And I think it’s gonna be a long, long time
Til someone beats my total cases filed
I'm not the man to let asbestos go
Oh no no no, I'm a docket man
Docket man, churning out his suits in Madison
The race to cannibalize the few remaining, still-solvent companies in any way associated with the asbestos industry continues. Leading the race once again, filing more suits than any other firm in the nation’s premier asbestos docket is (drum roll, please) – Gori Julian.
Yes, the docket men and women at Gori Julian in Edwardsville have done it again, filing 348 asbestos cases as of mid-year this year, a 13.7 percent increase over their 2018 mid-year total of 306.
The Simmons firm of Alton increased their filings by more than 31 percent, but still came in a distant second at just 272. St. Louis-based Maune Raichle took fourth place, but there was no joy in Maune-ville because their total of 127 represents a 3.8 percent decrease from last year’s 132. SWMW Law, also of St. Louis, increased their filings 55.7 percent, from 61 to 95, for a fifth place finish.
Better luck next time, contestants.
According to Washington-based consulting group KCIC, the top 10 asbestos jurisdictions in the country experienced a 5 percent increase in filings in the first half of this year, but growth was even stronger in Madison and St. Clair counties and the City of St. Louis.
Madison retains its status as the largest asbestos docket in the country, with filings increasing over the last year by 10 percent, from 535 cases to 582.
The asbestos docket in second-place St. Clair County grew even faster, by 30 percent, but it only reached 202, compared to 155 in 2018.
St. Louis City Circuit Court won the prize for the most improved (or most abused) asbestos docket with a whopping 75 percent increase in filings, though ranking only fourth with 117, versus last year’s 67.
We’ll be glad when this docket dies. We’re tired of keeping score.