The Van Matre Law FirmThe Van Matre Law Firm2026-08-30T21:24:04Zhttps://www.jvm-law.com/feed/atom/WordPress/wp-content/uploads/sites/1103021/2019/08/cropped-site-icon-1-32x32.jpgOn Behalf of The Van Matre Law Firm<![CDATA[New Georgia law addresses clergy sexual abuse]]>https://www.jvm-law.com/?p=510722026-08-30T21:24:04Z2026-08-30T21:24:04ZWhat does the law say?
The law broadens the definition of sexual abuse by members of the clergy to include “improper sexual contact…while in a pastoral counseling or spiritual authority relationship with the victim…by means of undue influence, coercion, harassment, duress, deception, false representation, false pretense, or intimidation….” It also eliminates consent by the alleged victim as a defense by those accused of sexual abuse under this law.
A “pastoral counseling or spiritual authority relationship” is defined under the law as one where the clergy member provides “spiritual guidance, pastoral care, religious instruction, confession, mentoring, or emotional or spiritual support in circumstances where a reasonable person would view the clergy member as exercising influence, trust, or authority over another person's spiritual, emotional, or personal well-being.”
Conviction can carry serious penalties
Violation of the law can bring various degrees of criminal charges. A first-degree offense “knowingly engages in sexually explicit conduct with the victim. This can carry a prison sentence of up to 25 years and a $100,000. A second-degree offense involves “sexual contact, excluding sexually explicit conduct.” The consequences increase with multiple convictions. It should be noted that there is a statute of limitations of 15 years for reporting any clergy sexual misconduct from the date it occurred.
The new law is intended to sharpen the boundaries around what kind of behavior is and is not legal in these sensitive and critical relationships between clergy and those who seek guidance from them. It applies to clergy members of all religions and denominations.
Of course, these relationships can be complicated and involve strong emotions and potentially mixed messages. Anyone who is facing a criminal charge under this law should get experienced legal guidance as early as possible to protect their rights and their future, given that the state is likely to try and mount an aggressive approach to prosecution.]]>On Behalf of The Van Matre Law Firm<![CDATA[When online stings cross the line: Georgia law and entrapment]]>https://www.jvm-law.com/?p=510692026-08-18T13:49:16Z2026-08-18T13:49:16ZWhat does the law say?
According to Georgia law, “A person is not guilty of a crime if, by entrapment, his conduct is induced or solicited by a government officer or employee, or agent of either, for the purpose of obtaining evidence to be used in prosecuting the person for commission of the crime.”
To claim “entrapment,” a defendant must show that “the idea and intention of the commission of the crime originated with a government officer or employee…and…the accused would not have committed [the act] except for the conduct of such officer.”
Opportunity vs. coercion
That generally means an undercover officer can present an opportunity to break the law, but they can’t coerce someone into doing it or threaten them if they don’t. They also need to be sure the person with whom they’re communicating knows what is involved and isn’t being tricked into doing something illegal.
The law does allow officers to use some deception. For example, the fact that an officer isn’t actually a minor is not a defense against agreeing to illegal activity if the defendant believed they were. Because entrapment can be a gray area, prosecutors will look at the full interaction if that defense is used.
Ultimately, unless a defendant pleads guilty, it’s up to a jury to determine whether they were entrapped into committing a sex crime or other offense. That’s just one reason why, before using this approach as a defense, it’s crucial to get experienced legal guidance.]]>On Behalf of The Van Matre Law Firm<![CDATA[Why insurance adjusters review your medical history after a crash]]>https://www.jvm-law.com/?p=510672026-08-14T13:38:50Z2026-08-14T13:38:50ZPre-existing conditions and the eggshell plaintiff rule
Georgia law protects injured victims through a rule known as the eggshell plaintiff doctrine. This rule states that a careless driver is responsible for the harm they cause, even if you had a prior injury.
