Thomas L. Holder
Top rated Workers' Compensation attorney in Atlanta, Georgia
Gerber & Holder Attorneys at Law
Practice Areas: Workers' Compensation
Licensed in Georgia since: 1981
Education: Emory University School of Law
Selected to Super Lawyers: 2004 - 2025 Call today:
855-811-4248
Free Consultation Gerber & Holder Attorneys at Law
16 Lenox Pointe NEAtlanta, GA 30324 Visit website
Details
Thomas L. Holder is a partner at the law firm of Gerber & Holder. Prior to his joining Gerber & Holder in 2018, Mr. Holder was the managing partner of Long & Holder, which was established in 1986. Mr. Holder exclusively represents injured workers in Georgia workers' compensation cases. Thanks to his focus, he is a recognized leader in the state of Georgia and nationwide. He is a Past President of WILG, a national organization made up of the leading workers' compensation attorneys from around the country. Tom was also chosen as the National Claimants' Attorney of the Year in 2020. Tom also received the Distinguished Service Award from the Workers' Compensation Section of the State Bar of Georgia in 2022. Countless injured workers from throughout DeKalb, Fulton, Gwinnett and Cobb counties turn to him each year for assistance pursuing the benefits they need to allow them to recover and remain financially secure while going through the workers' compensation process.
Mr. Holder earned his law degree from Emory University School of Law in 1981. The State Bar of Georgia granted him admission later that same year. The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit also granted him admission in 1981.
With 43 years of legal experience in state, federal and appellate courts to his credit, it is not surprising that Mr. Holder is the recipient of a number of honors. He has received an AV Preeminent peer review rating* from Martindale-Hubbell, and has a "Superb" Avvo rating.
Unsurprisingly, Mr. Holder is a respected leader in the legal community. He has taught a number of Continuing Legal Education classes and spoken at countless seminars. He is a long time board member of the Georgia Trial Lawyers Association's Workers' Compensation Section. He also serves on the Chairman's Advisory Council.
*AV®, AV Preeminent®, Martindale-Hubbell Distinguished and Martindale-Hubbell Notable are certification marks used under license in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedures, standards and policies. Martindale-Hubbell® is the facilitator of a peer review rating process. Ratings reflect the anonymous opinions of members of the bar and the judiciary. Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review Rating™ fall into two categories – legal ability and general ethical standards.
Other Locations to Serve You:
ATLANTA OFFICE
16 Lenox Pointe NE
Atlanta, GA 30324
ATHENS OFFICE
337 South Milledge Ave, Ste. 209-7
Athens, GA 30605
COLUMBUS OFFICE
1340 14th St
Columbus, GA 31901
Practice areas
Workers' Compensation: Claimant- 100% Workers' Compensation: Claimant
First Admitted: 1981, Georgia
Professional Webpage: https://www.gerberholderlaw.com/work-injury-lawyer-attorney-...
Bar/Professional Activity:
- Founding Chair of the Workers' Compensation Section of the Atlanta Bar Association., 1987
- Member of the Chairman of the State Board's Advisory Committee which discusses and makes changes to the workers' compensation laws in Georgia from 2016-2024, 2024
- President of the Workplace Injury & Litigation Group (WILG). WILG is the national claimants' lawyer organization, 2018
- Employee Co-Chair of the Workers' Compensation Committee of the Labor and Employment Law Section of the American Bar Association, 2016
- WC Section of Georgia Trial Lawyers Association, Board of Directors, 1992 - 2024, 2024
- Chair of the Workers' Compensation Section of the State Bar of Georgia, 2000
Verdicts/Settlements (Case Results):
- $65,520 Right elbow injury claim for employee whose benefits were previously suspended based on full-duty release. Benefits recommenced for 45 weeks before settlement. Elbow injury
- $1 million+ $372,000 MSA Man sustained a closed head injury. Head injury
- $650,000 Police officer was shot and paralyzed from the waist down. Catastrophic injury
- $533,000+ $99,000 MSA Our client sustained a traumatic brain injury as the result of a fall. The claim was denied by the insurance carrier asserting that the injured worker was an independent contractor. After months of aggressive litigation, Chris secured a settlement of $533,000 plus a $99,000 Medicare Set Aside. Traumatic brain injury
- $425,000+ $273,000 MSA Woman had significant injuries to her back and head. Numerous injuries
