Robbins & Associates, PC

What Determines How Long Benefits can be Collected?

2010-01-08T18:12:00.001-05:00

You can collect Workers' Compensation benefits until your doctor says you are able to return to work. In some cases you may be able to return to work, but with limited ability to perform your duties, or you may have to work in a different position. If your injury causes you to earn less than you did before you were injured, you can collect partial benefits even though you are working. Both total and partial disability benefits can be temporary or permanent.

That sounds pretty good, but the problem comes in with doctor approval. Insurance companies will do everything they can to prevent paying out. Both your employer and its insurance company may send you to a doctor who will say you are able to go back to work when you are not, to avoid paying you. Insurance companies have been known to hire private investigators to try and catch you doing physical activities, such as moving, playing sports, etc., that indicate your are not truly disabled.

Collecting the Workers' Compensation benefits you are entitled to should be simple. Workers' Compensation laws were created, in part, to ensure that work-related injuries would not rob workers of their income. Unfortunately, it is not that simple. An experienced Workers' Compensation attorney can help you collect the benefits you are entitled to, and keep collecting them for as long as you truly need them. Just knowing that you are working with an attorney will make some employers and their insurers think twice before trying dishonest and illegal methods to cut your benefits short or avoid paying at all.

If your employer is trying to cut your Workers' Compensation benefits short in the Atlanta, Georgia area, Robbins & Associates, P.C. can help. Please, contact us today to schedule a confidential consultation, at no cost to you, and find out how you can continue to draw the payments that you and your family need and deserve.

Slip and Fall Accidents at Work

2009-12-28T17:20:00.000-05:00

When the subject of slip and fall comes up you may immediately think of personal injury lawsuits. However, when you are injured at work you should file a Workers' Compensation claim right away.

Unlike in a personal injury lawsuit, you do not have to prove fault in order to receive Workers' Compensation benefits, even in a slip and fall case. If a customer or another non-employee were to be injured in a slip and fall accident at your place of work, they would have the right to sue and would have to prove negligence on the part of your employer, the property owner, or whoever was responsible for maintaining the safety of the premises. As an employee, you can collect Workers' Compensation benefits for your injuries without having to determine who is responsible or prove that anyone was negligent.

If you have a slip and fall accident while performing your job duties somewhere other than your employer's place of business, such as while making a delivery or while travelling on business, you may be entitled to Workers’ Compensation or it may be appropriate to file a slip and fall personal injury lawsuit against the party who was responsible, such as the owner of the establishment in which your accident occurred. These types of case are more complicated. An attorney who has experience with both Workers’ Compensation and personally injury lawsuits can review the facts and determine which kind of case you should pursue.

If you work in or near Atlanta, Georgia, and have been injured in a slip and fall accident while on the job, please contact the Workers' Compensation attorneys at Robbins & Associates, P.C. We will schedule a confidential consultation, at no cost to you, to determine what type of compensation you may be entitled to.

Pedestrian/Vehicle Accidents

2009-12-20T17:17:00.003-05:00

About 5,000 pedestrians are killed in auto accidents every year, roughly 11% of auto accident

fatalities. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 70,000 pedestrians were injured in auto accidents in 2007. The human body stands little chance against a moving vehicle, and survivors often sustain life-altering injuries. Hit and run victims who could have survived often die due to delayed treatment. A hit and run victim may not be found for days.Driver Responsibility

Poor visibility and dangerous behavior on the part of pedestrians play a role in many pedestrian accidents, but drivers have a responsibility to be on the lookout for pedestrians and are often at fault due to:

Failure to use turn signals
Failure to observe crosswalks
Speeding
Intoxication
Distractions such as cell phone use

Hit and Run
Injuries in hit and run accidents may be worse than they would have been with immediate medical attention and may even result in wrongful death. Finding drivers responsible for hit and run auto accidents requires extensive investigation, but in many cases they can be found and held responsible both criminally and in a personal injury lawsuit.
Recovering From Your Injuries
The injuries incurred in a pedestrian/vehicle accident can require extensive medical treatment and survivors may be permanently disabled. Just compensation for your injuries may be the only way that you can afford the treatment that you need. You may also be entitled to compensation for income lost during your recovery and future losses if you are not able to return to work; income that you and your family depend on to survive.

