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Questions Answered by Michael W. Horst
1 Answer | Asked in Civil Litigation and Personal Injury for Georgia on
Q: Under what circumstance can I hold a businesses responsibility for emotional distress with no injury

Witness to shootout between patron n police clerk failed to tell 911 there was a gun until after the patron was killed by police in front of me

Michael W. Horst
Michael W. Horst
answered on Nov 11, 2024

Under Georgia law, there can be no recovery for emotional distress unless you also suffered a physical injury. Georgia has what is known as the Impact Rule. This Rule provides that in order for a person to recover for emotional distress, there must be (1) a physical impact to the victim, (2) the... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Car Accidents and Personal Injury for Georgia on
Q: No fault accident, if I only receive enough to pay off car, can I sue to get additional to purchase another vehicle?
Michael W. Horst
Michael W. Horst
answered on Sep 25, 2024

Following an accident in which a vehicle is totaled, the owner of the totaled vehicle is entitled to the fair market value (FMV) of the vehicle at the time of the crash. In other words, if your vehicle had a FMV of $5,000 at the time of the crash, $5,000 is all you can recover no matter the amount... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Civil Litigation for Georgia on
Q: How and what is the process of subpoenaing a private company?
Michael W. Horst
Michael W. Horst
answered on Sep 9, 2024

There are two kinds of subpoenas: (1) a witness subpoena and (2) a subpoena for the production of evidence. Since your question pertains to a private company, I assume you intend to subpoena documents (i.e., evidence). In any case, the subpoena statutes may be found from OCGA 24-13-20 to OCGA... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Personal Injury and Car Accidents for Georgia on
Q: What dose ocga 33-24-41.1
Michael W. Horst
Michael W. Horst
answered on Sep 5, 2024

This statute (O.C.G. A. § 33-24-41.1) addressed instances when there are two insurance policies which apply to the same claim. It allows for a claimant (i.e., the injured person who is asserting the claim) to recover the policy limits from the primary policy and then pursue a second policy. The... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Personal Injury, Contracts and Car Accidents for Georgia on
Q: Are indemnification clauses common in personal injury settlement agreements?

Indemnification, it says if the insurance company or their driver gets sued by anyone related to my injuries , such as medical provider or any other person or entity then I have to defend and reimburse the insurance company or driver for any further action or costs , including any attorneys fees .... View More

Michael W. Horst
Michael W. Horst
answered on Sep 5, 2024

Indemnification clauses (also known as hold harmless agreements) are standard in every release signed by a personal injury claimant. In fact, it would be shocking if the insurance company failed to include such a clause in the release.

In terms of of the court action, I assume you are...
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1 Answer | Asked in Personal Injury and Small Claims for Georgia on
Q: If defendant has 2 addresses in 2 states can you sue in both states and let the courts decide jurisdiction?

In an auto accident personal injury case, can the injured party sue the defendant in small claims court in the counties of 2 different states and attempt to have them served in both states counties if the defendant has addresses in both states and you are unsure which address they live at or is... View More

Michael W. Horst
Michael W. Horst
answered on Jun 24, 2024

There are two separate issues which you have combined in your question: Personal jurisdiction and service. Personal jurisdiction refers to a court's authority to adjudicate the rights and liability of the defendant. In an auto wreck case, a court has personal jurisdiction if the wreck... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Car Accidents and Personal Injury for Georgia on
Q: Personal injury claim settlement question. On the injury portion of my claim, insurer doesn't want to pay me one amount.

The at fault drivers insurance company , State Farm says they can't pay me one lump sum to settle my injury claim. They want to pay me an amount for pain and suffering and they want to pay my medical bills directly instead of paying me and letting me pay my medical bills out of the settlement... View More

Michael W. Horst
Michael W. Horst
answered on Jun 15, 2024

If there is no lien, I have never heard of an insurance company insisting on paying the medical bills and the pain and suffering separately. In fact, one would think the insurance company would not want deal with the hassle of paying individual medical care providers. Simply issuing one check to... View More

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3 Answers | Asked in Car Accidents and Personal Injury for Georgia on
Q: Insurance company state farm, is telling me I have to give them my social security number to settle my injury claim?

