Stephen E. Garner

Stephen E. Garner

5.0
Rating: 9.8

Licensed for 42 years

Workers compensation Lawyer at Bremen, GA
Practice Areas: Workers Compensation, Social Security, Personal Injury ... +2 more

202 Carrollton Street, Suite 108, P.O. Box 1140, Bremen, GA

About Stephen

Biography

Practice Areas

5

Practice Areas

Workers Compensation 32%

Chairman, Georgia State Board of Workers’ Compensation Advisory Council, Legislative Subcommittee 1992–2008; Member of Governor’s Workers’ Compensation Advisory Commission 2002;Member Governor’s Workers’ Compensation Review Commission 2001; Chairman State Bar of Georgia, Workers' Compensation Law Section 1996–1997; Chairman Georgia Trial Lawyers Association, Workers Compensation Section 1988. I have been involved in the drafting of many of the current workers compensation statutes.

32%
Social Security & Disability 30%

The national average for winning a Social Security Disability hearing in 2015 was only 43%. Our clients won 89% of their claims last year. One key factor is that we carefully screen our cases. We don’t take every claim that walks in the door. Disclosure: All cases are different and there is no guarantee of victory, so the mere fact that we have a 89% approval ratio does not mean your particular case has an 89% chance of success.

30%
Personal Injury 28%

A National Trial Lawyers Top 100 Trial Lawyer in 2014, Top Rated Lawyer – Georgia 2015 and a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum. My personal injury practice is primarily auto accident/truck/motorcycle cases and occasional work-site injuries caused by third-parties (not the employer).

28%
Mediation 5%

I have been a mediator since 2000 specializing in workers' compensation, personal injury, subrogation issues in workers' compensation, and cases with potential social security implications (catastrophic designation and MSA considerations)

5%

Fees and Rates

Cost

Free Consultation

$0 first 60 minutes

Contingency

25%-40%


Payment Methods

  • Cash
  • Check

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Licenses

Licensed in Georgia for 42 years

State: Georgia

Acquired: 1983

Active Member in Good Standing

No misconduct found

Location

Murphy & Garner LLC

202 Carrollton Street, Suite 108, P.O. Box 1140, Bremen, GA, 30110

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Stephen E. Garner's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

5.0 /5.0

28 Client Reviews

Filter Avvo Reviews (28) Refine reviews to match your needs. Use the filters to quickly surface reviews that align with your case or priorities.

Showing 1 - 5 of 7 reviews | Communication Style

Posted by Daniel | March 17, 2017 | Hired Attorney | Social Security Disability

ABSOLUTELY PAINLESS PROCESS/WORTH THE DRIVE 100 MILES

STEPHEN, was AWESOME... and his staff were just as good ... he was honest in his assessment of my case and told me what to expect at every step of the way. a simple phone call and some faxed releases got it started , after that Stephen handled EVERYTHING ELSE with complete efficiency even though we a...ll know the SSA is slow and the process has to run its course. I wouldn't refer any friend or family member to any other attorney in the state of Georgia. you wont find a better SSA attorney PERIOD.. ALL THIS FROM A FULLY SATISFIED CLIENT.... GOD SPEED STEPHEN, YOU AND YOUR STAFF WILL ALWAYS BE IN MY PRAYERS. DANIEL

Stephen Garner

Replied last March 17, 2017

Thank you, Daniel. We are truly humbled by the fact that clients like yourself will drive long distances for us to represent you. We know that you drive past many attorney billboards and law offices on your way to our office. That makes us very determined to go the extra mile for you when you drive the extra miles to see us. We care about you and your future. You are not just a case to us; you are a person who needs our help. It is our pleasure to help deserving clients have a better future. Thank you for your prayers. You will be in ours as well.

Posted by Chris | September 01, 2016

my personal experience

My personal experience with Stephen Garner has always been very professional courteous and straight to the point and he is a man that gets the job done

Stephen Garner

Replied last September 01, 2016

Thanks, Chris. We want to get all our clients good results, but we also want to treat you the way we would want to be treated. We strive to be helpful, hopeful and hospitable. You are not just a case to us. You are a person, and we will show you respect as we represent you. That is what it means to be a professional.

Posted by Judy | July 16, 2016 | Hired Attorney | Social Security Disability

Stephen E Garner

Mr Garner is a compassionate, caring attorney, very smart and knowledgeable. He did a superb job at representing me both during my wait time, and before the disability judge. He kept us informed at all phases of the case. I would happily recommend him to anyone!

Stephen Garner

Replied last July 16, 2016

Thank you, Judy. One of our core values is that we care about our clients and their futures. You are not just a case to us; you are a person with a problem. We try our best to guide our clients through this unfamiliar legal territory as we seek justice together.

