Aggressive Personal Injury Representation

Personal injury law covers many types of accidents and injuries that stem from a common principle: you suffered an injury due to someone else’s negligence. This may range from a doctor misdiagnosing your illness to a property owner failing to warn you about an icy walkway where you slipped and fell.

Injuries can have long-lasting effects on people and their families. If you or a loved one has been injured due to someone else’s carelessness, whether on land, sea or air, we are here to help. At Cromartie Law, we apply almost six decades of legal experience when seeking compensation for our clients’ injuries.

Call our Rome, Georgia, office at 706-622-4853 to schedule a free initial consultation.

Our Comprehensive Personal Injury Practice

Below are some of the types of personal injury cases our firm handles under the direction and guidance of our principal attorney, Rick Cromartie:

• Medical malpractice: Doctors and other medical professionals must be held responsible for errors, including failure to diagnose illnesses, misdiagnosis, surgical mistakes, birth injuries and other preventable medical errors.
• Pharmacy malpractice and medication errors: When a pharmacist makes an error, the results can be catastrophic or even deadly. Giving the wrong medication, providing incorrect dosage or mixing up medications are just a few types of mistakes that can occur.
• Nursing home neglect and abuse: Elderly citizens are especially susceptible to injuries, particularly those caused by neglect or abuse in a nursing home, assisted living facility or other residence where they depend on caregivers.
• Premises liability: When a property owner fails to identify, remedy or warn others of a dangerous condition on the property, visitors can become seriously injured by the hazard. Dangerous conditions can be anything from an icy sidewalk to an unsecured swimming pool.
• Dog bites and animal attacks: Even seemingly friendly animals can attack and injure people. Owners must be held responsible for injuries caused by their animals.
• Defective products: Product manufacturers have a responsibility to ensure their products are safe for the public to use. When a person is injured by a defective product, the producers can and should be held accountable.
• Day care negligence: When a child sustains an injury at a day care, the incident must be investigated to determine what happened, who is responsible and whether negligence or abuse occurred.
• Wrongful death: When negligence causes a fatality, the responsible parties must be held responsible for the losses suffered by the victim and his or her surviving loved ones.

Personal injury cases can vary widely, as can the severity of injuries. From minor incidents to catastrophic events like explosions or plane accidents, the impact on your life can be significant.

What To Do After A Personal Injury In Georgia

Taking the right steps after a personal injury can make a real difference in your case. We guide you through every stage of the process, so you do not have to face it alone:

• Seek medical care right away: Your health comes first. We encourage you to see a doctor immediately, even if your injuries appear minor.
• Document the incident: Take photographs, gather witness contact information and keep records of all medical visits and expenses.
• Report the accident: Notify the appropriate authorities or property owner and secure a copy of any official report.
• Call us before speaking with insurers: Insurance companies work for themselves, not for you. We step in immediately to handle all communication on your behalf.
• Do not accept the first offer: Early settlement offers rarely reflect the full value of your claim. We review every offer and push back when it falls short.
• Follow your treatment plan: Consistent care supports your recovery and helps document the impact of your injuries.
• Let us take it from here: We build your case, negotiate with insurers and fight to secure the fair compensation you deserve.

We walk with you from the first call to the final resolution, committed to protecting your health and your financial future.

Personal Injury Statute Of Limitations In Georgia

Georgia law generally gives injured victims two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury claim. The statute of limitations governs this two-year deadline. Missing it typically means losing your right to pursue compensation, with limited exceptions. We urge you to call us right away after an accident. We can protect your rights from day one.

Certain exceptions can shorten or extend this two-year window. If the injured party is a minor, they generally have until age 20 to file. Claims against a government entity require special notice within six to 12 months. A delayed discovery of an injury can also affect when the clock starts. Our team reviews every detail of your situation so you never miss a critical deadline.

What Factors Influence The Value Of A Personal Injury Claim?

A jury award or settlement should be proportional to the physical, financial, emotional and other harms that you’ve suffered. Specific examples include:

• Injury severity: The seriousness and impact of your injuries are major factors. More severe injuries typically lead to higher compensation due to expensive medical bills and other costs.
• Income loss: If your injury has prevented you from working or diminished your ability to earn, these losses can be claimed.
• Pain and emotional distress: Compensation can be sought for the physical pain and mental anguish you have experienced.
• Fault and responsibility: The clearer the evidence of the other party’s negligence, the more likely it is to increase the claim’s value.

