Blog-Images-Robin-Frazer-Clark-13-300x169When you’re already dealing with physical pain, emotional stress, and financial strain, the thought of going through a lawsuit seems like just another burden. Knowing what lies ahead puts you back in control. Every personal injury case is unique, but the legal process follows a fairly predictable path. If you know what to expect, you can focus on healing while your attorney fights for your right to compensation.

Laying the Groundwork

The first step in a personal injury lawsuit is the initial consultation with your attorney. This is where the foundation of your case is built. In this meeting, your attorney will ask you about the details of your accident, the extent of your injuries, and any medical treatment you’ve received. They’ll review any documentation you have, such as medical records or police reports, to get a clearer picture of your situation.

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IMAGINE THIS HYPOTHETICAL SCENARIO:

It’s College Football Playoff season. Your beloved [insert college mascot here, not going to jinx it for any team in particular] are in the National Championship. Your husband is somehow able to secure tickets to the big game and purchases four tickets online for you, the kids, and your live‑in mother. He keeps all five tickets for the family in his phone’s “Wallet” to ease the entry process into the game.

While walking out of the stadium post‑game, a portion of the railing—intended to guide pedestrian traffic flow—collapses due to the stadium management’s negligent placement of the broken railing in a crowded area. Your mother falls due to the collapsed railing and suffers catastrophic injuries. Your family now faces unexpected medical bills in the thousands of dollars, your mother experiences pain and suffering no elderly person should have to ever endure, and you and your mother decide to pursue legal action against the stadium because of the growing costs that the stadium’s negligence has caused your family.

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Motorcycle riders know the feeling of freedom that comes with the open road. No walls or windows—just you, your bike, and the world around you. But that same freedom comes with a price. With no metal cage to shield you, every ride is riskier than hopping into a car. Motorcyclists face dangers that other drivers don’t even think about. Despite these risks, they still deserve the same rights as other drivers and there are laws that protect them if something goes wrong.

The Unique Risks of Motorcycle Accidents in Georgia

Georgia’s roads offer plenty of hazards for motorcyclists. From distracted drivers to treacherous pavement, the odds are not always in a rider’s favor.

Blog-Images-Robin-Frazer-Clark-10-300x169When you think of Disney, images of magical experiences and joyful family moments likely come to mind. What you probably don’t associate with Disney is a legal battle over whether signing up for a streaming service could waive your right to sue them in court. But that’s exactly the issue at the center of a recent wrongful death lawsuit involving the entertainment giant. The case raises eyebrows and has serious implications for personal injury law and the enforceability of arbitration agreements.

Linking a Streaming Service to a Wrongful Death Lawsuit

The lawsuit in question involves Jeffrey Piccolo, who tragically lost his wife, Kanokporn Tangsuan, after she suffered a fatal allergic reaction while dining at a Disney-affiliated restaurant. Piccolo decided to take legal action against Disney, only to be met with an argument that left many scratching their heads. Disney claimed that because Piccolo had signed up for a Disney+ account, he had agreed to resolve all disputes—including those entirely unrelated to streaming—through arbitration. In simpler terms, Disney argued that by clicking “I agree” on their streaming service’s terms and conditions, Piccolo had forfeited his right to take them to court over his wife’s death.

Blog-Images-Robin-Frazer-Clark-7-300x169Everyone on social media knows that a picture of their lunch can go viral if captioned cleverly enough. However, think twice about what you post if you’re in the middle of a personal injury lawsuit. Sure, your followers might love to see you smiling at a party or hitting the trails on a sunny afternoon, but those innocent posts could be exhibit A in court, undermining your claims of injury. Here’s the scoop on how your social media habits could turn your case upside down and what you can do to keep your digital footprint from tripping you up.

The Evidence You Didn’t Mean to Provide

Let’s cut to the chase: your social media posts can end up front and center in a courtroom. Imagine claiming severe injuries in court while your recent Facebook album says “Weekend Warrior” filled with photos of you mountain biking. Not a great look, right? Insurance companies and defense lawyers love digging through social media to find just such contradictions. That video of you at a dance party could quite literally dance away with your credibility and your compensation.