Posted by Robert | March 12, 2016 | Hired Attorney

Garner and Staff

The due diligence provided by Atty Garner and his staff was above and beyond perfection. From receptionist to Atty Garner, there was a personal attitude that was friendly, honest and very intelligent. They worked with me from start to finish with respect and understanding. They helped with any questi...ons that I had and never got impatient with me. They never told me anything that wasn't true, even if it was something I may not want to hear. Special thanks goes to Nancy who lent an ear on more than one occasion. Atty Garner is a very smart and trusting PERSON as well as an Attorney. They were even willing to meet me somewhere to get paperwork, etc when I had days that I couldn't physically get to them. They are the kind of people that you want as your friends. One word cannot describe how I feel about them. We worked together for 3 years to find and receive a resolution. One word cannot explain how I feel about them. However, these words do come to mind. Passionate, caring, diligent, trustworthy, friendly, HONEST.

Stephen Garner

Replied last March 12, 2016

Thank you Robert. Your case reminds me of Country Lawyer Lesson #3: Good clients + good facts + hard work and good preparation + good/fair decision maker = good result. We are both humbled and challenged by your comments. Getting justice for our clients is sometimes a slow and frustrating process, but when we see deserving folks like you get it, we know all the time and effort is worth it. We cannot guarantee results, but we do guarantee we will be well prepared and present the best case we can. We also always want to make sure our clients are well prepared for their day in court. It was our honor to represent you, and it was a privilege to get to know you and your family. Thank you for your kind words, and even more importantly - thank you for your service!

Posted by Paula | February 04, 2016 | Hired Attorney | Personal Injury

Car Wreck

We hit a Full size lifted pickup truck at 50mph when he turned left in front of us on the bypass in Carrollton. Both vehicle were totaled. Grandson and I were both taken by ambulance. No life threatening injuries surprisingly, considering our little car to his big truck but still several months of th...erapies on feet and back. Very scary when you don't see anything and then wham your life flashes before your eyes. The owner of the truck never reported to his insurance that there was an accident so his insurance company refused to pay. I had to use our insurance to pay off our car and cover some of the medical bills along with my personal health insurance. After 3 weeks off yelling at the Auto owners Insurance that I had personally sent them the accident report myself and it clearly stated their client at fault with 2 witnesses and the owner of the truck telling the officer it was his fault because he thought he could make it. How can they just ignore my claim? Their response was "unless my client claims responsibility we will not pay a dime" searching there reputation online I took the next step and started looking for attorneys. Mr. Garners fees were reasonable and he handled my case very professionally. It was a great relief on me when we hired Mr. Garner because I wasn't getting anything but the run around from the Insurance Co. and the mean time my bills were piling up quick. He sent a certified letter to the owner of the truck that he had so many days to report to his insurance or he would be personally responsible. Along with a letter to his Insurance. He and his staff helped keep the bill collectors of my back and from sending the bills to collections while the insurance company drug their feet. They went back and forth but Mr. Garner was able to get us all a reasonable settlement with out having to battle it out in court. If he wasn't in the office his staff was always able to answer any of questions I had immediately. I had access to his email so I could send documents with a link instead of trying to find someone to drive me to his office to deliver them. This made it very easy on me to communicate and get bills to him. I am very happy I hired him because I know that if I had not I would be paying these bills instead of breathing easy and not having to worry where the moneys going to come from. I would like to say that I he met with us on a Saturday morning for the first visit so that both my husband and I could meet with him. He has also came in on other Saturdays just for us to sign papers. I have never had an attorney that would be willing not much offer to do this for a client. thank you Garner and Murphy.

Stephen Garner

Replied last February 04, 2016

Thank you, Paula, for taking the time to tell your story. I am glad we were able to help your family through the run around people often get from the insurance companies. I am also glad the ladies in my office were able to keep you informed and answer your questions whenever I was out of the office. They have all been with me a long time and can usually address your questions. But when they cannot, I strive to reply to your communications within one business day of receipt, whether it is by phone call, e-mail, text or meeting with you in person. And I understand it is hard for people who are working to get in to see me during our regular hours, so I try to be flexible and meet after hours or on Saturdays. We try to go the extra mile for all our clients because we know there are lots of attorneys to choose from and we always want to make you glad you chose us.

See All Client Reviews

Stephen E. Garner's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Stephen
Coleman Peter Hengesbach headshot
Coleman Hengesbach

Workers compensation lawyer | Mar 27

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

John Anderson Harris headshot
John Harris

Personal injury lawyer | Feb 27

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"Having worked against Stephen for nearly 22 years, I can say with certainty that his advocacy and trial skills are above reproach! Stephen knows the law and is always very-well prepared - so are his clients! He's a worthy adversary in every regard. He's also trustworthy and honest - his word is his bond. He's definitely a "go-to" man in your time of need. I respect him immensely!"

