News from January 2007
New judges post 'Court Officers Only' sign on door
Judge Crowder Madison County's new circuit judges, Barbara Crowder and Dave Hylla, have posted their corner of the top courthouse floor as private property.
Stack is 'Pujols' of Madison County Courthouse
Madison County Circuit Judge Daniel Stack needs a law clerk – or two or three.
Radcliffe transfers Lakin sexual assault case to Madison County
Tom Keefe St. Clair County Associate Judge James Radcliffe, III tossed the salacious civil sexual assault lawsuit against Lakin Law Firm founder Thomas Lakin out of his court and back into the arms of a reluctant, perhaps, venue to the north.
New Yorker files first asbestos case of '06 in Madison County
A New York woman who suffers from mesothelioma filed the first asbestos suit of 2007 against 104 defendants in Madison County Circuit Court Jan. 3, alleging she was exposed to airborne asbestos fibers from his father's clothing.
Murphy rejects 'fraudulent joinder' claim, remands Yount to Madison County
U.S. District Judge Patrick Murphy has remanded to Madison County an Ohio man's personal injury suit against a Georgia company over an accident in Missouri.
Stack lightens load by dumping Darr's class action
Dan Stack Madison County's goofiest lawsuit vanished in a puff of mootness.
Weber's check cashing fee dismissal appealed by Lakin firm
Gail Renshaw of the Lakin Law Firm has appealed an order of former Madison County Circuit Judge Don Weber dismissing a class action over check cashing fees.
Hartford vapor players searching for harmony
Attorneys who have battled for months over the right to represent residents of Hartford in class actions over refinery vapors keep trying to settle their differences.
Hartford resident claims benzene exposure caused cancer
Courtney and Jim Vostry filed a benzene lawsuit Jan. 2 in Madison County Circuit Court -- the first civil lawsuit seeking damages in excess of $50,000 this year.
Appellate court orders Byron to allow substitution
Nick Byron The Illinois Appellate Court ordered Madison County Circuit Judge Nicholas Byron to allow a benzene defendant's motion for substitution of judge he denied last year.
Tire makers blamed for auto death
Celestine Taylor filed suit against Hercules Tire and Rubber and Cooper Tire and Rubber in federal court Dec. 18, claiming Hercules Ultra Touring TR brand tires were not reasonably safe in design which caused her to lose control of her vehicle and crash.
Race was reason for firing, Prairie Farms worker claims
Maurice Morris filed suit in U.S. District Court Dec. 28, claiming he was fired from Prairie Farms because he is an African-American.
Trackman claims back injuries and asbestosis in FELA suit
A former CSX employee filed a Federal Employer's Liability Act (FELA) suit in U.S. District Court Dec. 29, claiming CSX failed to provide him a safe place to work.
New Lawsuits: Tuesday, Jan. 2
Fresh from the courthouse:
'Tyranny of Tolerance' author stirs controversy
Judge Robert Dierker appeared on Fox News "O'Reilly Factor" Tuesday. St. Louis Circuit Judge Robert Dierker infuriated critics and inspired supporters when his controversial new book "Tyranny of Tolerance" was released last week.
FELA suit filed by railroad veteran
A 37-year veteran signal maintainer with Union Pacific Railroad is suing his employer for low back, hip and leg injuries he sustained while on the job.
Middle finger injury leads to med mal action
A Mascoutah woman whose middle finger was injured after slipping and falling on ice is sticking it to two area doctors for botching her treatment.
Waterloo homeowners sue contractors over flue pipe
Jim and Tonya Hearty of Waterloo are suing Thermal Concepts, Inc. of Clayton, Mo. and Kelly Homes, Inc. of St. Louis claiming a negligently installed flue pipe in their wood-burning chimney resulted in a home fire and personal injuries.
Jack stand manufacturer sued by injured man
A Mascoutah man is suing an auto parts manufacturer in St. Clair County Circuit Court claiming injuries after a two-ton jack stand collapsed onto his right leg.
Jan. 2-5
84 Lumber