Law Offices of David C. Bowers, Jr., L.L.C.

What are your options if you are injured on the job and you are told that you have been released to return to work with restrictions? First, you need to make sure that the Authorized Treating Physician has actually placed restrictions on your ability to work. Next, you need to inform your employer of the restrictions to see if they can provide you with work that would meet the restrictions. Third, if you are in fact offered a "light duty" job, you MUST try it or it may make it difficult to obtain workers' compensation benefits in the future. If you have questions about a work related injury or need help with your workers' compensation claim, do not hesitate to give me a call at 478-254-7766.

I love my dogs as much as the next pet owner. However, I do realize that owning a dog comes with certain responsibilities. Not only do they require constant care and attention, but they are also accompanied by heightened liability. Can you recover if you are bitten by a dog? Typically, in order to recover you would have to prove that the attacking dog has a "vicious propensity" and that the propensity was known by the owner. The propensity would put the owner on notice pf the possibility of the dog attacking someone. However, you do not need to prove the "vicious propensity" if the dog is not restrained in violation of a local leash law. If you or someone you love has been attacked by a dog, please do not hesitate to give me a call at 478-254-7766.

What happens if you are in a wreck and you don't immediately feel any injuries? It is normal for injuries to take a day or two to show up after a traumatic experience like a car wreck. Due to the chemicals in your body, like adrenaline and endorphins, that block pain signals, you may have a period of time of normal functioning. However, when the chemicals wear off, the pain and problems begin. To protect yourself, you should always go see a doctor after a collision. Yo...ur doctor may be able to tell you about injuries you are not able to detect or advise of potential injuries that may develop over time. This also helps to establish your claim as it starts a paper trail of treatment and problems. If you are in a similar situation and would like to discuss it further, please do not hesitate to give me a call at 478-254-7766. I look forward to speaking with you. I

When you are injured in a car wreck due to someone else's fault, generally the at fault driver's insurance company will pay for your injuries. When doing so the insurance company will require that you sign a release. A release is essentially a contract where you agree to give up certain legal rights in exchange for the money you will receive. In Georgia there are two types of releases; a general release and a limited liability release. With a general release the injured ...person is giving up the ability to sue the at fault driver in exchange for the money given by the insurance company. This type of release is commonly signed when the injured person feels that they have recovered from their injuries and that the offered amount of money is sufficient to compensate them for their injuries and medical expenses. However, these types of releases are dangerous as they prohibit you from going after other sources of insurance that may be available to help compensate you for your injuries. For example, you would be giving up your right to seek additional funds from different insurance policies or from underinsured/uninsured motorist coverage. In those types of situations you would be best served to sign a limited liability release as it gives you the opportunity to seek additional insurance to cover your damages. This type of release allows the injured party to settle with the at fault driver's insurance company and still maintain a claim against their own uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage to seek additional compensation. Please remember that these types of releases may have significant impact upon your ability to receive full and fair compensation for your injuries. If you have questions about the value of your claim or what type of release to sign, please do not hesitate to give me a call at 478-254-7766

Some brief insight as to the process Social Security uses to analyze a claim for Disability Benefits. Social Security uses a 5 Step Process to determine whether or not you are disabled. At Step One - The SSA determines whether you are engaging in substantial gainful activity. This is defined as work activity that is substantial and gainful. Meaning involving physical/mental activity performed for pay or profit. If you are engaged in substantial gainful activity you are ...mot disabled regardless of the severity of your conditions and your evaluation stops. If you are not engaging in substantial gainful activity then you proceed to the next step. Step 2 - SSA determines if you have a medical impairment that is severe or a combination of impairments that is severe. Severity is defined as significantly limiting ability to perform basic work activities. If you meet this criteria you then proceed to the next step. Step 3- SSA determines whether your impairment/combination of impairments meets a listing requirement. The Listings establish a criteria for each type of impairment to meet the definition of disabled. If you meet a listing then you are determined to be disabled and would be entitled to benefits. If you do not meet a listing then you move to Step 4. Step 4 - SSA must determine whether you have the Residual Functional Capacity to perform you past work for the last 15 years. If you maintain the functional ability to perform any of your past work then you are not disabled. If you cannot perform your past work then you move to the last step. Step 5- SSA determines whether at your age, education level and work experience if you are able to make adjustments and perform any other work that exists in the national economy. If they determine you can do work then you are not disabled. If you cannot then you are disabled. Although 5 Steps can seem pretty simple, it can become very difficult to prove your case. Therefore, if you are interested in applying for Social Security Benefits I would appreciate if you would give me a call at 478-254-7766

