News from August 2009
How Chicago politics hurts small-town Illinois
In my career in politics and government, I have had the opportunity to visit and meet people from every corner of this state.
Illinois should follow Missouri's lead on personal injury lawyer advertising
Akin The Board of Governors of the Missouri Bar will soon be considering new rules to tighten up regulations on personal injury lawyer advertising, a move many law firms are fighting.
Jury says plaintiff and defendant both negligent; awards $250k in FELA trial
After little more than three hours of deliberations, jurors found that both the plaintiff and the defendant in a Wood River railroad accident were negligent.
Ford and VW want deposition of asbestos expert over NCI language
PHILADELPHIA – Ford Motor Company and Volkswagen aim to find out whether American taxpayers or plaintiff lawyers run the National Cancer Institute (NCI).
Asbestos trial ends with victories for defense and plaintiff
Hebrank SPRINGFIELD - A three-and-a-half week long asbestos trial ended in a defense verdict Aug. 13 for Georgia Pacific, according to its defense firm HeplerBroom in Edwardsville.
New LakinChapman class action claims underinsured coverage is worthless
Evola The LakinChapman law firm of Wood River has filed a putative class action lawsuit against American International South Insurance Company, alleging it issued worthless underinsured motorist insurance policies.
Grand Cherokee driver sues Mustang driver
A man has sued a 2008 Ford Mustang driver, alleging he was thrown with great force within his vehicle after a collision.
Woman claims she was sideswiped on I-64
A woman has filed suit against the driver who she says sideswiped her on Interstate 64.
Defense makes case in Union Pacific trial
Ruth The trial of a railroad's injury case against his employer, Union Pacific Railroad Company, continued Thursday, ending just before 4 p.m. with defense testimony.
Lawyers take $9 million fee in 10-year-old Allstate class action
Lakin LakinChapman lawyers and their various friends and foes prepare to divide a $9 million fee they won from insurer Allstate with a client who in 10 years never connected his injury to his claim.
Brownfield to greenfield: Trees do the work in BP refinery remediation project
Trees have been planted on BP refinery property in a phytoremediation project. A cost-effective, energy efficient remediation project on Wood River refinery property is relying on nature to clean up chemical compounds and petroleum in soils and groundwater.
Stack to retire; Mudge to seek his post
Stack Madison County Circuit Judge Daniel Stack has indicated he will not seek retention in 2010.
Cueto suits against ISC and officials stall in federal court
Cueto EAST ST. LOUIS – Disbarred lawyer Amiel Cueto alleges in a federal lawsuit that St. Clair County State's Attorney Robert Haida and others operated a criminal racket that sent him to prison and cost him his law license.
Final fairness hearing set in disputed PPO class action settlement
Burke A third and final fairness hearing is scheduled for Aug. 25 in Madison County over a disputed class action settlement against an insurer that allegedly operated a "silent" Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) that deprived health care providers of monies.
Governor signs AG-backed open records law
Madigan SPRINGFIELD - Open records legislation championed by Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan has been signed into law by Gov. Pat Quinn.
18 new asbestos cases filed July 27-31
A total of 18 new asbestos lawsuits were filed in Madison County during the week of July 27 through July 31.
Doctor sued for failing to provide safe place to sit
An Alton woman and her husband allege the woman was injured after a stool she was sitting in slipped from under her.
Alton Memorial and physician blamed for failing to diagnose aneurysm
The wife of a deceased man has filed suit against a hospital, a doctor and a radiological organization, alleging her husband died because of their failure to diagnose his aortal aneurysm.
Beer bottle bop injures bar patron, suit claims
A woman is blaming the owner of a bar for injuries she sustained after a patron at the drinking establishment allegedly became intoxicated and hit her over the head with a bottle.
Troy auto accident caused injuries, suit claims
A man who says he was injured by a driver who made a right turn in front of his vehicle has filed a lawsuit in Madison County Circuit Court.