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Suffering a serious injury due to an unfortunate accident can be a stressful situation on its own, but if your injuries were caused by someone’s negligence, you may be left angry, frustrated, and looking for answers. Fortunately, you may be able to secure compensation for your damages by filing a personal injury suit against the at-fault parties. However, this can often be a difficult, complicated task.
If you or a loved one has been injured due to the negligence of another, please contact Butler Wooten & Peak LLP today to discuss your case. Our Atlanta personal injury attorneys are exceptionally qualified to help you secure the compensation you deserve for your injuries.
At Butler Wooten & Peak LLP, our attorneys are nationally recognized as excellent advocates for victims of personal injuries.
We are devoted to providing the absolute best service to our clients.
At Butler Wooten Peak, we have experience representing clients in nearly every type of personal injury matter. This includes:
Those behind the wheel have a high chance of suffering a major injury. Even those in minor car accidents may end up with nagging, lasting injuries that may take months to fully heal. If you suffer a serious injury due to the negligence of another driver, you have the legal right to pursue compensation for any present and future damages that may impact your life.
Due to their size and weight, large commercial trucks are some of the most dangerous vehicles on the road. Being in an accident with a truck cause severe, life-altering injury – and pursuing compensation may quickly become complicated due to the multiple parties involved. We can help you determine who may be liable for the accident, and help you pursue them for the maximum possible compensation.
We expect automobiles and other consumer products on the market to be safe for public use, but auto defects and other automobile issues may result in serious injury and dangerous situations for all parties involved. Additionally, there may be multiple parties who are liable for the defect, including manufacturers and inspectors. We have the resources and experience to help uncover the truth behind your accident, and also investigate if other similar instances have occurred in order to further bolster your case.
If you have suffered the same damages as other victims against the same company or organization, you may be able to consider a class-action lawsuit against the responsible party. However, there may be both benefits and drawbacks to a class-action lawsuit. We can help you navigate your options and fine the best course of legal action for your needs.
If you get injured while at work, it is expected for your worker’s compensation insurance to pay out for any damages. However, there is often a limit to the compensation you can receive through your insurance – and often, it is far lower than what you require to get back to full recovery. We assist in exploring your options for compensation, including possibly filing a lawsuit for negligence.
Medical negligence and other types of medical malpractice can often cause sudden, accidental deaths of our loved ones. In these cases, you may have legal recourse for a wrongful death claim against the responsible parties. We are here to assist in such claims, helping you gather evidence and holding any negligent parties accountable for their irresponsible actions.
The False Claims Acts provides federal protections to those who blow the whistle on any misconduct or fraud at their place of employment. Those who are fired, demoted, or otherwise reprimanded in an act of retaliation may be able to pursue a claim against their place of employment for compensation. We have the knowledge and experience to help you with the process, giving you the tools and process necessary for your path to compensation.
In nearly any case where serious injuries occur, it is highly recommended to consult an experienced personal injury attorney. Pursuing compensation against any responsible parties by yourself is an incredibly stressful endeavor – especially if you are still recuperating from injuries. An attorney serves as your trusted legal advocate during these times, proceeding with a claim on your behalf so that you can focus on healing and recovery.
Additionally, some cases may quickly become complicated and difficult to manage due to a number of circumstances. For example, a trucking accident may involve multiple parties who are liable for the accident: the driver for poor driving skills, the trucking company for hiring a negligent driver, or the employees who have improperly maintained the vehicle. Fully investigating the circumstances of your accident and determining who is liable requires a knowledgeable personal injury lawyer who has prior experience with such claims.
Finally, a personal injury attorney can communicate and negotiate with any other involved parties on your behalf throughout the proceedings. Sometimes, insurance companies and corporate organizations will offer a quick settlement even before any determination of fault is made, in order to resolve the case as easily as possible. This offer is often far lower than what you are typically entitled to. A lawyer negotiating on your behalf can ensure you do not receive any such lowball offers, instead pushing for the maximum possible compensation for your needs.
