News from May 2018
Illinois Lawsuit Abuse Watch says Arizona second-hand asbestos exposure ruling could have impacts elsewhere
A recent ruling by the Arizona Supreme Court that found that companies should not be held liable for damages related to second-hand asbestos exposure is “common sense” and could affect similar cases in other states, according to Travis Akin, the executive director of Illinois Lawsuit Abuse Watch.
IL Bar Assn: State overreach threatens ability of property tax lawyers to work; State: Lawyers can't be appraisers
A Cook County judge could soon weigh in on a legal fight between Illinois’ largest association of lawyers and a state regulatory agency, over the question of whether that state agency has the authority to effectively bar Illinois property tax lawyers from offering estimates of a property’s value when representing property owners before a state or county property tax appeal board.
Driver allegedly under the influence of intoxicants during crash
EDWARDSVILLE — A passenger claims a motorist was under the influence of intoxicants when he crossed the center median and caused a crash.
Gleeson denies transfer in tenant's suit
St. Clair County Chief Judge Andrew Gleeson denied a St. Louis County condominium’s motion to transfer a tenant’s suit alleging a 2008 earthquake in Illinois caused damages to her unit.
St. Clair County Associate Judge Brandon to resign July 2; Second vacancy filled while LeChien’s seat remains empty
St. Clair County Associate judge Walter C. Brandon Jr. will resign July 2, roughly one year before his current four-year terms was set to expire in June 2019.
Passenger sues over rear-end collision
EDWARDSVILLE — A passenger is suing a motorist for allegedly causing a rear-end collision on Troy Road.
Patient alleges amputation from infection
EDWARDSVILLE — A patient is Anderson Hospital alleging he developed an infection and suffered an amputation after employees failed to use latex gloves while examining a foot wound.
Homeowners settle grandmother’s Halloween trip, fall suit
Smithton homeowners advise that they have settled a grandmother’s suit alleging she tripped on a Halloween display in their yard while trick-or-treating with her grandchildren.
Appeal judges mull 'troubling' questions on potential fallout from $3M verdict vs GSK over lawyer's suicide
With one judge saying he found “troubling” the potential harm to patients from decreased incentives for drug makers to develop new breakthrough medications, a federal appellate panel in Chicago hashed out some of the legal questions surrounding the appeal of jury’s verdict ordering GlaxoSmithKline to pay $3 million to the widow of a Chicago lawyer who committed suicide, and whose family has accused the pharmaceutical company of failing to warn that a generic version of its drug Paxil could raise a patient’s risk of suicide.
Bus passenger sues motorist for negligence
EDWARDSVILLE — A bus passenger is suing a motorist for allegedly causing a collision on Illinois Route 143.
Fifth District Appellate Court court affirms ruling in custody case
MOUNT VERNON -- The Fifth District Appellate Court has affirmed a lower court’s ruling in a child custody case.
Trial lawyer panel: Plaintiffs' lawyers adapting strategies to fit post-BristolMyersSquibb legal landscape
While the U.S. Supreme Court's Bristol Myers Squibb ruling has resulted in some big wins for businesses targeted by the plaintiffs' bar, new strategies and theories deployed by plaintiffs' lawyers may be blunting the further impact of that decision, despite high hopes from some it would largely thwart the ability of out-of-state plaintiffs to sue out-of-state defendants in a favorable court forum.
Lender sues over unpaid loan
EDWARDSVILLE — A lender claims a trucking company failed to make payments on a loan.
Several sue over multi-vehicle Edwardsville crash
EDWARDSVILLE — A motorist and a passenger are suing following a multi-vehicle collision in Edwardsville.
Woman sues driver, vehicle owner following Bethalto crash
EDWARDSVILLE — A motorist claims she was injured in a Bethalto collision.
Madison County granted extension to incorporate state-wide e-filing system
The Illinois Supreme Court granted Madison County’s request to extend the deadline to switch to the state-wide e-filing management system for the asbestos docket.
Motorist awarded over $21K following O'Fallon crash
A St. Clair County jury awarded a motorist $21,041.35 following a rear-end collision in O’Fallon.
Lopinot awards nurse practitioner $119K default judgment in wage dispute
St. Clair County Circuit Judge Vincent Lopinot granted default judgment for a nurse practitioner who alleges she was not paid her full wages.
No fight over the budget is bad for Illinoisans
Illinois media is widely reporting that no news on Illinois’ budget negotiations is good news – that a quiet battleground in the statehouse means all is well. Especially after a nasty near three year impasse between Gov. Bruce Rauner and House Speaker Mike Madigan.
Madison County real estate May 9-14
A Collinsville home sold for nearly $500,000 as part of the recent Madison County real estate transactions for May 9-14.