If you or someone you love has been hit by a car in the Atlanta, Georgia area, please contact the experienced auto accident attorneys at Robbins & Associates, P.C. to schedule a consultation today.

Delayed and Misdiagnoses of Cancer

2009-12-17T17:15:00.000-05:00

A diagnosis of cancer used to be equivalent to a death sentence. While it is still terrifying to hear, today a timely diagnosis can save your life. Many types of cancer respond well to treatment when they are caught in the early stages, but can be fatal when left untreated or if treatment is delayed. Delayed and misdiagnoses of cancer are forms of medical malpractice.

Delayed treatment that is not fatal can still mean significant damage to quality of life, involving more invasive, painful, and expensive treatments. More invasive and radical treatments can, in themselves, do significant damage to you health and shorten your life. Some types of cancer that respond well to treatment in the early stages include:

Skin cancer
Breast cancer
Cervical cancer
Prostate cancer

Failure to Respond to Symptoms and Warning Signs
When a patient is not at risk and does not show any warning signs or complain of any potential symptoms of cancer it can come as an honest shock to everyone involved if the cancer is detected in an advanced stage.

All too often, misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis of cancer is due to a doctor’s failure to properly respond to a patient’s symptoms. Various types of cancer have red flag symptoms that every doctor should respond to with standard cancer screening procedures.

There are many reasons why a doctor may fail to respond. Some doctors are rushed or distracted and not listening, others do not take their patients seriously. Sadly, there are doctors who hear and recognize the symptoms, but do not order tests because they believe they patient cannot afford the test or the treatment.

If you believe that you or a loved one has been the victim of delayed or misdiagnosis of cancer, in the Atlanta Georgia area, please contact the experienced medical malpractice lawyers at Robbins & Associates, P.C. today.

Car Accidents in Parking Lots

2009-12-15T16:33:00.000-05:00

Parking lots are a common setting for slow, low-impact car accidents. Those involved often do not feel that there is any need to report the incident, and vehicular damage may be very minor or non-existent. Noticeable injuries at the time of the accident are rare. However, these low-impact crashes can cause debilitating soft tissue injuries that do not produce immediate symptoms, are difficult to diagnose, and very hard to prove in court.

If you are involved in an auto accident in a parking lot you must treat it like any other auto accident to protect your rights. This includes:

Reporting the accident to the police and your insurance company
Trading contact and insurance information with the other driver
Taking down the license plate number of the other vehicle
Getting contact information from any and all witnesses
Talking to an auto accident attorney

Responsibility in Parking Lot Auto Accidents
Most parking lots are private property, so laws that apply on the road may not apply in your accident. This does not relieve drivers of a basic duty of care. Basic rules of the road still apply.

Car accidents in parking lots are sometimes caused by dangerous conditions that are the fault of the parking lot owner. In those cases your auto accident case may turn out to be or include a premises liability lawsuit. A premise liability lawsuit for a parking lot accident requires expert investigation to prove dangerous conditions. A history of accidents in the parking lot can strengthen your case.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident in a parking lot in Atlanta, Georgia or the surrounding area, the experienced personal injury attorneys at Robbins & Associates, P.C. can help. Please contact us today to schedule a confidential consultation at no cost to you. We will examine the facts in your case and help determine what type of lawsuit you should pursue to obtain just and fair compensation for your injuries.

Can You Sue and Collect Workers’ Compensation at the Same Time?

2009-12-13T16:30:00.000-05:00

Yes and no. You cannot collect Workers’ Compensation and sue your employer at the same time. However, it may be appropriate to sue someone else, a third party, for your injuries while you are collecting Workers’ Compensation benefits.

Workers’ Compensation law protects both you and your employer. It protects you by requiring your employer to carry an insurance policy that provides coverage for your injuries without requiring you to sue your employer or prove fault. This means that you are much more likely to receive benefits, and much sooner. Unfortunately, it means that you will probably receive less than you would if you did win a lawsuit.

It protects your employer because it does not allow workers to sue employers if they collect Workers’ Compensation benefits. This means that your employer does not have to pay out-of-pocket for your injuries or be found negligent.

You May Still Have a Lawsuit
If your injury was caused by someone other than your employer, you may be entitled to compensation through a personal injury lawsuit. For instance, if you were injured in a work-related auto accident, you may have a case against the other driver, and have the right to pursue that case and drawn Workers’ Compensation benefits at the same time. Equipment malfunctions, a common cause of very serious on-the-job injuries, are often caused by a defective product.

