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OVERRULED
Louisiana Estate and Injury Attorneys
New Orleans • Covington
April 2024
(504) 384-7978
www.ScottVicknair.com
Growing up in Thibodaux, it seemed like my mom ran into a former student whenever our family left home. It happened so often that my brother and I joked that a local celebrity raised us. I found it funny as a kid, but now I can’t help but feel proud. My mother was an incredible teacher for 33 years, and it’s awe-inspiring to think about how many students whose lives she helped shape. It does not take a holiday for me to show appreciation for the woman who raised me, but Mother’s Day provides all the more reason to dedicate this newsletter to her. My brother and I played football in high school, and not only did we play the same position — right guard on the offensive line — but we also wore the same number: 72. As a fun aside, my nephew currently plays right guard, and, without requesting it, was given 72, allowing him to carry on our numerical legacy on the football field. Playing in the trenches meant we made contact every play, and watching her sons fighting it out made Mom nervous. She always jokingly suggested playing kicker instead since it was safer. Despite her protests about our choice of position, she would inevitably end up leading all the moms in the crowd in cheering us once the game got started. After school, I used to ride the bus to where my mother taught so I could catch a ride home with her instead. My mom’s classroom was on the second story, with a window looking out over the bus stop where I would wait for her to finish up with class. One of my favorite memories stems from a time around Easter when my mom had just finished washing off her classroom chalkboard. Now that she was done, she had a bucket full of dirty, brackish water, and she decided to save herself a trip downstairs by dumping the water out her classroom window onto the bushes below. I watched as the school REFERRALS WELCOME! We sincerely thank everyone who has sent us a referral this past month. We appreciate being your personal trusted legal advisor; even if we cannot handle your case, call us and we will work on finding someone who can assist you. CALL NOW – OPEN 24/7 (504) 285-7675 BEYOND THE BLACKBOARD A Grateful Ode to My Mother
principal, who had been hiding Easter eggs in those same bushes, was doused from head to toe. As a testament to my mother’s skills as a teacher, her career was not tossed out along with that water, and they kept her on for many years thereafter. Firefighters and police officers are, by and large, rightly revered and recognized for the service they provide to their communities. On account of my upbringing, I admit to being biased because I have always felt that, compared to them, teachers get the short end of the stick. My sister-in-law is also a teacher, and she is expected to gather donations to pay for classroom equipment. Somehow, I can’t picture firefighters having to start a crowdfunding campaign to buy a new hose or police officers lobbying family members for help buying handcuffs. In part, it’s this disparity that inspired our firm to hold a giveaway specifically for teachers, where the winner will receive an all-expenses paid weeklong cruise. I’m a momma’s boy. She is one of my biggest role models in life, and her support has always meant the world to me. For as long as I can remember, I have wanted to be either a lawyer or a football coach. The two careers could not be more different, although they both involve counseling others and advocating on behalf of those you represent. While I opted for a legal career, in the back of my mind, I knew she would have supported me regardless of which path I had chosen. She has always been one of the most selfless people I have known, and her belief in me has given me the conviction to pursue my dreams. To all mothers reading this — and to mine in particular — Happy Mother’s Day!
–David Vicknair
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There are some outlandish laws in the U.S., but you can also get away with plenty of surprising things. Let’s dive into some of the crazy laws from around the country. Surprisingly Legal Flame On Owning a flamethrower is surprisingly legal in 48 states. The only state where you can’t own one is Maryland. And if you want a flamethrower in California, you must get a license. The rest of the states say, fire away! Car Radar Another surprising law concerns radar detectors: In most states, utilizing a radar detector in your personal vehicle is completely legal. Do you want to check someone’s speed or look out for police officers? Unless you live in Mississippi, Virginia, Washington, D.C., or on a military base, it’s entirely legal! Sleepy Surgery There are absolutely no laws that state surgeons must get a good night’s sleep before surgery. As dangerous as this sounds, at least surgeons usually do have a limit on how long they can work at once, curtailing the worst outcomes of an exhausted doctor. Shockingly Illegal Car Cursing While in Maryland, you should be mindful of keeping your swear words to yourself (or whisper them softly) while driving through the small city of Rockville. It is considered a misdemeanor to swear from a vehicle within earshot of other people. Your curse words could cost you up to $100 in fines or 90 days in jail. Blindingly Obvious Driving blindfolded has never been a good idea, but that clearly didn’t stop adventurous residents in Alabama from testing their blind driving skills. Maybe that’s why the state passed a law making blindfolded driving illegal. Keep an open ear and be mindful of what is legal and what is not. Nobody wants weird laws creating dumb criminals! Legally Unbelievable When the Law Meets Absurdity
Over the past month, we’ve embarked on a whirlwind journey through some of the world’s most peculiar events. From the Italian court’s unusual eviction of two adult sons to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s surprising fish-flavored solution to rabies, we’ve explored outlandish stories that have captured our attention. Shifting our focus to a more serious societal issue, we addressed the declining trust in institutions and the media’s ongoing battle with misinformation. We highlighted the critical need for dependable resources and critical thinking in today’s digital landscape, where unchecked facts and conspiracy theories often take root. Additionally, we discussed the environmental sustainability of Mardi Gras with Brett Davis, the Founding Director of Grounds Krewe, shedding light on the reality of Mardi Gras’ environmental footprint. Lastly, we explored the intricacies of leadership with business coach Adrian Koehler, emphasizing the importance of nuanced conversations and attentive listening skills in effective leadership. Tune in to “Overruled” to catch up on these engaging discussions! Peculiar Events, Misinformation, and Mardi Gras! Tune In to the ‘Overruled’ Podcast for the Latest!
