News from 2005
Sand storm
When trendspotting, the most fashionable have spies on the coasts. But the most sue-happy—- they look to the Lone Star State.
The more things change, the more they stay the same
One of the definitions of "primogeniture" in Merriam-Webster's on-line dictionary is "an exclusive right of inheritance belonging to the eldest son."
Dreaming of Mt. Vernon
Maag The private sector isn’t for everyone.
ARDC wants Record's report on Yates v. Hildebrand
An Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission attorney has asked The Record for its report on the case of criminal convict Wiley Yates vs. criminal defense attorney Thomas Hildebrand.
Friday, Oct. 7
9 a.m.
New Lawsuits: Thursday, Sept. 29
Fresh from the courthouse:
Silicosis litigation raising 'red flags'
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.
Plaintiffs filing asbestos and silicosis suits
One-third of the 33 plaintiffs who filed silicosis suits in Madison County on Sep. 27 and 28 also filed asbestos suits in Madison County Circuit Court. The 11 former state workers are:
On his last day, Kardis hammers Cassens, Cottrell
Retired Judge Kardis The day a man retires, he may feel entitled to doing as he pleases.
Roberts confirmed by Senate
Chief Justice John Roberts The United States Senate voted 78-22 to confirm Judge John Roberts as Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court making him the youngest Chief Justice in 200 years.
Silica Defendants
American Optical Corporation
Spicy courtroom exchange ensues between plaintiff prisoner and defendant attorney
Madison County Circuit Judge George Moran's swift handling of 116 cases one recent morning was punctuated by a strange last matter, Wiley Yates v. Thomas Hildebrand, in which the imprisoned plaintiff claims he received a longer sentence because of a lawyer's malice.
Philip Morris decision in Supreme Court's lap
Judge Nicholas Byron One of the most anticipated decisions to come from the Illinois Supreme Court is expected soon.
19 more silica suits filed in Madison County
Plaintiff's attorney Brent Coon A day after an aggressive national asbestos litigation firm deluged Madison County Circuit Court with 153 asbestos and silicosis lawsuits, it returned with another 19. (Editor's note: The Record reported Sept. 28 that another 21 new silica suits were filed on Wednesday. That figure was incorrect. The Record regrets the error).
Appellate court affirms St. Clair County's decision to toss class action
Justice Stephen L. Spomer The Fifth District Appellate Court upheld a St. Clair County Circuit Court decision to dismiss a class action suit that named the Lawyers Trust Fund (LTF) of Illinois and Illinois Supreme Court Justices over interest earned on client funds.
Craftsman saw 'kickback' prompts injured man to sue
Gary Prasuhn filed suit in St. Clair County Circuit Court Sept. 22, seeking damages against Sears and Rexon Industrial Corp. for injuries he received while using a Craftsman table saw.
New Lawsuits: Wednesday, Sept. 28
Fresh from the courthouse:
Thursday, Oct. 6
8:30 a.m.
Deadly gas explosion in home leads to suit against Ameren
An explosion in their Abington, Ill. house that killed an infant child and injured three others, prompted parents Todd and Christine O’Halleran to file a wrongful death suit in Madison County Circuit Court Sept. 27 against Ameren IP and TMI Home Warranty.