Georgia Legal Report

Police have charged 18-year-old Nicklas Surls with felony DUI charges in the Saturday evening crash, which claimed the life of Jennifer Marie Thomas.

According to initial reports, 21-year-old Jennifer Marie Thomas of Charlotte, NC was a passenger in a vehicle headed eastbound US 76 around 10:30pm Saturday night. When the car attempted to make a left turn, a westbound driver, Nicklas Surls from Florence, SC, collided with her. Ms. Thomas perished from injuries sustained in the crash. The 20-year-old driver of the vehicle she was in was taken to the hospital for injuries.

The accident is still under investigation by South Carolina Highway Patrol, but charges have been filed against Nicklas Surls for driving under the influence. The accident is a tragedy for all three young people involved and their families. It highlights a critical need for teen driver education on the dangers of drinking and driving.

As it appears Mr. Surls was at fault and impaired at the time of the accident, the family of Ms. Thomas may elect to hold him liable in her wrongful death. Such a claim will send a gravely needed message to all young South Carolina drivers on the perils of drinking and driving. It is crucial the family of Ms. Thomas retain an experienced personal injury firm as soon as practicable to ensure all evidence from the accident is preserved and the family's best interests are protected. All too often, insurance companies are more concerned with limiting their own financial exposure than protecting victims and families. South Carolina accident attorneys at The Murray Law Firm works tirelessly to protect victims and families of drunk driving accidents and we offer our legal expertise, if needed.

Our prayers are with the family of Jennifer Thomas and the families of all those involved in this horrific accident. Anyone seeking further information on this accident is encouraged to contact us toll free at 888-842-1616.

According to initial reports, a pedestrian walking along Highway 21 was struck and killed by a South Carolina Highway Patrol car around 5:00am Wednesday morning.

Though the fatal crash is still under investigation by Beaufort County Police and South Carolina Highway Patrol, attorneys at The Murray Law Firm are questioning what factors may have lead to the crash:

• Was the patrol car driving at a high rate speed at the time of the crash and, if so, was this due to a police pursuit? If in pursuit, were sirens and lights properly displayed?

• Was the driver distracted at the time of the accident?

• Was there a sidewalk or pedestrian lane that the victim could have utilized to avoid oncoming traffic?

• Was there adequate street lighting in the area of the crash?

A recent surge in pedestrian accidents throughout the Southeast has many in the community concerned for the safety of pedestrians and cyclists. While the men and women of the South Carolina Highway Patrol are heroes and protect our streets everyday, they must also be held accountable for sharing the roads with those they protect. Should the driver in this incident be found at fault, the victim's family may elect to hold him liable for his wrongful death. Such a claim would serve to remind all drivers of the necessity of sharing the roads with pedestrians. As this complex claim may entail additional filings with the county and state, the victim's family should retain an experienced law firm as soon as possible to ensure all evidence relating to the accident, such as the patrol car camera footage, is preserved and that the family's best interests are protected. The Murray Law Firm has extensive experience in protecting families of tragic pedestrian accidents and we offer our legal expertise, if needed.

We offer our sincere condolences and prayers to both families involved in this accident. Anyone seeking further information is encouraged to contact our emergency legal hotline toll free at 888-842-1616.

Thomaston resident, Ralph William Moore, Jr., was killed in an early morning car accident on Highway 36 Monday. As the driver who hit Mr. Moore faces vehicular homicide charges, investigators are questioning whether distraction or impairment may have been factors in the fatal crash.

According to Georgia State Patrol, Mr. Moore was traveling Eastbound on Hwy. 36 around 6:48am Monday when Tracey Jones attempted to pull out of a private driveway onto Barnesville Highway. Ms. Jones, apparently failing to yield, struck Mr. Moore's vehicle in the right rear side with enough force to send his truck out of control, down an embankment and into a utility pole and tree.

Mr. Moore was rushed to Upson Regional Medical Center, where he later succumbed to injuries. Ms. Jones has been charged with vehicular homicide and failure to yield the right-of-way.

Attorneys at The Murray Law Firm are investigating why Ms. Jones failed to yield and whether distraction or impairment were possible factors in the crash. The Governor's Office of Highway Safety in Georgia recently reported, "new national data is showing driver inattention is a key cause in most crashes and near-crashes."

