There are many types of “Plaintiff’s cases.” This article focuses on injury cases. Injury cases can be as simple as a car wreck or as complex as a medical malpractice case. Regardless, they generally require four essential elements: duty, breach of duty, causation, and damages. See Calhoun First Nat’l Bank v. Dickens, 264 Ga. 285 […]
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There are times when formal “legal” communication is necessary. This post addresses several instances regarding how that can be done. It is not meant to be all inclusive and, in many cases, specific communication rules apply. Beginning a lawsuit: When you begin a lawsuit, a summons must be served on the Defendant(s). Generally, Rule 4 […]
A new Medicaid lien case is pending in the U.S. Supreme Court. The question presented is “[w]hether the federal Medicaid Act provides for a state Medicaid program to recover reimbursement for Medicaid’s payment of a beneficiary’s past medical expenses by taking funds from the portion of the beneficiary’s tort recovery that compensates for future medical […]
In CL SNF, LLC v. Fountain (Ga. Supreme Court September 21, 2021), the Georgia Supreme Court reversed CL SNF, LLC v. Fountain, 355 Ga. App. 176, 183 (1) (843 SE2d 605) (2020), finding that the Georgia Guardianship Code grants a guardian authority to enter into a binding pre-dispute arbitration agreement. The Clinch County Probate Court […]
The best way to avoid fraud is to be aware and to do your due diligence when someone asks for or demands money. For example, there are scammers calling, impersonating law enforcement, and telling callers they must pay money or they will be arrested. See City of Portland – Phone Scam Fraud Impersonating Police Office. […]
The following links can be used to research health care providers and, if necessary, to file a complaint with State licensing boards and boards of certification: Complaint and Discipline Process for Nurses (Powerpoint by Georgia Board of Nursing) Contact Information For Filing a Complaint with the State Survey Agency (CMS.gov) Do your research about your doctor or […]
In Atlanta Oculoplastic Surgery, P.C. v. Nestlehutt, 286 Ga. 731 (2010), the Georgia Supreme Court considered whether arbitrary limits to noneconomic damages in malpractice cases violated Georgia’s Constitution. Those limits were imposed as part of the Tort Reform Act of 2005, and were codified at O.C.G.A. § 53-13-1. In Nestlehutt, Dr. Harvey P. Cole had […]
Plaintiff filed a malpractice and wrongful death action against the nursing home and other defendants alleging that resident’s death was a direct and proximate cause of violations of Ohio law and of 42 U.S.C. § 483, et seq. Defendants removed the action to federal court and Plaintiff filed a motion for remand. Finding that there […]
A jury awarded $500,000 to the resident’s estate for noneconomic damages for predeath pain and suffering, $350,000 to the spouse for predeath loss of consortium and $350,000 for post-death loss of consortium. The trial court reduced the award to $350,000, which was the cap for noneconomic damages in a medical malpractice case. The court of […]