These considerations, among others, help establish the potential settlement for your case.

Types Of Compensation You Might Be Entitled To

In personal injury cases, various forms of compensation might be available to you. Common types include:

• Medical costs: Reimbursement for all medical expenses, from initial emergency care to ongoing treatment.
• Lost wages: Compensation for earnings you have lost due to your injury.
• Physical and emotional pain: Financial compensation for the suffering and emotional distress you have endured.
• Damage to property: If your belongings were damaged, you might receive funds for repairs or replacement.
• Loss of relationship benefits: Compensation for impacts on your relationship with your spouse or family members.
• Punitive damages: In cases where the defendant’s actions are proven to be willful, malicious or showing no regard for the safety of others, these are awarded to penalize the wrongdoer and prevent similar conduct in the future.

It’s important to work with an attorney who knows how to accurately value your case and fight for the compensation you deserve.

When To Hire Personal Injury Lawyers From Cromartie Law

You should contact our team immediately after an accident when another reckless person causes your injuries and leaves you facing expensive medical bills or lost income from missing work. We will step in right away to handle all of the stressful phone calls with aggressive insurance adjusters who try to pay you far less than you need. Our dedicated team will help you meet every strict state legal deadline while you focus entirely on your recovery.

Your Rights In Personal Injury Cases: Answers From Cromartie Law

We receive many questions about personal injury in Rome. Here are some common inquiries:

Whose fault is it when I fall on someone else’s property?

Property owners in Georgia have a duty to keep their property free from dangerous conditions or to warn visitors of such conditions. If the ground is uneven or slippery, people may slip or trip and fall. Other hazards could include falling objects and swimming pools. This is known as premises liability. For the owner to be liable, there must be a reasonable expectation that they knew of the condition.

Do I have to accept a settlement offer?

No. The choice to settle is always yours. At our firm, we fight to get you the compensation you deserve for your injuries. Our over five decades of experience help us determine fair offers for your situation, and we always provide honest assessments of your case. If the insurance company or other party refuses to offer a fair settlement, we are prepared to take your case to trial.

If I think my doctor made a mistake, how do I report it?

Medical professionals are licensed by boards that oversee their profession, such as the Georgia Composite Medical Board. If your doctor made a mistake that injured you, contact an attorney promptly, as there may be time limits for filing a claim. Your attorney can also help you file a complaint with the appropriate professional board if warranted.

Why should I hire an attorney?

There are many benefits to having an attorney advocate for you. A skilled attorney knows how to build a solid case for various personal injury claims, from common car accidents to complex cases involving boating incidents or injuries due to negligent security.

An experienced lawyer with a reputation for aggressive representation can set the bar higher. Insurance companies often prefer to avoid costly litigation or large jury verdicts. This can lead to better settlement offers than you might obtain on your own.

What is considered a personal injury?

A personal injury occurs when another individual acts carelessly and causes physical harm, emotional stress or financial trouble in your daily life. This broad category covers serious car crashes, slip-and-fall accidents on dangerous property or dog bites where someone failed to act responsibly. Our law firm holds those careless people fully accountable so our clients receive compensation for unexpected doctor visits and lost wages.

Will my personal injury case go to trial?

Most cases finish with a fair cash settlement outside of court. With strong evidence, insurance companies may agree to settle and pay you full financial compensation. However, if the insurance adjuster refuses to offer you the full amount you deserve, your case may have to go to trial. In these situations, your attorney will fight for your rights directly before a judge and jury.

How long will my personal injury case take?

A simple case may resolve in a few months, but severe injuries requiring long-term medical care often take a year or longer to finalize completely. We take all the time necessary to calculate your total future healthcare expenses so you don’t accept an early low offer that runs out before your medical treatment finishes.

Have More Questions? Contact Our Georgia Firm Today.

Our personal injury lawyer and staff are here to help you seek justice. We handle most cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning you owe no legal fees unless we obtain compensation for you.

In addition to personal injury cases, we also offer workers’ compensation services to help injured workers secure the benefits they deserve.

To request a free consultation, please contact us online or call our Rome office at 706-622-4853. Our firm is located at the corner of Broad Street and Fourth Avenue in front of the Floyd County Courthouse and Forum in downtown Rome. Our office hours are Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., with off-site evening and weekend appointments available.