News from 2006
Herndon recuses himself from Peel case
Gary Peel Six weeks after U.S. District Judge David Herndon said he would not recuse himself from a criminal case involving a former law associate, he has stepped aside from former Lakin Law Firm attorney Gary Peel's June 12 trial on bankruptcy fraud, obstruction of justice and child pornography charges.
Vioxx blamed in two St. Clair County suits
In separate lawsuits against Merck & Co., two Illinois women claim they suffered strokes from having taken the arthritis pain-relieving drug Vioxx.
Jogger sues driver for serious injuries
A woman who was struck by a drunken driver while on an early morning jog in Lebanon, is suing the driver and his parents for serious injuries she sustained on May 27, 2004.
Casa Romero customers claim fajitas and chips made them sick
Casa Romero in East Alton Two men who got sick after eating chicken fajitas and chips and dip filed a civil suit against Casa Romero in East Alton alleging the food they ordered was not fit for consumption.
Distracted customer sues Wal-Mart for torn carpet
A man who fell and broke his arm while walking into the Wood River Wal-Mart is suing the store for defective carpeting.
May 30-June2
Abbott Labs
Rep. Hoffman slithers
It's called the Lakin Lakin Firm because of L. Thomas Lakin, the man whose big-verdict, big-money reputation made him once the biggest name plaintiff's lawyer in Metro St. Louis, much less the Metro-East.
Poetic justice
To the editor:
Former Madison County judge protected Lakin class action
Retired Judge Kardis Seventeen class action suits of the Lakin Law Firm sprouted from a single bad seed, but two years ago Madison County Circuit Judge Phillip Kardis protected the Lakin firm from an investigation into the source of the suits.
One-car crash in Wood River fuels curiosity
Like crop circles, gouges in the earth along Rock Hill Road suggest routine human activity to some and earth shaking conspiracy to others.
Friday, June 2
9 a.m.
Weber relies on Avery and Gridley in limiting reach of class action
Relying on two powerful Illinois Supreme Court decisions, Circuit Judge Don Weber has turned a nationwide class action case filed in Madison County into an Illinois-only action.
Signal Hill School sues for junior high design flaws
Signal Hill School District 181 filed suit against the building contractors of its 10-year-old junior high school for water leaks in the gymasium.
Thursday, June 1
9 a.m.
Madison County puts brakes on forum shoppers
Out-of-state attorneys will no longer have free run in the Third Circuit Court.
Doctors missed breast cancer on mammograms, suit claims
Three Carbondale physicians, the Carbondale Clinic and Cape Radiology Group are blamed for failing to interpret a suspicious mammogram in a lawsuit filed in St. Clair County Circuit Court May 17.
Memorial service to honor attorneys
The Madison County Bar Association will conduct its annual memorial service at 10 a.m. on Thursday, May 25 in Courtroom 327 of the Madison County Courthouse.
New Lawsuits: Wednesday, May 24
Harry Spann, Jr. and Jack Tarding v. Casa Romero
Wednesday, May, 31
1 p.m.
Tuesday, May 30
9 a.m.