Personal Injury FAQs

First and foremost, seek emergency medical attention. Then, to the extent possible: (1) document the scene with photographs and video; (2) identify and preserve the contact information of witnesses; (3) request and preserve any incident reports; (4) do not give recorded statements to insurance adjusters or security personnel without consulting an attorney; and (5) contact an experienced Georgia personal injury attorney immediately. Critical evidence — including surveillance footage — can be overwritten or destroyed within days. HBLG has an emergency response protocol and will move immediately to preserve evidence once retained. Call (844) HAUG-LAW now.

To prove premises liability in Georgia under O.C.G.A. § 51-3-1, you generally must show: (1) the property owner or occupier had actual or constructive knowledge of the dangerous condition; (2) you lacked knowledge of the danger despite exercising ordinary care; and (3) the dangerous condition caused your injury. In security contractor cases under § 324A, you must additionally show the contractor assumed a duty to inspect or control the hazardous condition and negligently failed to do so. Gathering evidence quickly — surveillance video, incident reports, training manuals, witness statements, and inspection logs — is critical. HBLG acts immediately after being retained to preserve and secure this evidence.

Absolutely. Georgia personal injury law provides full compensation for catastrophic injuries including traumatic brain injuries (TBI), spinal cord injuries and paralysis, amputations, severe burns, and other life-altering conditions. Catastrophic injury cases typically involve extensive future medical care, loss of earning capacity, pain and suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life — all of which are recoverable damages. HBLG exclusively handles high-value catastrophic injury cases and will work with leading medical, economic, and life-care planning experts to fully document your damages and maximize your recovery.

Georgia follows a modified comparative fault standard under O.C.G.A. § 51-12-33. This means that if you are found partially at fault for the accident, your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault. However, if you are found 50% or more at fault, you are barred from any recovery. Insurance companies routinely try to shift blame to injured victims to reduce or eliminate their liability. Having an aggressive, experienced attorney like James R. Haug fighting for you is essential to combat these tactics and ensure that fault is properly allocated to the negligent party.

Yes. Under Georgia law — specifically Restatement § 324A as adopted by Georgia courts — a security contractor that voluntarily assumes a duty to inspect for hazards, control its equipment, or maintain safe conditions may be held fully liable for injuries or deaths resulting from negligent performance of that duty. The landmark case Ga. CVS Pharm., LLC v. Carmichael, 316 Ga. 718 (2023) from the Georgia Supreme Court confirms this. Our firm has handled cases involving exactly this type of security contractor liability, including cases at major Georgia airports. Call HBLG at (844) HAUG-LAW to discuss your potential claim.

Yes. Georgia law allows injured plaintiffs to recover noneconomic damages — which include pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and similar harms — in personal injury cases.

Unlike some states, Georgia does not impose a statutory cap on noneconomic damages in most personal injury and car accident cases. The Georgia Supreme Court struck down such a cap in medical malpractice cases in *Atlanta Oculoplastic Surgery, P.C. v. Nestlehutt* (2010), and the legislature’s attempts to revive caps have faced ongoing legal challenges.

The value of your pain and suffering claim depends on factors including the nature and duration of your injuries, medical documentation, the impact on your daily life and relationships, and how effectively your attorney presents your story to a jury or adjuster.

Immediately. Georgia’s statute of limitations for personal injury is two years from the date of the crash (O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33), but the most critical evidence—camera footage, black box data, witness memories—disappears quickly. Early attorney involvement directly affects the fault percentage outcome.

Under Georgia’s statute of limitations, most personal injury claims must be filed within two years of the date of the accident. There are exceptions — for example, when a government vehicle is involved — but waiting too long can permanently bar your right to compensation. If you have been injured in a motor vehicle collision, do not delay in consulting with a qualified Georgia personal injury attorney.

This is one of the most common insurance defense tactics. Georgia law uses the “eggshell plaintiff” doctrine — a defendant takes a victim as they find them. If a pre-existing condition was asymptomatic or stable before the accident, and the collision aggravated or accelerated it, the defendant is liable for that aggravation. A pre-existing condition does not eliminate your right to compensation; it may simply require more careful medical documentation to demonstrate the collision’s role in your current suffering.