News from March 2016
Woman alleges injuries from fall in Dollar Tree
BELLEVILLE – A customer of a retail establishment is suing over a claim of injuries she suffered after a slip and fall. She is citing negligence.
Couple alleges physician injected husband with MRSA
BELLEVILLE – A married couple have sued over the fallout from the husband's visit to a physician. He is citing negligence and she is citing loss of consortium, claiming he received an injection of materials contaminated with MRSA.
Former federal judge acting as expert witness barred from invading current judge's province
U.S. District Judge Staci Yandle won’t let former federal judge Patrick Murphy invade her judicial province as an expert witness. On March 15, Yandle barred Murphy from testifying at trial about the negligence of a lawyer or the interpretation of procedural rules.
America will go bankrupt if it relies on government for innovation
The predicament of maintaining a comfortable secure life by turning over most of your income to the state (as described by Bernie Sanders and by those who practice this policy in Western Europe) is that it does not allow people who think outside the box to have available to them the necessary capital to develop new ways of accomplishing tasks or to develop new technologies.
Seventh Circuit reverses pension pad for retired railroad worker
Justice Richard Posner branded Herndon’s decision in favor of Madison County resident Roger Cocker as senseless.
Court: No back pay without appropriation; Ruling nixes decision by arbitrator, lower courts
SPRINGFIELD — Reversing two lower courts and an arbitrator, the Illinois Supreme Court on Thursday ruled the state is not on the hook for back-pay raises to some 24,000 employees unless the General Assembly passes an appropriation.
Madigan's middle class: Pain for the many, perks for the few
Middle-class Illinoisans who aren’t employed by the government are suffering, but Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan stands in the way of solutions.
Fourth District faces question whether judges have option to run for election over retention
SPRINGFIELD – For the first time, judges who owe their jobs to voters will decide whether the Illinois Constitution lets judges choose between retention and election.
Suit targets driver who allegedly was trying to get out of line of traffic
BELLEVILLE – A motorist is suing over injuries she allegedly received in the course of an automobile accident.
Mother alleges child's disabilities resultsed from seizure medication
BENTON – The mother of a disabled child is suing over allegations that a prescription drug she took while pregnant caused her child's disabilities.
Woman alleges termination after seeking unemployment benefits
BENTON – A respiratory therapist is suing over alleged retaliation and discrimination that occurred in her workplace as a result of seeking unemployment benefits and medical leave.
Women allege children had birth defects from medication
EAST ST. LOUIS – A group of parents is suing over injuries that allegedly occurred to their children in utero while their pregnant mothers were taking a medication.
Insurance company claims its policy doesn't apply in fatal shooting case
BENTON – An insurance company is seeking a Declaratory Judgment regarding a policy it issued and the scope of its coverage, arguing that it should not have to pay in a case of a fatal shooting.
$6 million in damages sought by plaintiff for alleged wrongful termination
BENTON – A former employee of a coal company is suing over a claim that he was fired for seeking a workers' compensation claim.
Woman accuses debt collection agency of violating law
BENTON – An Illinois resident is suing over alleged unfair collection practices by a debt collection agency.
Mine worker claims retaliatory firing, sexual harassment
NASHVILLE – A former employee of a coal mine is suing over several situations she allegedly experienced there, including claims of retaliatory firing and sexual harassment.
Suit says water-soaked mat in floor led to injury
EDWARDSVILLE – A customer is suing over injuries she allegedly sustained when she slipped and fell on a water-soaked mat at a store. She is citing negligence.
Man alleges he was denied employment based on consumer report
BENTON – A Greenville man has filed a class-action suit over denial of employment allegedly based on the consumer report about him.
U.S. agency seeks foreclosure on dairy farm allegedly $1 million in arrears
BENTON – The United States of America is suing over several mortgages allegedly in default by a dairy farm.
Patient claims doctors failed to treat condition, causing her to become blind
BELLEVILLE – A patient claims she became blind when several doctors failed to properly treat a condition causing headaches and vision problems.