Attorney Donnell J. Collins Receives a Defense Ruling

Donnell J. Collins, a Partner in the Atlanta office, received a defense award on September 16, 2012 a workers’ compensation case he tried as counsel for the State of Georgia.  Judge Vicki L. Snow issued the Hearing Award ruling in favor of the state on all issues (with the only exception being the state’s request for attorney’s fees).

The Claimant filed a Request for Hearing seeking indemnity dating back to October 27, 2006, as well as medical benefits and assessed attorney’s fees.  Judge Snow denied each of the Claimant’s requests and in so ruling, found that the Claimant’s testimony was not credible and that there was no medical evidence which would causally link the Claimant’s ongoing lower extremity ailments with his employment with the state.  Additionally, Judge Snow determined that the Claimant had failed to comply with the statutory requirement to give timely notice of his alleged injury under O.C.G.A. Section 34-9-80.  Moreover, Judge Snow noted that particular medical evidence submitted on behalf of the state was especially persuasive.