Joe Barton, R-Tx. After a medical expert and law professor tore apart the validity of national asbestos and silicosis litigation before a congressional committee Wednesday, doctors responsible for diagnosing nearly 10,000 disputed claims chose to remain silent.
Justice Mary Ann McMorrow From start to finish, the year 2005 has been packed with dramatic events. The Record's editorial board has selected the following as the 10 most compelling stories of 2005:
Ten plaintiffs from across the country filed a class action lawsuit against America Online (AOL) in St. Clair County Circuit Court, claiming the Internet giant unlawfully collects extra fees.
Norton Of the 24 judges--12 associate and 12 circuit-- in the St. Clair County Courthouse, Judge Bill Norton is the lonely Republican. So it goes that he’s relegated to the anything-but-glamorous Family Division, akin to latreen duty among those on the bench.
Ed Murnane Madison County's reputation as the nation's No. 1 "judicial hellhole," was earned largely for hosting the country's most massive asbestos docket.
Robert Brooks Ramsey A hefty volume of cases crushed the Madison County Circuit Clerk's office Tuesday as a St. Louis asbestos litigation firm filed 153 lawsuits.
Madison County Circuit Judge Andy Matoesian has transferred a local man’s class action suit against a Samsung Electronics subsidiary to a court in suburban Chicago.
There are those in Madison County courts and government that don’t seem to think the county deserves its well-earned title of “#1 Judicial Hellhole in the United States,” a title they have held nationally for two years.
Judge Matoesian The Class Action Fairness Act--on track for congressional approval--will have a direct impact on the dockets of Madison County Circuit Judges, which for right now are chock full.
Judge Daniel J. Stack took over Madison County's giant asbestos docket on September 8, 2004. In his first forum ruling as chief of the nation's largest asbestos case docket, Judge Daniel J. Stack argued the "astronomical burden" of looming trials demanded he dismiss cases that were not connected directly to Madison County.