The Best Auto Accident, Personal Injury & Workers' Compensation Attorneys in Georgia

The People Of Morrison & Hughes

We treat you like one of our own

At Morrison & Hughes, we take our work very seriously because we know that the lives and livelihoods of our clients are on the line. We've learned that the best way to take care of our clients is to place relationships first and foremost, treating our clients like family and fighting hard for them.

OUR ATTORNEYS

LEON HILLIARD HUGHES

PAUL L. JENKINS

Robert Burke

Andrew Smith

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Tristan Morrison is a founding partner of Morrison & Hughes. Mr. Morrison has more than a decade of experience handling workers’ compensation and other injury claims. He is a proud UGA Law graduate, is rated AV Preeminent, and has won numerous victories for his clients at trial. He is an active member of the Atlanta Bar and the Workers’ Compensation Section.

Mr. Morrison knows the insurance industry from the inside-out. He previously worked at two of the best defense firms in Fulton and Cobb counties. He has an intimate knowledge of the law and handles the most serious accidents, including catastrophic injuries, traumatic brain injuries, amputations, and on-the-job car accidents.

Mr. Morrison is also a fundraiser for multiple charities. He lives in Powder Springs with his wife, children, and Great Pyrenees dog.

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Hil Hughes attended Emory University as an undergraduate, majoring in Chemistry, Philosophy, and Asian Studies. This focus on the study of Asia includes participation in Stanford University’s Japanese program in Kyoto. Hil holds an MBA from both Georgia State and the Sorbonne in Paris. He also earned his law degree from the University of Georgia.

Hil has practiced in front of Georgia courts, the Court of Appeals, and the Georgia Supreme Court. He has also zealously advocated for the rights of injured workers in front of the Georgia State Board of Workers Compensation and on appeal. He also represents claimants for Social Security Disability and has won benefits for those claimants at Social Security hearings.

He has extensive consulting experience ranging from small startup businesses to consulting with Fortune 500 companies on matters including business formation, intellectual property concerns, marketing strategy, and infrastructure. Although he has worked with large, successful corporations, he prefers smaller startup companies and the challenges of helping entrepreneurs grow a new business and maximize their profitability.

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A Bostonian by birth, and an Atlantan by choice, Mr. Jenkins is a respected presence before Administrative Law Judges throughout the country. Since he began practicing law in 2005, he has successfully tried more than a thousand hearing-level disability claims before the Social Security Administration in the 48 contiguous United States and Hawaii.

Paul has lectured on Social Security Disability law before diverse professional audiences, including the International Claim Association, Munich Reinsurance Corporation, the National Organization of Social Security Representatives, the Disability Employer Coalition, and the National Parkinson Foundation. He has also authored copyrighted multi-media tools distributed across the country to educate Claimants about the inner workings of the Social Security Disability process.

Bringing a wealth of medical and administrative law expertise, Mr. Jenkins joined Morrison & Hughes as a Partner in May 2018. He devotes his practice to Workers’ Compensation litigation and Social Security Disability, aggressively defending the rights of injured workers and the disabled in state and federal proceedings throughout the state of Georgia. Admitted to the Bars of MA. GA, and U.S. District Court of Northern Georgia, Mr. Jenkins earned his J.D. cum laude from New England Law|Boston, and was designated a “New England Scholar” for distinguished academic performance.

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Robert “Bo” Burke is a Georgia native born and raised in the Atlanta area. After graduating from Berry College in Rome Georgia, he started his career as a file clerk at a large defense firm in Atlanta. He worked his way up to a paralegal before deciding to go to law school. He attended the Charleston School of Law in South Carolina, and he graduated in 2011 with honors.

After passing the Georgia Bar exam, Bo began his career at a specialized litigation firm here in Atlanta. At this firm, he represented international corporations in litigation involving people the corporations injured. He litigated cases in more than twenty-four states and became well versed in the ways companies and insurance companies abuse the law to protect their assets. His practice focused on trucking, car crashes, premises liability cases (slip and falls), dram shop (drunk drivers), construction defects and even some business disputes.

Nearly a decade later, Bo realized that he could no longer use his skills to protect large companies and decided to begin representing injured people. For the last five years, he has been representing people injured in car crashes, falls, shootings, wrongful deaths and more. He has recovered millions of dollars for his clients, by using the insurance companies’ tricks and strategies against them.

Bo now lives in Decatur with his wife of almost 15 years and their plethora of pets. He enjoys reading, Atlanta United games and spending time at home.

