Robbins & Associates, PC

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Cell Phones and Car Accidents in Atlanta

2010-04-22T13:00:00.000-04:00

You're driving down the street and notice a car just ahead swerving. As you keep your distance you wonder if maybe it's a drunk driver. At the next light you look over to see the driver is engaged in a conversation on their cell phone. It happens thousands of times every day in Atlanta and across the country and it's a prominent cause of distracted driving auto accidents. That's why more states are looking at prohibiting or at least restricting cell phone use by drivers. Currently there are six states with complete bans on hand held cell phone use. In Georgia the only drivers who are banned from cell phone use behind the wheel are school bus drivers.

Restricting cell phone use like many other freedoms people enjoy can be a political hot button. Finding a balance between the rights of the user and the rights of those whom they may injure when their use isn't conducted in a prudent manner is difficult to prove and to balance. Just because cell phone use behind the wheel is a legal activity in Georgia doesn't mean that someone who causes an accident while talking or texting shouldn't be held accountable.

You may have seen the other party on the phone just before the accident but it may be difficult to prove. But if you've been injured by someone talking or texting while driving they should be responsible for paying for the damages and injury you've suffered.

If you've been a victim of a distracted driver, please contact Atlanta car accident attorneys, Robbins & Associates, P.C., today for help getting the compensation you deserve.

Failure to Diagnose Cancer in Atlanta

2010-04-21T12:41:00.000-04:00

Early detection is the number one factor that impacts a positive outcome for cancer treatment. That's why the discussion of a delay or failure to diagnosis cancer is so important to anyone who is suffering from cancer or has a loved one who is. The 'C' word, cancer, is something you never want to hear from your physician. If you have received a diagnosis of cancer and it's not in the beginning stages, it's normal to question what your doctor could have done to find the cancer sooner. The prevalence of delayed diagnosis or failure to diagnose raises questions about physicians everywhere including in Atlanta and elsewhere in the state of Georgia.

Cancer is a group of more than 100 different diseases. Even with all of the different types of cancer medical advances make the ability to detect and diagnose it more effective all the time. Because of the advancements in detection ability, it is even more difficult to accept a doctor's failure to diagnose or to diagnose in a timely manner, but still it happens.

Some of the types of cancer that doctors commonly fail to diagnose include: Cervical, Colon, Breast, Prostate, and Esophageal. Each of these types of cancer has either very distinctive symptoms, established effective detection methods, or both. Another thing that each of these types of cancer has in common is that with early detection the prognosis is good. That's why timely and accurate diagnosis is essential. If you or a loved one have received a diagnosis of cancer and you think that the outcome isn't as good as it could be because of a delayed or misdiagnosis please contact the medical malpractice attorneys at Robbins & Associates, PC.

What is Qui Tam?

2010-04-20T10:21:00.000-04:00

The justice department recently announced that two companies headquartered in Atlanta were among five defendants ordered to pay $14 million to settle a qui tam lawsuit. Qui tam (Latin for whistleblower) provides a mechanism for combating government fraud. In these economic times citizens are more attuned than ever to issues of fraud, waste and abuse that steal the resources of our tax dollars from their intended purposes.

Qui tam provides an avenue for someone who has information on fraud to bring suit on behalf of the government and to share in award. If you are an employee or former employee of a government or government contractor organization and you have knowledge of goods or services charged for but not received, negotiating or pricing manipulations, or other circumstances that you believe are defrauding the government you may have a basis for filing a qui tam action. Others who can initiate a qui tam action include competitors and subcontractors who have knowledge of the fraud.

If you think that you have knowledge about fraud that could result in a qui tam action your actions are very important. The essential first step is contacting an attorney who has experience in prosecuting these cases. News reports and movies have documented many cases of whistleblowers and the challenges of fighting big business and government. One ingredient in each of the stories that's consistent is that the "whistleblower" initiates a series of events that is much more complex than they are prepared to deal with alone.

Please do not hesitate to contact Atlanta qui tam attorneys Robbins & Associates, P.C. if you think you have information that could result in a qui tam lawsuit.

Surgical Medical Malpractice in Atlanta

2010-04-19T12:39:00.000-04:00

They say that the fear of public speaking is the number one fear that people have. It's a safe bet that they probably didn't survey people who are facing a need for surgery. The fear of surgery has also been touted as number one. When you consider what a surgical procedure entails and how many people you have to count on to do their jobs just right it’s understandable. Add to the inherent anxiety the stories you hear in the news about surgical malpractice cases in Atlanta and around the country, and many people might rather live with their condition. Unfortunately, with most surgeries that's not an option.

If you've been diagnosed with a condition that requires surgery what should you do? Getting a second opinion is always a good idea and something that most insurance companies require. Of course, it's not an option if you need emergency surgery but if it's not an emergency situation get one even if it's not required by your insurance. The second opinion gives you an opportunity to validate the diagnosis and recommended treatment. If there's a difference of opinion between the surgeons you might even consider a third opinion. Through the process you will become more comfortable with the decision to have the surgery and will have exposure to more than one surgeon so that you can make an informed choice of who you are going to entrust your life to.

Even the best surgeons make mistakes. Becoming a victim of surgical malpractice can happen even if you've done your homework. If you live in the Atlanta area or anywhere in Georgia and this has happened to you please contact the surgical medical malpractice lawyers at Robbins & Associates, PC.