If you live in Atlanta, Georgia, or the surrounding area and have been injured on the job, please contact the experienced Workers’ Compensation attorneys at Robbins & Associates, P.C. to schedule your free consultation today. We can help you obtain your Workers’ Compensation benefits and determine if you should also file a third party personal injury lawsuit to truly cover your losses.

Back Injuries Following a Car Accident

2009-12-09T16:27:00.000-05:00

Back injuries are a common result of auto accidents, and are not always apparent at the time of the accident. You should always seek medical attention after a car accident, even if you do not feel that you were hurt. An examination may reveal a back injury, but not all back injuries show up in standard tests. Back injuries sustained in car accidents can include broken bones, soft tissue injuries and spinal cord injury.

Types of Back Injury

Spinal cord injury is not in itself a back injury, but can be involved when there is a back injury. Back injuries that may be sustained in an auto accident include:

Fractured or broken vertebrae
Herniated disk
Stretched or torn muscles and tendons
Whiplash

People tend to think of whiplash primarily as a neck injury and sometimes including injury to the back. Whiplash also causes brain injury.

Soft Tissue Injuries
Soft tissue injuries can be painful and debilitating. They can be caused by low-impact crashes. Unfortunately, they are hard to detect and prove in court. Soft tissue injuries do not show up on X-Rays. Insurance companies still try to deny the validity of soft tissue injuries.

Living with Back Injuries
Back injuries cause chronic pain in most victims. After the initial recovery period, when pain may improve, the pain tends to get worse over the years with age. Back pain may also be intermittent, making it impossible to hold a steady job, but difficult to prove disability.

If you were involved in an auto accident in the Atlanta, Georgia area and are experiencing symptoms of back injury, please contact the experienced auto accident attorneys at Robbins & Associates, P.C. today to schedule your free confidential consultation and find out if you may be entitled to compensation.

Anesthesia-related Medical Malpractice

2009-12-04T16:24:00.000-05:00

Going under general anesthesia is what many of us fear most when anticipating surgery. That fear tends more of an emotional, non-specific fear, not particularly tied to the inherent risks involved. Countless surgeries are performed everyday using anesthesia with no problem. However, anesthesia error can make your worst fears come true.

Anesthesia administration is very delicate and complicated. It is performed by a specialist whose only job during surgery is to handle that aspect, constantly monitoring the patients and making any necessary adjustments. There are risks involved every time anesthesia is used. Anesthesia-related complications are not always the result of medical malpractice. Anesthesia errors are a form of medical malpractice.

Victims of anesthesia-related medical malpractice are usually not informed that their injury was caused by malpractice rather than an inherent risk of the procedure. Depending on the nature of the injury, you may not even be told that it was anesthesia-related at all. Anesthesia errors can have serious and even fatal consequences including:

Brain injury
Birth injury
Heart attack
Stroke
Paralysis
Nerve damage
Coma
Anesthesia awareness

Determining the cause of surgical complications, and whether medical malpractice was involved, requires complex investigation. An experienced medical malpractice attorney has the knowledge and resources to properly investigate your case. Recovery from anesthesia errors can require extensive medical treatment. In cases where recovery is not possible, expensive life-long care may be necessary. Compensation for medical malpractice may be the only way you and your family can afford life-saving medical treatment.

If you suspect that your or your loved one's poor outcome from surgery was the result of medical malpractice, please contact the Atlanta, Georgia office of Robbins & Associates, P.C. We will schedule a confidential consultation, with an experienced medical malpractice attorney, at no cost to you, so you can get the compensation that you need and deserve.

Wrongful Death as a Result of Medical Malpractice

2009-12-01T16:21:00.000-05:00

Losing a loved one for any reason is painful and often devastating to families. When medical malpractice is the cause, you also have the pain of knowing that it could have been avoided. Adding insult to injury, you may be hounded by bill collectors insisting that you shell out money you do not have to pay for the medical “care” that caused your loved one’s death.