- $297,000 Man’s head was partially crushed between a truck and the side of a warehouse loading dock. Head injury
- $275,000+ $217,920 MSA Man was injured lifting 50-pound barrels when his hands slipped and he fell. This caused extreme pain in his lower back and required two surgeries. Back injury
- $242,500+ $461,209 MSA Tom Holder represented a woman who severely injured her back, requiring two back surgeries. No efforts were made to settle her case until after surgeries and recovery were complete. Back injury
- $238,000 Man was killed on the job. He was represented by the widow and dependent step-child. Catastrophic injury
- $225,000 51-yr old restaurant worker slipped and fell striking his head on the ground while taking the trash out to a dumpster. Head injury
- $215,000 Man sustained significant injuries while carrying heavy carpeting. Numerous injuries
- $200,000+ $150,000 MSA 56-yr old man had 2 knee operations, the 2nd of which was a total knee replacement after falling into a hole while on the job. Knee replacement
- $200,000 34-yr old man was injured when a vehicle drove off the road and struck him on the construction site he was on. He sustained a herniated disk in his back. Back injury
- $200,000 Truck driver severely injured his left hip, kneecap and foot when involved in a head-on collision that was caused by another driver. Catastrophic injury
- $180,000 Man fell off a ladder while pulling items off a shelf. Back injury
- $175,000+ $105,453 MSA Man suffered a head injury and injured his right shoulder while working for a Georgia company. Head injury
- $175,000+ $125,000 MSA 42-yr old salesman injured when shot by assailants while working. Bullet remained lodged in lung as a result of attack. Lung injury
- $175,000+ $91,000 MSA Man sustained a head injury. This was being challenged by the insurance carrier. Head injury
- $175,000 Man ruptured his left biceps and injured his left shoulder while lifting a large toolbox with his co-employees. Catastrophic injury
- $165,000 A man was in an automobile accident and suffered injuries to his brain, back, and knees. He required ongoing medical care and we were able to settle his case. The man continues to receive medical care paid for by the insurance company. Brain injury from car accident
- $150,000 Woman had numerous upper extremity problems because of years of wear and tear. She had nine surgeries. Back injury
- $140,000 Client slipped and fell, landing on his right shoulder. The same day, he went to his truck to pick up materials and fell backward off the truck, landing on his head and back. Materials also fell on top of him. Numerous Injuries
- $125,000 This client had injured his back prior to our claim and had settled that out on his own in the months leading up to this injury. The insurance company did not want to pay for this claim alleging that his current complaints of pain related to the earlier back injury. After engaging in litigation, Chris Gifford was able to procure the six figure settlement for the client. Repeat back injury
- $117,000 Tom Holder represented a man who had a significant back injury after an auto accident. He was determined to keep working. Fortunately for him, his company went out of business so he did not have to worry about resigning when he settled his case. Back injury
- $115,000 48-yr old man sustained an infection in his leg after cutting himself on the job. Leg infection
- $115,000 59-yr old temporary laborer fell off a scaffolding and fractured his ankle. This injury required his ankle to be fused. Ankle injury
- 110,000 Our client sustained an injury to his neck as the result of a lifting incident at work. Chris successfully secured weekly income benefits at the maximum compensation rate and after the client received extensive medical treatment, he was able to procure a settlement in the amount of $110,000. Neck injury
- $107,699 Woman fell and hurt her back. Initially, the company fought the claim and even threatened to sue her for defamation. We made sure the case was accepted and the woman now receives weekly checks. Back injury
- $100,000 Ben Gerber obtained a $100,000 settlement for a client who had an arm injury. The young client sustained a severe fracture of their arm which required surgery to place pins and rods at the site of the fracture. Unfortunately, the injured worker was not able to immediately return to work and he was able to ensure that he received treatment and indemnity benefits prior to the lump sum settlement. Arm injury
