Jeffrey G. Blackwell

Jeff Blackwell focuses his law practice on cases involving serious personal injuries, substantial damages and wrongful death. He works exclusively for the victims of personal injury and their families. Outside the courtroom, his firm continues to advocate for safer roadways, safer workplaces and safer products.

Jeff attended college on a Presidential Scholarship, graduating with a degree in Financial Accounting. He then graduated with a law degree from The University of Alabama School of Law.

In 1995, Jeff began his legal career at a prominent Birmingham law firm where he handled serious injury cases throughout Alabama. Within the first three years of his practice, Jeff orally argued a case before the 11th Circuit Federal Court of Appeals, successfully defended a large healthcare company from serious fraud allegations with a team at trial and obtained a large recovery for consumers in a statewide class action.

In 1998, Jeff moved home to northern Alabama. He wanted to focus exclusively on cases helping Plaintiffs with serious injury and damage claims. At the Huntsville law firm where he served as a partner for the next 17 years, he successfully tried serious injury cases to verdict in multiple Alabama counties. He also successfully represented clients before the Alabama Supreme Court and Alabama Court of Civil Appeals on many occasions. He has tried personal injury cases to verdict in both Alabama and Federal Courts.

During his years as a partner in this Huntsville firm, Jeff developed a philosophy centered around intensive preparation to help his injured clients. He began planning to create a law firm where he could build around that philosophy. When a longtime law partner retired in 2015, Jeff founded his own law firm. His law firm is built around a process involving legal scholarship, case preparation and strong client advocacy.

Jeff was born in Decatur. He graduated high school in Athens. He lives with his wife and children in Huntsville.

• Free Consultation

Alabama

Owner / Attorney

Blackwell Law Firm

2016 - Current

From its office in Huntsville, the Blackwell Law Firm helps people with serious personal injury cases across Alabama. Our firm follows a work-intensive approach based on constant case preparation and study. We believe our approach to intensive preparation builds the best cases for trial and settlement. We spend 100% of our time in the field of personal injury and trial law.

Partner

Hornsby Watson Hornsby & Blackwell

1998 - 2015

For almost two decades, I served as partner in a Huntsville-based plaintiff's personal injury practice. I tried cases to verdict in counties across Alabama. In 2015, I left the firm to focus on creating a long-planned firm around my philosophy of intensive case preparation.

Attorney

Hardin & Hawkins

1995 - 1998

I served as an attorney in a statewide plaintiff's personal injury law practice. During my time with the firm, I handled cases in counties across Alabama. In 1998, I left the firm to move near my hometown in northern Alabama. In the years since moving home, I have frequently co-counseled closely with the attorneys I met in this firm.

Law Clerk

Hardin & Hawkins

1994 - 1995

While attending law school at the University of Alabama, I worked as a law clerk for Hardin & Hawkins. The firm maintained a statewide courtroom practice. As law clerk, I researched and wrote many of the briefs in the firm's cases.

University of Alabama School of Law

J.D. (1995)

1995

Journal of the Legal Profession, Ticor National Title Insurance Award Recipient, Corpus Juris Secundum Award Recipient

University of South Alabama

B.S. (1992) | Accounting

1992

Presidential Scholarship Recipient, President’s List, Dean’s List

SuperLawyer

SuperLawyers.com

2022

SuperLawyer

SuperLawyers.com

2021

Superlawyer

SuperLawyers.com

2020

Superlawyer

SuperLawyers.com

2019

Superlawyer

SuperLawyers.com

2018

Alabama State Bar

1995 - Current

Alabama Association for Justice

1995 - Current

Alabama Workers' Compensation Trial Strategy, The Future of Workers' Compensation by The Alabama Association for Justice

October 6, 2017

Evolving Issues And Practices In Workers' Compensation Cases (Panel Member), 26th Annual Workers' Compensation Seminar, Birmingham, Alabama

November 9, 2012

Cumberland School of Law

Presenting Damages And Expert Testimony At Trial, Advanced Personal Injury: Mastering Your Practice, Huntsville, Alabama

October 17, 2012

National Business Institute

Q. Does my lawyer need to send me a copy of his personal Injury limits demand letter ?

August 7, 2023

A: Hopefully, I can answer some of your concerns. Your primary issue seems to revolve around a complete lack of communication with your lawyer. I totally understand your concern on that issue. A lack of communication is one of the biggest complaints about lawyers in general. The lawyer and client need to communicate regularly so the best decisions can be made about your case. With some of the larger advertising firms, lawyers seem to have abdicated their communication responsibilities to staff. Because of that, clients suffer. Anyone with a personal injury needs a lawyer who will take the time to discuss key issues in order to prepare the best possible case.