A wrongful death lawsuit stemming from medical malpractice is not the same thing as a medical malpractice personal injury lawsuit. Regardless of the underlying cause, a wrongful death case is meant to compensate the family of the deceased for the damages they incur as a result of losing their loved one. A medical malpractice personal injury lawsuit is brought on behalf of the direct victim of the medical malpractice to compensate that person for the harm that was caused to them.

These differences do not feel very important when you are grieving for a lost family member, but they do make a difference in how your case is handled, and ultimately you will need to know and understand the differences and what they mean to you. Compensation that you may be entitled to in a wrongful death case includes the contribution that your loved one would have made if they were still alive.

The deceased need not be a breadwinner for the loss of their contribution to be equated to a financial loss in a court of law. Childcare, running the household, care, companionship, and protection are just a few examples of the non-monetary contributions that are considered to carry a monetary value.

No amount of money can replace the comfort a parent gives a child who has a bad dream in the middle of the night, the joy of coming home to a loving spouse, or the happiness and pride you experience watching your child grow and pass milestones such as graduation, marriage, and the birth of a grandchild. However, compensation for your loss can ease some of the practical burdens, such as finding competent child care when a parent has passed.

If you have lost a loved one to medical malpractice in the Atlanta Georgia area, please contact Robbins & Associates, P.C. today to schedule your free consultation with of our compassionate wrongful death attorneys.

Medical Misdiagnosis and Failure to Diagnose

2009-09-29T13:14:00.000-04:00

Medical misdiagnoses, failure to diagnose or a delayed diagnosis are some of the most prominent allegations in medical malpractice cases. Misdiagnosis, failure to diagnose, or a delayed diagnosis often results in a delay of the proper treatment, the wrong treatment, or no treatment. This can result in life-altering disabilities and even death.

Statistics show that over 40% of medical malpractice claims are a result of a healthcare provider's failure to diagnose a condition or disease. A misdiagnosis or failure to diagnose can be the result of a failure to conduct a thorough medical history and examination of the patient, a failure to perform the necessary diagnostic testing or a failure to understand the results of diagnostic testing to make a valid diagnosis.

Compensation in the case of a misdiagnosis or failure to diagnose can and does include damages for medical expenses, lost income, loss of future earning potential, pain and suffering and in the event of a death, final expenses and survivor entitlements.

If you live in Atlanta, Georgia or the surrounding area and you or someone you love was the victim of a misdiagnosis or a failure to diagnose, please contact the Atlanta office of Robbins & Associates, P.C. today to schedule a confidential consultation at no cost to you with an experienced medical malpractice attorney to protect your legal rights and secure the compensation you are entitled to.

Wage and Hour Violations

2009-09-15T13:22:00.000-04:00

The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) sets basic minimum wage and overtime pay standards that affect most private and public employment. These standards are enforced by the United States Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division.

The FLSA, the federal law that requires payment of minimum wages, applies to businesses that have $500,000 or more in annual sales

Wage and hour violations are committed by employers who are either unfamiliar with, or do not respect FLSA laws. Unpaid overtime is another common type of disregard for the law. Thousands of workers have lost wages due to unpaid overtime, unpaid meal breaks and being forced to work "off the clock." Our laws are designed to protect workers from these practices.

Although the laws are designed to protect workers' rights, unscrupulous employers do take advantage of their employees. An attorney experienced in wage and hour violation laws will essentially clarify what your legal rights are and provide you with a remedy for your situation.

If you live in Atlanta, Georgia or the surrounding area and you or someone you know has been the victim of FSLA wage and hour violations, please contact the Atlanta office of Robbins & Associates, P.C. today to schedule a confidential consultation at no cost to you with an experienced attorney to protect your legal rights.

Patient Dumping Practices

2009-09-15T10:47:00.000-04:00

“Patient dumping” refers to the practice of discharging or transferring a medically unstable patient for financial reasons. It is a practice of treating paying patients and leaving those unable to pay to government programs or charitable organizations to deal with. More than 40 million Americans are uninsured and are at risk for this practice.

In 1986 the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act (EMTALA) was passed to prohibit patient dumping. Before transferring a patient with an emergency medical condition, a physician must certify that the patient is stable enough to be moved or the benefits of being transferred outweigh the risks involved in the transfer. In addition, a patient cannot be transferred without the permission of the receiving facility.

