Georgia Personal Injury Blog

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common workplace injury among people whose jobs involve large amounts of typing, working with hand tools, or other skills that require dexterity and coordination. Severe cases of carpal tunnel syndrome often require surgery and can result in permanent impairments, making it difficult or impossible to work. Rehabilitation is often painful, time-consuming, and incomplete.

Now, a group of students at Georgia Tech have created a device that helps carpal tunnel patients regain dexterity, strength, and hand coordination more effectively. Known as Re-Hand, the device looks like a joystick with large buttons. It is attached to a computer, and the user operates the device through various games. The games improve hand and wrist strength and coordination, and the program keeps track of data and can send it to the user’s doctor so that the patient’s progress can be monitored.

Students said they developed the device after meeting several patients with carpal tunnel and related hand injuries suffered in various accidents. Rehabilitation for them was difficult and boring, and many struggled with it. The Re-Hand device provides all the necessary rehabilitation exercises, but turns them into a game, making exercise less difficult and boring and giving the patient a better shot at complete recovery.

Carpal tunnel syndrome is just one type of hand injury that can cause serious impairments at work, hobbies, and personal care. If you’ve suffered a serious injury at work, the skilled personal injury lawyers in Atlanta at The Law Offices of Wayne Grant, P.C. can help. Call us today at (404) 995-3955 for a free, confidential consultation.

Studies of veterans who suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI) during combat in the Vietnam War have revealed a greatly increased risk of developing epilepsy, including regular seizures, in the decades following a severe head injury, according to a recent article from the National Institutes of Health.

The researchers followed the health of 1,221 Vietnam War veterans for many years after their combat tours ended and they returned to the U.S. Most of the veterans had suffered a penetrative injury, in which shrapnel or another object had broken through the skull and injured their brains.

Researchers administered brain scans and tests of thinking, communication, memory, and motor function at regular intervals in the 30 or so years after the veterans’ injuries, tracking their brain health over the long term.

The researchers noticed early in the study that just over half of the veterans had also developed post-traumatic epilepsy after their TBIs. As the years went by, the rate of epileptic seizures in the study group increased, with some veterans developing post-traumatic epilepsy years after their injuries. The study tentatively concludes that traumatic brain injuries can have long-term consequences, one of which is epilepsy, a condition that can be disabling. However, researchers note that more research is needed to understand how TBIs cause epilepsy and the best ways to prevent or treat the condition.

Traumatic brain injuries can range from mild to severe, and may even be deadly. The more severe a TBI is, the longer the symptoms may last, and a person may be permanently disabled as a result. If you’ve suffered a brain injury in an accident, please call the experienced Georgia traumatic brain injury attorneys at The Law Offices of Wayne Grant, P.C. to learn more about your legal options. Our number is (404) 995-3955, and your initial consultation is free and confidential.

Choosing a motorcycle that fits your body is key not only to your comfort on the road, but also to keeping maximum control over your bike, and thus being able to protect yourself as well as possible if an emergency situation or Georgia motorcycle accident occurs, according to Motorcycle.com. By keeping a few fit points in mind, you can improve your safety and enjoy your rides more.

When you sit on a bike, your toes should touch the ground well enough to allow you to balance or stand on them when the bike is at a stop. Your hands should rest on the hand grips comfortably, without straining in your shoulders, arms, or wrists, and your feet should rest on the foot pegs without straining or cramping when the motorcycle is in motion or on its stand.

At The Law Offices of Wayne Grant, P.C., our knowledgeable motorcycle accident lawyers in Atlanta represent bikers who have been injured in a wide range of accident situations. We strive to provide the best possible representation to every client, protecting your legal rights while seeking compensation from any negligent parties who may have been responsible for your accident. For a free and confidential consultation, call us today at (404) 995-3955.

After losing her husband in a Georgia car accident at the intersection of Piney Ridge Road and the South Dalton Bypass in Dalton, Georgia recently, a Dalton woman is fighting to have the city install a traffic signal at the intersection in order to protect the lives of others who travel through the area, according to a recent article in the Dalton Daily Citizen.

