News from 2006
April 17-21
3M
Civil justice needs fixing
To the editor:
No blame
Moran Madison County Court dockets on the Cardinals Opening Day, in the brand new Busch Stadium on a gloriously perfect Monday, April 10, were unusually light.
Peel's trial set June 12 before his former law partner
Gary Peel Former Lakin Law Firm attorney Gary Evan Peel pled "emphatically not guilty" to charges of bankruptcy fraud, obstruction of justice and two counts of child pornography in federal court Thursday as his children, ex-wife, and current wife and family sat in and exchanged verbal attacks during recess.
Appellate court upholds Matoesian's denial of transfer
The Illinois Appellate Court ruled that Madison County Circuit Court Judge Andy Matoesian did not abuse his discretion in denying a defendant's motion to transfer a case based on the doctrine of intrastate forum non conveniens.
States lose, trial attorneys don't as tobacco market shifts
Stanford's Jeremy Bulow Tobacco company payments to states may drop as smoker choices change the market, but fees for trial lawyers who negotiated the payments will never drop.
Office Max named in defective chair complaint
James McQuillan of Belleville is suing Office Max for injuries he sustained after falling from an allegedly defective chair.
Bar patron sues owner for punch in the face
A patron of Good Tymes Saloon in Dupo claims the bar's owner Michael L. Simmons punched her in the face without provocation early in the morning on Oct. 8, 2005.
Accident victim sues auto maker and dealer for quadriplegia
DaimlerChrysler and the Auto Mart of Mt. Vernon were named in a Madison County civil lawsuit filed by a woman who became a quadriplegic after a vehicle rollover accident.
New Lawsuits: Wednesday, April 12
Fresh from the courthouse:
Bad behavior in litigation to be addressed in forum
ISBA President Robert Downs A joint committee of the state's top legal associations is holding open forums in Chicago and Collinsville next week for Illinois judges and lawyers on how to solve negative behavior in litigation.
54 plaintiffs claim injury from Vioxx in federal suit
On the heels of a recent $13.5 million jury verdict in New Jersey, 54 people filed suit against Merck & Company in federal court in East St. Louis claiming injury from taking the pain reliever Vioxx.
Man claims police officer beat him while cuffed
John Oakley alleges a Herrin police officer beat him and violated his constitutional rights when he was arrested on Jan. 23, 2005.
Treasurer candidate says office holder should be steward
The ink on his resume suggests vision.
Debtor claims agents made threatening calls
Debt collectors threatened she would be arrested on felony charges and face a St. Clair County judge if she didn't return their calls.
Tasered woman claims police trumped up charges
Laverne Gee filed suit against the City of East St. Louis alleging the city's police department maliciously shot her with a taser gun while fleeing authorities as well as filed false charges against her.
New Lawsuits: Tuesday, April 11
Fresh from the courthouse:
Francis firms files more FELA suits in St. Clair County
St. Louis attorney Daniel Francis has taken aim at a familiar target in a familiar venue by filing another set of personal injury suits against Illinois Central Railroad.
Dillard's shopper sues for tripping on clothing rack
Pamela Wilson filed a personal injury suit against Dillard's department store seeking damages in excess of $50,000 for injuries she allegedly sustained after tripping on a clothing rack on Feb. 5.
Cancer patient claims radiation over used
Cancer patient Alice Louise Boyd claims her oncologists administered radiation too broadly on her abdomen in a medical malpractice lawsuit filed in St. Clair County.