Skip to Content

Morgan McGee and Brooke Ray Co-Author Article on UM Coverage for the GDLA Magazine

Posted on Oct 11, 2023 in Articles

A link to the article can be found by clicking: GDLA article

Significant Tenets in the Defense of Negligent Security Claims

Posted on Oct 02, 2020 in Articles

Important Tenets in Defense of Negligent Security Claims – UPDATED

If you want to know why the business of medical coding should not be ignored when defending against personal injury claims, you should read this article by our own Alexandra Svoboda.

Posted on Sep 22, 2020 in Articles

This article touches on the issues of billing practices of medical providers and discusses the reasons for hiring a medical billing expert. Billing Issues

KEEPING THEM HONEST: MEDICAL FUNDING COMPANIES, POTENTIAL FOR UNNECESSARY TREATMENT AND INFLATED BILLS, AND HIDING BEHIND THE COLLATERAL SOURCE RULE

Posted on Jun 18, 2020 in Articles

A medical funding company (“MFC”) is an entity which pays for the medical treatment of injured plaintiffs. They are typically paid back when those plaintiffs settle or obtain a verdict in their favor. MFCs make their money by contracting with doctors in advance of the treatment provided to pay less than the amount the doctors charged the plaintiffs. For example, an MFC will agree to send patients to a surgery center and pay the surgery center less than 20% of the surgery center’s charged amount. The surgery center then releases any further claims it has for payments, although the patient is bound to pay the MFC the full “charged” amount. While MFCs take the position that they serve a legitimate and helpful purpose, an incentive exists to steer plaintiffs towards doctors who will provide unnecessary treatment at inflated prices with the intention of maximizing the MFC’s profit. The result is increased costs passed along to consumers in the form of higher insurance premiums, doctor’s bills, and legal fees. At present, there are no regulations or laws specifically relating to MFCs. Furthermore, MFCs have taken the position that the Georgia collateral source rule provides a blanket opportunity to hide the details of the involvement of MFCs in litigation. However, the collateral source rule does not necessarily shield evidence of MFC involvement from discovery. One does not have to think too hard to see why the relationship between doctors and an MFCs are ripe for abuse. MFCs’ profits depend on the amount […]

YOUR BUSINESS INTERRUPTION POLICY DOES NOT COVER LOSSES ASSOCIATED WITH COVID-19? THINK TWICE ABOUT SUING YOUR INSURANCE AGENT

Posted on Apr 16, 2020 in Articles

By: Jonathan Adelman Most businesses are experiencing financial losses due to Covid-19 and shelter in place orders.  Those with business interruption insurance are likely disappointed to have learned that “civil authority” clauses, which cover losses due to a government order, typically require corelating property damage or the threat of the same.  Furthermore, business interruption polices routinely do not cover losses resulting from disease and/or pandemic.  So, where does that leave you?  Some companies might initially want to blame their insurance agents for not procuring an insurance policy which covers losses associated with what many businesses are now experiencing.  However, in Georgia, prevailing on such a claim is an uphill battle.  The Georgia Court of Appeals very recently clarified longstanding law and held the following:  “In general, an insured has an obligation to read and examine an insurance policy to determine whether the coverage desired has been furnished . . . [,and] the policyholder[‘s] failure to examine the policy bars coverage against the insurer or its agent for failure to provide coverage.”  Martin v. Chasteen, A19A1980, 2020 WL 1239488 (2020).  There are, of course, exceptions to this rule.  “[W]hen the agent has held himself out as an expert and the insured has reasonably relied on that agent’s expertise to identify and procure the correct amount or type of insurance,” a claim could exist.  However, that exception is inapplicable if a review of the policy would have made it “readily apparent” that coverage did not exist.  Traina Enterprises v. Cord & Wilburn, […]

Despite Testimony of Treating Physician, Cobb County Jury Returns Double Defense Verdict

Posted on Mar 11, 2020 in Articles

On March 8 and March 9, 2020, Taylor Barnett successfully defended a case involving an admitted liability, rear-end accident.  Both plaintiffs were transported from the scene via ambulance.  Plaintiffs introduced the testimony of their treating chiropractor and orthopedist, both of whom related their alleged injuries to the accident.  Both plaintiffs’ MRIs showed multiple bulging discs.  Ultimately, plaintiffs presented evidence of approximately $49,000 in medical bills and $6,700 in lost wages, combined.  In closing, they asked the jury for an award of $80,000.  After a short deliberation, the jury returned a defense verdict as to both plaintiffs.

Claims Resulting from Autonomous or Semi-Autonomous Vehicle Failures Require Specialized Knowledge and a Different Approach.

Posted on May 07, 2018 in Articles

WACHP Press Release – KDS 4.2018 (Edited Version 2)

Click the Link to Read the Daily Report Article about Dan Prout and Travis Meyers’ Defense Verdict

Posted on Apr 09, 2018 in Articles

DCP Cobb County Win – Daily Report Article

Great CLM Article on Funding Companies

Posted on Jan 31, 2018 in Articles

The Funding Company Predicament 

Medical Funding Companies: A New Problem for an Old Rule

Posted on Jun 10, 2016 in Articles

WACHP is pleased to post a new article written by Rachel Reed, Clay Knowles, and David Glustrom that was recently published in the GDLA newsletter. Medical Funding Companies: A New Problem for an Old Rule