The family began pushing for a traffic light at the intersection several years before the Dalton man’s untimely death. They became concerned when their daughters began attending Southeast Whitfield High School located across the bypass from their house, which meant the girls had to cross through the intersection every day in order to get to and from school. The family says that a hill leading up to the intersection makes it very hard to see what traffic is coming, and that at least two other accidents in the intersection in recent years have led to serious injuries or deaths.

Despite the family’s initial push to get a traffic light installed at the intersection, however, city officials told them that putting in a traffic light would “defeat the purpose” of the bypass. Not long after, the Dalton man died when his vehicle was hit by a truck traveling through the intersection. Now, the man’s wife and family are dedicated to preventing a similar crash.

Road conditions, including a lack of proper traffic signals and signs, can cause or contribute to serious accidents. At The Law Offices of Wayne Grant, P.C., our dedicated Georgia auto accident attorneys examine every case we handle thoroughly to ensure that we hold all negligent parties accountable for their actions. If you’ve been injured, call us today at (404) 995-3955 for a free case evaluation.

Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) like concussions and puncture wounds to the brain can cause serious, permanent physical impairments or even death. A new type of diagnostic imaging technique may help patients with newly-suffered traumatic brain injuries as well as patients living with disabilities caused by a traumatic brain injury that happened in the past, according to a recent article from Highlight Health.

A recent study from the University of Pittsburgh and published in the Journal of Neurosurgery found that using high-definition fiber tracking (HDFT) to take images of patients’ brains might allow neurologists to see where TBI has interrupted communication between different parts of the brain by injuring or destroying the neural pathways. The HDFT images are created by processing MRI images through a special program.

Researchers say that the technology, which gives a clearer picture of the state of parts of the brain, might help physicians figure out why a traumatic brain injury causes certain disabilities, like difficulty remembering words or keeping one’s balance, by showing what parts of the brain were disrupted by the injury. This could lead to better understanding and treatment of traumatic brain injuries, with better outcomes for those who suffer them.

At The Law Offices of Wayne Grant, P.C., our dedicated traumatic brain injury attorneys in Atlanta have the legal resources and practical courtroom experience to help you through everything from filing an insurance claim to holding negligent parties accountable in court. For a confidential, free telephone consultation, call our office at (404) 395-3955 today.

Infants and toddlers are at a high risk of injury because they lack the kind of balance and body control needed to move through the world safely, and they also don’t understand that many common household situations can cause harm. Infants can also be harmed if equipment intended to protect their safety, like car seats and straps on high chairs, is not used properly. Approximately 1.3 million infants are injured each year by defective or improperly-used infant equipment, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

To reduce the risk of child injury, always follow the instructions on all infant gear and equipment, says the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). Be especially careful when using infant seats in vehicles. Rear-facing infant seats placed in the backseat are safest for small babies, but they must be securely and properly strapped to the backseat and the infant must be securely and properly strapped into the seat for maximum protection in a crash.

When infant products are used properly, most will protect babies from harm instead of causing it. However, a defective infant product might have a hidden condition that can cause harm even when parents follow its instructions to the letter. If your child or a child you care for is injured by a defective infant product, call The Law Offices of Wayne Grant, P.C. today. Our well-trained Atlanta defective product injury attorneys can help you protect your legal rights and seek compensation to help your child recover. For a confidential, free telephone consultation, call our office at (404) 395-3955 today.

Many U.S. residents in Georgia and across the country love celebrating St. Patrick’s Day, often by visiting bars, restaurants, or parties where alcohol is served. While alcohol can be part of a great party, you can also protect your own safety and the safety of someone you love by taking a few simple steps to reduce the number of drunk drivers on the roads this coming weekend:

• Choose a designated driver to prevent a dangerous Georgia car accident. Don’t hesitate to choose yourself – and remember to stay away from all alcoholic drinks if you do. Make sure your designated driver has plenty of non-alcoholic drink and snack choices.
• Public transportation, taxi companies, sober-ride-sharing programs, and even walking can all offer a safe alternative to driving with alcohol in your system. Prepare yourself by programming the contact information for a few of these options into your cell phone before heading out. Not only will you be ready if you need a ride, but you’ll be able to help others get home safely as well.
• If you see a driver whom you suspect is drunk, contact local law enforcement immediately. Doing so may literally save a life.