As it appears Ms. Jones was criminally at fault in this accident, the family of Mr. Moore may elect to hold her civilly liable in his wrongful death. Though financial recovery is of little importance to a grieving family, it is crucial that Mr. Moore's family retain an experienced law firm without delay to ensure all evidence relating to the accident is preserved and their best interests are protected. Although victims and families are rightfully entitled to insurance policy maximums, all too often insurance companies are more concerned with limiting their own financial exposure than providing victims and families what they rightfully deserve. The Murray Law Firm fights tirelessly to protect the rights of victims and families of tragic accidents, such as this, and we offer our legal expertise to the Moore family, if needed.

Anyone seeking further information on this accident is encouraged to contact us toll free at 888-842-1616.

Families are seeking answers and justice after the Monday night stabbing of two elderly residents in the Baptist Towers senior housing complex.

A resident of the Baptist Towers Apartments viciously attacked two other elderly residents late Monday evening. Tragically, Mary Oliver perished at the scene. The other victim, a gentleman in his 70s, was rushed to the hospital and is currently in stable condition.

Now, on what should have been Mary Oliver's 76th birthday, her family is mourning her passing and seeking answers in her death. Ms. Oliver's daughter, Ellen Hall Varner, spoke with the Atlanta Journal Constitution about the attack.

The attacker, who lives on the fifth floor, apparently stabbed a resident on the seventh floor multiple times in the upper torso and face. According to Ms. Varner, he then "went home, took a shower, [and] changed clothes" before heading down to the second floor where he "kicked [Ms. Oliver's] door in" and stabbed her in bed with kitchen knives.

Though police have the alleged attacker in custody, many elderly residents of Baptist Towers and their families remain terrified for their safety. Premises Liability and Nursing Home Negligence Attorneys at The Murray Law Firm are investigating this tragic incident and question a potential security lapse at Baptist Towers Apartments:

• What security precautions were in place at Baptist Towers during the two attacks? Were surveillance cameras running in the hallways, stairwells and elevators? Were security patrols monitoring and patrolling these areas during the attacks?

• According to initial reports, the assailant had enough time to go home and shower between attacks. How did the first attack go unnoticed and, if security was aware, what efforts were taken during this time lapse to notify police and secure residents?

• The attacker reportedly "kicked down" Ms. Oliver's door. What safety measures, such as hallway cameras, panic alarms, reinforced doors, deadbolts, steel door limiters, and wide-angle peepholes, were available to Baptist Tower residents at the time of the attack to protect themselves and restrict access to their homes?

• What type of mental health and criminal background screenings does Baptist Towers utilize for residents? Has the complex received any prior complaints of violence or disturbed behavior from the resident-assailant in the past and, if so, what measures were taken to protect the assailant from harming himself and other residents?

As the details of these vicious attacks continue to develop, The Murray Law Firm suggests that it is possible that the Baptist Tower Apartments failed to undertake proper safety measures to protect those residents legally on the premises. Under Georgia law, the owner and management company of an elderly housing community has a duty to protect residents and to keep the premises safe. If the owner or manager fails in this duty, they may be held liable for any injuries or wrongful deaths that occur.

Should the Baptist Tower Apartment complex be found at fault in this tragedy, the family of Mary Oliver may elect to hold the owner and management company civilly liable for her wrongful death. The family of the injured male resident may also elect to hold the complex owner and management company liable for his significant injuries. Financial recovery for such a claim could be millions of dollars. And, though financial compensation is of little consequence to a grieving family, such a substantial claim would certainly demand all Georgia elderly housing properties reevaluate the safety and security measures of their facilities. Unfortunately, as insurance companies and unscrupulous parties are often most concerned with limiting their financial exposure in these incidents, it is crucial that a law firm experienced in both premises liability and nursing home negligence be retained as soon as possible to ensure all evidence, such as surveillance footage, is preserved and the family's best interests are protected. The Murray Law Firm has extensive experience in premises liability and elderly negligence cases, such as this, and we offer our legal expertise, if needed.

We extend our sincere condolences to the family of Mary Oliver and pray for the swift recovery of the other victim of this senseless tragedy.

