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WHEN THE CHEESE
MOVES
HOW SB 68 CHANGES THE RULES OF THE GAME FOR INJURY VICTIMS
Wrongful Death Serious Injury Trucking Accidents Auto/Motorcycle Accidents Drunk Driving Accidents Pedestrian Accidents Giving your pain a voice.
Change is inevitable — it’s coming whether we like it or not. Imagine waking up one morning, heading to your usual spot, and bam! Your cheese or whatever routine comfort you rely on is gone. In the book “Who Moved My Cheese,” two tiny people and two mice must navigate a maze searching for their next meal. But they aren’t just facing a dairy dilemma; the story is about adapting when the rules suddenly change. Here in Georgia, a new tort reform law called SB 68 has moved the cheese, shifting the legal landscape for personal injury law cases and making it more difficult for injured people to get the justice they deserve. The rules have changed, and we can either remain paralyzed in fear or adapt and find a new way to get through the maze. SB 68 was passed earlier this year by a razor-thin margin — just one vote. The law aims to lower the high costs of insurance premiums and reduce lawsuit abuse, but it actually says nothing about insurance rates. Instead, it creates more barriers, making it costlier and more difficult for injured people to pursue compensation. It also changes long- standing evidence laws, complicating how cases are handled.
tort law in the hopes of reducing what insurance companies pay, which proponents believe will lower premiums. The reality is that insurance companies are making record profits. Allstate, for one, just made over $1 billion last year. Factors like natural disasters, inflation, and tariffs impact premiums more than tort law changes. The promise of lower rates with SB 68 is an empty one. The law also complicates the process of prosecuting personal injury cases. New deadlines and other barriers will lengthen the time and cost of cases. It limits how lawyers like me can present cases, especially regarding the value of a client’s pain and suffering. I can no longer mention dollar figures until the closing arguments, making it harder to strike jurors who are biased against giving significant awards. Moreover, I’m limited in using analogies, critical tools for explaining non‑monetary losses. New evidentiary rules could limit your recovery. Under the new law, the jury may only award you the amount your insurance will pay, not your out- of-pocket or actual costs. If your doctor accepts $1,000 from the insurance even though you were billed $10,000, you may only receive that $1,000. In “Who Moved My Cheese,” the characters start at station C, where they have a steady supply of cheese. But the cheese begins to dwindle. The mice quickly adapt and search the maze for new options. But the humans resist the change and become paralyzed by stress. Eventually, one
Boating Accidents Injury on Property Negligent Security Slip-and-Falls Premises Liability
MAY 2025
Though SB 68 claims to address rising insurance premiums, it doesn’t. It reforms
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PROTECT YOUR GUMS WITH THESE ESSENTIAL NUTRIENTS Supplements That Support Your Smile
Vitamin D for Gum and Immune Support Vitamin D plays a central role in keeping gums
Brushing and flossing are a must, but did you know what you eat (and what you might be missing) can make or break your gum health? Giving your gums the right nutrients can mean the difference between a strong, vibrant mouth and one wracked with inflammation and gum disease. Luckily, with a few simple additions to your diet, you can give your gums the boost they need! Vitamin C for Stronger Gums Vitamin C is essential for creating collagen, which helps maintain firm and healthy gums. A deficiency can lead to inflammation, bleeding, and discomfort. Studies show that people with low vitamin C levels are more prone to gum disease. Eating citrus fruits (in moderation) can help boost vitamin C intake, and taking a supplement ensures you’re getting enough to support your gum health. Probiotics to Fight Harmful Bacteria Probiotics aren’t just for gut health — they can also benefit your gums. Gum disease often results from an overgrowth of harmful bacteria in the mouth. Probiotic supplements introduce beneficial bacteria that help keep these harmful strains in check. Adding probiotics to your routine can also help prevent bad breath and tooth decay.
strong and fighting infections. It supports the immune system, helping your body combat bacteria that cause gum disease. It also reduces inflammation and keeps gum tissue healthy. If you don’t get enough sunlight or vitamin D-rich foods, a supplement can help maintain healthy gums. Omega-3s to Reduce Inflammation
Omega-3 fatty acids, particularly DHA and EPA, have potent anti- inflammatory and antibacterial properties that benefit gum health. Eating fatty fish at least twice a week or adding an omega-3 supplement to your diet can help protect against gum disease and keep inflammation under control. A little extra care goes a long way when it comes to gum health. Adding these supplements to your routine can help keep your gums strong, fight off harmful bacteria, and prevent disease. Pair these with regular dental visits and a solid brushing routine, and you’ll be flashing a healthy, confident smile for years!
The Driver Took Off — Now What?
A GUIDE TO HANDLING HIT-AND-RUNS
Getting into a car accident is bad enough, but when the person who hit you drives off, it adds another layer of stress to the situation. If you’re in a hit-in-run in Georgia, you have two main objectives: stay safe and gather proof. Since you don’t have the other driver there to provide details, you must supply evidence that your crash involved another vehicle. In the chaos
about the situation, the other driver, and their vehicle, including details like the car’s make, model, and color. If it’s safe, do your best to snap a photo or write down the license plate number. Gather Evidence and Document Everything You don’t have the responsible party’s insurance information in a hit-and- run, so you’ll be relying on your uninsured motorist coverage. But you need proof that another car caused your collision. You can also look for paint transfer, damage to your vehicle, skid marks, or tire tracks. Gather as much detail as possible to prove there was another vehicle at fault, and they sped off rather than take responsibility. Eyewitnesses are one of the best types of evidence you can find in a hit-and-run crash, especially with phantom vehicles, cars that come into your lane and force you to react. If someone saw what happened, ask them to provide a written statement and/or contact information. Hit and runs can be tricky, but by gathering as much evidence as possible and working with a skilled personal injury lawyer, you can get the compensation you deserve. If you have been the victim of a hit and run, contact us today for a free consultation.
