News from April 2017
Painter says homeowners' ladder collapsed while working in home
BELLEVILLE — A painter is suing homeowners Michael Douglas and Tracy Douglas, claiming they were negligent for creating an unsafe work situation while she was working in their home.
Passenger sues driver following rear-end collision on Route 3
BELLEVILLE — A passenger is suing a motorist, citing alleged negligence while driving resulting in injuries in a 2015 Sugar Loaf Township accident.
Rosenstengel picks Stack as special master in Depakote litigation
EAST ST. LOUIS — District Judge Nancy Rosenstengel has appointed former Madison County Circuit Judge Daniel J. Stack to serve as Special Master in Depakote litigation against Abbott Laboratories.
District Court says class action suit over pancake mix ingredients can proceed
EAST ST. LOUIS — A U.S. District Court has denied a request by Hodgson Mill Inc. to dismiss a lawsuit filed by an Illinois woman alleging that the grain and baking products company falsely advertised its products as having all-natural ingredients.
U.S. District Court judge grants Union Pacific's motion to exclude testimony in personal injury suit
EAST ST. LOUIS — A U.S. District Court has ruled in favor of a Union Pacific Railroad motion to strike testimony in a personal injury case.
Reinhold Electric says Jet Enterprises failed to pay nearly $70K for finished work
BELLEVILLE — An electrical maintenance company is suing a Sauget business, citing alleged breach of contract by failing to pay for completed work.
Driver, passenger claim two motorists were negligent in St. Clair County collision
BELLEVILLE — A driver and passenger are suing two motorists, citing alleged negligence and claiming serious injuries.
Annual Law Day Run to take place in Belleville this Saturday, April 29
BELLEVILLE — The 16th annual Law Day Run will be held in downtown Belleville on Saturday, April 29.
Woman says Kiddy Kamp van driver rear-ended her car in parking lot
BELLEVILLE — A woman is suing Meloni Hughes and Kiddy Kamp Academy Ltd., alleging she suffered injuries stemming from a Cahokia parking-lot collision with the defendants' vehicle.
Passenger sues drivers for allegedly causing Cedar Drive crash
BELLEVILLE — A passenger is suing drivers Dustin Stone and William Presson, citing alleged negligence while driving resulting in injuries for April 2015 crash on Cedar Drive.
Belleville attorney says she observed celebration of Duebbert's troubles to come
An attorney who claims to have witnessed a courthouse employee celebrating troubles that embattled Circuit Judge Ron Duebbert would face in the days ahead says she wishes she had never seen and heard what she did on the night of Friday, Dec. 30, 2016.
Transparency laws spreading across country; Some in asbestos ‘ground zero’ calling for reform
JACKSON, Miss. – Laws requiring asbestos plaintiffs to disclose separate claims against trusts of bankrupt companies have spread through 11 states in five years, most recently to Mississippi.
Lopinot grants in part, denies in part auction company’s motion to dismiss suit alleging shill bidding
St. Clair County Circuit Judge Vincent Lopinot granted partial dismissal of a suit alleging shill or ghost bidding was used to raise prices at a land auction, but granted the plaintiffs an opportunity to provide additional details.
Former City of Collinsville manager denies liability in countersuit to Whistleblower complaint
The former city manager for Collinsville denied liability in the city’s counterclaim in response to his Whistleblower suit alleging he was terminated for reporting inappropriate actions.
Law firm says client seeks more than $1M for legal malpractice after agreeing to a divorce settlement on her own
Attorneys with the Blake Behme Law Group seek to dismiss a former client’s $1.15 million legal malpractice suit, arguing that she agreed to a divorce settlement on her own after her attorneys advised against it and withdrew their appearance.
Contingency fees in opioid litigation raises question: Are suits warranted or to enrich private lawyers?
CONCORD, N.H. – In an addiction suit like the one St. Clair County filed against Purdue Pharma, the Supreme Court of New Hampshire must decide whether that state can retain private lawyers on a contingency fee basis.
Fifth District reverses one of its own in challenge to FOID card licensing statutes
The Fifth District Appellate Court reversed Appellate Judge John Barberis’ Jr.’s ruling as a circuit judge in Madison County granting dismissal in a man’s lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of two state firearm licensing statutes.
The reason asbestos attorneys oppose transparency is obvious
Legislation repeatedly introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives to promote fairness and transparency in asbestos torts and trusts could become law this year.
Illinois faces Judicial Watch lawsuit if voter rolls stay outdated
Judicial Watch recently identified Illinois as one of 11 states with counties that had a greater number of registered voters than eligible-age citizens and has sent a notice of violation with plans to pursue litigation if the state does not address the problem.
Madison County foreclosures April 18-20
There were 11 foreclosures in Madison County from April 18-20.