If you are seeking further information, please contact us at 404-842-1600 or toll free at 888-842-11616.

16-year-old Anna Hawkins, a Dawson County High School student and athlete, was killed in a car accident Monday evening.

According to Georgia State Patrol, a 16-year-old driver was "traveling at an excessive rate of speed" down Couch Road in Dawson County when the vehicle lost control on a curve. Ms. Hawkins, who was reportedly car surfing on the vehicle at the time, was thrown in the crash and later succumbed to injuries.

The loss of such a young, bright woman has shaken the Dawson County High School community. Superintendent Keith Porter spoke on behalf of the school, "This is our worst nightmare, losing one of our kids."

Dawson County High School students and teen drivers throughout Georgia are following this tragedy closely. The accident has awakened many to the enormous responsibility of driving, a responsibility which few young drivers understand extends beyond themselves and to every passenger in their vehicle.

Police are imploring teens to stop the dangerous practice of car surfing. Only last month, three Gwinnett County teens were injured while car surfing.

Drivers need to recognize that passenger safety is their responsibility and that they will be the ones held accountable should harm come to those in their vehicle. As the young driver in this accident appears to be at fault for both speeding and allowing a passenger to ride on the exterior of their vehicle, the family of Anna Hawkins may elect to hold the driver civilly liable for her wrongful death. Such a claim will send a message to all young Georgia drivers about both the dangers of speeding and the serious responsibility they hold for their passengers. This accident has been a tragedy for both families involved, and we can only pray that other young drivers will learn from this horrific accident.

The Murray Law Firm has extensive experience in guiding and protecting families of tragic cases, such as this, and we offer our legal expertise to the Hawkins family, if needed.

Anyone seeking further information is encouraged to contact us toll free at 888.842.1616 or locally at 706.494.2800.

A fatal three-car accident on Hwy 278 claimed the life of Hanceville infant, Sophia Johnson, Monday evening, only one day before she was to celebrate her first birthday. Sophia's mother, Jazmine Johnson, was injured in the crash.

The three-car collision occurred on Highway 278 in Holly Pond, AL, just before 6:00pm Monday evening. Daryl Cook, of Cullman, and Kevin Miller, of Holly Pond, collided with the Johnson family at mile marker 87. Alabama State Police have not yet determined the cause of the accident, but attorneys at The Murray Law Firm are investigating whether speed, impairment or distraction may have been factors in this tragedy.

Safe Home Alabama and the U.S. Department of Transportation recently released reports on the perils of speeding, distraction and impairment in Alabama and across the nation. With over 210 Alabama driving fatalities in the last six months and this latest loss of a small, innocent child, Alabama drivers clearly need to stamp out reckless, distracted and impaired driving.

Should Mr. Cook or Mr. Miller be found at fault in this accident, the Johnson family may elect to hold the driver civilly liable for the wrongful death of Sophia Johnson and the injuries incurred by Mrs. Johnson. Of course, financial recovery is of little consequence to a grieving family, but such a claim would send a grave message to all Alabama drivers on the need to practice caution and avoid distraction while driving. It is crucial the Johnson family retain an experienced personal injury law firm as soon as practicable to ensure their best interests are protected and all evidence relating to the accident is preserved. Unfortunately, insurance companies are often all too concerned with limiting their financial exposure rather than protecting victims. The Murray Law Firm has extensive experience in protecting and guiding families through tragic cases, such as this, and we offer our legal expertise, if needed.

Our sincere condolences are with the family of young Sophia Johnson and we offer our prayers for the swift recovery of Mrs. Johnson.

Anyone seeking further information on this accident is encouraged to contact us toll free at 888.842.1616.

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.

Only two months after Daryl and Shirley Jenkins were found dead in their Boone, North Carolina hotel room, an 11-year-old boy has perished in the same room. His mother, Jeannie Williams, was found unconscious at his side. Investigators suspect carbon monoxide poisoning and are now exploring a possible link between the three deaths.

Mr. and Mrs. Jenkins, an elderly couple from Washington state, were visiting Boone for a family reunion in April when the couple was found dead in their Best Western hotel room. A cousin, Lorraine Stephens, told KLTV news "the cause of death was never clear."