Susan Jan Sadow headshot
Susan Sadow

Mediation lawyer | Feb 27

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"Each time that Stephen has mediated a workers' compensation case for me, I have been extremely satisfied with the outcome. His expertise in the areas of Workers' Compensation Law and Social Security Disability law make him uniquely well-suited for mediating Catastrophic injury cases where Medicare Set-Aside issues always arise. Stephen has a calm temperament which immediately puts all parties at ease. He is very intuitive and he has repeatedly proven to me that he can tenaciously tackle complex issues and guide all parties towards a successful resolution of their claims."

Jeffrey G. Casurella headshot
Jeffrey Casurella

Workers compensation lawyer | Jan 21

Relationship: Other

"I endorse this lawyer."

Jason W. Swindle headshot
Jason Swindle

Personal injury lawyer | Jan 21

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I fully endorse Stephen in the areas of personal injury, SSI, worker's comp., and social security disability. Stephen is well known locally and across the state as an ethical, competent, and results oriented attorney. Stephen is a good, Christian man who's faith has greatly assisted him in developing such a successful law practice and in helping thousands of clients who have been in need."

View All Endorsements
Thomas F. Brown II headshot
Thomas Brown

Workers compensation lawyer

Seth Andrew Hansard headshot
Seth Hansard

Estate planning lawyer

Susan Jan Sadow headshot
Susan Sadow

Workers compensation lawyer

John Anderson Harris headshot
John Harris

Insurance lawyer

Jason W. Swindle headshot
Jason Swindle

Criminal defense lawyer

Experience

Rating:  9.8 (Superb)

Honors

2017

Super Lawyers, Super Lawyers, a Thomson Reuters business

2016

Client Distinction Award, Martindale-Hubbell

2016

America's Most Honored Professionals - Top 1%, American Registry

2015

Million Dollar Advocate, Million Dollar Advocates Forum

2015

Top Rated Lawyer - Georgia, Martindale-Hubbell

2015

Premier 100 Civil Trial Attorney, American Academy of Trial Attorneys

2015

10 Best Attorneys for Client Satisfaction - GA, American Institute of Personal Injury Attorneys

2014

Top 100 Trial Lawyers, National Trial Lawyers

2014

AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell

Work Experience

1983 - Present

Lawyer, Murphy & Garner, LLC

Associations

2015 - Present

Expert Network

Expert Network Distinguished Lawyer

2014 - Present

Million Dollar Advocates Forum

Member

2009 - Present

The National Academy of Distinguished Neutrals

Member

2008 - Present

Nat. Org. of Social Security Claimants’ Representatives

Member

1983 - Present

Georgia Trial Lawyers Association

Member

1982 - Present

American Association for Justice

Member

2002 - 2002

Governor’s Workers’ Compensation Advisory Commission

Member

2001 - 2001

Governor’s Workers’ Compensation Review Commission

Member

1996 - 1997

State Bar of Georgia, Workers' Compensation Law Section

Past Chairman

1992 - 2008

Georgia State Board of Workers’ Compensation Advisory Council, Legislative Subcommittee

Chairman

1989 - 1989

Georgia Trial Lawyers Association, Workers Compensation Section

Past Chairman

Sample of Legal Cases

Christine P.

Settlement of $700,000.00

Marty B.

Confidential settlement in excess of $1,250,000.00

K. R.

Settled for $933,000.00

Ronnie P.

$240,000.00 (plus life-time medical treatment) settlement of WC case, $65,000.00 settlement of personal injury case

See More Legal Cases

Education

1983

Mercer University - Walter F. George School of Law

JD - Juris Doctor

1979

University of West Georgia

BA - Bachelor of Arts

Speaking Engagements

2012

Insurance Adjuster's Seminar

“Making Mediations Work for You: Adjusting the Adjuster’s Perspective”

2012

Georgia State Board of Workers’ Compensation ALJ Seminar

"Mediation Magic: How to Snatch Settlement from the Jaws of a Looming Impasse"

Publications

2015

Workers's Compensation Law Institute, Georgia ICLE What Will Be Your Legal Legacy? 101 Country Lawyer Lessons

2012

Workers’ Compensation Law Institute, Georgia ICLE "Lien On Me: It Ain’t Over ‘Til It’s Over"

2011

Workers’ Compensation Law Institute, Georgia ICLE “Mediations: Successful Techniques And Techniques Effective Advocates Should Avoid”

2001

Institute of Continuing Legal Education (ICLE Georgia) Preparing The Plaintiff For The Mediation Process

Languages

English

Activity

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