| Georgia Personal Injury |
Georgia Personal Injury
A personal injury is defined as physical, mental or emotional harm caused by the action or neglect of another.
Some typical personal injuries and the causes of action to which they give rise are listed below.
Personal Injury Sub-Categories
Motor Vehicle Collisions
In most accidents there is an “at-fault” driver or a driver who was negligent or failed to control the vehicle he/she
was driving. A claim can be filed against the negligent driver’s insurance company. If the claim is not settled, a
lawsuit must be filed against the driver; the insurance company will then hire a lawyer to defend its insured. The
lawsuit must be filed within 2 years of the date of the collision.
Pedestrian Accidents
Pedestrians have the right of way while they are in a crosswalk, but otherwise must yield to traffic. However, once
a driver becomes aware of the presence of a pedestrian, he/she must take appropriate action to try to avoid a
collision.
Premises Liability
The owner of premises which are open to the pubic, such as a store, have a duty to act reasonably to keep the
premises safe. Depending upon the nature of the business, the owner may have a duty to inspect and clean the
premises regularly in order to discharge this duty. If a patron slips and falls on a substance left on the floor, the
owner will only be liable if he/she knew, or should have known, of the presence of the substance. If the owner
inspected and/or cleaned the area shortly before the fall, the owner may escape liability.
Work Related Injury
Accidents on a construction site can be the responsibility of any number of people. In most cases Workers’
Compensation benefits will be available to the injured worker, without regard to fault. If Workers’ Compensation
Insurance applies to the incident, the worker has no other claim against the employer. However, a claim might be
able to be brought against another subcontractor if the subcontractor, or its employee, caused the injury.
Medical Malpractice
Physicians must exercise a reasonable level of skill and judgment while treating their patients. The required
standard of care is determined by other doctors. A doctor who fails to provide sufficient care may be liable for any
injuries suffered by the patient as a result. The Georgia Legislature, however, has made it increasingly difficult
over the past several years to bring a successful lawsuit against doctors. The expense involved in obtaining an
expert to testify against the doctor prevents a claimant from suing his/her physician unless there has been a
catastrophic injury. Now that the Legislature has limited the amount of damages that can be collected in a
malpractice action, even those seriously injured may not receive adequate compensation.
Nursing Home Neglect or Abuse
Nursing homes often operate on very tight budgets and this can affect wages and the level of care they provide.
The Georgia law governing Patients’ Rights requires there be a certain level of services provided to residents of a
nursing home. If the nursing home neglects or abuses a patient, the patient (or his/her family) may have the right
to file a lawsuit for the harm caused.
Dangerous Products
There are many food and drug products that have been released to the public which were later discovered to
cause serious, unanticipated side effects. The drug company may have some responsibility to those adversely
affected by the food or drug. Other dangerous products are sold to the public and cause injuries to the consumer.
The injured person may be able to hold the manufacturer, distributor, or retailer responsible.
Animal Bites
In Georgia, the owner of a pet is not liable when that pet harms a person unless the owner knew, or should have
known, that his pet was likely to cause harm. If the pet has “bitten” before, the owner is charged with knowledge of
the pet’s vicious tendencies, and can be liable for a second bite. Violation of county leash laws can also lead to
liability for the harm caused by his pet.
A personal injury is defined as physical, mental or emotional harm caused by the action or neglect of another.
Some typical personal injuries and the causes of action to which they give rise are listed below.
Personal Injury Sub-Categories
- Motor Vehicle Collision
- Motorcycle Accident
- Pedestrian Accident
- Premises Liability
- Work Related Injury
- Medical Malpractice
- Nursing Home Neglect or Abuse
- Dangerous Products
- Animal Bites
Motor Vehicle Collisions
In most accidents there is an “at-fault” driver or a driver who was negligent or failed to control the vehicle he/she
was driving. A claim can be filed against the negligent driver’s insurance company. If the claim is not settled, a
lawsuit must be filed against the driver; the insurance company will then hire a lawyer to defend its insured. The
lawsuit must be filed within 2 years of the date of the collision.
Pedestrian Accidents
Pedestrians have the right of way while they are in a crosswalk, but otherwise must yield to traffic. However, once
a driver becomes aware of the presence of a pedestrian, he/she must take appropriate action to try to avoid a
collision.
Premises Liability
The owner of premises which are open to the pubic, such as a store, have a duty to act reasonably to keep the
premises safe. Depending upon the nature of the business, the owner may have a duty to inspect and clean the
premises regularly in order to discharge this duty. If a patron slips and falls on a substance left on the floor, the
owner will only be liable if he/she knew, or should have known, of the presence of the substance. If the owner
inspected and/or cleaned the area shortly before the fall, the owner may escape liability.
Work Related Injury
Accidents on a construction site can be the responsibility of any number of people. In most cases Workers’
Compensation benefits will be available to the injured worker, without regard to fault. If Workers’ Compensation
Insurance applies to the incident, the worker has no other claim against the employer. However, a claim might be
able to be brought against another subcontractor if the subcontractor, or its employee, caused the injury.
Medical Malpractice
Physicians must exercise a reasonable level of skill and judgment while treating their patients. The required
standard of care is determined by other doctors. A doctor who fails to provide sufficient care may be liable for any
injuries suffered by the patient as a result. The Georgia Legislature, however, has made it increasingly difficult
over the past several years to bring a successful lawsuit against doctors. The expense involved in obtaining an
expert to testify against the doctor prevents a claimant from suing his/her physician unless there has been a
catastrophic injury. Now that the Legislature has limited the amount of damages that can be collected in a
malpractice action, even those seriously injured may not receive adequate compensation.
Nursing Home Neglect or Abuse
Nursing homes often operate on very tight budgets and this can affect wages and the level of care they provide.
The Georgia law governing Patients’ Rights requires there be a certain level of services provided to residents of a
nursing home. If the nursing home neglects or abuses a patient, the patient (or his/her family) may have the right
to file a lawsuit for the harm caused.
Dangerous Products
There are many food and drug products that have been released to the public which were later discovered to
cause serious, unanticipated side effects. The drug company may have some responsibility to those adversely
affected by the food or drug. Other dangerous products are sold to the public and cause injuries to the consumer.
The injured person may be able to hold the manufacturer, distributor, or retailer responsible.
Animal Bites
In Georgia, the owner of a pet is not liable when that pet harms a person unless the owner knew, or should have
known, that his pet was likely to cause harm. If the pet has “bitten” before, the owner is charged with knowledge of
the pet’s vicious tendencies, and can be liable for a second bite. Violation of county leash laws can also lead to
liability for the harm caused by his pet.
Have you been injured? Call today for a free consultation with a top rated Atlanta Personal
injury Lawyer. Contact our office by calling 770-564-2600 or clicking here.
Practice Areas |
| Deming, Parker, Hoffman, Campbell & Daly, L.L.C. |
| Attorneys At Law Since 1974 |
| 770-564-2600 Metro Atlanta 912-527-2000 Savannah |
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