CIVIL & COMMERCIAL LITIGATION, INSURANCE DEFENSE
AND WORKERS COMPENSATION

CIVIL LITIGATION:

The civil litigation department has experienced rapid growth over the last several years. The trial lawyers in this department have developed outstanding reputations for obtaining excellent results for our clients, as well as providing exceptional responsiveness and service to each client regardless of the size or nature of the case.

 

We involve clients at the beginning of every matter to develop a results-oriented strategic plan designed to achieve a prompt and satisfactory resolution of the case. Our litigation attorneys also make sure every client understands the strengths and weaknesses of their case, as developed during discovery, as well as the full range of options available to pursue or defend any type of lawsuit.

Our civil litigators handle a broad variety of cases including:

Business

Collection

Construction

Employment

Probate-related litigation

Attorneys from this department have tried cases in State, Superior and U.S. District Courts located throughout the State of Georgia and, in some instances, in courts outside the State of Georgia. Litigators within this department have handled appeals before the Georgia Court of Appeals, the Georgia Supreme Court, the U.S. District Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit and Fourth Circuit, and the United States Supreme Court.

The civil litigation department values its role in supporting the firm's corporate clients when they become involved in litigation. We work closely with the corporate, estate planning, tax and real estate departments in various litigation related matters.

 

INSURANCE DEFENSE:

Our insurance defense practice involves representing insurance companies, third-party administrators and self-insureds in defending personal injury and wrongful death claims, with emphasis in the following areas: motor carrier liability, premises liability, product liability, motor vehicle accidents, food poisoning, and other types of general liability and tort claims.

The attorneys in this department have successfully defended tort suits in courts throughout the state of Georgia. We pride ourselves on responding to the needs and desires of the companies and adjusters with whom we work. Toward that end, our services include:

Accumulating information on many health care providers, which assists us in demonstrating the health care provider's bias.

Utilizing the services of our resident nurse/paralegal in analyzing and interpreting medical records, and in maintaining relationships with physicians who can perform independent medical examinations when the extent of a plaintiff's injury or disability claim is in question.

Diligently completing discovery so as to develop defenses and realistically evaluate a case's exposure well in advance of trial; thus, eliminating any "surprises" along the way.

WORKERS' COMPENSATION:

The firm's workers' compensation attorneys represent employers, insurers, self-insured funds in the litigation of disputed workers' compensation claims throughout the state of Georgia. Our attorneys appear regularly before Administrative Law Judges and the Appellate Division of the State Board of Workers' Compensation in handling these claims. We have also successfully defended numerous workers' compensation claims through appeals before the Georgia Court of Appeals and the Georgia Supreme Court.

These attorneys work closely with adjusters to expeditiously and efficiently defend workers' compensation claims, by providing the following services:

Preparing prompt detailed summaries of developments occurring during discovery so that the files can be realistically evaluated well in advance of trial.

Thoroughly investigating the claimant's background and records of previous employers and health care providers, in order to determine any pre-existing injuries and inconsistencies in the claimant's testimony.

Conducting activity checks and surveillance, when appropriate, in developing evidence for defense.

Utilizing our resident nurse/paralegal, as needed, to analyze and interpret medical records received from health care providers.

We strive to make certain that insured employers understand our mutual goals in defending workers' compensation claims, so that the employers can participate in the defense by gathering documents, locating witnesses, and developing light duty jobs so as to minimize exposure for workers' compensation claims. In addition, we are able to advise employers regarding risk management, workers' compliance and coverage issues.

 

ATTORNEYS:

William R. Johnson, Partner Robert D. Ingram, Partner G. Phillip Beggs, Partner Jere C. Smith, Partner Kevin B. Carlock, Partner Alexander T. Galloway, Partner Rodney R. McColloch, Partner Harry R. Tear III, Partner W. Troy Hart, Partner Jeffrey A. Daxe, Partner Amy K. Weber Kim A. Roper, Partner Kelli L. Wolk T. Shane Mayes John L. Skelton, Jr. Angela H. Smith Darrell L. Sutton

Christopher D. Gunnels Nicholas J. Peterson Ryan G. Prescott Jennifer S. White Chris C. Mingledorff James D. Busch Cole B. Stinson Suzanne E. Henrickson Angela D. Cheatham C. Damon Gunnels Carey E. Atkins Graham E. McDonald Phillip G. Gombar Sarah S. Grant Cory P. Sims Mark E. Sirotkin