News from July 2005
New Lawsuits: Tuesday, July 26
Fresh from the courthouse:
Wednesday August 3
9 a.m.
Tuesday August 2
9 a.m.
Fire claim denial was made in bad faith, policy holder claims
Larry Tolley of Belleville filed suit against Country Casualty Insurance claiming the insurer's fire claim denial was unjust, unreasonable and made in bad faith.
Credit card scheme lands couple in jail
A Grover, Mo. couple who pled guilty to conspiracy to commit mail fraud was sentenced on July 22 in U.S. District Court in East Saint Louis.
Self-representing injured man seeks damages and attorney fees
Representing himself in a personal injury lawsuit, Joe Smith of Troy claims he was seriously injured while working as a lineman for Ameren IP and is seeking damages from his former employer as well as A.B. Chance Company, Hubbell Inc. and Howard Industries.
Belleville McDonald's is named in water fall suit
A woman who allegedly slipped and fell at a Belleville McDonald's two years ago filed a $150,000 suit just before the statute of limitations was set to expire July 12 in St. Clair County Circuit Court.
Client loses case after 10 years, goes after his lawyer
Denzil Ridenour filed suit against his former attorney Richard Gibson claiming he failed to properly prepare and try his 10-year-old personal injury case which was recently dismissed by a Mississippi court.
Out-of town lawyers file suit for hopeless Kentucky man in SCC
John Guerry, III Paducah, Ky. resident Robert Berry filed a nine-count Federal Employers’ Liability Act (FELA) and asbestos lawsuit in St. Clair County Circuit Court July 12 seeking damages in excess of $1 million claiming he suffers from an asbestos-related disease.
New Lawsuits: Monday, July 25
Fresh from the courthouse:
Houseboat owner sues over denial of fire claim
J.W. Adams of Edwardsville filed suit against Bret Dixon Insurance of East Alton alleging that the company denied his claim for a houseboat and a nearby boat that were destroyed by fire in January.
Estate sues employer for salary and benefits
The estate of James Rivetta filed suit against his former employer Alion Science and Technology of McLean, Va. alleging the company failed to pay Rivetta’s salary and benefits until he died in May.
Woman who crashes car sues landlord for not evicting drug dealers
3103 East B St A woman who was robbed at her apartment and almost car-jacked, is suing the apartment owner because she crashed her vehicle while escaping the attackers.
Lowe's patron trips on cement mound, sues for $50k
Lowe's Home Center in Fairview Heights While pushing a knife away with her foot in the Lowe's Home Center parking lot in Fairview Heights, Zola Hellmeyer tripped on a mound of cement, fell and suffered serious and permanent injuries.
Building owner sues East St. Louis for demolishing building
Broadway Avenue filed suit July 8 in St. Clair County Circuit Court seeking at least $50,000 in damages from the City of East St. Louis alleging the city violated the Illinois Municipal Code.
Simmons deal is height of hypocrisy
Despite Governor Blagojevich's recent actions to cut state pensions to plug massive holes in the state budget, his Administration reportedly is proposing to filter $3 million to $4 million in taxpayer money to a proposed baseball stadium project involving top Democratic political contributor and wealthy Metro-East trial lawyer John Simmons.
Record reader refutes report
To the editor:
The victim hunters
The image of multimillionaire Madison County plaintiff’s lawyer Tom Lakin as door-to-door traveling salesman is tough even for us to grasp.
Momentum builds at 'Diagnosing for Dollars' conference
Stan Anderson WASHINGTON, D. C. – Business advocates celebrated a new era in asbestos litigation at a national conference and swapped ideas for building momentum.