Georgia Legal Report

33-year-old Jose Castro, of Douglasville, was killed in a Monday morning tractor trailer accident at the Rockmart Landfill. The tragic incident, which may escalate to a multi-million dollar claim, is expected by some to throw a needed spotlight on Georgia tractor trailer safety regulations.

According to Polk County Police, Mr. Castro was walking outside of his tractor trailer truck at the Grady Road Landfill in Rockmart when another tractor trailer pinned him between the two trucks. Mr. Castro succumbed to his fatal injuries at the scene.

Attorneys at The Murray Law Firm are investigating this tragedy and believe it could potentially impact future Georgia safety regulations. Investigators are questioning what factors, such as distraction, impairment, failed safety sensors, or mechanical malfunction, may have lead to this tragedy.

Should the driver of the other tractor trailer be found at fault in this accident, Mr. Castro's family may elect to hold the driver civilly liable for his wrongful death. Additionally, as it appears Mr. Castro was working at the time of his death, his family is almost certainly entitled to workers' compensation benefits as per Georgia Workers' Compensation Law. Further claims may also be filed with the truck manufacturers should some sort of catastrophic malfunction or lack of safety sensor have lead to this incident. Given the complexity of this case, it is crucial that Mr. Castro's family retain a law firm experienced in both workers' compensation and personal injury as soon as practicable to ensure that their best interests are protected. Though compensation is certainly not of importance to a grieving family, such a substantial claim would demand Georgia truck drivers, legislators and manufacturers reevaluate current safety regulations to prevent future tragedies, such as this from, occurring.

Unfortunately, all too often insurance companies and truck companies are more concerned with limiting their financial exposure than providing victims and their families what they rightfully deserve. Photographs and an inspection of both trucks and the scene will need to be retained immediately before any repairs can be made or evidence destroyed. The Murray Law Firm has extensive experience in protecting families of catastrophic truck accidents, such as this, and we offer our legal expertise, if needed.

If you are seeking further information on this incident, please contact us toll free at 888.842.1616.

35-year-old Richard Jones, of Rincon, was critically injured while working at a construction site along Jimmy Deloach Parkway and Highway 21 in Port Wentworth Friday afternoon.

According to Port Wentworth Police, Mr. Jones was transported to Memorial University Medical Center for critical injuries following an accident at the construction site where he was working. He remains in critical condition.

The accident occurred as OSHA released its 2012 report on Georgia workplace accidents and fatalities. The report highlighted the dangers highway contractors and construction workers often face on a daily basis.

Workers Compensation Attorneys at The Murray Law Firm are investigating this accident and believe Mr. Jones and his family are almost certainly entitled to workers compensation benefits per Georgia Workers' Compensation laws. In addition to compensation available under the workers compensation code, Mr. Jones may have an additional claim against the owner and operator of the equipment involved in the accident. Further Mr. Jones and his family may also have a potential claim against the manufacturer of the equipment, should it be found to have had some form of catastrophic malfunction, contributing to the accident. Photographs and a thorough inspection will need to be made without delay, before equipment is moved or repaired. It is important that Mr. Jones and his family retain an experienced workers' compensation attorney immediately to assist them with this complex claim and protect their best interests. Unfortunately, insurance companies are often more concerned with limiting financial exposure than providing victims and families what they rightfully deserve. The Murray Law Firm has extensive experience in protecting victims and families of construction accidents, such as this, and we offer our legal expertise, if needed.

If you are seeking further information on this incident, please contact The Murray Law Firm toll free at 888.842.1616.

UPDATE: Police have released the name of the construction worker killed in the tragic Wednesday afternoon accident. 40-year-old Manuel Aguirre was working as a subcontractor for Fulton County's water main project when he was struck by a backhoe at the construction site.

Attorneys at the Murray Law Firm are now investigating this tragic and complex case.

Original Article:

An Alpharetta construction accident claimed the life of a pipe line worker Wednesday afternoon.

Police shut down the intersection of McGinnis Ferry Road and Windward Concourse in Alpharetta Wednesday afternoon, following the fatal accident of a pipe line construction worker.