Despite being against the law, patient dumping is still of great concern today. Recent problems experienced by some have emphasized how economic, instead of medical considerations, are playing a major role in medical treatment decisions. Patients are still being denied access to healthcare for financial reasons. Patient dumping is a dangerous and disgraceful activity.

If you live in Atlanta, Georgia or the surrounding area and you suspect you or someone you love has been the victim of patient dumping, please contact the Atlanta office of Robbins & Associates, P.C. today to schedule a confidential consultation with an experienced attorney, at no cost to you, to protect your legal rights.

Dealing with Insurance Companies after a Car Accident

2009-08-31T17:14:00.000-04:00

While insurance companies make $30 billion a year in profits, their insurance adjusters are actually trained to delay and deny claims and are handsomely rewarded for doing so.

When you are involved in a car accident, you fully expect your insurance company to honor your claim. Unfortunately, many people tell of having tremendous difficulties when dealing with their insurance companies.

There are some steps you can take to make the insurance claims process smoother and less daunting. Immediately after an accident, call 911 and/or the police in your area, and then contact your insurance company. Take photos of the accident scene and any injuries. Keep track of any expenditures you incur related to your claim. Do not admit fault and do not give a recorded statement.

An experienced car accident attorney with the knowledge and training to properly and effectively represent your interests can make a real difference in the outcome of your claim.

If you live in Atlanta, Georgia or the surrounding area and you or someone you love was involved in a car accident, please contact the Atlanta office of Robbins & Associates, P.C. today to schedule a confidential consultation at no cost to you with an experienced car accident attorney to protect your legal rights and obtain the compensation you are entitled to.

Wrongful Death and Medical Malpractice

2009-08-31T13:56:00.000-04:00

A wrongful death claim asserts a person has died due to the negligence or actions of another, and the victim’s survivors are entitled to compensation as a result of the death.

One of the most common causes of wrongful death is medical malpractice. Medical malpractice refers to errors or mistakes that occur in a medical context that result in injuries or death to the patient. Healthcare professionals and healthcare facilities can all be held legally responsible for medical malpractice.

Medical malpractice is the third most prominent cause of death in this country, with heart disease and cancer in the lead. Over a quarter of a million Americans die every year as a result of medical malpractice. The misdiagnosis of breast cancer, lung cancer, colorectal cancer, heart attack and appendicitis are the five diseases or conditions cited most in medical malpractice allegations. Misdiagnosis results in delayed treatment or possibly the wrong treatment, often resulting in a wrongful death.

A wrongful death leaves those left behind to cope with a devastating situation, emotionally, financially and legally. The laws involved in wrongful death cases are very complex, and the statute of limitations varies from state to state.

If you live in Atlanta, Georgia or the surrounding area and someone you love was the victim of a wrongful death, please contact the Atlanta office of Robbins & Associates, P.C. today to schedule a confidential consultation at no cost to you with an experienced wrongful death attorney to protect your legal rights and obtain for you the compensation you are entitled to.

How to Choose a Motorcycle Accident Attorney

2009-08-28T12:22:00.000-04:00

Motorcycle accidents historically involve a high rate of injuries and fatalities even though motorcyclists represent a minority of drivers. Since motorcycles do not have the weight of an automobile, or safety features such as a roof, airbags or seatbelts, motorcyclists sustain more serious injuries and more fatalities than those involved in car accidents. As a matter of fact, approximately 98% of all motorcycle accidents result in injuries or death.

Over 80% of motor vehicle accidents involving a motorcycle are not the motorcyclist’s fault. Motorcycle accidents are usually the result of the limited visibility of the motorcyclist to other drivers, road hazards, such as potholes or uneven pavement, motorcycle defects and adverse weather conditions.

If you were involved in a motorcycle accident due to the negligence of another driver, a defective motorcycle or hazardous road conditions, an experienced motorcycle accident attorney who understands the unique problems encountered by those involved in motorcycle accidents, will be very beneficial to you. An attorney who specializes in motorcycle accidents will be able to obtain the best results possible for you.

If you live in Atlanta, Georgia or the surrounding area and you or someone you care about was injured or killed in a motorcycle accident, please contact the Atlanta office of Robbins & Associates, P.Cs. today to schedule a confidential consultation with an experienced motorcycle accident attorney, at no cost to you, to protect your legal rights and get you the compensation you deserve.