- $100,000 Man injured his low back while on the job. The workers’ compensation insurance companied initially denied his claim, alleging no injury occurred. The man had a history of prior back injuries and treatment, but he was able to work until this injury occurred. After litigating the claim versus the insurance company, we secured a sizable settlement for the man. Back injury
- $100,000 Low back injury claim was initially denied, but we were able to secure benefits regardless. Back injury
- $100,000 Back and neck benefits awarded one year after surgery. Back/neck injury
- $100,000 70-yr old man lost the use of a finger and part of his hand when his finger got caught in the saw he was using to cut a piece of wood. Finger injury
- $100,000 54-yr old mason sustained a crush injury to his foot when a concrete wall collapsed on top of him. Foot injury
- $100,000 37-yr old baker herniated a disk in his back unloading bread from an oven. Back injury
- $95,000+ $7,500 MSA Our client sustained a low back injury requiring surgery. We (Natalie Ekins) successfully obtained authorization for a lumbar discectomy, and secured workers’ compensation benefits for him at the maximum rate of $575 per week while he recovered from surgery. After he reached maximum medical improvement, we secured a $95,000 settlement for the client, plus an additional $7,500 for his future medical treatment. Back injury
- $95,000 51-yr old man injured his shoulder while lifting garbage. Diagnosed with a rotator cuff tear and had two surgeries to fix tear. Shoulder injury
- $95,000 Individual sustained a low back injury following a motor vehicle accident while making a delivery. After fighting with the insurance company, the claim was accepted, and the client began receiving weekly checks and medical treatment. After receiving medical treatment, a non-surgical lumbar strain was diagnosed. Back injury
- $90,000 The client sustained an excruciating fractured ankle injury when they fell into a hole on the job. Beyond the settlement, Natalie Elkins was able to get additional money set aside for future medical treatment. Fractured ankle
- $90,000 36-yr old female sustained a herniated disk in her neck as a result of a car accident. We settled her case after she had the surgery paid for by the insurance company. Neck injury
- $85,000 39-yr old delivery driver sustained a head injury when a ladder fell off his truck and struck him in the head. Head injury
- $79,000 35-yr old construction worker fractured his arm when a pipe he was working on became detached and struck him in the forearm. Arm injury
- $77,500 30-yr old construction worker injured his foot when a scissor lift rolled over it. Foot injury
- $75,000 The injured worker was terminated after reporting their shoulder injury and left without income. Tom Holder was able to get workers’ compensation benefits commenced and medical treatment for the injured worker. Shoulder injury
- $75,000 Natalie Elkins was able to resolve a back injury case for $75,000 plus a confidential amount was placed in a Medicare Set Aside to pay for the client’s future medical treatment. The client had his benefits reduced by the insurance company before coming to us and Natalie was able to get his benefits increased to their previous level prior to resolution of the claim. Back injury
- $72,000 Non-surgical cervical spine and shoulder injury after previous suspension of client’s benefits. All back-owed benefits (14 weeks) were paid to client, with penalties prior to settlement. Spine injury
- $70,000 Our client was injured in a motor vehicle accident AFTER they had clocked out of work but were still on the employer’s premises. The insurance company initially denied the claim but Chris Gifford was able to get the client’s medical treatment and indemnity benefits paid after proving to them that the injury was covered under the workers’ compensation statute. Motor vehicle accident
- $70,000 35-yr old construction worker injured his hand when he fell off a ladder at a construction site. He used his hand to brace himself and fractured it. Hand injury
- $70,000 66-yr old truck driver lost his finger while checking on the engine of his vehicle. Finger injury
- $2.9 million Tom Holder represented a woman who sustained significant head and leg injuries when she drove her car into a tree. She deteriorated over the seven years of the case. Mr. Holder helped convince the insurer that this should be a catastrophic case, helped navigate the attendant care system, and was involved with transferring this brain injured client to a top residential facility. Catastrophic car accident
