Atlanta Georgia Legal Blog

High threat of danger faced by construction workers in trenches

On behalf of Andrew Miller of The Law Offices of T. Andrew Miller, LLC on Tuesday, June 18, 2019.

Safety authorities say trenches pose some of the most significant hazards on construction sites nationwide, including Georgia. That is why they have a National Trench Safety Stand Down in June of every year. With a myriad of construction projects scheduled for the summer months, more workers will need reminding that a collapsing trench wall could cause death in the blink of an eye.

Can you imagine bearing the weight of a small pickup truck or a car? That is the weight of the soil that could bury you if you are in a trench when a wall caves in. You might not realize it, but it can suffocate you within minutes, and there is little chance of survival.

How Georgia's motorcycle helmet laws affect riders

On behalf of Andrew Miller of The Law Offices of T. Andrew Miller, LLC posted in motor vehicle accidents on Monday, June 17, 2019.

With the official start of summer fast approaching, many people are taking advantage of the many beautiful motorcycle routes Georgia has to offer. However, with the freedom that comes with a motorcycle ride comes the risk of serious injury in an accident.

Number of pedestrians killed in traffic accidents on the rise

On behalf of Andrew Miller of The Law Offices of T. Andrew Miller, LLC posted in personal injury on Wednesday, June 5, 2019.

In the first half of 2018, more than 130 pedestrians were killed in accidents on Georgia streets. The rise in pedestrian deaths in Georgia follows growth in such accidents across the country. According to the Governors Highway Safety Association, pedestrian fatalities increased by 35% between 2008 and 2017.

Researchers say it is unclear why Georgia is seeing a spike in pedestrian deaths, but that several factors are contributing to these accidents across the country:

What happens if your Uber or Lyft crashes?

On behalf of Andrew Miller of The Law Offices of T. Andrew Miller, LLC posted in motor vehicle accidents on Tuesday, May 21, 2019.

It's late. You made the responsible decision not to drive yourself to and from drinks with friends. You open an app on your phone and hail a ride home. Everything seems normal until another vehicle collides with the car you're riding in.

Millions of people use rideshare apps every day to get to work as well as home from the bar. However, what happens if you are involved in a crash during the ride?

You can insist on LOTO to prevent serious injury

On behalf of Andrew Miller of The Law Offices of T. Andrew Miller, LLC on Monday, May 20, 2019.

If your workplace duties have you working near the moving parts of machinery, you must insist on receiving the necessary safety training to prevent losing your life or a body part. Too many workers in the Atlanta metro area and across Georgia suffer catastrophic injuries because their employers fail to comply with lockout/tagout safety standards. Typical injuries include amputations, electrocutions and other serious injuries that could be fatal.

You will be at risk even if you do not operate the machine but are involved in its maintenance, repairs, cleaning, adjusting and servicing. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration mandates the installation of lockout/tagout devices to manage hazardous energy. These devices can also prevent others from reactivating equipment during maintenance or other procedures that expose you to moving or rotating parts.

What's the most common cause of construction injuries and death?

On behalf of Andrew Miller of The Law Offices of T. Andrew Miller, LLC on Wednesday, May 8, 2019.

Working in the construction industry can be rewarding, but it can also be incredibly dangerous. Even if your employer provided you with safety training, you could still be at risk for injury or even death. Falls account for a significant number of construction injuries, and the problem is not getting any better.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) began tracking worker deaths from falls about 30 years ago. In 2017, the BLS reported that falls caused 887 worker deaths. That is the highest number of fall-related deaths since tracking began.

How to protect workers from heat illness this summer

On behalf of Andrew Miller of The Law Offices of T. Andrew Miller, LLC posted in workers' compensation on Tuesday, May 7, 2019.

As we head towards summer and temperatures begin to rise, those who work outside are at risk of serious heat-related illnesses.

Just last year, OSHA fined a Georgia farm labor contracting company nearly $13,000 following the death of an employee due to heat illness. The employee was reportedly picking tomatoes in temperatures of up to 97.5 degrees, in direct sunlight, when he began to show signs of overexertion and passed out before being taken to the hospital.

New study finds pickup manufacturers should up their safety game

On behalf of Andrew Miller of The Law Offices of T. Andrew Miller, LLC posted in motor vehicle accidents on Tuesday, April 23, 2019.

Pickups provide much-needed hauling power for many people. Whether you're traveling with the family or pulling a boat down the highway, trucks have remained a common choice across the country. But, how do they stack up when it comes to safety?

According to a new study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, many pickup trucks currently on the market fall short when it comes to protecting passengers in certain types of crashes.

3 reasons why Atlanta cyclists, pedestrians are in so much danger

On behalf of Andrew Miller of The Law Offices of T. Andrew Miller, LLC posted in personal injury on Tuesday, April 9, 2019.

There is plenty of traffic congestion in and around Atlanta. Avoiding this and other drawbacks of driving by taking public transportation, walking or biking around the city can save people time and money. And these options are more environmentally friendly.

That all said, people choosing these alternative forms of transportation face some serious risks to their safety. Unfortunately, the number of accidents between cars and pedestrians or bicyclists has increased dramatically in recent years. Between 2006 and 2015, there was a 53 percent increase in these accidents. Below are some reasons why this is happening and what we can do to keep everyone safer.

Car accidents, minor or major, can have devastating consequences

On behalf of Andrew Miller of The Law Offices of T. Andrew Miller, LLC on Tuesday, March 26, 2019.

Victims of car accidents in Georgia will know that even non-fatal crashes can be traumatic for victims and their loved ones.

Never decline a trip to the hospital for a medical evaluation after a collision, even if you have no broken bones or bleeding wounds. Many injuries have hidden symptoms that become apparent days, weeks or even months later.