Ultimately, a personal injury lawyer offers you peace of mind by consistently serving in your best interests throughout the duration of your case.
It is important to note that the state of Georgia has its own specific laws regarding fault and negligence. Like most other states, Georgia is a fault-based state – those who are determined to be at fault for an accident and its resultant injuries are financially responsible for the damages that they have incurred. This means that anybody who has been injured by another party has the legal right to file a claim against the at-fault party for their injuries.
Specifically, Georgia follows modified comparative rules of fault. In any accident, the degree of liability will be determined against each party. If you are 50% or more liable for the accident, you are disqualified from pursuing any compensation. Conversely, if you are 49% or less liable, you have the legal right to pursue a civil claim for damages – minus the percentage that you were found liable for the accident. For example, if it is determined that you are found 25% liable for an accident, you may be entitled to 75% of the damages.
It is equally important to recognize that Georgia observes a statute of limitations on all personal injury claims – a state-mandated time deadline to file any claims before they are no longer considered eligible. In Georgia, you have two years from the date of the injury/accident to file a valid personal injury claim; this also includes medical malpractice and fraud claims.
In some instances, you may not realize you suffered a serious injury until much later. In such circumstances, the “discovery rule” may apply, where an exception is made for the statute of limitations for the date that you discovered (or would have reasonably discovered) your injury. Unfortunately, the discovery rule does not apply to general personal injury claims in Georgia, but it may apply to medical malpractice claims – along with some others. It is best to consult an attorney for more questions regarding this matter.
Because every accident and injury has different circumstances, severities, and other factors, it can be difficult to accurately determine the exact amount of compensation you are entitled to. Generally, you may be able to recover damages for:
Any expenses for emergency care, ambulance costs, hospitalizations and other immediate medical attention is eligible for compensation. Additionally, you may be compensated for any future medical costs as a result of your injuries. This includes any continuing hospitalizations, potential follow-up appointments and surgeries, prescriptions, and rehabilitation/physical therapy.
In cases where you miss extensive time away from work due to your injuries, you may be fairly compensated for those lost wages. Further, you may also be compensated for your lost earning capacity, the ability for you to conduct your job normally and without restrictions. If you are unable to return to the same job you had and are unable to further advance your career in this aspect, you may be compensated for that.
In cases like car accidents, any damage sustained by the vehicle may be compensated. However, it is important to note that most car insurance policies also fully or partially cover the cost of valuable objects in the vehicle that were subsequently damaged.
You may also be able to secure compensation in the form of non-economic damages – those that do not have a quantifiable value. This includes pain and suffering, meant to compensate you financially for the potentially traumatic ordeal of the incident, and loss of enjoyment, a permanently reduced ability to enjoy certain things.
In particularly egregious incidents involving gross negligence, a court may award you punitive damages as well. These are considered a punishment to the at-fault party, in the hopes that it deters them from further negligent actions in the future.
Because the circumstances in each case are different, the cost of an attorney can vary greatly. However, it is generally accepted that exceptional representation typically costs much more than one without experience or results.
At Butler Wooten & Peak LLP, we understand the financial struggles that can come with a serious accident. With so many sudden expenses and costs, retaining an attorney can be an additional expense that is not possible. That’s why we offer representation on a contingency fee basis. Your initial consultation is free, and there are not upfront costs if we decide to represent your case. All legal fees are advanced throughout proceedings, and you only pay those costs if we secure a verdict or settlement on your behalf. If we don’t win your case, you are not obligated to pay for our services.
This not only allows you to retain exceptional representation without an intimidating price tag, but it also holds us accountable for our performance and service throughout your case.
If you or a loved one has suffered a serious injury due to the negligence of another, please contact us today to discuss your case. We understand the significant impact an accident and serious injury can have on someone’s life, and we want to help you in any way we can.
Schedule a free consultation with us today and see how we can assist you with your needs.