Construction crews from the Fulton County Water Resources Department have been working in the area on a $1.24 million water main project, which is expected to be completed in August.

According to initial reports, the victim appears to be in his 40s and was a subcontractor from D&H Construction, working for Fulton County. He was laying pipe when a backhoe backed into him.

Police and OSHA will need to complete investigations to determine the cause of this tragic incident.

As the victim was working at the time of his death, his family will almost certainly be entitled to significant compensation under Georgia workers' compensation laws. In addition to compensation available under the workers compensation code, the victim's family may have an additional claim against the owner and operator of the backhoe should the owner or operator of the backhoe be unrelated to D&H Construction. The family may also have a potential claim against the manufacturer of the backhoe, should it be found to have had some form of catastrophic malfunction, contributing to the accident. It is important that the family immediately retain a lawyer to assist them with this claim, as pictures and an inspection of the machine will need to be obtained before the machine is repaired. If photographs and an inspection are not obtained before the machine is fixed, the value of the case may decrease significantly.

The Murray Law Firm is investigating this tragic incident and has represented many families in cases such as this one. "We have, unfortunately, all too often seen the value of these claims compromised as a consequence of a failure to quickly secure the assistance of an attorney. Insurance companies are concerned with limiting their financial exposure, and without a lawyer protecting the interests of these families, insurance companies work quickly to eliminate evidence detrimental to their interests. We hope that the family's interests in this tragedy will be adequately protected."

Our prayers are with the family of the victim and we offer our legal assistance, if needed. Anyone seeking further information on this accident is encouraged to contact The Murray Law Firm toll free at 888.842.1616.

An Alpharetta construction accident claimed the life of a pipe line worker Wednesday afternoon.

Police shut down the intersection of McGinnis Ferry Road and Windward Concourse in Alpharetta Wednesday afternoon, following the fatal accident of a pipe line construction worker.

Construction crews from the Fulton County Water Resources Department have been working in the area on a $1.24 million water main project, which is expected to be completed in August.

According to initial reports, the victim appears to be in his 40s and was a subcontractor from D&H Construction, working for Fulton County. He was laying pipe when a backhoe backed into him.

Police and OSHA will need to complete investigations to determine the cause of this tragic incident.

As the victim was working at the time of his death, his family will almost certainly be entitled to significant compensation under Georgia workers' compensation laws. In addition to compensation available under the workers compensation code, the victim's family may have an additional claim against the owner and operator of the backhoe should the owner or operator of the backhoe be unrelated to D&H Construction. The family may also have a potential claim against the manufacturer of the backhoe, should it be found to have had some form of catastrophic malfunction, contributing to the accident. It is important that the family immediately retain a lawyer to assist them with this claim, as pictures and an inspection of the machine will need to be obtained before the machine is repaired. If photographs and an inspection are not obtained before the machine is fixed, the value of the case may decrease significantly.

The Murray Law Firm is investigating this tragic incident and has represented many families in cases such as this one. "We have, unfortunately, all too often seen the value of these claims compromised as a consequence of a failure to quickly secure the assistance of an attorney. Insurance companies are concerned with limiting their financial exposure, and without a lawyer protecting the interests of these families, insurance companies work quickly to eliminate evidence detrimental to their interests. We hope that the family's interests in this tragedy will be adequately protected."

Our prayers are with the family of the victim and we offer our legal assistance, if needed. Anyone seeking further information on this accident is encouraged to contact The Murray Law Firm toll free at 888.842.1616.

Workers' compensation and construction accident attorneys at The Murray Law Firm are investigating the tragic death of Legary Antley, Jr., who was killed in a construction accident just after 4pm on New Years Eve day.

Lee County police responded to a 911 call from a construction site off Summerville Road on Lee County Road 315 in Smiths Station, AL just after 4pm Monday. 29-year-old Legary Antley, Jr. was found dead at the scene.