If a crash makes an old health issue worse, the driver must still pay for that new harm. Insurance adjusters often ignore this rule during settlement talks. They may try to blame your pain on an old sports injury or back strain. Adjusters look for specific items in your past files:
Old physical therapy visits for the same body part
Scans that show normal joint wear from age
Doctor notes about past pain or injuries
Adjusters use these details to try to lower the value of your personal injury claim.
The danger of signing a broad medical release form
Insurance representatives frequently send crash victims blanket medical authorization forms soon after a wreck. Signing these forms allows the insurance company to collect decades of personal health information, including mental health records and unrelated treatments.
You are not legally required to sign a blanket authorization form from an opposing insurance carrier. Providing unrestricted access gives the adjuster direct access to private documents that they will attempt to use against you.
How to protect your compensation and health records
You can control which health records the insurance adjuster sees by restricting access to files relevant to the crash. Working with an attorney ensures that you fulfill legal disclosure duties without giving away your private medical history.]]>On Behalf of The Van Matre Law Firm<![CDATA[Compensating psychological trauma after a dog attack ]]>https://www.jvm-law.com/?p=510652026-08-10T20:18:46Z2026-08-10T20:18:46ZDog attacks often leave visible injuries such as puncture wounds, broken bones and scarring. These physical injuries are usually the first focus of medical treatment, but they are not always the only harm that a victim experiences. Many people – adults and children alike – also suffer significant psychological trauma that can linger long after their physical wounds have healed.A traumatic dog attack may trigger anxiety, depression or post-traumatic stress symptoms. Some victims experience recurring nightmares, panic attacks or intrusive memories of the incident. Others develop an overwhelming fear of dogs or avoid parks, neighborhoods and other places where they might encounter animals. Mental and emotional injuries can interfere with everyday life in meaningful ways. A person may struggle to sleep, return to work or participate in activities they once enjoyed. Parents may notice behavioral changes in a child, including increased clinginess, withdrawal, irritability or declining school performance. These challenges are real injuries that deserve appropriate attention and treatment.
Seeking practical and legal guidance after a dog attack
Seeking professional care is an important part of recovery. Psychologists, counselors and other mental health professionals can help victims process their trauma and develop healthy coping strategies. Keeping records of therapy appointments, diagnoses and treatment recommendations may also help document the full extent of the emotional harm suffered for legal and financial purposes.In many personal injury cases, compensation is not limited to medical bills for physical wounds. Depending on the facts of the case and applicable law, damages may also include compensation for pain and suffering, emotional distress and the psychological effects of an attack. When emotional injuries require ongoing treatment, future mental health care may also be considered when evaluating a claim.To that end, pursuing compensation for both physical and psychological injuries can help to ensure that victims receive the resources they need to move forward with healing and recovery as successfully as possible.]]>On Behalf of The Van Matre Law Firm<![CDATA[How poor truck maintenance leads to highway accidents]]>https://www.jvm-law.com/?p=510612026-07-29T18:23:06Z2026-07-29T18:23:06ZBrake system failures cause rear-end collisions
Truck brakes face extreme stress during long hauls. Worn brake pads, damaged fluid lines, and faulty air brake systems reduce stopping power. A fully loaded truck traveling at 65 mph may need more than 500 feet to stop, a distance greater than the length of a football field and a half.
According to the Large Truck Crash Causation Study, brake system issues were a factor in about 29% of crashes where a vehicle problem contributed to the collision. Drivers ahead of a truck with failing brakes face serious injury risk during sudden traffic slowdowns.
Tire defects create dangerous highway hazards
Trucking companies must check tires for tread depth, air pressure, and sidewall damage before each trip. Neglected tires overheat, separate, or blow out at high speeds. Debris from a blowout can strike nearby vehicles or cause drivers to swerve into other lanes.
Georgia law adopts federal motor carrier safety standards, which require commercial vehicles to undergo regular inspections and meet minimum safety requirements for brakes, tires, and other critical systems. Economic pressures and tight delivery schedules often push companies to delay maintenance, creating real dangers for everyone sharing the road.