Blog-Images-Robin-Frazer-Clark-2-300x169Accidents can turn your life upside down in an instant. The pain, the disruption, and the uncertainty that follows are hard enough to handle without having to worry about legal battles. However, ensuring you get the justice and compensation you deserve starts with documenting your injuries properly. It’s not just about the money–more often than not, most survivors wish the ordeal never happened—it’s about holding those responsible accountable and making sure you get the support you need.

Seek Immediate Medical Attention

First things first, see a doctor immediately after the accident. This is not just for your health; it’s for your legal protection. Even if you think your injuries are minor, medical professionals can identify issues that might not be immediately obvious. And every visit creates an official record of your injuries. Do not skip follow-up appointments. Each visit builds a continuous care history, critical for proving the extent and progression of your injuries.

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I was very happy to hear that President Biden has decided to right historical wrongs by pardoning any U.S. veterans who were convicted for being gay while serving in our U.S. Armed Forces.  It is well past time for our country to acknowledge this wrong and the damage it did to so many gay veterans. As President Biden stated: “Today, I am righting an historic wrong by using my clemency authority to pardon many former service members who were convicted simply for being themselves,” Biden said in a statement. “We have a sacred obligation to all of our service members –- including our brave LGBTQI+ service members: to properly prepare and equip them when they are sent into harm’s way, and to care for them and their families when they return home. Today we are making progress in that pursuit.”  About time, is all I can say.

I find this very interesting given my experience in securing a Presidential Pardon for a client who had been convicted of having a homosexual relationship while he was serving as an Officer in the U.S. Army. He served a year and a half in Ft. Leavenworth Prison for being gay. I worked for this client for 6 years pro bono, partly because my innate sense of Justice drove me to do so, partly because I have been fighting for equality for gay people for the last 40 years or so, and partly because I could not let this injustice to this client go on and be able to look my two children in the eyes. Both of my kids, who were in college at the time, could not believe that our Government, with its vasts resources, would use those resources to prosecute and convict a U.S. Veteran of simply being who he was. It was simply unfathomable to them and to me. But it really happened. So I set out on a 6 year journey and struggle to obtain a Presidential Pardon for him. Since being gay in the U.S. Army was a Federal offense, only a Presidential Pardon would do. He had been  convicted on July 17, 1989, which means he endured 28 years of having the conviction and a dishonorable discharge on his record. This resulted in his being unable to obtain a home mortgage, being limited in potential jobs he would be hired for, being unable to vote, just as some examples of the impact on his life this had.

I will never forget that telephone call on January 17, 2017 from the Department of Justice Pardon Attorney, informing me that President Obama would be granting my client a pardon. What an unbelievable moment! Probably my greatest achievement as a lawyer. And then to call my client and hear his elation on the phone was an incredible moment.

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Vacation rentals through platforms like Airbnb and VRBO promise memorable experiences, but what happens when an injury disrupts your stay? Most people probably aren’t considering the possibility of seeking compensation for an injury while vacation planning, but accidents (and negligence) can happen any time. Both property owners and the platforms have legal protections that could impact your ability to receive compensation.

Property Owner Liability and Insurance Issues

Property owners who use platforms like Airbnb and VRBO to list rentals are required to maintain their properties in safe conditions. This includes conducting necessary repairs and warning guests about any potential dangers. If a property owner fails to perform appropriate duty of care, and a guest is injured, the owner may be held liable for those injuries.

FC1FEC90-C987-46B9-AF18-F38ECE26AA05-300x169When you need legal help, knowing who to turn to can make a big difference. Many people use the terms “attorney” and “litigator” interchangeably, but they refer to different roles in the legal field. After a serious injury, you might get embroiled in a legal battle that could take a significant amount of time. But let’s be honest: time is of the essence, and getting your life back on track as soon as possible is just as important as your right to seek justice. It’s time to clear up the confusion and explain the key differences between an attorney and a litigator.

Attorneys Go to Court, Right?

Most people wish that simply graduating from law school was enough to cover all types of cases, but unfortunately, that’s just not the case. An attorney, or lawyer, is a professional qualified to give legal advice, represent clients in legal matters, and conduct lawsuits. Attorneys can work in many legal areas, from drafting wills and handling estate matters to advising companies on legal transactions. They may negotiate contracts, help with property purchases, counsel businesses, or work in family law, assisting with divorce and custody arrangements.

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