- $65,500 Woman sustained a right elbow injury at work. The insurance company suspended her income benefits based upon a full-duty work release from the insurance company’s doctor. She was unable to return to work at that time due to ongoing pain for which she needed treatment. Our team successfully fought for her to be treated by a new doctor and had her income benefits recommenced for 45 additional weeks. Elbow injury
- $65,000 40-yr old machinist sustained a non-surgical back injury while lifting up a piece of trash from his jobsite. Back injury
- $60,000 55-yr old man sustained a superior labral tear when the forklift he was on crashed into a pallet. SLAP tear
- $60,000 45-yr old maintenance worker slipped on the stairs and fractured her foot. Foot injury
- $50,000 Client injured their right shoulder at work. We fought to have the shoulder surgery recommended by the doctor authorized, and the client finally underwent the required surgery only a few months after contacting us. Shoulder injury
- $50,000 Tibula/fibula fracture. Bone Fractures
- $45,000 Our client sustained a ligament tear in her foot. We (Natalie Elkins) obtained authorization for three separate foot surgeries, and fought to maintain her workers’ compensation benefits while she recovered from surgery. Following her discharge from medical care, we secured a settlement of $45,000. Foot injury
- Injured worker died while on business in Amsterdam of unknown causes. Case resolved for widow for $255,000, 2023
- Injured worker vs. employer settled for $2,900,000. Injured worker sustained a significant head injury., 2020
- Widow and Dependent Step-Child vs. Employer/Insurer. Settled for $238,000. The key to the case was proving that the dependent step-daughter was, in fact, dependent., 2019
Representative Clients:
- Widow vs. Employer/Insurer. The widow's husband died while on business in Amsterdam of unknown causes. The case resolved for $255,000. , 2023
Pro bono/Community Service:
- Math Superstars Volunteer, Mary Lin Elementary School, 2000 - 2005
- The Temple, Member, Board of Trustees, 2007 - 2009
- Holiday Helping Hands, Inc., 2013 - 2016
- Grady HS Boys Soccer Team, Public Address Announcer, 2012
- Inman Park Neighborhood Association, President, 1996 - 1998
- The Temple, Chairman, Men's Club, 2007 - 2009
- Chairman, Kids Chance, Inc., "Fun Run," 1992
- Atlanta Youth Soccer Association, Team Mgr, 2006 - 2012
- Board of Directors, Friends of Inman Park, 2006
- The Temple, Member
- The Temple, High Holidays Usher Captain, 2004-continuing, 2023
- Kids' Chance, 1992 - 2016
- Youth Basketball Coach, 2000 - 2009
Honors/Awards:
- AV, Martindale Hubbel, 2024
- Georgia Super Lawyers Top 100 ten times, Georgia Super Lawyers Top 100, Georgia Super Lawyers, 2024
- Fellow, The College of Workers' Compensation Lawyers, Class of 2010 Member of the Board of Governors 2022-, Fellow, College of WC Lawyers, 2024
- 2004-2024, Georgia Super Lawyers, Georgia Super Lawyers, 2024
- Avvo.Com Rating of 10.0 out of 10, Avvo, Avvo, 2020
Educational Background:
- Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, B.A., Major: History/Political Science, 1977
- Emory U. School of Law, 1981
Scholarly Lectures/Writings:
- Discussion of two catastrophic cases and the ways in which the claimants' attorney, the insurer, and medical provider coordinated their efforts to maximize the outcome for the injured worker. , Presenter, Catastrophic Injury Assessment, Evaluation, & Treatment, WILG Convention, 2020
- Discussion of cases against airlines for problems the flight attendants are having with uniforms., Presenter, Airline uniform Cases, WILG NE Regional Conference, 2020
- This speech on National WC Issues was given 12 times between 2018-2019 in my role as president of WILG., Speaker, National WC Issues, 2019
- If It's Personal, It's None of Your Business, State Board of Workers' Compensation Seminar, 2007
- Advanced Workers' Compensation, NBI Seminar, 2006 - 2008
- Moderator, Legal Workshop, State Board of Workers' Compensation Seminar, 2004 - 2005
- Preparing a Case for the Claimant, Georgia Workers' Compensation Practice, Half Moon, LLC, 2003
- Associate Editor, The Verdict, Georgia Trial Lawyers Association, 2000 - 2007
- Legal Potpourri, State Board of Workers' Compensation Seminar, 2003
- “New Circumstances, New Injury? Defining the Conceptual Limits of the ‘Fictional’ New Accident” , WC Section of the State Bar Newsletter, Spring, 2010
- The State of the Maloney Burden Today, Workers' Compensation Section of the Atlanta Bar Association Annual Seminar, 2003
- “Workers’ Compensation Legal Issues”, AgriTrust of Georgia Agents’ Conference, 2016
- Employment Related Health Issues and Concerns, Poor People's Day at the Capitol, Health Care Workshop, 2002
