Atlanta Injury Lawyer Blog

McCracken Poston Regales Lawyers Club of Atlanta with Tales from “Zenith Man: Death, Love and Redemption in a Georgia Courtroom”

March 27, 2025 | Robin Frazer Clark

Last week we were thrilled to have Georgia Trial Lawyer McCracken King Poston, Jr. be our guest speaker at Lawyers Club of Atlanta. McCracken regaled the crowd of over 200 attorneys with stories about his trial in Ringgold, Georgia in which he represented Alvin Ridley, who was accused of holding his wife captive in their basement for almost three decades before killing her.

McCracken Poston is a former four-term legislator in the Georgia House of Representatives. He is a graduate of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and is a 1985 graduate of The University of Georgia School of Law. He has practiced law for 39 years in Georgia. He gained national attention for his handling of several notable cases that were featured on CNN Presents, Dateline NBC, A & E’s American Justice and Forensic Files.

McCracken’s new book “Zenith Man: Death, Love and Redemption in a Georgia Courtroom” tells the tale of Alvin Ridley, accused of murdering his wife, and McCracken’s courtroom battle for Justice for Alvin. Alvin was a difficult client, storing evidence in a cockroach-infested suitcase, unwilling to reveal key facts to his defender. Gradually, Poston pieced together the full story behind Virginia and Alvin’s curious marriage and her cause of death—which was completely overlooked by law enforcement. Calling on medical experts, testimony from Alvin himself, and a wealth of surprising evidence gleaned from Alvin’s junk-strewn house, Poston presented a groundbreaking defense that allowed Alvin to return to his peculiar lifestyle, a free man.

What Happens If You’re in an Accident While Taking an Uber—And Why You Still Need a Lawyer

March 15, 2025 | Robin Frazer Clark

Rideshare apps like Uber have changed the way people get around. But what happens when the ride doesn’t go as planned? Accidents happen, and when they do, Uber and its insurance company are not looking out for you. They’re protecting their bottom line. You, the passenger, are left injured, confused, and caught in a claims process designed to wear you down.

Here’s what you need to know when an Uber ride turns into a nightmare.

Who Pays for Your Injuries?

Robin Frazer Clark, the Leader Within, and Bridge Building for the Next Generation of Women Lawyers

February 24, 2025 | Alexandria Clark

Last week, my boss–my mom–Robin Frazer Clark was invited to speak on a panel of highly esteemed women at the Georgia Association for Women Lawyers’ annual CLE entitled “The Leader Within.” She was joined on the panel by Linda Klein, the first woman President of the State Bar of Georgia; Meka Ward, Assistant General Counsel for the Home Depot; Judge Ana Maria Martinez, Georgia’s First Latina State Court Judge; and Zahra Karinshak, a veteran and former Georgia Senator. The incredible women who shared the stage all come from different backgrounds, have achieved unbelievable success in various practice areas, and have overcome consistent adversity as women in the legal field, often holding the title of “First Female ___” in many spaces they occupy within this male-dominated field. To be sure, the gender disparity is shrinking by the year—the latest numbers from the American Bar Association tell us that the gap is narrowing, with the percentage of female lawyers growing from 36% in 2014 to 41% in 2024. I know that, at some point in my legal career, I will likely encounter adversity as a woman in the legal field that resembles the challenges that the panelists once faced. But I also know that, because of the fearlessness of the female leaders who have come before me, I will have far fewer barriers to overcome than they did.

I’ve had the privilege of hearing my mom’s sage advice on panels, speaking to a group of lawyers, or even just at the dinner table for 27 years. What I’ve now realized, however, is that the advice hits a little differently once you start following in those same footsteps she’s laid on the ground in front of you. Hopefully other young attorneys (and experienced attorneys too!) can benefit from these nuggets of wisdom I picked up from these Queens of the Law. Here are some of my takeaways from the incredible panel:

There are many ways to lead. The panelists offered a variety of answers to questions about what makes a “good leader,” but at the core of most of their answers were simple pieces of advice: be yourself and treat others the way you would want to be treated. If you try to adopt a style of leadership that is not genuine to the person you are, your team will be able to sense that something seems off and may not have full confidence in the leadership or the overall mission. Treating each other by the Golden Rule allows for a deeper sense of trust and understanding between the different levels of the hierarchy within the team (and is also probably just a good piece of life advice for how we should strive to treat others… this includes opposing counsel!!)

Personal Injury Litigation is Not a Game

February 14, 2025 | Robin Frazer Clark

Like you, I am fed up with the constant lawyer advertising on TV. It has gotten completely out of hand. The worst TV ads for lawyers are the ones that portray personal injury litigation as a “game.” One such ad even has a person who is presumably someone who has been injured and in need of a plaintiff’s personal injury lawyer playing a carnival rubber ducky game against the crooked carnival guy who is presumably the insurance carrier. It depicts having a personal injury claim is like picking the right rubber ducky at the carnival. It is so wrong, so insulting and so demeaning. As is another Lawyer TV Advertiser who depicts the value of a personal injury game like asking for more sprinkles on ice cream, and simply by demand “more, more, more” and hiring this TV advertiser, you’ll get “more” in a personal injury settlement. So offensive and so outrageously wrong and naive. As a personal injury trial lawyer who has devoted my life to the Rule of Law and to obtaining Justice for loved ones who have been injured or killed, as a Past President of the State Bar of Georgia and as a Past President of the Georgia Trial Lawyers Association, I’m sick of it.

Personal injury litigation is NOT A GAME!

And trials are not rigged.

