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MADISON - ST. CLAIR RECORD

Friday, March 29, 2024

Opportunity knocks

Bilbrey

Moran, Jr.

Family business

If you catch your Metro East trial lawyer son rustling through your medicine cabinet this week don’t fret. He's only looking for Bextra.

No, he's not hurting—- the Pfizer drug is a heavy-duty pain reliever—- but rather, hunting for plaintiffs in what’s sure to be the new “new thing” on the tort front.

Late last week, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration asked Pfizer to pull Bextra off the market just as rival Merck had pulled its similar pain reliever Vioxx last October.

It took only five days after Vioxx’ withdrawal for Edwardsville attorney/bed and breakfast impresario Michael Bilbrey to file a class action lawsuit in Madison County Circuit Court against Merck on behalf of his mother.

Think he’s taking his full contingency fee?

We’re on the watch for any other local plaintiff’s attorneys whose parents or grandparents have suspiciously convenient grievances—in this case against Pfizer. The Record serves up newly filed lawsuits while they’re hot on its Web site—www.madisonrecord.com.

D-D-D, Defense

Doesn't it just figure that the lawsuit craze would have to go and spoil memories in the making for moms and dads-to-be.

The Associated Press reported last week that a growing number of obstetricians are not allowing parents to tape the debut of their precious miracles for fear the footage could be entered as evidence, should something go awry.

The Pavilion for Women at Anderson Hospital in Maryville-- renowned for its birthing center-- says it no longer allows births and c-sections to be video taped, a policy instituted last June.

No official comment from the bigger baby factories, Memorial and St. Elizabeth's Hospitals in Belleville.

Off the pace

Job growth for the Metro East is up a tick, according to the Illinois Coalition for Jobs, Growth, & Prosperity.

Our area gained 800 jobs in February alone, up .33% versus statewide job growth of .08%. That makes for a total of 1,400 new Metro East jobs since last November.

Sounds promising—until you put it in perspective.

"It is good to see Illinois grow jobs in February. But the alarming trend that should concern us all is the nation and the rest of the Midwest grew twice as fast as we did," said Jeff Mays, Illinois Business Roundtable President. "We've still got a long way to go."

So we’re doing better—but not better enough.

Five sectors lost jobs in February, including government (good!), manufacturing, education & health.

Matron of the court

Our condolences go to Madison County Circuit Court Judge George Moran, Jr. His mother, Cecelia Helen Moran, died April 3 at age 88.

All the usual Madison County Circuit Court suspects attended her funeral services last Wednesday with the exception of Chief Judge Edward Ferguson who was not present, according to Dicta snoops.

In addition to mothering Judge Moran, Ms. Moran was married to his father, former 5th Circuit Appellate Court Judge George Moran, for 59 years. That’s quite an accomplishment in itself.

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