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 12 reviews | Recommendation

Posted by Kristoffor | July 06, 2017 | Hired Attorney | Workers Compensation

Great guy, great lawyer

After a several-year long battle with workers comp, my next battle was with social security for disability. Everyone told me that I need a lawyer, because the process is a mess. I was denied twice for benefits, and Mr. Garner came highly recommended, so i figured I'd try him out. With him, the proces...s was easy, I was approved, and even after the decision and he was paid, he still was helping me it ( social security somehow messed up my paperwork, negatively affecting my monthly income). He's a great guy, and a great lawyer. Thank you Mr. Garner.

Stephen Garner

Replied last July 06, 2017

You are very welcome. We believe it is our job to look after your best interests in the matter you have entrusted to us. We commit to be good stewards of your case, your money, your future and your trust. It is our pleasure to help deserving folks like you overcome the adversity in their lives to become victors. Good luck to you in the future, and please let us know if we can be of further assistance.

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 T. | September 01, 2016 | Personal Injury

No more TV attorneys!

My experience with Murphy and Garner was nothing short of amazing and relieving! I had originally went with one of those television attorneys that make big promises for all of your pain and suffering. Unfortunately, after months of waiting and a lot of tedious paperwork, those promises dwindled whe...n my case needed more effort. I decided to call Murphy and Garner and I'm glad that I did. Stephen Garner handled my case. He patiently listened to my grievances and when it was time to fight for me he went above and beyond what I had expected! Not only was I compensated, but` it was fair! Murphy and Garner handled my case with dignity and integrity and they proved that they are not only honest but very knowledgeable in their field. If you want someone that will take the time to listen to your concerns and that is trustworthy, I would highly recommend Murphy and Garner. If I ever need help again, Murphy and Garner will be my first stop.

Stephen Garner

Replied last September 01, 2016

Thank you, T. We are glad you called us too! Unfortunately, many of the TV lawyers are more concerned about the volume of cases they handle rather than getting fair value of their clients' cases. Over the last 33 years of practice, I have heard many horror stories about people who hired the lawyers with the slick commercials on TV and were disappointed with the lack of personal service and attention given to their cases. Jingles and catchy slogans don't win cases. When people are looking for a lawyer, I recommend they do some research. Ask your friends. Check out their reviews online. See what their reputation is in the legal community by going to their web site and checking for awards and honors that have been bestowed on them by their peers. Call around and talk to several lawyers. Interview them - because they will be working for YOU! Lawyers who will listen to you, work hard for you and will use their experience and expertise to fight for a just and fair resolution of your case are the ones you should hire - not the snake oil salesmen screaming and making big promises over the airwaves.

Posted by Jeanette | September 01, 2016 | Social Security Disability

Gets the job done!!! Very Very good! !!

If you are looking for a lawyer to help with your social security disability claim i highly recommend Stephen Garner. He is the most pleasant , honest and caring lawyer i have ever met. May not always happen this way , but my disability claim was approved the first time his office submitted it.

Stephen Garner

Replied last September 01, 2016

Thank you, Jeanette. Unfortunately, most folks have to wait a lot longer than you did for approval of their claims. There is a backlog of over 1.1 million cases in the system nationally. However, we are always pleased when the SSA pays attention to compelling medical evidence we submit on your behalf.

Posted by Larry & Betty Martin | August 31, 2016 | Hired Attorney | Lawsuits & Disputes

Stephen E. Garner, LLC rates a 5 Excellent rating as our lawyer! He is the be Attorney in Georgia.

Mr. Garner looked over a case we had won in a previous case. It was to complicated for us to understand. He gave us his indications on where we should go next. We took his advise. He then made a phone call with us in the room to the people involved. We identified ourselves as did he. He then wa...s able to handle the problem legally involved and clear up all the problems between us without any other disagreements. The problems were solved. The secretary was able to type in the necessary words to correct everything. The papers were then faxed & the problems were solved. We also had our living wills and person wills done to our satisfaction. We drove 2 hours to this lawyer because we knew him to be a fine lawyer and man!!!

Stephen Garner

Replied last August 31, 2016

Thank you, Betty, for the kind words. We are very humbled when folks drive by a lot of other law firms to come see us. We have a great team at Murphy & Garner, and we are always looking to go the extra mile for our clients (especially when they drive the extra miles to come see us). It is so rewarding when we can answer your questions, help find solutions for your problems and resolve your conflicts.

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

Avvo Rating

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