Liability extends beyond the driver
Georgia applies a modified comparative negligence standard in trucking collision cases. Victims may recover damages if they are found to be less than 50% at fault. Trucking companies can be held accountable when evidence shows that failure to properly maintain a vehicle directly caused the accident and resulting injuries.
Proving that a mechanical failure resulted from neglect requires detailed investigation. Attorneys often work with mechanical experts to trace brake failures or tire defects back to skipped inspections or ignored repair orders. Maintenance logs, inspection reports, and repair invoices become key evidence in these cases.
Protecting rights after a truck crash
Companies that skip brake checks or tire replacements to save money or meet tight schedules can face liability when that neglect causes crashes. Speaking with an attorney can help clarify your options and preserve key evidence before it disappears.]]>On Behalf of The Van Matre Law Firm<![CDATA[Spinal cord injuries can lead to millions in lifetime costs]]>https://www.jvm-law.com/?p=510592026-07-17T13:09:46Z2026-07-17T13:09:46ZChristopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, a 50-year-old person who suffers high tetraplegia could be looking at lifetime costs greater than $2.5 million. If they are younger, such as 25 years old, those costs could be over $4.7 million.
Why is it so expensive?
The key is to take into account all of the potential damages related to one’s injury. This includes emergency treatment immediately after the injury occurs, time spent in the hospital and lost wages.
On the medical side, a person may need to work with a physical therapist, undergo future surgeries, take medication, pay for in-home care or even make renovations to their home so that they can continue to live there comfortably after their injury.
In terms of wages, a person could lose the ability to work in their chosen field entirely. They may have reduced earning potential or a reduced earning capacity, and they often deserve compensation for their lost future wages.
Seeking appropriate compensation
Because the total cost of a spinal cord injury can be so significant, it is absolutely critical that injury victims understand what legal options they have when holding the responsible party accountable for their harm. Seeking personalized legal guidance immediately is, therefore, generally very wise.]]>On Behalf of The Van Matre Law Firm<![CDATA[Proving that business negligence caused a slip-and-fall]]>https://www.jvm-law.com/?p=510562026-07-01T03:15:34Z2026-07-01T03:15:34ZWhen is a business negligent?
The legal standard for negligence relies on the judgment of reasonable adults. Plaintiffs seeking compensation in a personal injury lawsuit must show that other reasonable people would view the circumstances as unsafe.
Negligence can involve either failing to do what is necessary for safety or engaging in conduct that is clearly unsafe. In a slip-and-fall accident, negligence often relates to ignored slipping or tripping hazards. If there is a spill that workers do not address, maintenance that goes unperformed or a lack of employees on hand to keep a facility safe, another reasonable person could potentially recognize the risk.
Preserving evidence from the scene of the incident, reporting what happened to management and working with an attorney can all help people meet the legal requirements imposed when pursuing a negligence-based premises liability claim. For those with proof that business facilities were unsafe and caused unnecessary danger, it may be possible to hold a business accountable for lost wages and medical expenses generated by a slip-and-fall incident.]]>On Behalf of The Van Matre Law Firm<![CDATA[Can a nip from a little dog be serious?]]>https://www.jvm-law.com/?p=510492026-06-22T20:09:22Z2026-06-22T20:09:22ZWhen people think about serious dog bite injuries, they typically picture attacks by pit bulls and Rottweilers – not Chihuahuas, Yorkies and other small breeds. A nip by a Pomeranian may seem more annoying than dangerous – but looks can be deceiving.