- “Conservators and Death Claims-Special Considerations”, ADR in the Workers’ Compensation Arena, ICLE of Georgia, 2016
- Moderator, Legal Workshop, State Board of Workers' Compensation Seminar, 2001 - 2002
- American Bar Association Workers’ Compensation Midwinter Seminar and Conference, Program Co-Chair, 2015
- Advanced Workers' Compensation in Georgia, National Business Institute, 2001
- “Mock Trial; DeCATting an Over 65 Year Old Injured Worker”, Atlanta Claims Association Seminar, 2015
- Selected Issues in Workers' Compensation Law, National Business Institute, 2001
- Medical Issues and Their Role in the Complex Workers' Compensation Claim, National Business Institute, 2001
- Complex Workers’ Compensation Issues, NBI, 2014
- Attorneys' Fees, National Business Institute, 2001
- “The 400 Week Medical Cap in Georgia”, Workers’ Injury & Litigation Group, 2014
- Preparation of the Injured Employee's Case, National Business Institute, 2001
- “Claims Handling”, State Board of Workers’ Compensation Regional Seminar, 2013
- Legal Issues of Workers' Compensation and the LNC Challenge: Workers' Compensation and the Legal Nurse Consultant, AALNC and ICLE, 2000
- Workers' Compensation Midwinter Seminar and Conference, Employee Program Co-Chair, American Bar Association
- Chairman, Workers' Compensation for the General Practitioner, State Bar of Georgia Workers' Compensation Section, 2000
- Workers' Compensation: Global Washout Agreements, American Bar Association Labor and Employment Law Conference, 2012
- Victory Baptist Church, Local Cable Access, Guest commentator on Workers' Compensation issues, 2000
- “Death Claims: A Strategy for Determining Dependency Benefits”, WC Institute and State Board of Workers’ Compensation Annual Seminar, 2012
- Guest Lecturer, Georgia State University, Advanced Workers' Compensation Seminar, 1999
- Journey Back to Life Rehabilitation Conference, 2012
- Guest Lecturer, Georgia State University, Advanced Workers' Compensation Seminar, 1994 - 1995
- Litigating Death Cases and Dependency Benefits, Workers' Compensation Law Institute, 2012
- Labor Forum, WRFG-FM, Regular Commentator on Workers' Compensation Issues
- The Searchers - Panel Presentation & Physician Led Round Table Discussions on the Role of Vocational Rehabilitation & Case Management in Workers' Compensation, State Board of WC Seminar, 2011
- Settling your CAT Claim: The End Result, Swift, Currie, McGhee & Hiers, LLP Seminar, 2011
- Professionalism-A Primer on Practicing Before the State Board of Workers' Compensation, Workers' Compensation for the General Practitioner, State Bar of Georgia Workers' Compensation Section, 2011
- Calculation of Compensation Ratings and Settlements in Workers' Compensation Cases, Winning Settlement Strategies, ICLE of Georgia, 2011 - 2012
- Litigation Techniques for the Difficult Workers' Compensation Case, Georgia Public Schools WC Administrators Annual Conference, 2011
- Hot Topics in Workers' Compensation, Professional Rehabilitation Specialists of Georgia Seminar, 2011
- Advanced Workers' Compensation, NBI Seminar, 2010 - 2011
- Co-Chair, Workers' Compensation Institute, 2010
- Recent Decisions of the Appellate Division, Workers' Compensation Institute, 2009
- Professionalism, Lawyer Referral and Information Service of the Atlanta Bar Association, 2009
- Anatomy of Workers' Comp and the LNCs Role, AALNC Atlanta Chapter Luncheon, 2009
- Anatomy of Workers' Comp and the LNCs Role, Georgia Legal Nurse Consultant Society, 2009
- Hot Topics in Workers' Compensation, Professional Rehabilitation Specialists of Georgia Seminar, 2009
- Hot Topics in Workers' Compensation, Professional Rehabilitation Specialists of Georgia Seminar, 2007
Other Outstanding Achievements:
- Comp Laude Award as the National Claimants' Attorney of the Year by workcompcentral.com. , 2020
- Distinguished Service Award from WILG, the national claimants attorney organization, 2020
- Distinguished Service Award by the Workers' Compensation Section of the State Bar of Georgia. This is the highest honor given by the Section. , 2022
Selections
22 Years Super Lawyers
- Super Lawyers: 2004 - 2025
Top Lists
Top 100: Georgia Super Lawyers: 2012 - 2013, 2015 - 2017, 2019 - 2025- Top 100: 2025 Georgia Super Lawyers
- Top 100: 2024 Georgia Super Lawyers
- Top 100: 2023 Georgia Super Lawyers
- Top 100: 2022 Georgia Super Lawyers
- Top 100: 2021 Georgia Super Lawyers
- Top 100: 2020 Georgia Super Lawyers
- Top 100: 2019 Georgia Super Lawyers
- Top 100: 2017 Georgia Super Lawyers
- Top 100: 2016 Georgia Super Lawyers
- Top 100: 2015 Georgia Super Lawyers
- Top 100: 2013 Georgia Super Lawyers
- Top 100: 2012 Georgia Super Lawyers