If you or someone you love has been injured by a drunk driver, don’t wait. Call the experienced Georgia auto accident attorneys at The Law Offices of Wayne Grant, P.C. today. We will help you investigate the details of your case and seek compensation from anyone whose negligence caused you harm. Call (404) 995-3955 today for a free, confidential case evaluation.

Georgia’s “Move Over” law, passed in 2003, requires drivers to move over to the right-most lane or to slow down if they see emergency workers, including police, firefighters, and medical workers, on the side of the road. The law applies to any emergency vehicle and its workers – even tow trucks.

Nearly a decade after the law’s passage, however, many drivers are still involved in Georgia pedestrian accidents with workers on the side of the road each year. One such accident occurred at the beginning of March 2012, when two police officers were injured by a driver who did not move over or slow down as the law requires.

The “Move Over” law was passed after Georgia legislators realized that more Georgia police officers lose their lives when they are struck by passing vehicles than die from any other risk they face in the line of duty. One-third of all car-related accidents occur after an initial crash, when other drivers hit disabled vehicles or people who have gotten out of the vehicles to offer assistance or assess the damage. These accidents are particularly risky on the freeway where the high rates of speed can result in serious trauma or death for an unprotected pedestrian.

Moving over and/or slowing down as the law requires can help save lives. If you’ve been injured by a motor vehicle accident, however, you need experienced, dedicated representation. At The Law Offices of Wayne Grant, P.C., our experienced car accident lawyers in Atlanta know how to fight for the compensation you need. For a free, confidential case evaluation, call us today at (404) 995-3955.

March is “Save Your Vision Month,” and to help workers nationwide preserve their eyesight and protect their eye health, the American Optometric Association encourages employers and employees to discuss possible sources of eye damage at work and find ways to help correct them. Eye health is important, and employers who protect their employees’ eyes save both productivity and money.

“Computer vision syndrome,” a condition that causes eyestrain, fatigue, and difficulty focusing, is on the rise in the U.S., as more and more workplaces require employees to work with computers, often for hours at a time.

Symptoms of computer vision syndrome include tired eyes, dry eyes, headaches, and difficulty focusing, especially when switching from close-up to far-away focusing and back again. If not treated, the condition may require eyeglasses or other interventions by an optometrist or ophthalmologist, and it makes working more difficult for those who have it.

To protect workers’ vision health, the American Optometric Association recommends making sure that screens are the proper height, adjusting brightness and refresh rates to make screen readouts easier on the eyes, and making sure workers get breaks for their eyes every hour, preferably ones that make the eyes look far away. Workers should also wear their corrective lenses if they are near-sighted, and see a trained optometrist if they suspect they may need glasses for computer work.

At The Law Offices of Wayne Grant, P.C., our dedicated Atlanta personal injury lawyers have helped many injured workers seek the compensation they deserve after a defective product or negligent third party caused a workplace injury or occupational illness. If you’ve been injured at work, give us a call today at (404) 995-3955. Your initial consultation is free, and we keep your information completely confidential.

Spinal cord injuries can be caused by a wide range of accidents. They can also occur during surgery, especially surgeries performed on the back or in certain areas of the chest. A spinal cord injury often results in permanent paralysis, and even patients who are not paralyzed may experience debilitating pain and limited mobility.

Recently, the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) has recommended that patient’s spinal cord responses be monitored during back and chest surgeries. By keeping track of the electrical impulses that travel up and down the spine, doctors have a better idea of what is taking place in the spine during surgery – including when a particular technique might cause harm if it is continued.

The AAN noted that in studies, patients who did not have their spinal cord responses monitored were more likely to suffer post-operative paralysis in part or all of their bodies if something went wrong during surgery. Patients who had monitoring were less likely to suffer paralysis, even if a similar problem had occurred during their own surgeries. By monitoring the spinal cord, doctors can fix problems at the first sign of trouble, before damage becomes irreparable and injury or paralysis results, say researchers.

Spinal cord injuries can cause serious harm. At the Law Offices of Wayne Grant, P.C., our Georgia spinal cord injury attorneys are well-versed in protecting the legal rights of those who have suffered a serious injury due to someone else’s negligence. If you’ve been injured, don’t wait: call us today at (404) 995-3955 for a free and confidential consultation over the phone.