Carrollton Legal Blog

Why was my workers' comp claim denied?

On behalf of Duffee Law Firm, LLC on Wednesday, February 20, 2019.

Whether you work in construction, manufacturing, retail or some other industry, you count on workers' compensation to cover you if you are injured on the job. Additionally, workers' comp covers treatment for medical conditions that develop as a result of your work, such as carpal tunnel.

Since illness or injury often results in lost wages, medical bills and other expenses, you depend on the law that requires your employer to provide you with this coverage. However, since workers' compensation comes through insurance companies, you may not always have a guarantee that the insurer will accept your claim, and this may leave you in a very bad financial situation.

Charged with theft? Know what you are up against

On behalf of Duffee Law Firm, LLC on Thursday, January 24, 2019.

Facing criminal charges in Georgia is daunting, especially if you are unsure of the nature of these charges and need to understand what they could mean for your future. Many people misunderstand theft charges, and as a result, they may not be certain how to build the right type of defense strategy. A strong and thoughtfully prepared defense is critical for your long-term interests.

Theft is the term used to describe the action of taking another person's property without his or her permission. There are varying degrees of theft, and some theft charges carry significant penalties. You may think these charges are not a big deal or that you can face them alone, but that is not a wise choice.

Could your arrest record qualify for record restriction?

On behalf of Duffee Law Firm, LLC on Friday, December 28, 2018.

Most people find themselves going through rough patches in their lives. They may act in negative ways, carry out harmful or destructive behaviors or even cut themselves off from people that they love. Unfortunately, these rough patches could lead to serious consequences in some cases, such as an arrest for a crime.

If you found yourself in this type of predicament, it may have been the wake-up call you needed to get your life back on track. Now, you avoid actions that could land you in trouble and do your best to live a positive life. However, you may wonder about the effects your criminal record will have on your life.

Do I need an attorney after my car accident?

On behalf of Duffee Law Firm, LLC on Monday, November 26, 2018.

A motor vehicle accident that left you with injuries may have also left you struggling to make ends meet. You likely relied on the insurance company to come through, but how do you know if the settlement the adjuster offers is fair? Will it cover all your medical bills? Do you even know the full extent of your injuries? What will you do if the insurance company denies your claim for reasons you cannot understand?

These questions and others are the reason why many seek professional help after a serious accident. When your future depends on whether you obtain a full and fair settlement or you feel there are others who should compensate you for your injuries, you may find that having a personal injury attorney on your side will open doors and widen paths on your road to recovery.

Is alcohol placing you at risk on your Georgia college campus?

On behalf of Duffee Law Firm, LLC on Friday, October 26, 2018.

Whether you have recently completed your first-ever semester on a Georgia college campus or you are now an upperclassman who is eagerly awaiting spring, when you finally walk the stage to receive your diploma, chances are that at some point, you have encountered personal challenges during your post-secondary academic career.

If you are one of many college students whose problems have something to do with alcohol, you'll want to read this entire post as it may provide resources to help you get life back on track. Keep in mind that you are definitely not alone in your struggle; in fact, students who are in their first six weeks of freshman year are at greatest risk for trouble regarding binge drinking and other alcohol-related issues.

Job place dangers: How does your job rate?

On behalf of Duffee Law Firm, LLC on Friday, September 28, 2018.

Some Georgia workers report for duty every day, only to do the same tasks again and again, in a rather uneventful manner. If you work in an office or are a customer service representative, this might fit the description of your typical workday. If, on the other hand, you work on a farm or on an airplane, then your job might be a bit more dangerous than those who have desk jobs or customer service jobs.

In fact, there are certain types of jobs that consistently rank highest on lists for personal injury risks in the workplace. No matter what job you do, if an accident occurs and you suffer injury, you may wind up having to take a week or more off work to recover. If your family depends on your income and your employer pays by the hour, such circumstances may bring serious financial strain upon your household. That's why it is critical that you understand how to navigate the workers' compensation system.

Study drugs can have serious health and legal consequences

On behalf of Duffee Law Firm, LLC on Friday, August 31, 2018.

Going to college is often an event to which many young people look forward. A number of these individuals may be attending the University of West Georgia and living away from their parents for the first time. While this can certainly present an appealing sense of freedom to you, it also means that you may face temptations with which you have not previously had to contend.

While you may consider yourself a good student and do not find the idea of drinking at college parties appealing, you may still fall victim to a number of potential downfalls that college campuses can present. In particular, you may find yourself overwhelmed by your course loads, and the idea of falling behind in your classes may be unbearable. As a result, you may take a friend up on the offer of study drugs.

Have you been charged with a hit and run?

On behalf of Duffee Law Firm, LLC on Tuesday, July 31, 2018.

Everyone gets in a hurry from time to time. You may find yourself late for work or late for class if you are a student at the University of West Georgia and jump into your vehicle in hopes of making it just in time. Of course, getting in a hurry while behind the wheel of a vehicle could spell trouble.

When trying to get somewhere fast, you may find yourself cutting corners when it comes to safe driving. You may forget to check your blind spots or quickly back out of a parking space without looking. In such cases, you could easily end up colliding with another vehicle, possibly even an unoccupied, parked vehicle. Because you are in a hurry, it may cross your mind to simply drive off, especially if no major damage occurred.

How do I know if my injury is covered by workers' compensation?

On behalf of Duffee Law Firm, LLC on Wednesday, July 4, 2018.

An injury in your Georgia workplace can have a detrimental impact on your life. After your workplace accident, you could be dealing with serious injuries, expensive medical bills and uncertainty about what your future could look like. If you suffered an injury, you may find it beneficial to fully explore what types of benefits you could receive.

The first step after a workplace accident is determining whether your employer's workers' compensation benefits will actually cover your injuries. Understanding your rights and your potential claim to benefits can better help you defend your interests. Whether or not you are certain you have a rightful claim, you always have the right to know your options.

Poultry workers continue to face significant hazards at work

On behalf of Duffee Law Firm, LLC on Friday, June 1, 2018.

Like many others in this part of Georgia, you may work for Gold Kist Farms. The work you do exposes you to numerous hazards every day. There was a time when those risks appeared to be much higher. Between 2004 and 2013, research indicated that the number of injuries associated with working in the poultry industry declined.

However, in the last couple of years, the Government Accounting Office discovered that the instances of injuries and illnesses among those who work in the poultry industry may remain higher than the data indicates. In fact, they remain higher than the overall illness and injury rates seen in manufacturing.