Georgia Personal Injury Blog

Different Between Negligence and Gross Negligence

By Butler Prather LLP on November 12, 2019

If someone is injured due to the negligent actions of another person, company, or entity, they are generally entitled to compensation for their losses. However, two terms often appear in legal documents and discussions of legal matters that may seem confusing – “ordinary negligence” and “gross negligence.” Understanding the difference between these two is crucial. Depending on the facts of someone’s personal injury case, the type of negligence involved could play a role in how much compensation they receive. What is ordinary negligence? Ordinary negligence (typically just referred to as negligence), is the failure of one party to use the…

Posted in: Car Accidents

Veterans Legal Clinic Improves Lives

By Butler Prather LLP on November 12, 2019

Improving the lives of veterans living in Georgia is the goal of UGA School of Law’s Veterans Legal Clinic. Individuals seeking help from the clinic can call 706-542-6439 or send an email to veteranslegalclinic@uga.edu. The Veterans Legal Clinic is funded by a lead gift from BP LLP Partner Jim Butler. See original article  in UGA TODAY. Click below to watch a video.

Posted in: Firm News

Comparative Versus Contributory Negligence

By Butler Prather LLP on November 7, 2019

If someone is injured in an accident, one of the first things that need to be established is who was responsible for the incident. The responsible party is determined using a variety of means, including investigations into the crash. It is important to determine who is at fault because that will play a part in determining who is liable for damages. The legal concepts of comparative and contributory negligence matter when examining any injury case. Negligence is a term used to describe conduct that creates an unreasonable risk of harm to other people. If a person is negligent, and their…

Posted in: Car Accidents

5 Hidden Injuries to Look for Following a Car Accident

By Butler Prather LLP on November 5, 2019

Car accidents are an unfortunate reality of driving. They are going to happen. According to the Georgia Governor’s Office of Highway Safety, there were nearly 400,000 total traffic crashes during the latest reporting year in the state. Out of those, 1,430 people were killed, and there were 19,405 serious injuries. Thankfully, most car accident injuries are minor. However, there are times when injuries seem minor in the immediate aftermath of a crash and turn out to be more serious. It is important to understand that the signs and symptoms of many car accident injuries do not develop until hours or…

Posted in: Car Accidents

What is an Attractive Nuisance?

By Butler Prather LLP on October 24, 2019

Some things just seem to call out to kids and say, “Come onto the property and play.” This can include various attractions like pools, playground equipment, other toys, and more. These items work like a magnet, but they can also present dangers. They can be so dangerous that they become an “attractive nuisance.” Properly defining attractive nuisance Children are naturally curious and tend to be more reckless when it comes to decision making. These predispositions can lead to serious trouble, especially when they are wandering the neighborhood alone or with friends. Kids can wander onto someone else’s property and get…

Posted in: Premises Liability

Should I Get a Dash Cam?

By Butler Prather LLP on October 22, 2019

Have you ever seen someone driving recklessly in front of you? If so, you may have thought, “I wish I had a way to record this and show it to the police.” Many people have taken a step to protect themselves on the roadway by purchasing a dash camera. If you are not quite sure what a dash cam is or what it does, we want to take a minute to give a brief overview for you. Benefits of having a dash cam There are several benefits to having a dash cam in the vehicle: If you are ever struck…

Posted in: Car Accidents

Oversized Load Accidents

By Butler Prather LLP on October 17, 2019

Most people have driven down the road and been forced to slow down or wait for a semi-truck carrying an oversized load to go by. These trucks and loads are typically accompanied by escort vehicles. In reality, oversized load vehicles can be very dangerous for both the truck driver and everyone else on the roadway. Understanding oversized load in Georgia is a step towards staying safe on the roadways. What is considered an oversized load? Georgia law tries to balance the interests of public safety with the interests of individuals, companies, and government entities that need to transport large loads…

Posted in: Truck Accidents

How to Determine the Settlement of a Burn Injury Claim

By Butler Prather LLP on October 15, 2019

Personal injury case settlements can be incredibly difficult to determine. When dealing with burn injuries, a variety of factors will ultimately do into how much a settlement will be worth. Burn injury cases often result in larger settlements than other personal injury cases. The biggest factors will include the severity of the burn, the negligence or intentions of the defendant, as well as how much the defendant can pay. How did the incident occur? Answering how and why a burn injury occurred is important. The defendant’s liability can impact the amount of money a judge or jury is ready to…

Posted in: Burn Injury

How do I report a Car Accident in Georgia?

By Butler Prather LLP on October 10, 2019

Nobody wants to get into a car accident in Atlanta. Unfortunately, no matter how safely you operate on the roadways, there are times when accidents happen. In many cases, a crash is caused by the careless or negligent actions of another driver. When a crash does occur, you need to know what to do in the aftermath. Once you have called the police and gone through the chaos at the scene of the crash, do you know the basics of Georgia car accident reports? The Governor’s Office of Highway Safety says that there were nearly 400,000 vehicle crashes during the…

Posted in: Car Accidents

Can a Hotel or Resort be Liable for a Personal Injury Claim?

By Butler Prather LLP on October 3, 2019

There are plenty of hotels and resorts in Georgia, and millions of tourists stop in the state annually. One of the best parts of a hotel, for many people, is going to a swim in the hotel pool. They are relaxing, especially after a long day around town. However, there are risks associated with swimming in a pool at a hotel. This can include: A slip and fall injury Drowning or near-drowning Getting sucked into a broken drain Injuries from broken or rusty ladders What are the duties of a hotel or resort? A hotel or resort has a general…

Posted in: Premises Liability

I was in a complex premises liability case involving a multinational corporations. Mr. Butler & his associates were always three steps ahead of these defendants. When they say they are "exceptional trial lawyers," this is not just a slogan but it is a way of life.”
- Zack Hendon