On Saturday Jeannie and Jeffrey Williams, a mother and son from Rock Hill, SC, were found in the same hotel room, victims of what police believe to be carbon monoxide poisoning. 11-year-old Jeffrey perished at the scene while his mother, Jeannie, was found unconscious and in critical condition by his side.

Although the deaths are still under investigation and a clear link has not yet been determined, investigators at The Murray Law Firm are now questioning whether a lapse in hotel safety standards may have lead to these tragedies:

• When did the hotel last undergo a complete safety audit, including carbon monoxide testing and preparedness? Did the hotel perform a thorough safety investigation following the death of Mr. and Mrs. Jenkins and, if so, was carbon monoxide testing performed?

• What safety measures were in place at the time of both incidents to protect guests from carbon monoxide hazards? Were carbon monoxide alarms present and working in the hotel room and surrounding hallways where the deaths occurred and, if so, when were the alarms last inspected?

• How did the design of the hotel contribute to creating a carbon monoxide hazard for guests, particularly in the room where all three deaths occurred? Was the hotel room above or near a parking area, furnace, or boiler room where exhaust fumes could have been present? Was the hotel room properly ventilated and, if so, was something blocking the room's ventilation system at the time of the incidents?

According to a recent USA Today investigation, "Eight people have died and at least 170 others have been treated for carbon monoxide poisoning in the past three years in hotels, which rarely are equipped with CO alarms."

As the details of these tragedies continue to unfold, The Murray Law Firm suggests that it is possible that the Boone, NC Best Western failed to undertake proper safety measures to protect those guests legally on the premises. By law, an owner and management company has a duty to protect such individuals from foreseeable risks and to keep its premises safe. If the owner or manager fails in this capacity, they may be held liable for any injuries or wrongful deaths that occur on the property.

Should the Boone, NC Best Western be found at fault in these incidents, the families of Mr. and Mrs. Jenkins and the young Mr. Williams May elect to hold the owner and management company liable for their wrongful deaths. Financial recovery for such claims could be in the millions of dollars and would, more importantly, send a gravely needed message to all hotel property managers on the need to implement proper safety measures to protect their guests. Further, such a claim would help to increase public awareness about the lack of CO safety and testing within hotels.

As insurance companies and unscrupulous parties are often more concerned with limiting their financial exposure in these incidents, it is crucial that an experienced premises liability firm be retained as soon as possible to ensure all evidence, such as carbon monoxide alarms and the hotel ventilation system, is inspected and photographed prior to any repairs and that the families' best interests are protected. The Murray Law Firm has extensive experience in premises liability cases, 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.

Lifelong Dawson County resident, Jack 'Red' Young, was killed in a machinery accident Saturday afternoon.

According to Police reports, Mr. Young was working in his downtown Dawsonville shop around 3:00pm Saturday when he became trapped inside a Bobcat loader. Mr. Young tragically perished from his injuries.

As Mr. Young's family and the Dawsonville community mourn his passing, investigators at The Murray Law firm are questioning whether a catastrophic equipment malfunction of the Bobcat loader lead to this horrific accident.

Unfortunately, the CDC warns fatalities and injuries due to skid steer loaders are all too common. As such, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) "requires employers to protect workers from hazards associated with operating and maintaining these machines."

Should a catastrophic equipment malfunction have lead to this terrible incident, the family of Mr. Young may elect to hold the Bobcat manufacturer liable for his wrongful death. Such a substantial claim would send a clearly needed message to all loader manufacturers on the cruciality of implementing proper safety precautions to stop these unnecessary injuries and fatalities in the workplace. Further, as Mr. Young was working at the time of this accident, his family may be entitled to Workers' Compensation benefits under Georgia law.

It is important that Mr. Young's family retain an experienced personal injury and workers' compensation lawyer to assist them with this complex claim, as pictures and an inspection of the machinery will need to be obtained. If photographs and an inspection are not obtained before repairs are made, the value of the case may decrease significantly. The Murray Law Firm has extensive experience protecting families in cases, such as this, and we offer our legal expertise, if needed.

Our prayers are with the family of Mr. Young. Anyone seeking further information on this accident is encouraged to contact The Murray Law Firm toll free at 888.842.1616.

22-year-old Kenyotta Jones was struck and killed by a Macon street sweeper early Monday morning.

