FIRM FOUNDER
“History is the best predictor of the future. Experience matters, our track record counts.”
Eric J. Hertz is a double Board-Certified Trial Attorney by the National Board of Trial Advocacy and the American Board of Trial Advocates. A member of America’s Top 100 High Stakes Litigators and Top 10 Nursing Home Trial Lawyers, Mr. Hertz has tried over 100 jury trials as Lead Attorney and handled over 100 wrongful death cases, resulting in multi-millions of dollars collected for his clients, including several record high verdicts.
Mr. Hertz is the author of Nursing Home Abuse and Your Loved Ones (2016) and co-author of Thomas Reuters: Punitive Damages in Georgia (1997-2020); Georgia Law of Damages (1998-2020); and Georgia Law of Torts (2002). He is a regular speaker and author for the Institute of Continuing Legal Education of Georgia and has been featured in the Georgia Trial Lawyers Association legal periodical Verdict
Mr. Hertz earned his J.D. in 1991 from the University of Georgia School of Law and his B.B.A., cum laude, from Hofstra University. He is licensed to practice in the State of Georgia and is admitted to the bars of the Federal Districts of Georgia and the United States Supreme Court.
EDUCATION
1987 – B.B.A, Hofstra University, Cum Laude
1991 – J.D., University of Georgia School of law
NOTABLE VERDICTS AND SETTLEMENTS
Mr Hertz is currently handling over 150 nursing home cases. Other notable verdicts from over 100 jury verdicts as lead counsel:
Eric J. Hertz, is now primarily focused on nursing home litigation. Prior to this he has settled or received verdicts for the notable cases below, and has also handled over 100 wrongful death clients.
Some Newsworthy cases includes:
Tim McGraw’s Bitch Slap Victim Lawyers up…. – [with Eric J. Hertz as her lawyer] – 7/24/14, TMZ
Cobb Jury Returns $40 Million in Total Verdicts– August 8, 2003, Fulton Daily Report. Here, a Cobb County jury returned a large verdict for Mr. Hertz’s clients in a dram shop and wrongful death case
Jury Awards $11 Million for Brain Injuries– June 20, 2007, Fulton Daily Report. In this case, Mr. Hertz’s client was awarded $11 million for injuries he suffered when he was hit by a tractor-trailer owned by a national trucking company. Before trial, the defense only offered $150,000 because of disputed liability.
Da Brat Bludgeoned with $6.4 Million Verdict– February 27, 2014, TMZ.com. Here Mr. Hertz’s client was awarded a large verdict in Cobb County after being assaulted by famed rapper, Da Brat.
$6 Million Awarded in Coweta– April 29, 2004, Fulton Daily Report. The attorneys at Eric J. Hertz, P.C. pride themselves on obtaining large jury verdicts for their clients, even in smaller counties that many lawyers choose to avoid.
Driver Moved Into Truck’s Path; Jurors Award his Family $2.75M– April 29th, 2004, Fulton County Daily Report. This is another case where the jury returned a large verdict for Mr. Hertz’s client, even though the defense only offered $100,000 prior to trial because of disputed liability.
$2.75 Million Award in Wrongful Death Suit– April 24th, 2004, Times-Herald. This article portrayed a jury in a smaller county returning a large verdict for Mr. Hertz’s client.
Fayette Jury Awards $2.15 Million Record Verdict in State Court– October 24th, 2007, Fayette Daily News. In this case, the client received a large verdict for a severe leg injury he suffered during a motorcycle accident.
Parties Settle for $1.6 Million After Jury Selection– February, 2003, Law Reporter. This was a case Mr. Hertz handled in South Carolina. Eric J. Hertz, P.C. handles cases throughout the southeast.
Jury Awards $800K to Injured Driver– Georgia Trial Reporter, Volume 21, Issue 9. Here Mr. Hertz’s client was awarded $800K for a back injury in a case in which causation was hotly disputed. The award is thought to be the largest back-injury verdict ever recorded in Walton County, Georgia.
$300,000 DUI Award Called Historic– April 14, 2000, Coastal Courier. Another example of a record verdict.
Jury Awards Record $220,000 for Broken Finger– January 27, 2000, Fulton Daily Report. This is believed to be a record-high verdict for a broken finger case.
Jury Awards $100,000 to DUI Victim– August 12, 1995, Clayton News/Daily. Many of our cases involve suing drunk drivers.