Before you shrug off a bite from a small dog and go for a bandage instead of heading to urgent care, you need to consider the following:
Small bites can cause serious infections
A dog's mouth contains bacteria that can be introduced into the body through even a small puncture wound. Infections can develop quickly, particularly if the wound is deep or if treatment is delayed. Complications from a dog bite may include:
Cellulitis
Tetanus
Nerve damage
Tissue damage
Scarring
While rabies is not much of a concern these days in the United States, Capnocytophaga is. That can lead to kidney failure, heart attacks and gangrene. Tetanus is another worry. Sepsis, which is a life-threatening immune system response to infection, can also occur after a bite. Ultimately, any dog bite that breaks the skin – no matter how small – requires emergency treatment.In particular, people with immunological disorders or those on steroids and immunosuppressants, the elderly and small children need to be seen by doctors right away. They all tend to be vulnerable to runaway infections. A small dog really can cause big injuries. In addition to infection, there can be scarring, organ damage and severe emotional consequences for victims. If you’ve been bitten by a dog of any size, seeking experienced legal guidance protects your interests. ]]>On Behalf of The Van Matre Law Firm<![CDATA[4 things you should never post on social media after a Georgia car accident]]>https://www.jvm-law.com/?p=510462026-06-11T08:38:28Z2026-06-11T08:37:50ZAfter a car accident in Georgia, what you post online can be just as damaging as what you say in court. Insurance companies routinely monitor social media to find content they can use to minimize your payout.
Details of the crash
Avoid discussing how the collision happened or who you believe was at fault. Even a seemingly harmless comment can be used to argue you were partially responsible. Statements made online carry the same weight as deposition testimony in many cases.
Updates on your injuries
Never post about your pain levels, medical treatment or recovery progress. A phrase like "feeling better today" gives adjusters a reason to argue your injuries are not serious. Many injuries, including soft tissue damage, worsen days after the initial impact, so early posts can misrepresent your true condition.
Photos of your daily activities
Visual posts are especially risky. Insurance investigators look for images that contradict your injury claims. Watch out for these common examples:
Vacation or outing photos: A picture at a restaurant or event can suggest you are not impaired.
Gym or fitness selfies: Any image of physical activity may be used to challenge your limitations.
Check-ins and location tags: GPS metadata in posts can place you somewhere that conflicts with your account.
A single photo taken on a good day can undermine months of legitimate medical documentation.
Your claim or settlement
Do not share details about your conversations with insurers, your legal strategy or any potential settlement amounts. Under Georgia's Civil Practice Act, O.C.G.A.§ 9-11-26, the opposing side has broad rights to request information reasonably calculated to lead to admissible evidence. That scope can include your social media posts.Deleting posts after an accident also creates risk. Courts may treat removed content as spoliation of evidence, which can result in penalties against you.
Protect your claim before you post
Digital silence is one of the most effective ways to protect your case. An attorney can help you understand your options and guide you on what to avoid sharing while your claim is active. For guidance on your situation, you may speak with a personal injury attorney who handles Georgia car accident cases.]]>On Behalf of The Van Matre Law Firm<![CDATA[When vehicle issues cause a semi-truck crash]]>https://www.jvm-law.com/?p=510442026-06-02T12:47:02Z2026-06-02T12:47:02ZVehicle issues are a leading cause of crashes
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) assesses commercial crashes to understand the most common causes of these collisions. Decision-making errors, inadequate surveillance and non-performance caused by fatigue or medical emergencies are the most common causes of semi-truck collisions.
However, the FMCSA also identifies vehicle issues as a top cause of commercial wrecks. Approximately one in 10 semi-truck crashes occur due to issues with the commercial truck.
Those issues may relate to maintenance or defective components. Trucking companies, vehicle manufacturers and maintenance or service professionals could be liable for the crash in those cases.
Other times, the vehicle issue that caused the crash involves problems with the load inside the trailer. Imbalanced and unsecured loads can lead to drivers losing control and devastating, preventable collisions. The party that loaded the trailer might be liable in that situation.
Reviewing what caused a semi-truck collision with a skilled legal team is a key component of any successful post-crash compensation claim. The professional insight of a personal injury attorney can help the people affected by semi-truck collisions evaluate crash reports and identify liable parties, in addition to providing help with securing rightful compensation.]]>