The Debate Around Accountability When Doctors Ignore Pain

February 3, 2025 | Robin Frazer Clark

The public conversation around how doctors address (or fail to address) pain has reached a boiling point. Social media has been ablaze with stories of women enduring severe discomfort during medical procedures—only to have their pain dismissed. One example causing widespread outrage is the longstanding lack of pain management during IUD insertions. After years of complaints, the CDC finally updated its guidelines, acknowledging what patients had been saying all along: the procedure can be excruciating, and pain relief isn’t optional. But this cultural reckoning raises a bigger question—when does a doctor’s failure to address pain cross the line into malpractice?

Let’s be clear: not all pain caused by a medical procedure constitutes malpractice. But when a doctor’s actions—or inaction—fall below the standard of care, they must be held accountable.

Pain Alone Isn’t Enough to Prove Malpractice

Who Can Be Held Liable in a Truck Accident?

January 15, 2025 | Robin Frazer Clark

Truck accidents change lives in an instant. The sheer size and weight of these vehicles mean crashes often result in devastating injuries. In the aftermath, victims face pain, mounting bills, and uncertainty about what comes next. One of the most important steps to rebuilding is identifying who’s responsible to get proper compensation. Because in truck accidents, it’s rarely just one person or one cause.

For instance, a driver’s fatigue may combine with a mechanical failure caused by poor maintenance. In these cases, liability can extend to multiple entities. Federal and state regulations provide clear safety standards for drivers, trucking companies, and associated entities.

The Truck Driver

The Future Looks Bright for New Lawyer Terass “Razz” Misher!

January 8, 2025 | Robin Frazer Clark

I received a wonderful email over the holidays from Terass “Razz” Misher letting me know he had graduated from law school. The subject line of the email simply read “I graduated.” I was thrilled to read his email and so happy for him and his lovely family.

I first met Razz back in April 2020 when we started the podcast “See You In Court,” which is sponsored by the Georgia Civil Justice Foundation. Razz was our very first producer of the podcast and he did a wonderful job. I learned a lot about podcasts from Razz, from what type of microphone I should use to elimination of ambient noise in the room. I was introduced to Razz by my good friends Steve Lowry and Yvonne Godfrey, host of the incredible “The Great Trials Podcast.” BTW, I happened to be a guest on “The Great Trials Podcast” in October 2020 discussing my plaintiff’s $2.35 Million verdict in Fox v. Emory University Hospital. You should check it out! Anyway, they were using Razz for their podcast and suggested I hire him as well. Which I immediately did and it was a great decision. During the next few years, Razz and I spoke many times about a life in law and particularly pro bono efforts. Razz seemed to become more and more interested in what we did as lawyers and the types of cases we handled the clients we served. He started having a thought in the back of his mind that maybe being a lawyer would be right for him. Steve and Yvonne even did an entire episode entitled “Should Razz Go To Law School?” The answer seemed to be a resounding “yes!” Then, one day, he announces to us that we will need to find a new producer because he is going to law school! Wow! Razz said that working with lawyers and listening to stories about lawyers helping others inspired him to consider a life in the law, also, and he decided to take the leap for himself and his family. Razz hooked us up with our current producer, Phillip Hoover, leaving us in Phillip’s capable hands. I was honored to be asked to write Razz a recommendation letter for law school and I proudly did. The next thing I know, Razz is headed to Elon School of Law in North Carolina. Three short years later Razz has graduated. Not only that, he was also inducted into the Order of the Barristers at Elon, which is for only the absolutely top law students at that law school. The photos show Razz with his beautiful family.

I have often encouraged young folks to consider a life in the law. For me, the number one consideration was it was a profession that would allow me to be completely independent, without being beholden to any other person for support. This was my father’s requirement, i.e., that no matter what I do I must be independent. Being a lawyer certainly does that. Although my father was a pharmacist who owned his own drugstore in a small town, Sturgis, Kentucky, he told me being a lawyer would be wonderful for me because once you got your law license, no one could never take that away from you. No matter what may happen, you could always hang out your shingle like a true entrepreneur and make your own way on your brain and your work ethic, and then if you were successful, it was because of your hard work, and if you weren’t, you had only yourself to blame. Plus, lawyers can use their license to effect change in society…real change. No one else in our legal system can serve a subpoena on another citizen and force that citizen to testify, and in a civil case, to testify even against their own interests. Only with a law license could I have obtained a Presidential Pardon from President Obama for my client who was convicted of being gay (which is obviously NOT A CRIME!) while he was serving his Country in the United States Army and who was imprisoned for two years in Ft. Leavenworth Prison. So, there is a lot to be said about being a lawyer, having a life of service to others and devoting your life to the Rule of Law. As my letterhead reads:

Drive Extra Safe This Holiday Season

December 4, 2024 | Robin Frazer Clark

The holidays bring joy, laughter, and togetherness—but the festive season also sees a sharp rise in traffic accidents and drunk driving incidents. Holiday lights shouldn’t be accompanied by sirens. Whether you’re headed to a family gathering, a holiday party, or a winter getaway, driving responsibly isn’t just about protecting yourself; it’s about safeguarding everyone on the road. Here’s what you need to keep in mind as you get behind the wheel this season.

Why Holiday Roads Are Risky

The numbers don’t lie: traffic accidents spike during the holidays. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the end-of-year holiday period sees thousands of crashes, many of them caused by impaired or distracted drivers.

What to Expect When Seeking Justice After an Injury

November 15, 2024 | Robin Frazer Clark

When 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.

The Trickery of Forced Arbitration Clauses Leaves the Consumer Out of Luck

November 11, 2024 | Alexandria Clark

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.