Pedestrians and Car Accidents

2009-08-21T17:11:00.000-04:00

Pedestrians and car accidents are a serious problem in the United States. Pedestrian car accidents happen with the most frequency in urban areas where pedestrian activity and traffic are greater when compared to rural or suburban areas of the country.

Over 65% of car accidents involving pedestrians occur at non-intersections. This is especially true for those under 9 years of age because of the propensity of this age group to run out into the street without looking. Pedestrians 65 years of age or older are more likely to be injured or killed at intersections. Older pedestrians have some diminished visual and physical abilities that make crossing a street a challenging proposition at times.

Fatal pedestrian accidents occur typically between 5:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m. when darkness and alcohol use become factors. Speeding is another major factor in pedestrian accidents.
Speeding has devastating consequences when a pedestrian is involved. A pedestrian who is hit at a high rate of speed has an 85% chance of being killed. Drivers are also less likely to see a pedestrian and even less likely to avoid hitting one when traveling at a high speed.

If you live in Atlanta, Georgia or the surrounding area and you or someone you love was injured or killed in a pedestrian car accident, please contact the Atlanta office of Robbins & Associates, P.C. today to schedule a confidential consultation with an experienced pedestrian car accident attorney at no cost to you to protect your legal rights.

Alcohol, Drugs, and Car Accidents

2009-08-10T17:09:00.000-04:00

Driving while under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs is a major cause of car accidents in this country. Legally obtained prescription medications also can affect a driver’s ability to drive safely.

Every two minutes someone is injured or killed in an alcohol or drug related motor vehicle accident in the United States. Alcohol or drugs are involved in over 40% of all fatal car accidents. Over 1.5 million people are arrested each year nationwide for driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Alcohol, sleeping pills, muscle relaxants and other depressants impair and distort vision, affect motor skills and slow reaction times enough to cause a serious and deadly accident.

Lives are devastated by people driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs. The decision to drive while impaired is a choice many people make without thinking of the consequences. An experienced car accident attorney will be able to make certain you get the compensation you are entitled to if you have been the victim of an impaired driver.

If you live in Atlanta, Georgia or the surrounding area, and you or someone you care about has been the victim of an impaired driver, please contact the Atlanta office of Robbins & Associates, P.C. today to schedule a confidential consultation at no cost to you with an experienced car accident lawyer to protect your legal rights.

Dental Malpractice

2009-07-30T12:47:00.000-04:00

For many, going to the dentist is an unpleasant experience. From fillings and root canals to oral surgeries, dentists tend to have a bad rap. And while, generally speaking, people most often visit dentists for routine procedures, things can go wrong.

So what do you do if something goes wrong while you are in chair? How do you proceed if a procedure leads to complications? From nerve damage in the tongue and gums to painful and uncomfortable implants, dentists, like any other doctor are liable and can be held negligent. And, like any other doctor, if a dentist fails to give quality care and or services, he or she can be held responsible.

Some examples of dental malpractice include:
• Wrongful tooth extraction
• Nerve injuries to the tongue, affecting the patients taste glands
• Complications from oral implants like crows and bridges
• Failure to take thorough medical history that then leads to complications
• Unnecessary dental work

It is important to remember that to file a dental malpractice claim, you must be able to prove long-term damage. Pain in the weeks following a procedure could be normal, but pain months later might not be. For some people, emergency surgery was necessary to correct mistakes made by dentist, if this is the case, dental malpractice is at fault.

If you or a loved one has been affected by dental malpractice, please contact the website of Atlanta, Georgia personal injury attorneys Robbins & Associates, P.C. We are experienced case lawyers that can help you collect on personal damages.

Emergency Room Errors

2009-07-25T16:46:00.000-04:00

Working in an emergency room is no walk in the park. The emergency room is, by nature, a chaotic, stressful, antagonizing and emotional place to be. The staff who work there are dedicated individuals who must assess and treat a wide array of issues as quickly as possible. In all high-stress work places, accidents happen. And as it happens, when mistakes occur in the emergency room, they tend to lead to death or permanent injury. Mistakes tend to happen in the emergency room because of:

• Inadequately trained employees
• Inadequate facilities and space
• Faulty patient records procedure
• Unsanitary and unsafe facilities
• Questionable hospital ethic policies

From lab and medication errors to surgical mistakes and delayed treatments, there is a large margin for error in an emergency room. If you, or someone you love, has been hurt due to an emergency room error, there are many areas in which you or the person can collect from. From medical bill help and rehabilitation assistance to lost wages and even burial expenses, the hospital can be liable. If you think medical malpractice is at fault, you have rights. Please contact the website of Atlanta, Georgia personal injury attorneys Robbins & Associates, P.C. They have experience handling cases of emergency room errors and can help you collect for damages sustained.

