News from January 2016
Six patients allege Cook Group made flawed medical devices
BELLEVILLE – Six people from different states are suing the maker of medical devices, alleging the products are defective and dangerous.
Widow alleges many ex-employers caused husband's asbestos-related death
BELLEVILLE – An Illinois woman is suing nearly 40 companies and Metropolitan Life, alleging negligence in her husband's asbestos-related lung cancer and subsequent death.
U.S. Chamber releases most frivolous lawsuits for 2015
The copyright fight over a monkey’s selfies and damages sought from a family hug topped the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s annual list of the most frivolous lawsuits.
Passenger sues driver following crash into embankment
EDWARDSVILLE – A Madison County man is suing an East Alton motorist, alleging negligence after the plaintiff says he was injured in an automobile driven by the defendant.
MC jury awards plaintiffs roughly $43K in collision case; First jury verdict of 2016
A Madison County jury awarded the first plaintiff verdict of 2016 in Circuit Judge William Mudge’s courtroom. The three-day trial came to an end today when jurors awarded plaintiffs Barbara Weis, individually and as mother and next friend of Patton Weis, and Curtis Weis a total of $43,357.02. The case involved a Highland vehicle collision.
Customer alleges O'Reilly Auto Parts' negligence caused him to fall on ice
EDWARDSVILLE – An Illinois man is suing O'Reilly Auto Parts, alleging a fall on ice outside the defendant's store in Collinsville caused him injury.
Men allege Travelers Insurance invaded their privacy following collision
EDWARDSVILLE – Two Illinois men are suing a motorist and Travelers Insurance over injuries they say they suffered as the result of an automobile collision.
Customer alleges she fell on wet tiles at Schuette's Market
EDWARDSVILLE – A Madison County woman is suing a grocery store owner, alleging negligence after she says she slipped and fell on wet tiles.
Landmark state report lights path toward lowering Illinois property taxes
Absurdly high property taxes demand bold reforms from Illinois lawmakers. New recommendations from a state task force show exactly what kind.
St. Clair County saw 15 civil cases go to jury verdict in 2015; Roughly $286,647 total awarded
St. Clair County juries awarded a total of roughly $286,647 in 15 civil cases that went to verdict in 2015. Of those 15 cases, there were five defense verdicts and 10 verdicts in favor of plaintiffs. Only five of those cases involved civil cases in the law division, where the plaintiff sought more than $50,000 for damages. The remaining cases were in the arbitration division or the LM division, which includes cases where the plaintiff sought $50,000 or less for damages.
Suit involving Highland collision at trial in Mudge’s court
A lawsuit involving a Highland vehicle collision is at trial this week in Madison County Circuit Judge William Mudge’s courtroom.
Reagan rules against insurer seeking to question shopkeeper's husband in case involving suspicious fire
Chief U.S. District Judge Michael Reagan and former federal judge Patrick Murphy prevented an insurer from questioning the husband of a shopkeeper about a fire, though both husband and wife had signed a proof of loss claim as insureds. Reagan granted relief against Amco Insurance on Dec. 11, writing that he was “not aware of any law that makes one an insured merely because he thinks it is so.”
Former employee sues Southern Illinois Motor Xpress for alleged racial discrimination
BENTON – A Saline County man is suing a Cutler trucking and distribution company, alleging racial discrimination, a hostile work environment and retaliation.
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Couple blames companies for husband's asbestos exposure
BELLEVILLE – A Belleville couple is suing more than 20 companies, alleging negligence for the husband's exposure to asbestos fibers during his working life.
Injured trucker blames Darby Trucking, driver for collision
BENTON – A Missouri trucker is suing a Mississippi trucking company and a driver, alleging negligence for injuries he says he suffered as the result of a tractor-trailer accident in Cumberland County.
Madison County asbestos motion docket Jan. 11-15
Madison County's asbestos motion docket for the week of Jan. 11 is packed with more than 300 cases. Most of them were filed in 2015.
Estate alleges intoxicated driver caused death, injuries in collision
BELLEVILLE – The estate of a deceased woman is suing a Maryville motorist and a bar that served him drinks, alleging his intoxicated state led to the motor vehicle accident that killed her.
Construction worker alleges injuries at job site after getting hit with equipment
BELLEVILLE – A Cahokia man is suing a construction company, alleging negligence for injuries he says he suffered when a piece of equipment hit him.
Plaintiffs don't get to change judges simply because they withdraw, refile suit, high court rules
The Illinois Supreme Court has shot down a plaintiff’s attempt to change judges after she dropped a lawsuit and then re-filed it, saying her attempt to “reset the clock” on the process was a loophole those who wrote the rules did not intend to be exploited. State law allows each party to a lawsuit to request one substitution of judge without cause, as long as the motion is made before the judge ha