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Andrew Smith graduated from Georgia State University College of Law, where he focused on administrative law and received the highest distinction for his pro bono work. As a member of the Atlanta Bar, Drew is dedicated to advocating for the rights of injured individuals in the greater Atlanta metropolitan area. With extensive experience in personal injury law, Drew manages both personal injury and workers’ compensation cases for his firm.

Residing in Atlanta, Drew remains an active member of the Georgia Bar and in his local community. When he’s not working on legal cases, Drew enjoys hiking alongside his girlfriend and Labrador retriever, as well as participating in trivia nights with his friends. Above all, Drew is passionate about making a positive impact in the lives of his clients by ensuring they receive the compensation necessary to recover from their injuries and move forward with their lives.

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OUR STAFF

The talented and dedicated staff of Morrison & Hughes are integral to our client's success and helping guide them through the complexities of a lawsuit. We hire excellent individuals who deliver excellent results and who help our clients feel welcome and supported.

Beth Haggard

Paralegal

Beth Haggard has been in the legal field since 1989. She has worked extensively with several defense firms in both pre-litigation and litigation roles. She has experience as a paralegal in both personal injury and workers’ compensation cases. She also was the owner of Emerson Legal Support between 2014 and 2018. In 2018, Beth joined Morrison & Hughes as our Senior Legal Coordinator. She handles medical record review, case analysis, preparing and responding to discovery requests, and is invaluable in both pre-litigation and post-litigation roles. Beth loves traveling, beaches, books, and socializing with friends and family.

Tawn Morrison

Chief Medical Officer

Tawn Morrison is not just our receptionist, she is our Chief Medical Officer. Tawn handles requesting medical records, double and triple checking that we get them as soon as possible, and ensuring that they get to one of our attorneys. She also handles a lot of the day-to-day operations here, and is essentially our right-hand-person. Tawn also likes traveling, currently is a proud new grandmother, and enjoys spending time with her family.

Regina Ozbun

Executive Legal Coordinator

Regina Ozbun has been in the legal field for over 30 years. She has worked in the fields of workers’ compensation, personal injury, and insurance litigation. Regina “paid her dues” working for the defense law firms that represent insurance companies. She learned the tricks of the trade, and she is glad to be back on the side of injured Georgians, in a position where she can help people through this difficult time in their lives. Regina is also an expert in handling open records requests, and a former police insider! Before moving to Georgia in 2005, She had worked in a District Attorney’s office, a district court, a police department, and for a sheriff, across multiple states. In Los Angeles, California, she also worked with attorneys handling real estate, intellectual property, white collar crime, trademark infringement, and product liability matters. Regina lives in Marietta and loves to spend time with her friends and her son, Skyler.

Amy Newton


Amy Newton has been in the legal field for over 25 years. During those 25 years, she has worked in several different areas of the law including family law, criminal defense, and probate. However, Amy found her passion in personal injury which allowed her to help her fellow Georgians who have been injured due to others negligence. Now, Amy is experienced in many types of personal injury cases, including car accidents, slip and falls, and dog bite cases. Amy joined Morrison & Hughes in 2021, as our Senior Paralegal for personal injury. Amy loves baseball, beaches, and spending time with her family. Amy in lives in Marietta with her husband and pets. She also has a son that is a student at University of West Georgia.

Melissa Plumlee

Intake Manager

Melissa is a driven and compassionate professional, currently serving as the intake manager and legal assistant at Morrison and Hughes. Hailing from the Sunshine State of Florida, Melissa has always been fascinated by the intersection of law and justice. Her mother's background in criminal justice has only fueled her passion for legal work further. While Melissa is devoted to helping injured individuals, she also has a softer side. She counts herself as an animal lover and avid hiker - enjoying the beauty of nature and the company of furry friends. With her commitment to justice and a heart for those in need, those who have worked with Melissa find her to be an ally and an invaluable member of any team. Her dynamic personality and desire to make a.

PRACTICE AREAS

PERSONAL INJURY
WORKER'S COMPENSATION
CAR ACCIDENTS
TRUCK ACCIDENTS
WRONGFUL DEATH
SLIP & FALL
DOG BITES
SOCIAL SEGURITY & DISABILITY

Lawsuits can be overwhelming and exhausting, especially when you have been injured or are going up against an employer or insurance company.

You don't have to fight alone - with expert attorneys with decades of experience in personal injury, worker's compensation, and social security and disability, Morrison & Hughes has the experience to guide you all the way through to life after lawsuits.

DO I HAVE A CASE?

