News from February 2007
Vioxx trial delayed due to bad weather, somewhere
The weather forecast in Madison County is just dandy for a late winter Monday: Sunny with a high of 45 degrees.
Gateway Hospital manager files whistle blower suit
Gateway Regional The former case management director at Gateway Regional Hospital in Granite City filed suit against her former employer in Madison County Circuit Court Feb. 23, alleging the hospital violated the Illinois Whistle Blower Act.
Monday, Feb. 26
9 a.m.
Belleville, Autozone sued for hole in path
Gail Patzer filed suit against the city of Belleville and Autozone for tripping on a path.
The Break-up
Karma is piling on the Lakin Law Firm.
Norma Rae, call 692-6200, ask for Judge Callis
For my long overdue first column of 2007, I have chosen as metaphor the 1979 film "Norma Rae." Sally Fields won her first of two Academy Awards with a performance of a lifetime as the title character, telling an all-too-familiar story of the noble fight against the status quo.
Judge Murphy should be overruled
To the editor:
Former prisoner claims corrections officials were cruel
Rick Knight filed a complaint for compensatory and punitive damages against two officers and a doctor with the Illinois Department of Corrections in U.S. District Court Feb. 16, claiming the defendants each demonstrated deliberate indifference to his medical needs.
First ever Accutane trial set in Madison County
A 23-year-old Godfrey man's Madison County lawsuit over a controversial acne medication will be the first case in the country to go to trial.
Benton judge to preside over Fiss case
Second Judicial Circuit Judge Robert M. Lewis of Benton has been appointed by the Illinois Supreme Court to hear the case of St. Clair County Circuit Judge Jan Fiss, who was charged with illegal transportation of alcohol for his involvement in the DUI arrest of another judge in December.
Carterville attorney picked to fill Stewart's vacancy
Longtime Carterville attorney James R. Moore was appointed to the office of circuit judge, at large, in the First Judicial Circuit, filling the vacancy created by the election to the Appellate Court of Judge Bruce Stewart, the Illinois Supreme Court announced today.
Vioxx lawyers strategize over evidence in Madison County
Judge Dan Stack When lawyers present opening arguments in Madison County's first Vioxx trial next week jurors will for the first time get a feel for what is expected to be a spellbinding five-week trial.
Burke no longer catching fouls for Lakin rookies
Richard Burke In one of Richard Burke's last court appearances for the Lakin Law Firm, his colleague Dennis Barton argued that an insurer must pay every penny of a medical bill -- unless the doctor charged a million dollars for wiping a nose.
U.S. Chamber study: Employee benefit costs continue to rise
WASHINGTON, DC -- Employee benefit costs swelled again in 2005 and now account for more than 44 percent of payroll expenses, according to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's annual Employee Benefits Study.
Judge Stack transfers Vioxx cases out of Madison County
As Madison County Circuit Judge Daniel Stack prepared for a month long trial over painkiller Vioxx, he transferred three other Vioxx suits out of Madison County.
Pontious files suit against News-Democrat
Deborah Pontious filed a defamation and invasion of privacy suit against the Belleville News-Democrat in Madison County Circuit Court Feb. 21, over a March 26, 2006, article which the lawsuit alleges misstated the reasons for Pontious' suspension from her teaching position at Effingham High School.
Church claims city demolished building without asking
An East St. Louis church claims the city wrongfully and illegally demolished its building at 1101 State St. in January 2005, according to a lawsuit filed Feb. 13 in St. Clair County Circuit Court.
Struggle for class action 'remains' splits power partners
Chicago attorneys who silently rode the Lakin Law Firm gravy train for years in Madison County now claim they pulled Tom and Brad Lakin's strings the whole time.
Bankruptcy trustee files personal injury suit on behalf of estate
A boot cleaner Bankruptcy trustee Laura Grandy claims Millstadt property owners William and Christine Boardman negligently allowed a boot cleaner to remain in a dangerous place resulting in serious injuries suffered by the individual's estate she represents.