According to Macon Police, the accident occurred at the intersection of Eisenhower Parkway and Key Street in Macon, just after 1:00am Monday morning. Police report there was no street lighting in the area where Ms. Jones was walking, a factor which may have contributed to the fatal accident. Ms. Jones perished at the scene.

The driver of the street sweeper volunteered a blood sample and police report no charges have been filed. However, attorneys at The Murray Law Firm are investigating whether distraction or improper caution signaling may have been factors in this tragedy. Additionally, investigators are questioning why the intersection, which serves as a bus stop and pedestrian crosswalk, has no working street lights or sidewalks for pedestrians.

• The intersection of Eisenhower Parkway and Key Street serves as a four-way crosswalk and bus stop. Police report the area was unlit at the time of the accident. Are there street lamps in this area and, if so, were they broken at the time of the accident? If not, why has the town failed to provide safe lighting for pedestrians using this major intersection?

• This intersection serves as a bus stop. Is there a safe place for pedestrians to await a bus away from oncoming traffic? Is there a sidewalk at this intersection where Ms. Jones could have safely moved out of the way of the oncoming street sweeper?

• What factors lead to the street sweeper's failure to signal Ms. Jones and stop? Was the street sweeper displaying proper cautionary signals to oncoming pedestrians and vehicles and, if not, why? Were the caution signals broken and, if so, was the owner and manager of the vehicle aware? Was the operator of the street sweeper distracted at the time of the incident?

As the details of this tragic accident continue to unfold, the family of Ms. Jones may elect to hold the owner and operator of the street sweeper liable in her wrongful death. Though financial recovery is certainly not of importance to a grieving family, such a substantial claim would demand all Georgia towns improve their streets and vehicles to meet pedestrian safety standards. It is crucial the family of Ms. Jones retain an experienced personal injury law firm without delay to ensure all evidence, including surveillance footage, is preserved and their best interests are protected. Photographs and a proper inspection of both the street sweeper and any area lighting will need to be made immediately, before any repairs can be made or evidence destroyed. The Murray Law Firm has extensive experience in protecting families of tragic cases, such as this, and we offer our legal expertise, if needed.

Our prayers are with the family of Kenyotta Jones. Please let this tragedy serve as a reminder to all Georgia drivers to share our roads with pedestrians and practice extra caution around crosswalks and bus stops.

If you are seeking further information on this incident, please contact us toll free at 888-842-1616 or locally at 478-246-1010.

The family of 11-year-old Patrick Williams is coming together amid tragedy to celebrate the life of the sweet young boy taken from them much too early by an impaired driver.

The fatal hit and run accident occurred Monday afternoon when Patrick Williams was crossing Boulderpark Drive and Brownlee Road to play basketball at his cousin's home. Per initial reports, 43-year-old Gatha M. Dyer struck the young boy and fled the scene without stopping.

According to the victim's family, a passenger in Gatha Dyer's vehicle returned to the scene to assist police in the driver's capture. Mr. Dyer has been charged with vehicular homicide, DUI, leaving the scene of an accident, driving with a suspended license, failure to yield, failure to maintain lane and reckless driving.

Patrick Williams' family is now celebrating his life as they mourn his passing. His mother, Kandace Williams, remembers, "He was the perfect son...he was just a good-spirited young boy." Charleyne Wright is looking for answers in the senseless loss of her beloved grandson. "They took a piece of all our hearts when they took him away from us. It was a senseless death, you know. Who hits a baby and leaves the scene?"

The loss of such a young, bright life has rallied the community in support of justice and change. Neighbors are calling for tougher enforcement of traffic safety in the area where Mr. Williams was killed. Atlanta Attorneys at The Murray Law Firm were outraged not only by the driver's apparently impaired state, but by his failure to stop and check on young Mr. Williams. "We work tirelessly to protect victims and families of impaired drivers in cases, such as this, and we were particularly saddened to learn of the tragic loss of such a young man. Given Mr. Dyer's apparent criminal fault in this accident, the family of Patrick Williams may elect to hold him civilly liable in the wrongful death of their family member. Financial recovery could be substantial and, though compensation is not of importance to a grieving family, such a claim would certainly send a much needed message to all Georgia drivers about the perils of drunk driving. It is crucial the Williams family seek an experienced personal injury law firm as soon as practicable to ensure that their best interests are protected and all evidence relating to the accident is preserved. The Murray Law Firm has extensive experience in protecting and guiding families through tragic cases, such as this, and we offer our legal expertise, if needed."