I have an injury claim with state farm, the at fault drivers insurance company and they are telling me that before they will settle my claim and pay me, that I have to give them my full social security number. Is this true and is this required by law if I'm not comfortable providing this... View More

Michael W. Horst
Michael W. Horst
answered on Jun 15, 2024

Yes, providing your social security number is typical. The reason that insurance companies ask for your social security number is they want to confirm whether Medicare/CMS paid any of your medical bills. If the answer is yes, Medicare/CMS has a lien which, if left unpaid, can result in the... View More

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3 Answers | Asked in Personal Injury and Car Accidents for Georgia on
Q: How does general damages apply my case? When it says : it may be recovered for any amount with or without proof

I was involved in a collision caused by a construction company’s trainer and supervisor , who fled the scene without exchanging proper contact information.

I sustained severe injuries, including lumbar stenosis and cauda equina syndrome, resulting in chronic pain, mobility issues, and... View More

Michael W. Horst
Michael W. Horst
answered on May 31, 2024

Definitionally speaking, general damages are those which the law presumes to flow from any tortious (i.e., wrongful) act. There is no formula in calculating them. Ultimately, general damages (frequently referred to pain and suffering) are determined by the enlightened consciousness of fair and... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Personal Injury and Medical Malpractice for Georgia on
Q: Can I sue my dentist? We’re not properly putting my crown on and fitting it correctly and causing affections and fungal

I had a crown put on and within the first couple months I complained of pain and the dentist said that it was going to be sensitive because of the crown, but in my case, it wasn’t sensitive it was pain and she only gave me a prescription for toothpaste and several more times And to the point of... View More

Michael W. Horst
Michael W. Horst
answered on Apr 26, 2024

In order to pursue a dental malpractice claim, you (or your attorney) would need to establish that the treatment provided by the dentist fell below the acceptable standard of care and caused you personal injuries. In order to make out such a claim, you (or your attorney) would have to obtain an... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Civil Litigation for Georgia on
Q: If magistrate court handles small claims of $15,000 or less then what court handles $20,000 or more?

This would be Cherokee County GA

Michael W. Horst
Michael W. Horst
answered on Apr 4, 2024

Case of all dollar sizes may be filed in state court or superior court. Those courts have jurisdiction no matter the amount of money in dispute. It is purely up to the party filing the suit (known as the plaintiff) to decide which court is best for him/her. For magistrate court, its jurisdiction... View More

3 Answers | Asked in Personal Injury, Car Accidents and Civil Litigation for Georgia on
Q: Iwas hit head on by a dui driver. I'm having Trouble findingattorney that willget anything but their insurance cov. Wtd

I was hit hit on by the UI driver.I'm having trouble finding you attorney that will ask for anything.But their insurance coverage is what should I do

Michael W. Horst
Michael W. Horst
answered on Mar 28, 2024

In order to recover more than the available insurance coverage, a lawsuit will need to be filed against the DUI driver. Lawsuits are expensive and take time to make their way through the courts. Ultimately, the litigation will end with a trial wherein you may recover more than the available... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Personal Injury for Georgia on
Q: Do parents have right to bring tort action where adult child had tort injuries but did not resolve lawsuit? Injur

There is no spouse or children. Only parents are living. Can parents file / settle personal injury claim of their deceased adult child ? Injuries are unrelated to death.

