News from October 2005
Judge to decide if Peel can be relieved of paying former wife
Gary Peel U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Kenneth Meyers of East St. Louis has set a Nov. 16 trial to decide if the bankruptcy petition of attorney Gary Peel should relieve him from paying what he owes to former wife Deborah J. Peel.
Karmeier's 'plain English' opinion explains overturn of St. Clair County, appellate court case
Justice Lloyd Karmeier The Illinois Supreme Court reversed judgments by the Circuit Court of St. Clair County and the Fifth Appellate District that denied American River Transportation Company a trial by jury in a Jones Act case filed by David Bowman.
Report scorns RTS for lacking qualification
A medical screening firm that was banned by a major asbestos trust fund and scorned by a report on attorney-funded disease testing is believed to be responsible for the diagnoses of multiple plaintiffs in recent Madison County litigation.
Counting recent asbestos suits proves a challenge
Like a 53rd card in a deck, a SimmonsCooper asbestos suit rests in the litigation pile that Texas attorney Brent Coon brought to Madison County last month.
Attorneys bound to keep clients 'reasonably' informed
According to the Illinois Supreme Court, an attorney must keep a client “reasonably informed” about the status of a case.
Mt. Vernon city manager accused of sexual harassment in federal suit
A former receptionist in Mt. Vernon’s Inspection and Engineering Department filed a sexual harassment and retaliation suit against the municipality Oct. 17, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois in Benton.
Retired workers unwitting plaintiffs
Attorney Robert Ramsey of Brent Coon & Associates' St. Louis office Retired locomotive makers who filed asbestos suits in Madison County last month did not know they had filed the suits until just days ago.
Forum motion on FELA case will be heard, says Moran
Circuit Judge George Moran Circuit Judge George Moran will hear a forum non conveniens motion on a Federal Employers’ Liability Act suit brought by Benton Jefcoat against Norfolk Southern Railway in Madison County Circuit Court on May 3.
Suit against Four Flags dismissed
Circuit Judge Daniel Stack dropped a lawsuit filed against Four Flags after the plaintiff, Nathan Grant, filed a motion to dismiss the case.
Inmate seeks $1 million for missing anti-depressants
A St. Clair County Jail inmate charged with first degree murder is seeking $1 million in a lawsuit claiming he was denied proper medication.
Fear of future cancer drives federal asbestos suit
Four former employees of Illinois Central Railroad (ICR) filed a Federal Employers’ Liability Act (FELA) suit in U.S. District Court Oct. 17, alleging fear of future cancer and/or asbestosis.
Martin's Pub wants to rid personal injury complaints
Martin's Pub Martin’s Pub in Granite City will try to dismiss two cases that were filed against the bar on May 16 during a hearing in Madison County Circuit Court Oct. 24.
Knee implant case in management
Raymond Gavillet, who claims a failed knee implant operation caused him serious injury, will be heard in a case management conference Oct. 26.
Alton nursing home seeks dismissal from med mal case
The Eunice Smith Nursing Home in Alton will argue its motion to dismiss a medical malpractice complaint on Oct. 26 before Madison County Circuit Judge George Moran.
Water flow suit against neighbor in court
A property owner's suit involving an improper water flow against her neighbor will be heard in Circuit Judge Nicholas Byron’s courtroom Oct. 26, for a case management conference at 9 a.m.
Shimkus votes for limiting frivolous obesity lawsuits
Congressman John Shimkus (R, Illinois-19) voted in support of the Personal Responsibility in Food Consumption Act (HR 554), which limits frivolous lawsuits against restaurants and encourages personal responsibility.
St. Louis attorney files Vioxx suits for Illinois women
John Driscoll St. Louis plaintiff's attorney John Driscoll filed two more Vioxx lawsuits against Merck & Co. and Walgreens on behalf of two Illinois women who claim the arthritis pain-reliever caused their health problems.
Former Liberty president pleads guilty to falsifying account
Mark Repking, former president of Liberty Bank in Alton, has pled guilty to federal charges of falsely creating an account statement of $350,297.26 for a customer.
Eddie's Lounge attempts to dismiss wrongful death suit
Eddie's Lounge Granite City tavern Eddie’s Lounge will be in court Oct. 26 attempting to dismiss a complaint alleging the tavern served too much alcohol to a patron who caused a fatal traffic accident.