Inmate Found Hanged in Cell– January 9, 2001, Gwinnett Daily Post. This was one of the largest jail suicide settlements for this county.
It’s Just Inexcusable to Me– July 2, 1998, Atlanta Journal/Constitution. This was a case against a daycare in which multiple clients were burned at a daycare.
Punitives Award Sets Gwinnett Record– August 9, 2002, Fulton Daily Report. Here, a Gwinnett County jury returned a record-high punitive damages award.
Sailors’ Kin Sue Israelis Over Deadly Ferry Accident– Atlanta Journal/Constitution. This international lawsuit involved 19 soldiers who were killed overseas. After years of litigation, Mr. Hertz was able to help all of his clients by means of a confidential settlement
Suit Filed in Cobb Crash That Killed Teens– December 17 1996, Atlanta Journal/Constitution. This case received national publicity.
Wreck Takes Life of Student leader– December 1996, Atlanta Journal/Constitution. This was a products liability case that resolved in a confidential settlement.
YDC Teen Left Paralyzed– March 31, 1995, Athens Daily News. Mr. Hertz has sued numerous governmental entities throughout his career.
School Bus Driver Charged in Boys Death – September 16, 2009, AJC.com. We represent the family of a five year old tragically run over by his school bus.
Worker Disputes Builder’s Account of Fatal Shooting – July 3rd, 2008, Times-Herald.com. We currently are representing the family of a man that was shot and killed at a construction site.
Mediation Ends Lawsuit Filed in Inmates Death – October 11 2000, The Barrow County News. We handle cases all over the Southeast.
Widow Files Suit Against Commission – February 17, 1999, The Barrow Eagle.
We Don’t Want People to Forget About This – Ever – August 11, 2000, Marietta Daily Journal.
Parents of Teen Killed in Fight File Suit. – August 18, 2000, Cherokee Tribune.
Local Teen Killed at Dawson Shooting Range – June 19, 2002, Cherokee Tribune. We have handled many shooting cases.
Veteran Macon Firefighter Hit by Car While Battling Blaze – August 2, 2003, The Atlanta Journal. Having written the Punitive Damage book for Georgia, we take on many punitive cases.
Dawson County Jailer Dies While Helping During Storm – March 26, 1998, Dawson County Advertiser & News. This was a terrible accident in which we were able to win a recovery for the family.
In tears, Atlanta Officer Gives His Account of Wreck – May 19, 1999, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. This involved the death of a young child.
Newsmaker of the Year Big Money – December 17, 2000, Daily Report.
She Was an Angel Here – October 14, 1997, The Macon Telegraph. We were able to recover a large settlement for our clients.
Lawrenceville Man Rear-ends Patrol Car – September 16, 2003, Gwinnett Daily Post. We have represented numerous police officers who were injured while on or off duty.
An Unexpected Verdict – May 24, 2004 – The National Law Journal. Another multi-million dollar verdict which received national attention.
Man Charged in Shooting – Dawson News & Advertiser. This is an example of another case that involved a shooting.
Road to Recovery – Atlanta/Journal Constitution.
Parents’ Grief Behind Lawsuit Against Schools – August 17, 2000, The Atlanta Journal/Constitution.
TV Sports Anchor Faces Felony Charges in Fatal Collision – September 18, 2003, The Telegraph. This was a terrible wrongful death case in which we prevailed.
Teen Dies in Motorcycle Wreck – June 6, 2003, The Northeast Georgian. We have represented many motorcyclists.
Marta Passenger Sues for Eye Injury – Volume 16 Issue 7, The Georgia Trial Reporter. This large case involved suing Marta. We have had numerous cases against Marta.