Answer just a few easy questions, and we’ll be able to help tell if you have a case! Please note that this is not legal advice, and we aren’t your attorney yet. It’s just a quick way to get some basic information. We strongly recommend that you contact us for a free consultation and speak to a live attorney to figure out what your case is worth.

FAQS

Answered by Atlanta Car Accident
& Personal Injury Attorneys

INJURED AT WORK

SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY INSURANCE (SSDI)

I’ve been seriously injured and can't drive. How do I get to your office?
Our accident lawyers will come to you. If you have lost mobility due to your accident, just call us, and an attorney or law group representative will come to your home to discuss your claim.
Where can I find additional information about my rights?
Aside from scheduling an appointment to speak with an attorney, you can also find information regarding workers’ compensation on the Georgia State Board of Workers’ Compensation website. You can also review the State Board’s statutes and rules governing workers’ compensation.
What should I do first after my on-the-job accident?
Report your injury. As soon as you can after your injury, it’s very important that you make sure your employer knows that you have been hurt and that you need medical assistance. Under the law, failure to report your injury within 30 days may cause you to lose your rights.
I was hurt at work. Do I have to go to the doctor on my employer's panel of physicians?
Yes. Keep your doctor appointments. Even if you’d prefer to go to your own doctor, make sure to keep the appointments that your employer has set up. Refusing to cooperate with your medical treatment may cause you to lose certain benefits. If you think that the doctor selected by your employer or their insurance company isn’t treating your fairly, contact our Atlanta personal injury lawyers to help you determine your rights. Don’t wait too long! Severe medical conditions may not seem serious at first. It is important that you contact help as soon as you can. Personal injury cases need immediate attention.
What should I tell the doctor?
Tell the doctor everything at the beginning. A serious injury may not have major symptoms at first. Even if it seems minor to you, tell your doctors about all of your problems and all of the parts of your body which were hurt at work. For example, if you fell and injured your ankle, but you also have some back pain, you need to tell the doctor about both your ankle and your back. Failure to give your doctor a full, honest report of your injury may let the insurance company argue that your injuries were not caused by your accident.
The insurance company wants to talk to me. What should I say?
Don’t talk to the insurance company alone. If it gets to the point where the insurance company wants to take a recorded statement, it’s serious enough that you want legal help on your side. Call an experienced attorney who can represent you. Workers’ compensation is complicated, and one wrong word can keep you from getting the compensation you deserve.
It's been weeks and I haven’t received a check from the insurance adjuster for my workers’ compensation lost-wage benefits. What do I do?
If your authorized doctor excuses you from work, and your claim has been accepted by the insurance company, you should be getting weekly “TTD” benefits checks. If not, call us today to enforce your rights.
My employer wants me to complete an accident report. Should I? What should I say?
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My doctor recommended surgery. Now, the insurance company is sending me for an independent medical evaluation (IME). What is an IME, and why would the insurance company want one?
The law does not require you to fill out a written accident report in order to get workers’ compensation benefits. That said, you can use your work accident report as a chance to document all of your injuries. Make sure to list every single part of your body that was hurt in the accident, even if it does not seem badly hurt. Some injuries don’t seem that bad at first. If you don’t list a body part, the insurance company will almost always deny you care for that part of your body. So be as accurate, complete, and honest as possible.
How Do I Apply to Receive SSDI Payments?
You have two options. The first is to locate the nearest social security office and schedule an appointment to apply in person. You should plan to be there for at least a couple of hours. The second option is to schedule a telephone interview to complete your application. You have the right to work with a disability advocate or an attorney from the start of your SSDI application process.
What Counts as a Disability Under SSDI Guidelines?
The Social Security Administration (SSA) enforces a strict definition of disability. You must have a qualifying medical condition for at least 12 months or that is likely to cause your death. Because of your disability, you cannot do the same work you did before or adjust to another type of work even with training.
What Types of Documents Do I Need to Produce When Applying for SSDI?
Not including the proper documentation or completing forms incorrectly is one of the leading reasons for the initial denial of an SSDI application. You will need to submit documentation from an acceptable medical professional the outlines the onset and worsening nature of your disabling medical condition. The following are just some acceptable sources of medical documentation:
  • Laboratory reports
  • Copies of prescriptions and your response to medications
  • Your doctor’s assessment of your ability to perform any type of work-related activities
  • Diagnosis and current prognosis of your medical condition
  • In-depth medical history
  • Description of functional limitations you experience due to your disability
What Percentage of Applicants Receive an Approval on the First Submission?
Unfortunately, only about 30 percent of applicants for SSDI receive an approval the first time they apply for benefits. Several factors play into this such as errors on the application, the large number of applications the SSA receives, federal budget cuts, and inability of the SSA to predict the future economy. You stand a significantly better chance of approval on your first application or on subsequent appeals when you retain the services of a social security disability attorney.
Is SSDI the Same Thing as SSI?
No. The SSA operates two different programs for disabled individuals. SSDI is for those who worked for at least 10 years prior to their disability and earned enough credits based on their employment income to qualify to apply for SSDI.

