Frequently Asked Questions

What would be considered a permanent injury?

A permanent injury would be one that would not get better despite reasonably available medical procedures. If your injuries could be healed or at least substantially improved with surgery, then they would not be considered “permanent.” Stated differently, an injured person has a duty to mitigate the extent of his injuries.

So if there are reasonably available medical procedures available that could make you better, but you refuse to avail yourself of them, you will likely not be allowed as much in damages.

Do I have a personal injury claim if I sustain a slip and fall accident injury at a private residence?

The answer may be yes depending on the facts and circumstances. You can have a viable slip and fall claim no matter where the accident happens. However, in order to have a viable slip and fall claim, you must have been injured by a dangerous condition on the property that the property owner either knew about or should have known about (had notice of) prior to the accident and the property owner failed to fix the dangerous condition or warn others about it so that they could avoid injury.



Typically, slip and fall cases happen in public either at stores, restaurants, or on sidewalks. However, a slip and fall case can happen, and you can have a valid personal injury action, on a private residence such as during a party, a get together, or simply visiting a neighbor.

How much is my truck accident case worth?

In order to get the full and fair compensation you deserve, you must be able to establish the full extent of your damages, including harder-to-prove non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering. It is not uncommon for victims to win millions of dollars in settlement awards and verdicts in trucking accident cases.

Can we file a claim against a grocery store for injuries sustained from a slip and fall accident?

Yes, grocery stores and other businesses must either fix or warn their customers of dangerous conditions on the property that the supermarket either knows about or should know about after a reasonable inspection. If the supermarket or store fails to do so, then they may be liable for personal injury damages if a customer is injured on their property.

Should I talk to the other party’s insurance company?

If you have not already done so, it is generally best not to discuss your case with anyone other than your attorney and your treating physicians. Statements that you make to others are not privileged and they may and will be used against you to reduce the value of your claim. Our firm will communicate with the insurance companies on your behalf. After all, that is one of the reasons you are hiring us.



On the other hand, if you have already spoken with the other party’s adjuster, be sure whatever you told the adjuster was 100% accurate, and also remember to tell us of that conversation so that we may try to obtain copies of any written or recorded statements given to the adjuster.

What can I expect in a mediation session with Bethaney Embry Jones?

As a mediator, I take an evaluative approach in handling a mediation. I utilize my vast legal experience and instincts to share views, opinions, and a clear evaluation of the case. There is a non-evaluative approach that some prefer, where a mediator will only facilitate communication and not express opinions or make recommendations. I believe that I can better serve our clients by providing recommendations on how to resolve an issue with the resolution that all parties can agree with.

If you’re considering a mediator for a divorce, child custody, child support, legal separation, or personal injury matter I would love to help you as the mediator.

Is it possible for my fiancé to adopt my child, since his biological father has not been involved in his life?

It is possible for your fiancé to adoption your child, but only when he becomes your husband. In Georgia a stepparent can adopt his or her stepchild with the consent of the spouse who is the biological parent. There are some additional considerations that must be taken into account when filing a petition for a stepparent adoption. If you are considering a stepparent adoption once you and your fiancé are married, please give us a call at The Embry Law Firm, LLC at 1-844-44EMBRY (1-844-443-6379).

Can I adopt my foster child?

In most circumstances a foster parent can adopt a foster child. Depending on the whether the care plan for the minor child is adoption and there is no reunification plan in place for the birth parents, a foster parent can file a petition for third party adoption. In some circumstances, the Department of Human Services will pay up to $1,500.00 of the attorney’s fees for the adoption for children who are in foster care.

How do I begin a stepparent adoption?

Adoptions can be very complicated matters. The statute must be strictly adhered to when filing a petition for adoption. The initial documents that one would need for a stepparent adoption is the child’s birth certificate and the marriage certificate. There are some additional considerations that must be taken into account when filing a petition for a stepparent adoption. If you are considering a stepparent adoption, please give us a call at The Embry Law Firm, LLC at 1-844-44EMBRY (1-844-443-6379).

What legal actions can I take against the city for personal injuries?

You would need to first send the City an anti-litem notice indicating that you have suffered an injury and the facts surrounding your injury. Thereafter, you would need to make sure that the city actually owns the property on which you sustained your injury. The city may have leased the property to an independent entity and may not have any liability for injuries sustained on the particular property.



Actions against the city and/or the local government are very complicated and complex cases that I would advise you seek assistance from an attorney.