If you are seeking further information on this incident, please contact us at 404.842.1600.

55-year-old cyclist, Lawrence Joseph Young, was struck and killed by a hit and run driver Sunday evening.

According to Marietta Police, Lawrence Young was riding his bike down Powder Springs Street at the intersection of Natchez Trace around 7:45pm when a black SUV struck him and fled the scene. Mr. Young was transported to Wellstar Kennestone Hospital, where he later succumbed to injuries.

Police are still searching for the driver and have released surveillance images of "a driver of interest." Witnesses report the SUV, possibly a Cadillac Escalade, had dark tinted windows and black wheels.

Mr. Young's death is the latest in a recent surge of cyclist and pedestrian accidents to plague Georgia. Attorneys at The Murray Law Firm are investigating why the driver who hit Mr. Young fled the scene and what factors, such as speed, impairment or distraction, may have lead to the accident. Given the SUV driver's apparent fault in this tragedy, the family of Mr. Young may elect to hold the driver civilly liable for his wrongful death. Such a claim would send a clearly needed message to all Georgia drivers on the need to share our roads with cyclists and pedestrians. It is crucial Mr. Young's family retain a personal injury law firm without delay to ensure that all evidence relating to the accident, such as surveillance footage, is properly preserved and that their best interests are protected. The Murray Law Firm works tirelessly to protect victims and families of cycling accidents, such as this, and we offer our legal expertise, if needed.

As more pedestrians and cyclists take to the streets to enjoy the warm spring weather, we remind all Georgia drivers to share our roads and to avoid all distractions while driving.

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

A Wednesday afternoon dump truck accident on Leroy Coffer Highway claimed the life of 28-year-old Danielle Woods and injured her young daughter, Lindsay.

According to Georgia State Patrol, Ms. Woods was driving her Dodge Caravan along Leroy Coffer Highway late Wednesday afternoon. A dump truck, driven by Robert Boatright, attempted to cross the highway intersection from Freedman Grove Road onto Pate Rogers Road and struck Ms. Woods' minivan on the driver's side.

Tragically, Ms. Woods perished at the scene. Her young daughter, Lindsay, was transported to the hospital for injuries.

Attorneys at The Murray Law Firm are investigating what factors, such as distraction, speed, or impairment, might have lead to the dump truck driver's failure to stop. Should the dump truck driver be found at fault in this accident, the family of Ms. Woods may elect to hold him civilly liable for her wrongful death and for the injuries sustained by her daughter. In addition, the family may also have insurance claims against the company who owned the dump truck. Total financial recovery could be millions of dollars. While compensation is certainly not of importance to a grieving family, it is crucial that an experienced law firm be retained as soon as possible to ensure that all evidence relating to the accident is preserved and that the family's best interests are protected.

Although accident victims are rightfully entitled to maximum insurance coverage limits, all too often insurance companies and unscrupulous business owners are reluctant to pay victims what they deserve. As such, having an experienced personal injury firm to represent victims through these negotiations can mean the difference of hundreds of thousands of dollars. The Murray Law Firm has extensive experience in protecting families in tragic cases, such as this, and we offer our legal expertise, if needed.

We extend our condolences to the family of Danielle Woods and pray for the swift recovery of her young daughter. If you are seeking further information on this incident, please contact us toll free at 888.842.1616 or locally at 912.385.6960.

An early morning fire broke out at the Meadowbrook Nursing Home in Tucker, GA Tuesday morning, claiming the life of 64-year-old resident Laura Barrett and injuring two others. The tragedy has left many families concerned for their loved ones and investigators questioning a potential safety lapse at the facility.

According to initial reports, the blaze began just before 3:00am when a nursing home resident allegedly lit a cigarette near an oxygen tank on the second floor. Though the fire was reportedly contained to one room, smoke and water damage spread to other areas of the building. 75 of the nursing home's 120 residents were evacuated from the second floor of the building to the first floor. 64-year-old Linda Barrett perished in the fire. Two other residents were transported to the hospital for injuries, including smoke inhalation.

