News from July 2015
Contractor removes suit accusing it of abandoning project to federal court
A private construction company accused of allegedly abandoning a flood prevention project has removed the case to federal court.
State employees to keep getting paid; For now, court rulings break in their favor
SPRINGFIELD — A pair of court decisions issued Friday means state Comptroller Leslie Munger can keep meeting the state’s payroll — for now. Munger and Gov. Bruce Rauner’s administration have argued the state should be allowed to make its regular payroll despite the lack of a state budget.
Fired assisted-living employee alleges defamation
A Madison County man is suing an assisted living facility and one of its employees for allegedly firing him following a fake accusation of sexual harassment.
Madigan wants LeChien to strike appearances and arguments of Munger's attorneys
Attorney General Lisa Madigan wants St. Clair County circuit judge Robert LeChien to admit he shouldn’t have let lawyers for state comptroller Leslie Munger argue against her lawyers in his court.
Auction house owner blames patron’s own negligence in personal injury suit
An auction house and owner claim a patron’s own negligence caused his alleged injuries when a folding chair he was sitting in collapsed beneath him. According to the complaint, the plaintiff was on the defendant’s premises, located at 7135 Grand Avenue in Granite City, on or about May 2, 2014. Orasco claims he allegedly sustained injuries when he sat in the defendant’s folding chair and it collapsed.
Bingo hall denies liability in personal injury suit over broken bench
The Madison County Firemen’s Association denied liability in an elderly woman’s lawsuit alleging she was injured when she fell through a wooden bench while playing Bingo at the Fireman’s Hall.
Man sues after tripping on a cable
A St. Clair County man is suing two communications companies, claiming he sustained injuries when he tripped over a television cable that was laid across his property.
Railroad company seeks to dismiss ‘vague’ wrongful death lawsuit involving train wreck
A railroad corporation accuses a father of making vague allegations in a lawsuit following a traumatic freight train accident that claimed the lives of his wife and three children near the Vandalia Halloween parade in 2013.
Madison County asbestos filings down in first half of 2015
Asbestos filings in Madison County through June 30 are down by 9 percent compared to the same period last year. A total of 588 new asbestos lawsuits were filed in the first half of 2015, compared to a total of 656 that were filed in the first half of 2014.
Fifth District finds St. Clair County appropriate venue for Missouri medical malpractice case
The Fifth District Appellate Court concluded that a medical malpractice case that played out entirely in Missouri could appropriately be tried in St. Clair County Circuit Court.
Choosing the next associate: 'Do the Right Thing'
(Editor's note: This commentary written by Alton attorney John J.
Motorist alleges drunk driver rear-ended her car, caused injuries
A St. Clair County woman is suing a motorist, alleging he was driving drunk in an automobile accident that severely injured the woman.
Hardees sued over customer's alleged robbery
A Madison County senior citizen is suing Hardees, claiming a man followed him into the restroom and attacked him in a violent attempt to steal his wallet.
Widow alleges wrongful death in husband’s fatal motorcycle collision
A St. Clair County woman is suing a motorist and his employer following a roadway accident that killed her husband.
Shopper sues following collision in mall parking lot
A St. Clair County woman is suing a motorist for allegedly backing into her vehicle in a shopping mall parking lot.
Patient sues chiropractor over broken bones
A St. Clair County couple filed a lawsuit against a Saline County chiropractor and his business, alleging breach of professional duty in 2013 when a routine treatment resulted in broken bones, requiring medical intervention.
Fifth District remands wrongful death action arising from decedent’s sprained ankle, orders new trial
The Fifth District Appellate Court reversed a judgment from Madison County Circuit Judge Andreas Matoesian’s courtroom involving a wrongful death action allegedly arising from a sprained ankle and remanded the case for a new trial.
Names of 46 applicants for five associate vacancies released; Judges who were not re-appointed have reapplied
Forty-six attorneys have filed applications for the five associate judge vacancies in the Third Judicial Circuit, including the ones who were not re-appointed to terms that would have begun July 1 - Duane L.
Property owners should be aware of short window to appeal assessments
To the Editor: Madison County property tax assessments are popping up in area newspapers.
Fifth District says no to injunction against state fracking rules
MOUNT VERNON – Fifth District appellate judges have rejected a plea for immediate invalidation of new state rules on hydraulic fracturing for oil. On July 10, they affirmed Madison County Circuit Judge Barbara Crowder in denying a preliminary injunction against the rules. The rules remain in effect but the suit that eight landowners brought against the rules will continue. For the moment, Justice Thomas Welch found their claims of harm too speculative to justify the extraordinary relief of a