You asked if the lawyer is required to send a copy of the actual demand letter to you. I know of no such requirement. Among different lawyers, the format of demand letters can vary widely. Some lawyers (especially the big volume advertising firms) simply send the medical records / bills with a short demand. To me, that's a really bad practice. I don't think that's the best way to make a demand. Instead, we organize everything, include our own medical research, and write a lengthy letter. Our letters tell the client's story and explain the injuries in detail. We want to provide the information that maximizes the offer to you.

Your inquiry raises another concern. You mention that your lawyer sent you to multiple doctors because you have no health insurance. I certainly understand the need for care and the issue of no health coverage. This issue highlights the need for communication. Let's look at a couple scenarios. What if the at-fault driver only had minimum liability coverage in Alabama (currently 25,000)? If your lawyer sent you to a bunch of doctors, those medical bills might consume all the available coverage. What if your lawyer has business relationships with these doctors? If so, then your lawyer may not have any desire to negotiate down the medical costs to save you money. We constantly hear these complaints from people who hire one of the large advertising settlement mill firms on billboards or television in Alabama. Too often, those lawyers don't communicate with their clients. Then, at the end of the case, the client is shocked at how little of their settlement they get to keep. It's the wrong way to treat people who need help.

Communication is key. The ability to participate and help make decisions about your case is also key. The goal should always be to help the client through a difficult legal situation while working to maximize the client's net recovery. ... Read More

Q. How can I ask the at fault drivers insurance company what their policy limits are without lawyer ?

May 2, 2023

A: I would first recommend you meet and talk with your lawyer. It is so important the lawyer-client relationship be one of trust and communication. The person you already hired owes you a duty to communicate regularly and work tirelessly to get you the best result.

At our office, we believe in regular communication with our personal injury clients. Our process starts with the new client interview where we spend considerable time with our client. Afterwards, we want to stay in contact throughout the medical treatment process so that we are a part of the client's effort to heal. I know you did not ask about the communication process but it sounds like the issue in your case starts at that point.

Your question specifically asks about discovering insurance policy limits. In Alabama, our discovery rules require the insurance company to disclose coverage limits if asked during the lawsuit. Of course, that requires you to file your case. However, many insurance companies instruct their adjusters not to disclose limits pre-suit. During the pre-suit negotiation process, a good lawyer can usually figure out the limits based on conversations with the adjuster. Also, we often have a pretty good idea of limits based on the insurance company as many companies tend to issue specific coverages.

I do disagree with your position on negotiation. In cases where the injuries are minimal, it may not make much difference who negotiates. I've written some articles on that issue. We usually do not accept cases with minimal care because the lawyer cannot improve the client's recovery. Anyway, that's again an issue your lawyer should honestly discuss with you.

However, in cases with substantial or serious injuries, a good lawyer can often add tremendous value. That value comes in several ways. A personal injury trial lawyer experienced with medical and vocational issues can often develop the claim much better. A personal injury trial lawyer with actual experience in court is often taken more seriously by the insurance company. You would be shocked at the differences in offers given to billboard lawyers unwilling to go to court versus lawyers who will go to trial. The insurance companies know which lawyers will go to court. It can make a big difference in my opinion.

You also mention that your treatment is ongoing at this time. I don't know your situation but the medical charges and potential subrogation may also be issues. Again, a good lawyer can often save their clients tremendous money while so many billboard lawyers simply neglect this issue. This can also be a big deal in negotiations and settlement. ... Read More

Q. Is my lawyer being dishonest?

March 17, 2023

A: I'm sorry you are dealing with this situation. This is a common problem in personal injury cases where you don't have health insurance. The first priority should always be to get the medical care you need for recovery. That priority should also be accomplished with your interest first and foremost.

When someone has health insurance, the answer is simple. Get the treatment you need through health insurance. Then, a good lawyer can pursue your personal injury case for the maximum recovery while trying to negotiate with the health insurer to save you money in the long run. I've written several articles on this issue. You can find them on my firm website blog. The key is whether or not you have an experienced lawyer willing to fight for you.

When you don't have health insurance, you do have several other options for medical care. Some medical providers will provide care based on an agreement or lien to collect the bill later from your recovery. Several medical provider companies also exist. These companies will provide care while collecting later from your settlement. For these companies, the choice of physician is often limited to those providers who will contract with them. Again, the key is whether or not you have a good lawyer actually working for your benefit. The goal should always be to maximize your physical recovery and then your recovery from the case. Some lawyers have arrangements with medical providers that benefit the lawyer and medical provider over the client. That's wrong. I've heard more horror stories than I can count about settlements where some lawyer did not put his client first and foremost. Most often, these horror stories are from people who hired a billboard or television lawyer running a huge volume settlement mill. Your lawyer should be open and honest about the medical care and its potential cost to you. Your lawyer should be providing personal service for you.

I would suggest you talk with your lawyer. You need to know the potential value of your case as well as the limits of any insurance coverage available. You also need to know the arrangements or repayment issues involved with the medical providers. I wish you the best with your case. ... Read More