Officials believe Mr. Antley was working on a dump truck in the raised position, between the dump body and the truck frame. The dump truck hydraulics failed, causing the dump body to fall. Mr. Antley was crushed and killed instantly from massive chest injuries.

Mr. Antley leaves behind his wife, Jessica Antley, and two sons. As Mr. Antley was working at the time of his death and the accident was apparently due to equipment failure, his family will almost certainly be entitled to significant compensation under workers' compensation laws. In addition to compensation available under the workers compensation code, the family may have additional claims against the manufacturer of the dump truck. These machines are designed to be ultra-safe, and the reported failure of the hydraulics system would appear to indicate that there was some form of catastrophic malfunction. It is important that the family immediately retain a lawyer to assist them with this claim, as pictures and an inspection of the machine will need to be obtained before the machine is repaired. If photographs and an inspection are not obtained before the machine is fixed, the value of the case may decrease significantly.

Our law firm has represented many families in cases such as this one, and we have, unfortunately, all too often seen the value of these claims compromised as a consequence of a failure to quickly secure the assistance of an attorney. Insurance companies are concerned with limiting their financial exposure, and without a lawyer protecting the interests of these families, insurance companies work quickly to eliminate evidence detrimental to their interests. We hope that familiy's interests in this tragedy will be adequately protected.

Our prayers are with the family of Mr. Antley and we offer our legal assistance, if needed. Anyone seeking further information on this tragic accident is encouraged to contact The Murray Law Firm toll free at 888.842.1616.

Two Sewon America, Inc. workers were struck by a crane around 10am Friday morning in LaGrange, GA.

According to initial police reports, the workers were doing maintenance work in a basket lift when a crane struck them, overturning the lift with the workers inside. Both Sewon America, Inc. employees were harnessed at the time, but suffered serious injuries. One was taken by helicopter to the Columbus Medical Center and the other was flown to Atlanta Medical Center.

Police have not yet released the names or condition of the injured employees, but sources say one employee was from Alabama and the other from the Atlanta area.

Sewon America supplies automotive parts for Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia and Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama.

According to workers' compensation experts at The Murray Law Firm in Atlanta, as this horrific accident occurred in a workplace setting, both victims will almost certainly be entitled to significant compensation under the Workers' Compensation laws of Georgia. Legal experts warn, however, employers and insurance companies are concerned with limiting their financial exposure and without an experienced lawyer protecting the interests of these families, the value of these claims may be adversely affected. Thus, it is imperative the victim's family secure experienced legal representation quickly.

The Georgia Legal Report will continue to investigate this incident as more information becomes available. Anyone seeking information or in need of legal assistance is encouraged to contact The Murray Law Firm toll free at 888-842-1616.

A posting on our Atlanta Injury Lawyer blog last week discussed a recent statistical report published in the Atlanta Business Chronicle indicating that the number of Georgia workers compensation deaths declined in 2008. As an Atlanta workers compensation attorney, I had speculated that this drop was likely due to the U.S. economical climate which has led to a slowdown in the construction industry. Much to my surprise, however, further research has revealed that most workers compensation fatalities in Georgia are not related to work site accidents.

In 2008, of the 171 work deaths reported to the State Board of Workers Compensation, more than one-third were caused by car and truck accidents occurring in Atlanta and throughout Georgia. Specifically, 62 work accident fatalities were caused by car and truck accidents. As both an Atlanta car accident attorney and an Atlanta workers compensation attorney, this figure was unexpected.

Following car and truck accidents, the most common cause of work related deaths in Georgia was "contact with objects and equipment" and "falls," which each accounted for 28 work fatalities. "Assaults and violent acts" resulted in 26 occupational deaths in Georgia, with "fires or explosions" (16) and "exposure to harmful substances" (11) accounting for the remainder fatalities.

As an Atlanta, Georgia based car accident and workers compensation law firm , we receive hundreds upon hundreds of telephone calls per year from potential Clients who simply ask "how much is my motor vehicle injury or work injury case worth?" In order to better assist our callers, we have created a Free 60 Second Case Evaluation. The process is simple: fill out our quick fill form (click this link) which takes less that 60 seconds to complete, and we'll get back to you within 10 minutes with a preliminary value for your case.

