News from May 2005
A closer eye
Robert McCoy Metro East legal eagles are surely keeping tabs on a New York-based federal grand jury investigation into asbestos and silica litigation fraud.
The real thing
When the Pulitzer family agreed to sell its St. Louis Post-Dispatch to Lee Enterprises earlier this spring, it did so with one unique stipulation.
New I-LAW director takes aim at PI attorneys
The new executive director of Illinois Lawsuit Abuse (I-LAW) is beginning his crusade by taking aim at personal injury attorneys who hope to get rich by playing the "lawsuit lottery."
Friday May 27
9 a.m.
Thursday May 26
8:30 a.m.
If at first you don't succeed, merit trumps procedure
Bracey When attorney Christopher Byron filed a class action complaint against drug maker Bayer in Madison County, he alleged misrepresentations he could not prove, argued his economic theory incompletely, and relied in part on code instead of law.
Dangerously uneven asphalt blamed for serious injuries
Cathryn Jaeger of Bellevile filed a suit against Walpert Properties of Missouri and Mainline Plaza, also of Missouri, for tripping in their parking lot. She is seeking damages for injuries in excess of $100,000.
Failed airbag in '94 pickup subject of $150k suit
A driver whose airbag failed to deploy in a one-car rollover accident is suing DaimlerChrysler and Auffenberg Ford for more than $150,000 in St. Clair County Circuit Court.
Crystal Palace patron sues adult night club for injuries
A fight at an adult entertainment night club in Centreville has led to a $600,000 lawsuit filed against Crystal Palace and its owners on May 13 in St. Clair County Circuit Court.
Scott's BRAC survival delights realtors
U.S. Senator Dick Durbin and U.S. Reps. Jerry Costello and John Shimkus huddle while awaiting the official phone call on Scott's BRAC status on May 13. Like so many folks in the Metro-East--be they influential public figures, industry leaders or your average home owner--O'Fallon realtor Suzie Vouk is delighted that Scott Air Force did not show up on the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) list.
City, county and commission blamed for uneven concrete in suit
Marcella Dixon claims that a "certain inequality" between two slabs of concrete caused her to trip and fall forcefully onto a Belleville sidewalk.
Out of area docs and hospital named in St. Clair County suit
A woman who underwent surgery for a bunionectomy at a west central Illinois hospital is suing her Springfield podiatrists in St. Clair County Circuit Court.
Rosewood Care Center named in $300k injury suit
Rosewood Care Center on Center Grove Road in Edwardsville Kenneth Brueggeman filed a suit against Rosewood Care Center of Edwardsville in Madison County Circuit Court seeking damages in excess of $300,000.
Mitchell tavern sued for selling too much liquor
Luna Cafe in Mitchell A man who was kicked, punched and tossed to the ground filed suit against the Luna Café in Mitchell claiming the tavern sold too much liquor to his unknown assailants.
Jurors award $500k in Madison County asbestos trial
Jeff Hebrank After deliberating nearly nine hours over two days, Madison County jurors found in favor of Willard King and awarded him and his wife a relatively paltry sum of $500,000.
Asbestos defense says there's no case during closing
Mark Phillips "Use your good common sense," said Georgia-Pacific defense attorney Mark Phillips of Nelson Mullins of Columbia, S.C. during closing arguments in Madison County's first asbestos trial in two years.
Plaintiff's seeking $40 million in Madison County asbestos trial
Circuit Judge Daniel Stack "Corporate greed and corporate indifference is as toxic as the poison they mixed in their products," said a plaintiff's attorney during closing arguments in Madison County's first asbestos trial in nearly two years.
Anderson Hospital doctor on trial for medical malpractice
Circuit Judge Andy Matoesian Granite City resident George Wolfe used to love his job as a building estimator. He also liked to cook, barbecue, help fix things at home and spend time with his wife, Donna, and their family in the backyard pool. That was until he suffered a stroke two years ago.
Doctor sued for dog attack
4817 D'Adrian Another Metro-East doctor was hit with a Madison County lawsuit, but not for allegations of medical malpractice.