SSI, which stands for Supplemental Security Insurance, is a program for disabled individuals who have not earned enough credits from work over the past 10 years or who have been unable to work at all during the past decade. The payment for SSI is typically lower than it is for SSDI. Although not common, some people can collect payments from both programs if they meet certain eligibility requirements.
What is the Review Process After I Submit My Initial Application for SSDI Benefits?
After you have completed your application and gathered all required documentation, you will send the entire packet to the closest Disability Determination Services Office in your state. Once received, a disability examiner works in partnership with a medical doctor to review your claim. If you receive an initial denial and request reconsideration, your information will go to a different disability examiner and medical doctor working in the same office. If denied a second time and you decide to appeal, your case will go before an Administrative Law Judge who will make the final determination.
What Are Work Credits and How Many Do I Need to Apply for SSDI?
In most cases, the SSA requires applicants to have worked at least five out of the past 10 years before they qualify to apply for disability benefits. You receive work credits from the SSA when working at an income-producing job and paying into the social security system. The SSA bases your credit amounts on earnings alone. In addition to disability programs, the SSA uses the number of credits a person has earned to determine survivor income and retirement benefits. You can receive a maximum of four credits per calendar year. That means you will need at least 20 credits to apply for SSDI.
Can I Apply for SSDI if My Disability is Not Permanent?
In some cases, yes. However, your disability must still last at least 12 months or be expected to last at least 12 months according to the initial determining criteria of the SSDI program. You will become ineligible for SSDI benefits if you are able to return to work at some point in the future.
Is There a Waiting Period to Collect SSDI Benefits After Receiving an Approval?
Yes. To ensure that it does not pay benefits to a person with only a short-term disability, the SSDI has instituted a five-month waiting period before approved applicants receive their first payment. You will receive a payment starting with the sixth full month provided you can prove total disability for the five months preceding the payment date. Having a severe disability such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) or late-stage cancer can expedite the approval process, but you will still need to wait until the sixth month of disability to collect your first payment.
Can I Apply for SSDI with a Diagnosis of a Mental Disorder?
Yes, as long as your mental illness falls within one of the 14 categories listed in the SSDI Blue Book. This is a manual that lists qualifying disorders for obtaining SSDI benefits. Keep in mind that each category also has several sub-categories listed with it.
I paid into Social Security all my life. Isn’t disability mine for the asking?
The federal government doesn’t make anything that easy. The process of proving disability involves a maze of complex federal regulations defining what it means to be “legally disabled.” You will need an experienced and aggressive disability attorney to navigate the process—if you’re serious about winning your case!
Can I apply for disability if I’m still working?
While every case is different, a person should generally apply for disability if their job has ended for reasons directly related to certain physical and/or mental impairments. And a person should only apply for disability if those physical and/or mental impairments are severe enough to prevent a successful return to work. Even if a motor vehicle accident or surgical recovery is particularly rough, something will only be considered “disabling” if it lasts or is reasonably expected to last at least 12 months, or is expected to result in death.
Can I try to work or collect unemployment insurance benefits while a disability claim is pending before the Social Security Administration?
You can, but doing so can have very serious implications for your case. These are matters that should be immediately discussed with an experienced disability attorney.
Once I apply for disability, when will I learn of a decision?
Think of the process as multiple rungs on a ladder. Most important are the Initial, Reconsideration, and Hearing Levels. Most individuals will be denied at the initial two stages before their claims are finally scheduled to be heard before a U.S. Administrative Law Judge. In the Atlanta region, it can take two years to get your day in court, and everything typically boils down to that one day! At that point, decisions are usually mailed within 60-90 days.
What happens at a Disability Hearing?
A Hearing before a judge involves a comprehensive review of multiple years of medical records, detailed testimony from you, as well as the testimony of vocational and/or medical experts, in addition to your lawyer’s arguments on the application of Social Security law to the facts of your case. A Hearing presents your best statistical chance of winning, but not without a highly skilled disability attorney at your side.

It can feel like the system is designed for you to lose - but with the Big Guns on your side
you can fight - and win.

HIRE THE BIG GUNS