Recent Case Decision: Defining Workers Compensation Medical Benefits
By: Mariel Smith, Esq. On June 20, 2017, in the case of Kendrick v. SRA Track, Inc. the Court of Appeals of Georgia held that in a case where the employee was injured in a motorcycle accident, the employer was not time-barred under OCGA. § 34-
Proactively Defend Malpractice Claims with the Opioid Defense Task Force
Doctors are facing greater scrutiny for injuries and deaths related to opioids, which have been increasing at an exponential rate, and now is the time to act. Don’t wait until you are served with a lawsuit to evaluate the policies and procedur
Hall Booth Smith Creates Opioid Task Force to Defend Malpractice Claims
In response to the rising opioid overdose and death epidemic and related surge in litigation, Hall Booth Smith, P.C. created an Opioid Defense Task Force to work with health care providers to deter and defend against opioid prescription malpra
Proving Effective Communication With Deaf Patients
By Don Benson, Esq. and Eric Hoffman, Esq. When accommodating a deaf patient, what evidence proves effective communication under Title III of the Americans with Disability Act (“ADA”) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act (“RA”) o
Georgia Supreme Court Rules Student’s Facebook Rant Not Protected Speech
Written by: Eric Hoffman, Esq. In September 2014, Lanier Career Academy (Gainesville, Ga.) student Devon Major was arrested and charged with threatening to commit a crime of violence after school officials were alerted to a Facebook post by Maj
Alabama Judge Declares State’s Workers’ Compensation Act Unconstitutional
Written by: Brian Mallow, Esq. On Monday, an Alabama Circuit Court Judge issued an order, finding two provisions of the Alabama Workers’ Compensation Act unconstitutional. Judge Pat Ballard held that the state’s $220 per week cap on permane
Workers’ Comp Community Mourns the Loss of Dr. J. Carl Sutton
One of the most experienced and well-respected members of the workers’ compensation community, Dr. J. Carl Sutton, recently passed away. Dr. Sutton and his orthopedic practice, Sutton Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine, served as a panel provi
Estate Planning and Medicaid Planning (Two Different Things, or One and the Same?)
Written By: Wills, Trusts, & Estate Administration Estate Planning, when done properly, can be much more than just a Will and a power of attorney. It can include trust planning, asset protection planning, and Medicaid planning. In fact, acco
Governor Deal Signs Campus Carry Bill
Written by: Eric A. Hoffman, Esq. On May 4, 2017, Georgia Governor Nathan Deal signed the current campus carry bill into law after previously vetoing a similar bill in 2016. The law will allow people with valid gun permits to carry concealed we
Concurrent Similar or Dissimilar Employment
Written by: Dale Slemons, Esq. When an Employee has concurrent employment and it is determined that the concurrent employment is similar, the claimant may be entitled to an increase in average weekly wage and ultimately his workers compensation