Although we have only recently started offering our Free 60 Second Personal Injury and Workers Compensation Case Evaluations, it has quickly become so popular and useful to potential Clients that we are now on call 24 hours per day. A Georgia personal injury, wrongful death, or workers compensation lawyer will respond quickly with a tentative case value and answer any all questions without cost. For those who wish to speak with our Georgia personal injury and workers compensation law firm immediately, please call 888.842.1616.

Although our firm is based in Atlanta, we have recovered millions of dollars for our Clients throughout Georgia. We handle cases from Dalton to Savannah and Augusta to Columbus. For those potential Clients outside of Georgia, we also offer nationwide attorney referrals for personal injury and workers compensation cases.

We continue to read through new data released by the U.S. Department of Labor relating to work related deaths in Georgia. As an Atlanta work injury attorney, this information is of critical importance to us as it indicates in which industries our Clients are most at risk. The figures also reveal other statistical information, such as the average age of workers in occupational accidents, which assist Georgia injury attorneys in determining which Clients are more susceptible to work accidents.

Georgia workers compensation attorneys may be interested to learn that, of the 171 workers compensation deaths in Georgia in 2008, almost one-third (52) involved workers between the ages of 45-54. This statistical group was followed by 35 fatalities involving Georgia workers ages 35-44, and 30 deaths involving workers ages 25-34. Interestingly, older workers were just as susceptible to work related deaths in Georgia in 2008, as there were 35 deaths involving workers age 55 and older.

Another interesting data set released by the Department of Labor shows that of the 171 work deaths in Atlanta and throughout Georgia in 2008, 78 occurred in goods producing industries such as mining, construction, and manufacturing. Another 78 deaths occurred in service providing industries such as banking, leisure and hospitality, and the transportation. The remaining fatalities, 15, were related to government work activity, with 5 occurring at the federal level, and 10 at the local level.

Atlanta personal injury attorneys obtained a $5.47 million dollar verdict in a wrongful death case last week in DeKalb County, Georgia. The case involved a man who was killed while working at Atlanta-Hartsfield airport in June of 2007. The decedent was working on an expansion project at the airport, and his job was to direct dump trucks entering the work site. The man was killed when a dump truck driver ingnored stop signals and ran over him.

A wrongful death and pain and suffering claim was filed by Atlanta lawyers retained by the family of the decedent. The case was presented to a jury last week and, after only three days, the verdict was returned. Because the decedent was killed while at work, the family of the decedent is also entitled to a recovery under Georgia workers compensation laws.

As an Atlanta personal injury attorney and workers compensation lawyer, I am grateful that our Georgia juries are willing to issue large awards to the victims of tragic incidents such as this one. We have recovered millions of dollars for our injured Clients, and we continue to be inspired when verdicts like this are issued. Many of Georgia's best lawyers are in located in Atlanta, and it these types of vedicts are a testament to this.

As an Atlanta work injury attorney, I was interested to read a statistical report released in this week's Atlanta Business Chronicle analyzing workers' compensation cases in Georgia. The report showed that in the calendar year 2008, wrongful deaths related to work accidents declined significantly. Atlanta work accidents relating in deaths dropped to 62 from a total of 90 in 2007, while Georgia occupational fatalities dropped to 171 from 193 in the previous year.

Atlanta injury lawyers, and workers compensation lawyers throughout Georgia, have suggested that they have seen a decline in the number of work-related injuries in the last year. Obviously, many relate this to the down turn in the economy. As the construction has slowed substantially, so to have the frequent work injuries associated with the industry. While it is certainly a blessing that we have seen less work accidents in Georgia over the last year, it is troubling that this phenomenon appears to be associated with a weak job market as opposed to safer occupational standards.

As the economy resuscitates and the construction industry begins to pick up steam, Atlanta's accident attorneys anticipate that work accident figures will similarly escalate. We hope that most of these injuries will be minor, however, and that fatal occupational injuries will continue to decline.