Ruth
A bus company formerly known as Laidlaw Transit Inc. is asking to file some deposition testimony under seal in a case brought by a woman who claims the company failed to stop her daughter's sexual assault as she left one of its buses.
Madison County Circuit Judge Dennis Ruth is set to hear the company's summary judgment plea in the case on Tuesday at 9 a.m.
Plaintiff Jane Doe is suing First Student Inc., Laidlaw's current incarnation, and the Collinsville Community Unit School District #10 for damages related to the 2008 assault of her daughter.
Jane Doe claims that as her daughter was leaving a Laidlaw bus coming from a Collinsville school, she was groped and fondled causing her emotional distress.
She seeks damages in excess of $150,000 and other relief.
The defendant has moved for summary judgment in the suit claiming that it can't be held responsible for the actions of the other students as the attack happened after they had left the bus.
The Collinsville district was dropped from the case.
In its Dec. 20 motion, First Student claims that some names of minors that have been blacked out in other court exhibits would be revealed if depositions taken in the case are filed publicly.
The company asks Ruth to allow it to file those parts of the case's testimony under seal because it believes they are vital to its case.
John Hustava represents the plaintiff.
Thomas Magee represents First Transit.
The case is Madison case number 08-L-679.