Uninsured and Underinsured Drivers and Car Accidents

2009-07-15T12:46:00.000-04:00

Uninsured and underinsured automobile insurance protects drivers when the other driver does not have automobile insurance coverage or not enough automobile insurance coverage.

Georgia law requires all insurance carriers offer uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage with their policies. Unless you reject this type of insurance coverage in writing, you probably have, at the very least, minimum uninsured or underinsured driver coverage on your policy.

Uninsured and underinsured driver insurance coverage pays for your injuries and property damage when you are involved in an accident with a driver who is at fault and has no, or the minimum liability insurance coverage.

If you are involved in a car accident, you must obtain insurance information from the other driver and give that information to your insurance company. If the other driver has no insurance or is underinsured, your insurance company usually requires a signed statement from the other driver stating they have no insurance or what their coverage limits are.

Your insurance company may not compensate you to the amount you are entitled to. You need an experienced automobile accident attorney in uninsured and underinsured claims to protect your legal rights and make certain you get the compensation you deserve.

If you live in Atlanta, Georgia or the surrounding area and you were involved in an automobile accident with an uninsured or underinsured driver, please contact an experienced automobile accident attorney at Robbins & Associates, P.C. today to schedule a confidential consultation at no cost to you.

Settling Versus Going to Trial. What Factors are Considered?

2009-07-09T17:35:00.000-04:00

On August 8, 2008, the New York Times published an article about the differences between settling and taking a case to trial. In special conjunction with victims of accidents and medical malpractice, the author of the article said in general, taking a settlement is more lucrative than going to trial. That is not to say that one should try and settle on their own. Having a lawyer on their side will help ensure that the settlement offer is fair and that the complainant is not being taken advantage of.

For many plaintiffs, going to trail is not solely based on a monetary goal. Some people go to trial because they want to ascertain information. If one were to settle, the settlement would be solely monetarily based and could, as in many cases, involve a confidentiality agreement. If one wanted information, chances are, if they settled out of court, they would not get it.

Going to court involved fees that settling outside does not. Court fees can add up, and between court fees, lawyer fees and time taken off work, people can get frustrated. If you are considering going to court, it is best to consult with a lawyer to make sure that you have a case worth trying. Many times, people go to court, without a lawyer and find that their case gets thrown out due to technicalities they missed because they were not well versed in the law. If, however, you spoke with a lawyer, and he or she recommends taking the case to trial, then it is important to review the costs and the trial’s personal worth to you.

If have a case and are looking for legal aide, contact the website of Atlanta, Georgia personal injury attorneys Robbins & Associates, P.C. We can help you proceed with a settlement or trail.

Why do You Need a Medical Malpractice Attorney?

2009-06-29T18:24:00.000-04:00

When dealing with a medical malpractice suit, it is important to understand that every case is unique. A medical malpractice attorney can help you sort through the ins and outs of the legal system.

If a hospital offers you a settlement, a medical malpractice attorney can help you by letting you know whether or not the settlement offer is legitimate. A lawyer can tell you the real worth of your claim and help ensure that you are not being taken advantage of by the lawyers at the hospital you are suing.

In general, hospitals will try to undercut you, the defendant. With a lawyer present, you will be able to ensure that your claim is being processed fairly and not being undercut.

If you decide that you want to represent yourself in court, you will be going up against a line of top-notch lawyers who will now how to manipulate the fact that you are not as familiar with the law as they. If you were to miss even one hearing, your whole case could be thrown out. Furthermore, through a list of subpoenas and other litigating tactics, you could get lost among legal technicalities.

If the case merits serious action, it is always best to take it is serious as possible. By hiring a medical malpractice lawyer you are helping to ensure, for at least yourself, that you did everything possible to write the wrong committed against you or a loved one.

Please contact the website of Atlanta personal injury attorneys Robbins & Associates, P.C.; we have over 30 years of case experience and a team of lawyers well versed in medical malpractice suits. We can help ensure that you are treated with respect and get the settlement you deserve.

