Along with a duty to represent our clients, all of us at Smith, Wallis & Scott, LLC - SWS Accident & Injury Lawyers feel we owe a duty to give back to our community whenever possible.  For the 2023-2024 school year we have the pleasure of sponsoring the teachers of the month at each of the Carrollton City Schools.  Every month we present the teachers of the month at Carrollton Elementary School, Carrollton Upper Elementary School, Carrollton Middle School, and Carrollton High School with a check to show our gratitude for their hard work educating the children in our community.  Afterwards, we take a picture of the winners and place them on a digital billboard to help introduce our community to these wonderful educators.  Below are some examples of our billboard designs recognizing the winners.

 

A special thank you to Superintendent Dr. Mark Albertus and principals Dr. Kylie Carroll (Carrollton Elementary),  Tabitha Walker (Carrollton Upper Elementary), Eric Simmons (Carrollton Middle), and Ian Lyle (Carrollton High) for allowing us to support these wonderful educators.

The holiday season extends beyond delightful meals and quality family moments. For numerous individuals, reaching those enjoyable gatherings involves traveling. Depending on the region of the country, various challenges can complicate safe driving. Throughout this season, factors such as weather conditions, reduced daylight, and navigating unfamiliar territories all present risks for road travelers.  Here are a few tips holiday driving tips to help keep your family safe during the holiday season.

General Safety Tips

• Refrain from consuming alcohol and operating a vehicle. If there's drinking involved in your holiday gathering, designate a driver who will abstain from alcohol.
• Ensure your vehicle is in good condition for winter driving by properly maintaining it. Plan your route ahead of time, taking into account potential weather conditions.
• Prioritize safety by buckling up yourself and ensuring passengers are properly restrained with seat belts or safety seats. Combat fatigue by getting sufficient rest before driving, taking breaks, and sharing driving responsibilities if possible.
• Prepare for emergencies by having a charged cell phone with emergency roadside assistance contacts. Avoid distractions by refraining from texting while driving and minimizing cell phone use. If necessary, use a hands-free device.
• Maintain a safe following distance and allow aggressive drivers to pass rather than competing with them. Adhere to speed limits and drive according to road conditions, allowing ample time for your journey to avoid rushing.
• Stay calm while driving; if stressed, take deep breaths to remain composed. Avoid road rage, as it compromises your safety and that of others on the road.

 

Child Passenger Safety Tips

Motor vehicle accidents remain a prominent cause of child fatalities, but you can play a crucial role in ensuring their safety by consistently and correctly securing them. Safeguard yourself and your children during the holiday season to prevent injuries.

• Utilize age- and size-appropriate car seats, booster seats, and seat belts to decrease the risk of severe injuries or fatalities in a car crash by as much as 80 percent. Ensure optimal safety by using car seats and booster seats correctly, and educate yourself on common mistakes to avoid.
• Avoid placing bulky or puffy coats underneath a car seat harness, as they hinder proper tightening. A loose harness poses dangers, including serious injuries or ejection during a crash. Instead, secure the harness correctly first and then cover the buckled child with a coat or blanket to maintain warmth without compromising safety. Additional information can be found on the Winter Car Seat Safety Tips webpage on the American Academy of Pediatrics’ (AAP) website for parents.
• Adhere to the guideline that children aged 12 and under should be appropriately secured in the back seat of the vehicle. Lead by example and consistently use a seat belt yourself.

From everyone at SWS Accident & Injury Lawyers we wish you a Merry Christmas and happy holiday season!

If you are injured on the job in Georgia, it is important to perform the following steps in order to have a successful claim.  Below is a checklist of things to do if you are injured while working in Georgia.

1)  Report ALL injuries

In Georgia, you have 30 days to report your injury to your employer.  Although 30 days is the maximum amount of time you can wait to report an injury, the old adage "the sooner, the better" applies.  The sooner you report an injury to your employer, the sooner the workers' compensation system can kick in to provide you with medical treatment, and possibly replacement of lost income.

It is also important to report ALL injuries, even if you believe they are small or will heal on there own.  Injuries, particularly the older you get, can be tricky.  Things that may have healed with rest when you were younger, might now require medical intervention.  So it is extremely important to report ALL injuries, no matter how small.  Reporting the injury protects you and is the first step in bringing a successful workers compensation claim.

2)  Seek medical treatment

After reporting an injury, you should always ask for medical treatment.  Whether it be with a plant nurse, or with a workers' compensation doctor, it is important to have any injury evaluated quickly.  Evidence supports the fact that quick medical treatment results in faster recovery time.  Additionally, medical providers generally keep detailed records, which will help prove your injury was the result of working rather than being caused by something else.

3) Follow the advice of your medical provider

Most injuries are initially treated conservatively.  This type of treatment includes medication, rest, physical therapy, and work restrictions (i.e. no lifting more than 10 pounds).  It is important to follow your medical providers instructions in order to increase the chances of making a full recovery.  This includes telling your employer that you can not perform your regular job in the event a doctor places you on work restrictions.

4)  Document everything

Georgia workers' compensation cases can hinge on whether or not you have proper documentation for an injury.  It is extremely important to document everything relating to your work accident and injury.  So be sure to keep any documents you receive from your employer and any medical providers.  It may also be beneficial to start a journal, or take notes, regarding medical treatment you receive and the types of symptoms your injury is causing.

5)  Find a Georgia workers' compensation attorney

Georgia's workers' compensation system is a specialized part of the law.  As such, many of the issues involving a workers' compensation claim are unique and different from common law used in personal injury claims.  Due to this specialization, it is crucial to hire an experienced workers' compensation lawyer to maximize the compensation and medical treatment you receive following an accident.

If you, or a loved one, has been injured while working in Georgia.  Give our experienced lawyers a call today for a free consultation at (770) 214-2500.