of the moment, it’s difficult to remember to snap that photo of a license plate or get contact information from a witness on the scene — but those little details are crucial for your claim. Let’s break down what steps you should take if you are in a hit-and-run crash. Stay Safe The most important thing to do after any accident is to stay safe. Make sure you are out of traffic and harm’s way, and then call the police. It’s essential to remain on the scene until the police arrive and file their report, a key document in your claim. Try to tell them everything you can
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The TBI Symptoms You Can’t Ignore THAT HEADACHE MIGHT BE MORE THAN STRESS
Why TBIs Are Overlooked It doesn’t take much to damage the brain — even just hitting your head on the headrest in an accident could lead to a concussion. Due to the high-stress nature of an accident, you might also confuse brain injury symptoms for sheer distress. Your brain goes into fight or flight mode, and that adrenaline can hide your symptoms. TBI signs — like fogginess or headaches that don’t seem to go away — often take several days before they appear. Because there’s no visible scar or bruise to key you into a problem, it’s easy to miss the telltale symptoms. Don’t Ignore These Signs If you experience any of these symptoms after an accident, getting medical treatment and documenting everything is essential. Headaches are common after a crash, but if it lingers, gets worse, or doesn’t feel better with OTC medications, you could have a concussion. Any issues with coordination, like dizziness, loss of balance, or sudden sensitivity to light or sounds, are classic signs of TBIs. You may have suffered trauma to your head if you find yourself forgetting things or feeling disoriented and foggy. Brain injuries can even change your personality, make you feel angry or anxious, and cause sleep problems, nausea, and vomiting. If you have been in an accident and are experiencing any of these symptoms, don’t ignore the warning your brain is trying to give you. Seek prompt medical attention — it can make all the difference in your recovery.
After a car accident, you may walk away without any broken bones, scratches, or cuts, but what about the injuries you can’t see right away? Your brain is especially sensitive, and traumatic brain injuries are notorious for going undiagnosed. In fact, according to the Brain Injury Association of America, as many as 56% of TBIs are not detected in the ER, and hospitals miss TBI diagnoses as often as 80% of the time. Symptoms like dizziness, headaches, noise sensitivity, and even certain mood changes might not just be stress after a crash — they could be signs of a severe brain injury or concussion. This month, we’re sharing some of the most common signs of a TBI after an accident you shouldn’t ignore.
MAY GIVE AWAY
... continued from Cover
ventures into the unknown, and though the journey is hard, he ultimately reaches a new supply of cheese.
When change — whether it’s missing cheese or new rules — comes along, don’t get stuck. Action cures fear. In movement, you find solutions. It takes time to build momentum, but once you do, the effort can be inspiring and even fun. The little guy in the story finally reaches the promised land of cheese, though he keeps his shoes around his neck in case he needs them again. When change hits, it’s easy to freeze and wait for things to go back to the way they were. But just like the character in the story adapts to find new opportunities, we must do the same. SB 68 is our moved cheese moment, creating a more difficult maze to navigate. Change doesn’t mean the end of the journey, just the need for resilience and creativity. With the right approach, I can still fight for justice for my clients. It won’t be easy, but together, we can reach the cheese at the end of the maze.
Want to learn how to navigate the maze of change? The first five people to send us an email at CBarry@barrytpr.com with “Who Moved My Cheese?” in the subject line will receive a copy of the bestselling book!
Charlie Barry
▴ 404-803-3585
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5447 Roswell Rd. NE Atlanta, GA 30342
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INSIDE
1 The New Maze in Personal Injury Law 2 Nourish Your Smile With These Gum-Strengthening Supplements
They Ran, but You Can Still Win
3 Brain Injury Warning Signs Most People Miss May Giveaway! 4 Etiquette or Absurdity? When Laughing Was Scandalous
Etiquette has always been an ever-changing game, but some rules from the past are so bizarre that it’s hard to believe anyone actually followed them. From mandatory gloves to rain-soaked gentlemen, let’s take a trip back in time and appreciate just how far we’ve come in the world of social graces. Imagine being a Victorian woman at a fancy gathering. You spot someone across the room and want to strike up a conversation — but wait! If you weren’t spoken to first, you had to stay silent. Initiating conversation could ruin your social standing
century England, a man carrying an umbrella was seen as weak. A true gentleman had to brave the rain with a stiff upper lip and a soggy coat. Meanwhile, women had their own list of fashion do’s and don’ts. Gloves? Mandatory. Hair up at all times? Absolutely. When crossing the street, a lady could only lift her dress with one hand because lifting with two hands was just too scandalous and might show off too much ankle. Photographs were another place where emotions were strictly off-limits. Smiling in photos was considered undignified, and people had to remain as serious as possible. So, if you’ve ever wondered why your great- great-grandparents looked like they just lost a bet in every old photograph, now you know! Fast forward to the 1960s, and while some rules relaxed, others remained oddly specific. Holding your drink in your right hand at a party? Absolutely not! Your right “social” hand had to stay free to shake hands and light cigarettes. And if you were a dinner guest, you had better prepare a toast — because nothing says party etiquette like being put on the spot for an impromptu speech. So, the next time you see someone laughing freely or using an umbrella without shame, take a moment to appreciate just how much times have changed!
Outrageous Etiquette Rules From the Past
because heaven forbid a woman had an independent thought. And if you did manage to chat with someone, you had better keep your laughter under control. Women were expected to cover their mouths when laughing because too much joy was unacceptable.
Speaking of controlling appearances, let’s talk about the ultimate
fashion injustice — men and umbrellas. In 18th-
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