Adam Malone of Malone Law in Atlanta has been at the forefront of catastrophic injury law for decades and is nationally regarded as a trailblazer for his achievements in the area of traumatic, ischemic and anoxic brain injury, both in and out of the courtroom. His clients’ injuries stem from various circumstances—from trucking and construction accidents to birth injuries and other forms of medical negligence—and with every case, he makes a contribution to this specialized area of law.
“Brain injuries are frequently the most devastating of all, but the extent of damage is not always immediately apparent,” says Malone, who in 2016 was named a Best Lawyers® “Lawyer of the Year” in Medical Malpractice Law – Plaintiffs in Atlanta. “Weeks or months can pass before the full effect of the injury is revealed. By then, the victim and their family will have suffered enormously.”
Brain Injury Frequency in Georgia
Brain injuries are unfortunately afflicting Georgians in frequency and severity. In 2021, the Georgia Brain and Spinal Injury Registry recorded 24,827 traumatic brain injuries (TBI), including nearly 16,500 emergency and 7,662 hospital admissions—an average of 68 incidents per day. Additionally, injuries occurred most frequently among Georgians from birth to age 39 and victims aged 10 to 39 comprised nearly 50% of all registered TBI and/ or spinal cord injuries that year. The Brain and Spinal Injury Trust Fund Commission reports that TBIs cost Georgians more than $1.5 billion annually in lost wages and medical costs.
And while the data indicates that children and younger adult s seem to be most susceptible to such critical injuries, it is just one part of the story. The challenges of brain injuries are compounded by the public being largely unaware of their rights, Malone notes.
“All victims of brain injury should seek a lawyer with special experience in the field,” he adds. “Brain injury survivors have enough on their hands just trying to survive. An experienced brain injury lawyer can help survivors find the right resources while simultaneously investigating the cause to determine whether someone else is responsible for it. Millions of dollars can be left on the table when a victim is represented by someone who does not have considerable experience representing survivors of brain injury.”
Last year, Malone secured a multimillion-dollar settlement on behalf of a family whose child was born with severe brain damage due to medical negligence during labor and delivery. As with most claims involving newborns and young children, the firm develops special relationships with clients and their families, establishing a unique bond during such challenging times.
“We form deep connections with our clients during the course of investigation and litigation. We grow with them, which is a sacred privilege that we hold in the highest regard,” Malone says. “Our goal is to nurture our clients along a path back toward independence while we work hard to recover adequate compensation to fix, help and make up for the quality of life taken from them by those responsible for it.”
Educating Peers and the Public
Malone’s dedication to brain injury law transcends the courtroom as well. He is board-certified by the American Board of Professional Liability Attorneys and the National Board of Trial Advocates. He is also a longtime member of the American Association for Justice (AAJ), and in 2022, completed his term as Chair of the AAJ Traumatic Brain Injury Litigation Group. He continues to educate his peers as a member of the AAJ Birth Trauma Litigation Group with developments in the areas of anoxic and hypoxic brain injury.
Additionally, he completed his term as President of the Georgia Trial Lawyers Association in 2023 and remains committed to GTLA’s mission of preserving the right to trial by jury and to the independence of the courts. He continues his professional service work by serving on the Foundation Board for the Shepherd Brain and Spinal Center and strengthening the quality of the next generation of the profession by serving as Chair of the Board of Directors for Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School.
Malone Law is selective in the cases it takes so that every client is given the personal attention they deserve. “Until we put ourselves out of business by convincing the careless to be careful and that safety is cheaper than cutting corners, we will be here to help you put your life back together when injured by preventable carelessness,” Malone says. “Injury prevention is the ultimate indicator of a success.”
After decades of handling medical negligence cases, Malone notes that a hospital can be a dangerous place.
“If you must become a patient in a hospital, the best way to protect yourself is to have a trusted person stay with you to be your advocate, to ask questions when you’re unable to speak for yourself and to ensure each member of your healthcare team is communicating with each other,” Malone adds. “You are a part of your own team and have the right to participate fully in every aspect of your care.”
