News from November 2006
New Lawsuits: Thursday, Nov. 30
Fresh from the courthouse:
Lakin asks for last minute Weber substitution; claims judge is biased toward firm
Brad Lakin Brad Lakin, whose law firm failed to prove bias on the part of Madison County Circuit Judge Don Weber in March, has asked the court for another chance to prove it.
New Lawsuits: Wednesday, Nov. 29
Jeffrey Griffin v. Safeco Insurance Company
Stack to rule on retrial in Cantrell med mal case
Madison County Circuit Judge Daniel Stack Lawyers for Dolores Cantrell, M.D. say that a defense verdict reached in a Madison County medical malpractice trial last May should stand and Madison County Circuit Judge Daniel J. Stack appeared to agree after hearing 90 minutes of arguments on Tuesday.
Asbestos down, but out-of-state plaintiffs dominate
Perry Browder Asbestos cases are on the decline for the second straight year in Madison County. But the pace at which out-of-state plaintiffs are filing suits here remains brisk.
Man seeks $50k from Wal-Mart for tripping on battery
Wal-Mart A man who tripped over a battery at the Highland Wal-Mart filed a personal injury suit in Madison County Circuit Court Nov. 29, seeking damages in excess of $50,000.
Ingram Barge and Alter Barge named in FELA suit
Jason Brown of Rock Island filed a Jones Act suit against Ingram Barge Company and Alter Barge Line claiming the defendants failed to provide him a safe place to work.
Consolidated Rail and American Premier Underwriters named in suit
James Graetz filed a Federal Employers' Liability Act (FELA) suit against Consolidated Rail Corporation and American Premier Underwriters.
Asbestos Jury Docket: Monday, Dec. 4
Monday, December 4
Woman sues FGM Architects for trip at Effingham High School
FGM Architects is being sued by a woman who fell on steps inside Effingham High School's cafetorium last year.
Flying J tanker driver blamed for pedestrian fatality
Flying J Inc. and one of its tanker truck drivers are being sued in St. Clair County Circuit Court by the family of a woman struck and killed at an East St. Louis intersection.
Bi-State bus passenger claims injuries from collision
A Bi-State bus passenger claims she suffered severe and permanent injuries when the bus she was riding in collided with a van last year in East St. Louis.
Worker claims injuries from aerial lift bucket
A man who was hit by the bucket of an aerial lift at a Granite City Steel construction project filed a personal injury suit against the lift operator and his employer in Madison County Circuit Court Nov. 22.
Alton's Dollar General blamed for shopping cart stumble
Dollar General Sixty five days after allegedly tripping over a shopping cart at the Alton Dollar General store, Barbara Coburn filed a personal injury suit seeking damages in excess of $50,000.
K-Mart named in slip and fall suit
Tamera Phelps filed a personal injury suit against K-Mart in Madison County Circuit Court Nov. 27, claiming she was injured at a Granite City store on Sept. 24, 2005.
Nov. 27-Dec. 1
Abbott Labs
African Hebrew Israelite inmate claims religious freedom being violated
An inmate serving a 25-year sentence for home invasion at Lawrence Correctional Center filed suit in federal court claiming the prison violated the Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment and his right to practice religion.
Peel wants evidence suppressed in criminal case
Gary Peel Attorney Gary Peel filed a supplemental brief in support of his motion to suppress evidence in an ongoing federal criminal case.
U.S. Supreme Court refuses to hear Price v. Philip Morris
WASHINGTON-The United States Supreme Court refused to hear arguments that a lower court erred when tossing Madison County Circuit Judge Nicholas Byron's $10.1 billion verdict Marlboro and Cambridge "light" cigarettes.
Carpet at Cracker Barrel blamed in suit
The Caseyville Cracker Barrel restaurant is being sued by the estate of a woman who tripped over a carpet, fell and sustained severe and permanent injuries.