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Many different vernaculars are used in daily conversations — English is constantly changing! Some phrases we hear often might make sense if we think about them, but we probably could never guess the backstory of others. So, let’s “dive in” and explore four commonly used phrases and their origins. Raining Cats and Dogs When you hear someone say, “It’s raining cats and dogs,” this comes from when houses had straw roofs with no wood underneath. Animals would burrow into the straw roof to stay warm. The roof became slippery when it rained, and the animals would fall off. It would “rain cats and dogs.” This phrase is now used to describe heavy and abrupt UNRAVELING THE HISTORY OF 4 PHRASES Tracing the Roots of Everyday Sayings
Honor an Education Professional With a Cruise NOMINATE A RECIPIENT SOON! The Scott Vicknair Law Firm recognizes the important impact educators have on our lives and communities. Because of this, we want to celebrate the superheroes who shape our future by sending one lucky current teacher or school staff member based in Southeast Louisiana on a FREE CRUISE GETAWAY! Nominate your favorite teacher or school staff member who has gone above and beyond to make a real difference in student’s lives. Go to HighSeasABCs.com and enter your favorite teacher or school staff member for a chance to win a weeklong cruise getaway as a way of saying “Thank You!” for all they do! Share the nomination link with your network — classmates, friends, parents, and fellow educators. The more nominations, the greater the celebration! Hurry! The deadline for entry is April 23, 2024, at 11:59 p.m., and the winner will be announced during Teacher Appreciation Week (May 6–10, 2024).
rainfall and sometimes bad weather in general. Dirt Poor The phrase “dirt poor” is just an extreme way to call someone poor. As simple as this sounds, though, it comes from a time when many poor people had only dirt floors and were thus considered “dirt poor.” Bite the Bullet
Details and official rules are available at HighSeasABCs.com.
To “bite the bullet” means to accept something difficult or unpleasant. In the olden days, when doctors were short on anesthesia or time during a battle, they would ask the patient to bite down on a bullet to distract them from the pain. The first recorded use of the phrase was in 1891 in a Rudyard Kipling novel, “The Light That Failed.” Break the Ice When you “break the ice,” you remove tension from a first or uncomfortable meeting. Before road transportation was common, ships were the only means of transportation and trade. At times, the ships would get stuck during the winter because of ice formation. The receiving country would send small ships to “break the ice” to clear a way for the trade ships. This gesture showed affiliation and understanding between two territories — similar to how the phrase is used today.
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Louisiana Estate and Injury Attorneys
(504) 384-7978 www.ScottVicknair.com 909 Poydras St., Suite 1225 New Orleans, LA 70112 Inside This Issue
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How My Mother’s Example Shaped My Values
Honor an Education Professional With Our Getaway Cruise! How Common Phrases Found Their Voice Surprisingly Legal and Shockingly Illegal ‘Overruled’ Continues to Engage and Inform
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The Lawsuit That Touched Hearts
From Conflict to Compassion LUKE COMBS STRIKES A CHORD
in further complications. Her Amazon account, containing funds from recent sales, was locked due to the lawsuit, leaving her in a dire financial situation. What sets this story apart is not the initial legal dispute; it’s the remarkable response from Combs himself. Upon learning of Harness’s situation, he recorded a heartfelt TikTok video where he apologized directly to Harness and extended his hand to help her during this challenging time. He gave her $11,000, twice the amount that had become inaccessible in her Amazon account due to the lawsuit. He emphasized that no fan should ever go through such an ordeal and expressed his sincere regret for the situation. Combs didn’t stop there; he decided to positively impact Harness’s life by selling similar tumblers on his own website. All
Imagine waking up one December morning to the bizarre news that one of your favorite celebrities is suing you for a whopping $250,000. That’s what happened to Florida resident Nicol Harness, a devoted fan of country music sensation Luke Combs. The story began when Harness found herself in hot water for selling unofficial merchandise adorned with lyrics from Luke Combs’ songs. She had sold 18 tumblers at $20 each and had no clue this would lead to a legal battle that would wreak havoc on her life. Harness, who had been dealing with congestive heart failure, received an email from Combs’ legal team during her hospital stay. Unfortunately, due to her medical condition, she missed the 21-day response window, which resulted
Photo by David Bergman
proceeds from these sales were directed toward Harness’s family to support her medical care, further showcasing Combs’ commitment to making amends and righting the situation. This incredible turn of events reminds us that even in the face of legal battles and adversity, acts of kindness and empathy can prevail. Combs, a country music superstar, proved in words and actions that he values his fans, turning a potential lawsuit into a story of compassion and unity in the country music community.
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