Medication Mistakes in Atlanta

2010-04-17T12:37:00.000-04:00

Every year 1.5 million people are injured or made sick by medication mistakes and 100,000 of those people die. Those numbers include mistakes made by physicians and other medical caregivers, pharmacists, and the patients to whom the medications are prescribed. With that high an incidence of medication mistakes, you can deduce that there are a huge number in Atlanta and throughout Georgia.

It is the responsibility of the physician to ensure that the right meds in the right dosage are prescribed. The pharmacist and others administering the medication also have an essential responsibility to ensure patient safety. Even if the medications are to be self administered by the patient, it's up to the physician, pharmacist and other caregivers to ensure that the patient is aware of the proper use of the medications, including side effects, food and drug interactions and other factors.

There are some common mistakes that you should be aware of that can result in physical harm or death. Among those most common are: Double dosing (the patient takes a name brand and generic of the same drug at the same time); taking prescription meds and over the counter drugs without assessing and informing the patient how they interact; negative interactions between medications and diet; taking medication not safe for your age; confusing two medications with similar names; getting the dosage wrong. These and other medication mistakes can have serious and even deadly effects.

If you or a loved one has suffered due to these or other mistakes please contact Atlanta, Georgia area medical malpractice attorneys, Robbins & Associates, P.C. today.

What to Do if You Are in a Car Accident in Atlanta

2010-04-16T12:58:00.000-04:00

Getting into a car accident creates a lot of things that have to happen. There are vehicles to repair, visits to hospitals and doctors, police reports to file, and insurance and legal claims to initiate. One thing that is fairly constant is that most people think it won't happen to them. But what if it does? What if you are involved in an accident? You may live in a great place like Atlanta but accidents happen here just like everywhere else.

If you're in a car accident in Atlanta there are some things that are important to remember. The most important thing to do if you're in an accident is take care of people. Cars will fix but if you have a family member or others in your vehicle (or the other vehicles involved) that are injured they have to be the first consideration. If it's an emergency call 911 and then do what you can to help. Once the victims are cared for you can focus on the other things you should do. Here are a few reminders:

Gather all the info you can on everyone involved including witnesses
Take pictures with you camera or cell phone
Call the authorities to initiate a report if they're not already involved
Get the advice of an experienced auto accident attorney
Notify your insurance company

There's a lot to do and a lot to remember. Don't try to figure it all out alone, there's too much. Please contact the Atlanta auto accident attorneys at Robbins & Associates, P.C. today to schedule a consultation.

Emergency Room Medical Malpractice in Atlanta

2010-04-15T12:33:00.000-04:00

The incidence of medical malpractice in an emergency room is much higher than many other medical settings. That's true in Atlanta just like any other city. An ER can be a hectic environment with long lines and crowded waiting rooms. When you arrive at the ER, you often find caregivers who are overwhelmed trying to identify those most in need of care, in the midst of the chaos.

Failure to diagnose, misdiagnosis and delayed diagnosis are the three main causes of emergency room malpractice and account for over 50% of ER related malpractice suits. The two most prevalent conditions that are not appropriately diagnosed and treated are heart attack and appendicitis. A variety of ailments and injuries bring people to the emergency room. These are just two conditions that are serious and need appropriate attention to save or preserve the quality of someone's life.

You or a loved one has a condition that may be serious and you go the emergency room for treatment. When you arrive it's crowded, hectic and you have to wait your turn, what do you do? In the midst of the experience, you have to be your own advocate. If you think it's serious make sure that you or your loved one get’s the attention you need and deserve. After that experience if you believe that you have suffered because of a wrong or delayed diagnosis, you will need another advocate.

Please contact Robbins & Associates, PC, Georgia's emergency room medical malpractice attorneys, today to schedule a confidential, no-cost consultation.

Causes of Car Accidents in Atlanta, Georgia

2010-04-14T12:55:00.000-04:00

Car accidents happen all too frequently in Atlanta and across the state of Georgia. An evaluation of all types of accidents reveals that there are some consistent causal factors. One cause of accidents that gets a lot of attention is impaired driving (driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol). You've seen and heard the statistics and maybe have even been personally impacted by a driver under the influence.

Another cause of accidents that is getting a lot of attention these days is distracted driving. You may or may not have been personally touched by an impaired driver but every one of us has been impacted at some level by a distracted driver. Distracted driving has always been an issue but has risen to a place of prominence for individuals and government agencies because of the increased use of cell phones by drivers. It is estimated that more than 260 million people in the United States use cell phones. Even though many states are taking steps to preclude drivers from using them while driving, cell phone use causing auto accidents continues to escalate.

Every driver is responsible to make sure that they are paying attention while behind the wheel. Whether it's a cell phone or a sandwich doesn't matter. If a driver makes a choice that causes them to be distracted and it impacts you, they should be held responsible. Holding responsible parties accountable for their actions is what the auto accident lawyers at Robbins & Associates, PC do every day. Please contact us today.

What Determines How Long Benefits can be Collected in Atlanta?

2010-01-08T18:12:00.003-05:00

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 in Atlanta

2009-12-28T17:20:00.002-05:00

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 in Atlanta

2009-12-20T10:49:00.002-05:00

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 in Atlanta

2009-12-17T17:15:00.001-05:00

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 in Atlanta

2009-12-15T16:33:00.001-05:00

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 in Atlanta?

2009-12-13T16:30:00.002-05:00

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 in Atlanta

2009-12-09T16:27:00.001-05:00

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.