Drugs and Alcohol Don’t Mix
There is a reason many of the prescription drugs come with a warning label that “you should not drink alcohol or operate a vehicle or heavy machinery while taking this medication.” It is a prescription for disaster if you do. We see more and more accidents in our practice caused by a mixture of drugs and alcohol. Alcohol is a depressant. When drugs like Xanax, Lortab, Oxycodone, or Soma are mixed with alcohol, the effects of the alcohol are intensified, many times causing the driver to fall asleep at the wheel, or to be in “wonderland” when an emergency arises. We want to remind our friends and clients to drink responsibly, always have a designated driver, and heed the warnings labels on the medicine bottles!
TEXTING AND DRIVING TO BE BANNED
Last month we featured articles about the dangers of distracted driving, whether it is cell phone use or texting. In our practice, we see more and more wrecks caused by texting and driving. The Alabama Legislature just gave final passage to a bill to make texting and driving illegal. It has been a long time coming, but we applaud the legislature for their action. The number of serious accidents caused by texting and driving is now much higher than accidents caused by DUI, so we are certain Governor Bentley will sign this bill into law. It is likely many will still get away with texting and driving. The law will be difficult to enforce. But I remember when the same was said about the seat belt law. Little by little, habits changed for the majority. This is a start to safer roadways.
Steve Weisberg to Bring John Denver Off the Record to Opp
The Opp Cultural Arts Council is pleased to announce a major performance in September. Steve Weisberg, who was lead guitarist for John Denver during the late 70’s when John was on top of the world, will bring his “John Denver Off the Record” performance all the way from Texas. Steve is quite an entertainer and story-teller and can take you to a musical “Rocky Mountain High.” Details will follow.
Low Country Boil With Lil’ Jimmy Reed Major Success
For those who missed the Low Country Boil and entertainment by Alabama Blues Legend Lil’ Jimmy Reed, you missed a fabulous evening in downtown Opp on April 27. Jimmy played for a couple of hours while members of the Opp Arts Council kept the crowd fed with shrimp, sausage and fixings. About a hundred folks turned out for dinner and the show. Our appreciation goes out to the members of OCAC who made this a success, and to Mayor H.D. Edgar and the City of Opp for dressing up downtown to make such events enjoyable!
FLORALA HEALTH AND REHAB A TRUE GEM “We had to move one of the most special ladies in my life, my grandmother, Willie Bell Holloway, into Florala Health and Rehab in January,” said Wes Laird. “Since then, I have discovered what a true gem it is and what a blessing it is to have it in Florala.” Florala Health and Rehab was built just a few years ago and is situated in the edge of a pecan grove behind Florala Memorial Hospital. Sara Goolsby is the Administrator, and according to Laird, “she runs a tight ship.” “The care exhibited by the staff and management there is incredible. The residents stay active through games and exercise programs. It is clean, the food is excellent, and it is run like a home away from home,” Laird said.
PUT EXPERIENCE TO WORK IN YOUR CASE
Laird, Baker & Blackstock has its roots in Opp in 1987, when Wesley Laird took over the law practice of Loggins & Loggins. Tim Loggins was going into corporate work and Eugenia Loggins was taking office as Covington County’s District Attorney. They left a successful private practice representing clients for many years in trouble with the law, injured, seeking divorce and custody, or needing a real estate lawyer.
Laird expanded the practice into the area of bankruptcy, having just finished a clerkship with a Bankruptcy Trustee, Walter Crownover of Tuscaloosa.
David Baker joined Laird in 1993 as an Associate and soon became a partner. About three years later, Thomas A. “Andy” Blackstock joined the firm and later became a partner as well.
The combined experience of the three partners is sixty years in the areas of trucking litigation, auto wrecks, personal injury, wrongful death, real estate, wills and probate, divorce and custody, criminal law, and bankruptcy. With each partner heavily concentrating in specific areas, it allows more efficient concentration on particular cases.
The common denominator is care. “Andalusia attorney Sid Fuller told me years ago that he always believed if a lawyer cares for his clients, the rest will take care of itself,” said Laird. “He was right. If you care about people, about clients, then you will do everything you can to help that person.”
Whatever your legal need, the lawyers at Laird, Baker and Blackstock care and are ready to help.
Chuck Boyd's Story
Laird, Baker & Blackstock
When Experience Matters
Laird, Baker & Blackstock
Toby Hollinghead Talks About Representation
by Law Firm After Her Accident
“On the day of my auto accident, the farthest thing from
my family’s mind as I was on a life flight to a trauma
center (at Baptist Hospital in Pensacola) was the need for legal
representation. During the weeks that I was in intensive care
my family did not think about the high cost of medical and rehabilitative
service costs.
Bills would begin arriving in huge quantities,
along with threats of collection agencies. It was at this time,
during this crucial period, when we retained Laird, Baker & Blackstock
for their assistance.
Attorney Wesley Laird took over my case completely. And through
his professional experience, laced with a big dose of humanity,
my needs were met.
Wesley Laird, along with his assistant
Amanda Stewart, worked tirelessly to get the best outcome possible
for me. I was guided easily and effortlessly through this horrendous
time in my life.
My appreciation of these professional,
caring people goes beyond words. I will be eternally grateful
for the wisdom and compassion shown to me and my family during
this time.” ---Estoria “Toby “ Hollinghead,
Folk Artist, injured in accident with large truck on May 4, 2009.
Laird,
Baker & Blackstock
Your Hometown Law Firm
Over 60 Years Combined
Experience In Offshore, Trucking, and Construction Accidents,
Real Estate, Criminal, Probate, Divorce and Custody Cases
Trust your important
legal matters to people who care about you
right here at home -- with the experience to take care of your
needs.
Laird,
Baker & Blackstock –When Experience Counts 493-9716 in Opp
“No representation is made that the quality
of legal services to be performed is better than the legal
services offered by other lawyers.”
Sampling of Settlements/Verdicts
$41 Million Settlement in School Board Class Action
$6 Million Settlement in Product Liability Car Accident
$2.75 Million Settlement in One-Vehicle Car Accident in Construction Zone
$1.00 Million Settlement in Product Liability Case (Truck Accident)
$1.35 Million Settlement in Large Truck Accident near Construction Zone
$1.40 Million Settlement in Large Truck Accident
$1.0 Million Verdict in Large Truck Accident in Construction Zone
$900,000 Settlement in Large Truck Accident
$750,000 Verdict in Car Accident Case
$185,000 Verdict for broken ankle for Vietnam Veteran
$500,000 Verdict – Oil rig back injury
$500,000 Settlement in Car Accident Case
$350,000 Verdict in Oil Rig Case
Caring for People
"I decided when I opened in 1987 that
the people of our area needed aggressive representation - someone
who cared about their problems, not the bottom line of the big
corporations and insurance companies. At Laird, Baker & Blackstock,
we care about people. That is why we will never represent insurance
companies. We are dedicated to providing our clients with the
best service we can. Whether you have been seriously injured,
are having problems in your family, or whether you are buying
a home, we will do everything in our power to meet your needs.
We put people first."
-Wesley Laird
No Recovery - No Fee in
Death, Accident, Insurance, and Injury Cases
Alabama State Bar Regulations
require the following on all attorney's ads: "No representation
is made that the quality of the legal
services to be performed is greater than the quality of legal
services performed by other lawyers."
TEXTING AND DRIVING TO BE BANNED 