Financial Abuse and Exploitation of Elderly

2009-06-29T10:46:00.000-04:00

In America, thousands of elderly people are abused every year. Whether it is neglect, emotional abuse, physical abuse or financial abuse, the elderly today face quite a few challenges. Typically speaking, elder abuse occurs at the place of residence for the party involved. Whether this is their home, a relative or friend’s home or a nursing care facility, abuse can usually be traced back to the residence.

Financial abuse is common among the elderly. The exploiters tend to take advantage of elderly people’s diminished capacities, lack of understanding and generally trusting nature.

To spot financial abuse, it is important to know what to look for. Typically, a caregiver who is financially abusing someone will:
1. Use the elderly person’s account and/or credit cards
2. Forge their signature on documents
3. Steal cash or checks
4. Steal personal possessions from the elder’s house or room

Another important aspect of financial abuse is to look out for scam artists. And while everyone is liable to be had by a scam artist, elderly people are three times more likely to fall into a scam artist’s trap. Typically, scam artists use four different ‘racketeering’ sets.

• Fake charities
• Investment/pyramid schemes
• Prize winnings that require account numbers to collect
• Banking issues

Financial abuse and exploitation are wrong. Exploiters will take advantage of an elderly person’s state of mind or lack thereof to manipulate and take advantage of them. If you or someone you know is or has been exploited financially, contact the website of Atlanta, Georgia nursing home abuse and neglect attorneys Robbins & Associates P.C.

Medical Malpractice in Nursing Homes

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A common sign of elder abuse in nursing homes is medical malpractice. In general, medical malpractice tends to stem from unqualified health-care professionals or those employees who are overworked, underpaid or overly stressed.

To keep a watchful eye out for medical malpractice, it is important to know what to look for. The following are general indications of medical malpractice:

• Mistakes made during a surgery
• A misdiagnosis-covering both diseases and conditions
• Failure of healthcare professionals to treat a diagnosed disease or condition properly or, more importantly, in a timely manner.
• Improper administration of medication, including over or under-medication

Often, when a relative or friend is at a nursing home, it is harder to look out for signs of medical malpractice. This is due in part to the inability to be around the person everyday and because we, as friends and relatives entrust the care of those we love to the staff in a nursing home. We do not want to think that abuse would be going on.

Signs of abuse and malpractice are also harder to spot because the parties involved usually suffer from diminished capacities or have physical limitations that make it harder to convey what is happening to them. And, because the patients are living with their abuses in their nursing home, it is scary and every more difficult for them to come clean about the abuse.

If you suspect that a friend or relative is the victim of medical malpractice in a nursing home, contact the website of Atlanta, Georgia nursing home abuse attorneys Robbins &Associates P.C.. We have over 30 years of case work and can help answer the questions you have.

Suing the Nursing Home for Employee Negligence

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When a loved one is hurt, either emotionally or physically, in the care of someone else, we tend to want to make the wrong right. For those who have a loved one in a nursing home and employee negligence is at fault for either medical malpractice or emotional problem, legal action is a common path people tend to pursue.

If you suspect employee negligence as the cause for your loved ones injuries or illnesses, a lawyer can help you file a suit. Employee negligence federal acts protect patients against:

1. Employees who fail to give what is deemed quality care and services
2. Employees who do not treat patients with respect and consideration for their feelings. This includes patient’s privacy.
3. Employees who mentally and or physically abuse them. This includes punishments, seclusions and or restraints.

The nursing home bill of rights helps patients maintain their rights and gives them a voice when otherwise, they would be voiceless. By keeping a watchful eye, you can spot the tell-tale signs of employee negligence in your loved ones nursing home. If you notice:

Bruises
Unexplained fear of caregivers
Broken bones
Malnutrition or Dehydration
Unclean living conditions
Unexplained medicated hazes

These are all factors to be considered if you want to file a suit against the nursing home. Be sure that you accurately document any and all evidence of negligence or abuse and contact an attorney who has experience in employee negligence cases, especially those that involve nursing homes.

Please contact the website of the law offices of personal injury attorneys Robbins& Associates, P.C.in Atlanta; we have over 30 years experience dealings with cases, including those related to nursing home misconduct.