Are you supposed to recover money damages just because you were injured? The simple answer is maybe. The major issue in all injury cases is whether or not someone was legally responsible for the accident/injury. It is a general principle that all people must at all times take "reasonable care" to keep from injuring others. However, this "duty of care" varies depending upon the time, place and circumstances. Some other issues that may need to be addressed in an injury case... are as follows: 1. Establishing that you were acting carefully while the other person was not. 2. If the person causing the injury was working for their employer at the time of the incident. 3. Is a third party, someone not directly involved in the incident responsible for the condition which led to injury. All of these issues can become complex and often need an attorney to investigate and evaluate. If you have been injured, whether in a car collision, at work or in a slip and fall, please give me a call at 478-254-7766 and I will be glad to discuss the situation with you.

Should you carry Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Insurance Coverage? I strongly advise that you do so. Some drivers do not follow Georgia law by carrying mandatory liability insurance and, if they do, they may not have enough insurance to cover the full value of your claim. Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage ("UM") is protection for when another driver causes a collision but does not have insurance or does not have enough insurance. Although it may cost a little more, it is usually worth it for those instances when it is needed most. If you have any questions about whether or not UM coverage would apply to your case please give me a call at 478-254-7766'

A quick reminder that we are still open and ready to represent those in Middle Georgia who need help with Personal Injury, Workers' Compensation and Social Security Claims. Please give me a call at 478-254-7766 to discuss your claim.

We are here, ready , willing and able to help you with your legal needs regarding Personal Injury, Workers' Compensation and Social Security cases. Please give us a call at 478-254-7766 if I can be of any assistance.

During these uncertain times with the health and well being of our country it is always a good idea to find some areas of certainty in your life. One way to ob...tain this assurance is by making sure you are prepared for the worst while hoping for the best. I recommend that everyone consider having a Will, Power of Attorney as well as a Healthcare Directive prepared so that those issues are addressed before they become a necessity. If you are interested in creating these documents, and some peace of mind, please give me a call at 478-254-7766. See more

Call me for your legal needs in Middle Georgia. 478-254-7766.

In an ideal world, you plan to work until you can retire and then spend your golden years traveling and spoiling your grandchildren. What happens when a medical condition arises that prevents you from being able to work? Social Security can be a much needed lifeline for you and your family. Typically, most workers contribute to the Social Security system through the payment of payroll taxes. These taxes give you credit for quarters which are then used to help determine yo...ur eligibility for Social Security benefits. In addition to having sufficient quarters, the applicant must also prove a medical disability that prevents them from being able to work. It can be difficult for anyone to provide the necessary information to Social Security when filing your application. Therefore, I strongly suggest that you contact an attorney to discuss your claim and obtain assistance prior to filing your application. When times are tough, you are unable to work, your bills are piling up and you don't know where to turn, wouldn't it be wise to seek the assistance of someone who can guide you through the difficult process of obtaining Social Security benefits. Please contact me at 478-254-7766 if you have any questions or would like assistance filing for Social Security benefits.

Can You Receive Workers' Compensation Benefits If The Accident Was Your Fault? Under Georgia Law the workers' compensation system is typically considered a "no-...fault" system." For the most part, if you were injured while doing something in the furtherance of your employer's business, then you are eligible for workers' compensation benefits. As with every rule there are exceptions. One such exception is sustaining an injury while partaking in horseplay. Whether or not an activity is considered horseplay is often fact sensitive, meaning it depends on the circumstances and past history of conduct. Therefore, if you are injured in an work accident that is your fault and your employer is attempting to deny the claim on the grounds you were participating in horseplay you should give me a call at 478-254-7766.