Michael W. Horst
Michael W. Horst
answered on Jan 26, 2024

If the adult child's injuries are unrelated to the adult child's death, Georgia's Wrongful Death Act would not apply. If that statute does not apply, then the only means by which the parent could pursue the deceased adult child's personal injury claim would be to file an action... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Personal Injury and Workers' Compensation for Georgia on
Q: im a 1099 employee i fell at work hurt my knee and my back how do get payed for this
Michael W. Horst
Michael W. Horst
answered on Jan 21, 2024

The key to answering this question is to identify whether you are a 1099 independent contractor or a W-2 employee. Georgia law looks at a number of factors in making this decision, too many to go into here. Ultimately, the law is attempting to ascertain whether whether the principal has the right... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Car Accidents and Civil Litigation for Georgia on
Q: Am I required to provide defendant with copies of my evidence if they defaulted?

I have an upcoming default hearing in the Fulton County Magistrate Court this September, the hearing will be done via zoom and I want to submit my evidence electronically to the Court. The Defendant failed to answer the complaint or move to open default nearly 4 months after being served leading me... View More

Michael W. Horst
Michael W. Horst
answered on Sep 9, 2024

At the default hearing you will tender your evidence to the Court. If the defendant appears at the hearing, he will be able to review the evidence at the same time you tender it to the Court. However, under no circumstances do you have to provide your evidence to the defendant prior to the... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Civil Litigation for Georgia on
Q: If I live here in GA, but my issue resides in FL, what state do I need to talk to a lawyer for my issue?
Michael W. Horst
Michael W. Horst
answered on Sep 7, 2024

Without more information as to the type of legal issue you are having, it is very difficult to answer your question. However, generally speaking, the state where the legal issue arises is going to be the state where the issue should be resolved. Accordingly, I suggest you contact a lawyer in... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Personal Injury for Georgia on
Q: Me and my daughter were walking out of food lion when a buggy boy kept pushing the buggy’s and hit my daughter

He had more buggy’s than what the straps could hold he saw us walking out and kept going, when I told him he bit my daughter he said huh and walked off

Michael W. Horst
Michael W. Horst
answered on Sep 5, 2024

From your question it sounds like the Food Lion employee was negligent. Assuming your daughter was injured, Food Lion would be responsible for your daughter's medical bills and pain and suffering. I suggest retaining a personal injury attorney to pursue your daughter's claim.

1 Answer | Asked in Personal Injury and Civil Litigation for Georgia on
Q: can i find out if a lawsuit was fillied in my behafe in georgia,in fedral court.somewhere around 7 years ago or earlyer.

my name is daniel henderson,my sister may be on it her name is shelley olson or my mother donna elmore

Michael W. Horst
Michael W. Horst
answered on Mar 26, 2024

Yes. All federal court cases may be found on-line through a system known as Pacer. Here is the link:

https://pacer.login.uscourts.gov/csologin/login.jsf?court_id=00idx

You will likely be required to create a log in and password.

1 Answer | Asked in Arbitration / Mediation Law, Civil Litigation and Tax Law for Georgia on
Q: Is there a U S Code similar to O.C.G.A. 24-4-23 (2010) 24-4-23. Presumption from failure to answer business letter?

I don't write letters often to Federal Agencies, however, wen I do, they almost always go unanswered for several months, or several years or in most cases - never. Just trying to get a feel for a viable defense if they come back one day down the road. Thanks.

Michael W. Horst
Michael W. Horst
answered on Nov 1, 2023

No. The Federal Rules of Evidence do not have a statute similar to O.C.G.A. 24-4-23. The closest would be FRE 301 but that would not likely help you in your specific circumstances.

1 Answer | Asked in Civil Litigation for Georgia on
Q: What happens if I don’t contact the Sheriff after leaving notice on my door.

There has been a civil case filed against me in which I am the Defendant being sued. The Sheriff made an attempt to serve me but I wasn’t home so they left a notice. What happens if I ignore the notice would they try again or would they say I avoided service or both?

Michael W. Horst
Michael W. Horst
answered on Oct 11, 2023

If you ignore the notice, you are making the sheriff's job more difficult but you are only delaying, not permanently avoiding, service. The sheriff will be back again to serve you and it is likely only a matter of time until he catches you at home.

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