Steve Korris News
Magistrate to decide if Illinois wrongful birth cause of action applies in Missouri couple's lawsuit
EAST ST. LOUIS – Illinois recognizes wrongful birth as a cause of action, Missouri doesn’t, and U.S. Magistrate Mark Beatty gets to decide which law applies to John Cordes and Lindsey Cordes of Missouri.
Uconnect plaintiff Flynn loses case at Seventh Circuit; His attorneys owe $180K for pursuing injury suit without injury
BENTON – Lawyers for Belleville lawyer Brian Flynn owe Chrysler and Harman International Industries $179,264.77 for pursuing an injury suit without any injury, U.S. District Judge Staci Yandle ruled on Aug. 25.
Judge finds contradictions in Ancestry.com complaint; Plaintiff seeks review at Seventh Circuit
CHICAGO – Ancestry.com DNA user Carolyn Bridges of St. Clair County petitioned U.S. appellate judges to review rejection of a claim that purchase of the website by Blackstone Group violated privacy of every user in Illinois.
Yandle rules for Belleville in former sergeant's discrimination claim
BENTON – Belleville didn’t discriminate or retaliate against police sergeant Kimberly Fulkerson, U.S. District Judge Staci Yandle ruled on Aug. 25.
Julian announces endorsement from U.S. Senator; The former asbestos attorney has contributed to Durbin's coffers
Democrat Barry Julian announced on Aug. 23 that he has been endorsed for a Madison County circuit judgeship by U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin.
The Knot and GoDaddy allegedly intercept Highland florist's customers, suit claims
BENTON – Flower shop owner Catherine Weber of Highland claims wedding website The Knot and web registration manager GoDaddy intercept her customers and refer them to her competitors.
Madison County jail inmate claims willful and wanton neglect after attack that distorted face
BENTON – Negligence of Madison County jailers and nurses ruined the jaw of inmate Clayton Shaffer and distorted his face, according to a suit attorney Jarrod Beasley of Belleville filed at U.S. district court on Aug. 16.
'Inflation reduction' bill includes provision for white farmers; Their exclusion from debt forgiveness program repealed
EAST ST. LOUIS – U.S. Senators and Representatives who excluded white farmers from a debt forgiveness program last year repealed the exclusion when they passed the inflation bill President Biden signed on Aug. 16.
Cruse reversed for excluding East St. Louis murder suspect’s previous crime
MOUNT VERNON – St. Clair County Circuit Judge Zina Cruse improperly excluded evidence that murder suspect Dominic Combs committed a similar crime in similar circumstances, Fifth District appellate judges ruled on Aug. 12.
McGlynn affirmed in suit claiming police unjustified in seizing rifle from suspect in drive-by shooting
CHICAGO – U.S. District Judge Stephen McGlynn correctly rejected a claim that police who seized a rifle from suspect Paige Davis violated his rights, Seventh Circuit judges Amy St. Eve and Thomas Kirsch decided on Aug. 11.
First to capture methane gas is the owner, Seventh Circuit rules in trespass and conversion dispute
CHICAGO – Keyrock Energy of Thompsonville owned methane that it pumped out of someone else’s mine, U.S.
In third trial over attempted suicide, Madison County and jail officers cleared at federal court
EAST ST. LOUIS – Jurors in U.S. district court on Aug. 12 cleared Madison County and two jail officers of liability for a suicide attempt that has left Reginald Pittman in a vegetative state for 15 years.
Asbestos bankruptcy judge levels $264K sanction against Shrader firm in dispute over client exposures
CHARLOTTE – Bankruptcy Judge Laura Beyer has sanctioned Shrader and Associates mesothelioma firm for $264,000 for failing to answer questions about 330 clients who sued Georgia Pacific.
Ninth and First Circuit rulings support challenge to Illinois law banning out of state judicial contributions
CHICAGO – Fresh decisions in cases from Alaska and Maine and an Illinois decision from 2000 cast doubt on Illinois law against residents of other states contributing to judicial campaigns.
Gilbert takes charge of wood chipper injury lawsuit
BENTON – Senior U.S. District Judge took charge of a claim that Atain Specialty Insurance doesn’t have to cover tree trimmer James Hodge of Godfrey, who backed a wood chipper over housemate Bailey Watson.
Caseyville man seeks to proceed with civil rights action against police
EAST ST. LOUIS – Carl Edwards of Caseyville resolved charges against him without a fine and wishes to proceed with a lawsuit claiming village police gave him a concussion and regularly violated his rights.
Gilbert orders Italian paper machine company not to withdraw sales proceeds from U.S.
BENTON – Senior U.S. District Judge Phil Gilbert, preparing for jury trial on sales commissions, ordered attachment of $750,000 to keep an Italian defendant from removing assets beyond his reach.
‘Observers’ lawsuit against Centralia cops rejected at Seventh Circuit; YouTubers recorded driver with baby in lap but refused to give ID
CHICAGO – Men who called themselves Southern Illinois Observers gave police probable cause to stop, search and arrest them, Seventh Circuit appellate judges ruled on Aug. 2.
Kolker reversed for not leveling greater sanction in alienation of affection lawsuit among Alton physicians
MOUNT VERNON – St. Clair County Circuit Judge Christopher Kolker imposed a $3,500 sanction when he could have imposed about 20 times as much, Fifth District appellate judges found on Aug. 3.
Lawyer defending Greenville hospital med mal action points to overturned prejudgment interest law
EAST ST. LOUIS – Attorney Michael Nester of Belleville, taking a cue from a judge who found the legislature’s automatic award of prejudgment interest unconstitutional, plans to make it an issue at a medical malpractice trial in U.S. district court.