Andrew Thomason News
Updated: Class action accuses Direct Auto Insurance Co. of predatory practices
McCauleyEditor's note: This story was updated on July 28 to include a statement from Direct General Insurance Agency of Tennessee, saying it was improperly named as a defendant in this suit and that is not affiliated with Direct Auto Insurance Company. One of the plaintiff's attorneys said based on public records, it appears the two are the same. An insurance company used illegal, predatory practices
Federal judge orders Chicago Heights bar to pay $32,000 over copyright infringement at karaoke nights
A small bar in Chicago Heights and its owner will have to pay one of the nation's largest music licensing businesses $32,000 for illegally using eight songs during a karaoke night.
Appeals panel reverses partial class certification in Chicago firefighters' suit over allegedly defective sirens
PucinskiA group of more than 500 Chicago firefighters claiming a company’s sirens were defective and caused hearing loss will not be allowed to move forward as a partial class after an appeals panel reversed a Cook County judge's decision to lump them together.In an unpublished order filed June 25, the First District Appellate Court reversed now-retired Cook County Circuit Judge William Haddad's partial
Suit: Woman got sick, "feared for her life" after feeding later recalled food to dog
An Illinois woman wants at least $75,000 from the makers of recalled pet food she claims got her sick after feeding her dog.
Limo companies slap Caterpillar with class action suit over engines
Two Illinois limousine companies are seeking more than $5 million from one of the state’s largest manufactures, claiming it used deceptive practices to sell them defective engines.Windy City Limousine LLC and JKS Limousine LLC filed a class action lawsuit against Caterpillar Inc. June 9 in Chicago’s federal court.The plaintiffs assert they both leased-to-own vehicles containing Caterpillar diesel engines
Current, former employees file class action racial discrimination suit against beverage can maker Rexam
A global packaging company whose North American headquarters is located in Cook County is facing a class action lawsuit over accusations it fosters a workplace inundated with racial discrimination.
Coca-Cola calls Illinois suit over labeling a "copycat" in seeking its transfer to California
Clifford DoughertyCalling the lawsuit an Illinois man brought against Coca-Cola a "copycat" of previously filed suits in other jurisdictions, the soft drink giant has asked a judge to transfer the matter from Chicago’s federal court to the Northern District of California.Attorneys Robert A. Clifford and Shannon M. McNulty of Clifford Law Offices in Chicago filed the proposed class action on behalf
City of Harvey hit with federal suit over alleged police misconduct; man claims officers falsified charges to justify beating
Not immediately paying for a drink at a bar cost a Harvey man two broken legs, the man claims in a recently-filed lawsuit seeking damages from the Cook County south suburb that has made headlines in recent years for having a high-crime and low-arrest rate, as well as alleged police and political misconduct.
Class action suit over U-Haul's gas policy on the road to arbitration
A class action lawsuit targeting U-Haul's gasoline return policy stalled earlier this month after an Illinois appeals panel sided with the moving truck company.
Judge denies summary judgment motions in suit over police use of flash bang in drug-related raid
A federal lawsuit brought by a woman who claims she was injured when the Chicago Police Department deployed a noise flash diversionary device in a drug raid will move forward after a judge earlier this month denied requests for summary judgment.
A year after its dismissal, U.S. deputy marshal sues over investigation, prosecution of excessive force charge
A deputy marshal has filed a federal lawsuit claiming some of his colleagues violated his Constitutional rights in the course of an investigation into allegations he used excessive force and obstructed justice, charges that were dismissed last year.
Judge hears arguments, continues ride-share drivers' motion to intervene in taxi community's suit against city
Three drivers from popular ride-share services operating in Chicago will have to wait until May to find out if they can interject themselves into a legal battle between the city and established taxi industry.Dan Burgess, Ted Liu and Dustin Morby-- drivers for the ride-share services Uber, Sidecar and Lyft, respectively-- filed a motion last month seeking to intervene in the lawsuit Chicago's taxi and
Panel affirms dismissal of defamation suit against porn star's attorney
An adult film star, a celebrity blogger, a theater owner and claims of blackmail and extortion – it may sound like the start of a script for a Hollywood thriller, but it’s the basis of a recent Illinois appellate court ruling.
Heineken removes distributor's breach of contract suit to federal court
The U.S. division of Dutch brewer Heineken has removed a lawsuit lodged against it for breach of contract and violating the Illinois Beer Industry Fair Dealing Act to Chicago's federal court.ACM Distributing Co. Inc., a beer distributor based out of Streator, sued the brewer known for its green bottles on Jan. 30 in the Cook County Circuit Court, claiming it suffered $200,000 in damages after Heineken