Wreck Takes Life of Student leader – December 1996, The Atlanta Journal/Constitution
Nursing Home Verdict – Assisted-living facility / hospice-care negligence jury trial in Cobb County involving resident whose arm was broken during transfer. Resident did not receive proper medical treatment in days following her injury and incurred medical bills totaling $3,729.60 (Three Thousand Seven Hundred Twenty Nine Dollars and Sixty Cents). Due to loss of resident’s dignity in her final days, the jury awarded verdict in the amount of $1,000,000.00 (One Million Dollars) to resident’s family
MEMBERSHIPS AND LEADERSHIPS
Admitted to the bar of the Federal Districts of Georgia
Appointed to Judicial Qualifications Commission Nominating Committee of the State Bar of Georgia (July 2018)
Admitted to the Bar of the Supreme Court of the United States of America (June 2018 )
Licensed to practice in State of Georgia
Georgia Trial Lawyers Association, Regional Vice President (2010-2011)
Chairman Gwinnett Trial Lawyers Association (2010-2011)
National Board of Trial Advocacy
American Board of Trial Advocates
American Association of Justice (Past-Leader’s Forum)
National Trial Lawyers
American Association for Justice, Nursing Home Litigation Group
Melvin Belli Society
SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS
Court TV guest speaker
“Trial Advocacy,” ICLE; “Trucking Litigation,” ICLE
Keynote Speaker, Georgia Trial Skills Clinic Seminar
“Closing Arguments That Work,” GTLA Annual Convention 2009
“Dram Shop & Punitive Damages”, 2011
“Jury Trial Seminar”, 2012
“Inside the Courtroom” ICLE 1996-2003
“Punitive Damages in Georgia” ICLE 1997-2020 – Chairman/Speaker
“Proof of Damages” ICLE 1999-2020 – Chairman/Speaker
“Nursing Home Cases” ICLE 2018-2020 – Chairman/Speaker
“Torts of Sorts” ICLE 2000-2002
FJA – John Romano Workhorse Seminar – TBI presentation – 3/2018
Connectionology Seminars of America – 5/2018
Charlotte Connectionology Seminar 2018 – Speaker
Charleston Connectionology Seminar 2018 – Speaker
Newport Connectionology Seminar 2019 – Speaker
Santa Fe Connectionology Seminar 2019 – Speaker
Atlanta Connectionology Seminar 2019 – Chairman Speaker
Nursing Home Case Intake Seminar 2019 – Chairman/Speaker
Connectionology Handling Nursing Home Abuse Cases 101 Webinar Parts 1-3 2020 – Chairman/Speaker
Connectionology Suing Celebrities and Dealing with The Paparazzi Webinar 2020 – Chairman/Speaker
Connectionology Deposing Defendants in Medical Malpractice Cases Webinar 2020 – Chairman/Speaker
Connectionology How to Conduct Discovery to Successfully Present a Nursing-Home Abuse Case to a Jury Webinar 2021 – Chairman/Speaker
Connectionology 2021 – Pain & Suffering Arguments that Work
Connectionology 2021 – Key Depositions in Nursing Home Cases
Connectionology 2021 – Case Selection in Nursing Home Cases: Know where you are before you jump in
Connectionology 2021 – The Best Cases Are Already in Your Filing Cabinet
Connectionology 2021 – The Million Dollar Witness
Connectionology 2021 – Mini Mock Trial
Connectionology 2021 – Everything You Need to Know About the Watermelon Book
TBI Med Legal 2021 – Key Business Tips for Opening, Running and Expanding Your Plaintiff’s Law Firm
TBI Med Legal 2021 – How to Identify Nursing Home Cases
ICLE 2021 – Punitive Damages Seminar
Connectionology 2021 – How to Successfully Mediate and Arbitrate a Personal Injury Case
Connectionology 2021 – The Anatomy of a Soft Tissue Case
Connectionology 2021 – Nursing Homes Aren’t The Only Places Where Our Elderly Ones are at Risk for Injuries
Connectionology 2022 – The Silent Start of Sepsis
Connectionology 2022 – Soup to Nuts on Handling a Nursing Home Abuse Case
Connectionology Nashville 2022 – Traumatic Brain Injury Seminar
Connectionology 2022 – How to Win Dram Shop Cases
Connectionology 2022 – TBI Litigation and The Basics
ACCOLADES
Top 100 Lawyers in Georgia
Atlanta Superlawyer, Rising Stars
Atlanta Superlawyer
Georgia Trend 2005 Top Attorney
The Legal Elite
GTLA – Community Service Award, 2011
Jezebel Magazine, The Distinction Series, 9th Anniversary Edition
Tuxedo Road Aug/Sept 2009
“Super Trial Lawyers,” Dade County Bar
“Record Verdicts,” Dade County Bar
Member of the Melvin M. Belli Society
The American Association of Justice (AAJ)
Nursing Home Litigation Group
The National Trial Lawyers – Top 100 Trial Lawyers
Nursing Home Trial Lawyers – Top 10
Academy of Plaintiff Trial Lawyers of America – 2016