Following reports of the fire, concerned family members scrambled to get news of their loved ones inside Meadowbrook. Leslie Usher learned of the fire on the radio and rushed to check on his 66-year-old paralyzed mother. Mr. Usher's mother was, thankfully, not injured, but he voiced concern over Meadowbrook's failure to contact families.

"I know it was chaos, but there still should be one person designated to call family members," he told the Atlanta Journal Constitution.

Indeed, the tragic Meadowbrook fire raises several questions about management and resident safety at the facility. U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services currently provides a 1 out of 5 star rating for this nursing home facility, a score based on health inspection, staffing, and quality measures. The assessment also notes that Meadowbrook was cited for fire safety deficiencies in 2012.

Premises Liability and Nursing Home Negligence Attorneys at The Murray Law Firm are investigating this tragic incident and questioning a possible fire safety lapse at the facility:

• The fire was supposedly started by a resident smoking in bed. As oxygen tanks were in close proximity to Meadowbrook residents, what efforts were in place to ensure residents did not smoke or bring cigarettes onto the property? Were all residents living near oxygen supplies made aware of the fire hazards of smoking?

• Three victims were unable to escape the fire unharmed. Were any of these victims restrained or physically confined to their beds and, if so, what emergency procedures were in place to assist and protect these special-needs residents? If not, what led to their inability to escape safely? Were fire exits lit and clearly marked at the time of the fire? Was an emergency evacuation plan in effect and, if so, how did it go awry? Was there adequate staffing at the time of the fire to ensure all residents could be safely escorted from their rooms? Was the building properly up to fire safety codes at the time of the fire? Was the sprinkler system working properly?

• Firefighters reported assisting residents to the first floor to escape smoke inhalation. Why were residents still on the second floor at the time of EMS arrival?

As the details of this fire continue to develop, The Murray Law Firm suggests that it is possible that the Meadowbrook Nursing Home failed to undertake proper safety measures to protect those residents legally on the premises. Under Georgia law, an owner and management company of a nursing home has a duty to protect residents and to keep the its premises safe. If the owner or manager fails in this duty, they may be held liable for any injuries or wrongful deaths that occur.

Should the nursing home be found at fault in this tragedy, the family of Ms. Barrett may elect to hold the owner or management company civilly liable for her wrongful death. The families of the injured residents may also elect to hold the nursing home owner or management company liable for their significant injuries. Financial recovery for such a claim could be millions of dollars. However, as insurance companies and unscrupulous parties are often more concerned with limiting their financial exposure in these incidents, it is crucial that an experienced premises liability firm be retained as soon as possible to ensure all evidence, such as surveillance footage, is preserved and the family's best interests are protected. The Murray Law Firm has extensive experience in premises liability cases and we offer our legal expertise, if needed.

We extend our sympathies to the family of Ms. Barrett and pray for the swift recovery of the injured victims. If anyone has information to share, or if anyone is seeking information regarding this incident, please contact us toll free at 888.842.1616.

The Covington community is mourning the loss of 76-year-old local resident, Wanda Wilson, who was killed Monday while crossing the street to get her mail.

According to initial reports, Ms. Wilson was crossing the street from her home on Duncan Road, in Covington, to collect her mail when a driver came around a curve and hit her. Per these early reports, the driver, 20-year-old Jessica Wood, stopped after striking Ms. Wilson and called police. Ms. Wilson perished at the scene.

The tragedy is the latest in a recent rash of pedestrian accidents plaguing Georgia, many of which have been attributed to speed or distraction. As warm weather returns, more residents are walking and cycling and drivers need to pay closer attention to our roads. Attorneys at The Murray Law Firm are investigating whether speed or distraction were factors in this incident. Should the driver in this accident be found at fault, the family of Ms. Wilson may elect to hold her civilly liable in the wrongful death of their loved one. Such a substantial claim would serve as a much needed reminder to all Georgia drivers to drive carefully, heed speed limits and avoid all unnecessary distractions, such as cellphones.

Our prayers are with the family of Wanda Wilson and we offer our legal expertise, if needed. Anyone seeking further information on this incident may contact us toll free at 888.842.1616.