News from July 2010
Trade groups fight subpoenas in Syngenta atrazine class action
Tillery A number of trade groups representing the chemical and fertilizer industries in Illinois are fighting subpoenas issued in one of a series of class action cases over alleged water contamination by a popular weed killer.
Jurors in McLean County asbestos trial deadlocked; Judge declares mistrial
Wylder BLOOMINGTON – Two mesothelioma sufferers fell short of a unanimous jury verdict on their claim that a conspiracy among corporations caused their disease.
Defendant opposes new trial request in charging dog injury case
Callis The Granite City woman whose dog allegedly inflicted emotional distress that garnered a $10,000 verdict, opposes the plaintiff's move for a new trial in Madison County.
Motion 7/26/2010
Monday, July 26
7/26 - 7/30/2010
Wednesday, July 28
Do you really need a lawyer?
Sometimes it's obvious. You've been accused of a crime or you are sued for damages in a civil suit, and you become very aware of the urgent need for professional legal help.
Asbestos 'historian' is a major 'revisionist'
"He's sort of like one of the historians of the asbestos story over the years," is how McLean County Circuit Court Judge Michael Prall described Barry Castleman, the so-called expert witness who testified recently on behalf of plaintiffs in an asbestos case against Owens-Illinois in Prall's courtroom.
Swansea accident results in suit
Driscoll A man has filed suit against the driver who he says struck his vehicle as the driver attempted to make a left-hand turn.
Ban on atrazine would stagger agriculture, experts say
Frank Critics of the federal Environmental Protection Agency's ongoing re-review of the commonly used pesticide atrazine and pending lawsuits against its makers say the potential ramifications could be staggering if the pesticide was ever banned.
Combined FELA and legal malpractice case settles, had been set for trial Monday
A suit combining claims of legal malpractice with ones related to the Federal Employers' Liability Act was dismissed last week.
Jim's Corner sued by passengers in crash
Two men have filed suit against the bar where they say a driver became intoxicated, then drove, causing a car to flip.
Two more asbestos cases filed in St. Clair County
Gori An additional two asbestos lawsuits have been added to the growing list of cases in St. Clair County's asbestos docket.
Missouri woman sues IDOT after tripping at rest stop
A Missouri woman has filed suit against the Illinois Department of Transportation and its secretary, alleging she fell on a protruding wood and concrete expansion joint.
Williams to replace Proud as federal magistrate
Stephen Williams, an assistant federal public defender for the Southern District of Illinois has been chosen as the district's newest federal magistrate.
Attorneys join HeplerBroom in St. Louis
Magee ST. LOUIS – Thomas J. Magee, a former partner at Moser & Marsalek of O'Fallon, has joined HeplerBroom in its St. Louis office as a partner.
Crowder to open re-trial of 2003 wrongful death case Tuesday
Carr A wrongful death suit against a doctor and his practice is set for a second trial on Tuesday in Madison County Circuit Judge Barbara Crowder's courtroom.
Levaquin makers, Walgreens sued by man claiming tendon problems
Lowe An Illinois resident has filed suit against Johnson and Johnson, Ortho-McNeil Pharmaceutical, Johnson and Johnson Pharmaceutical Research and Development and Walgreens after he says an antibiotic caused him severe tendon problems.
Norfolk Southern sued by carman claiming repetitive injuries
A former railroad worker claims he suffered injuries to his back, knees, hips and body after being subjected to repetitive trauma throughout his career with the company.
Treasury not commenting on trial lawyer tax break; Tort reform advocate calls it 'laughable'
Murnane WASHINGTON - Tort reform advocate Ed Murnane called a plan to give trial lawyers a contingency fee tax break without congressional approval "laughable."
H&R Block claims plaintiffs introduced new theories in 8-year old class action
Brown EAST ST. LOUIS – Class action lawyers complain that H&R Block Tax Services introduced new evidence in an old case, and Block's lawyers insist they did it because the class action lawyers introduced new theories.