fair share of traffic, which makes all the following options viable choices:

• Hailing a rideshare
• Biking
• Walking in on the Beltline
• Taking Marta to King Memorial Station on the blue and green rail lines

The walk from King Memorial Station is about 17 minutes, and it takes about 20 to traverse Grant Park itself. If you want to skip the walkover, Relay Bikes are available for rental at the station, and there is also a bus that will drop you at your destination.

Check Out the Offerings

Some of the food trucks you can look forward to this year include:

• Academic Pizza
• Drive by Tacos
• Gyro Chef
• Island Noodles
• The Kitchen Chicas Birra
• Azucar Cuban
• Kitchen 290
• Pineapple Island
• Funnel Cake Guys
• Sweet Chimney Bakery
• King of Pops
• Four-Legged Foodie
• Love at Wurst Sight
• Flava Train
• Little Light Bakery and Caribbean Delights
• Operation Mini Donuts

And we are just getting started.

If You Need Legal Guidance, Turn to an Experienced Atlanta Personal Injury Attorney

The Food-O-Rama Food Truck Festival is all about fun and good times, but accidents can happen. If someone else’s negligence leaves you injured, the skilled Atlanta personal injury attorneys at Spaulding Injury Law are standing by to help. We are on your side, so please don’t delay reaching out and contacting or calling us at 770-744-0890 for more information today.

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