D.M. Herra News
Drug maker Mallinckrodt demands Rockford disclose attorney's fee arrangement, arguing conflict of interest; Rockford says can keep secret
Drug company claims plaintiffs' law firm is naming it in multiple class actions in multiple jurisdictions - all for the same charges
Federal judge: Walgreens can't escape woman's Cook County lawsuit saying retailer caused cancer by selling her cigarettes
A woman will be allowed to sue Walgreens for selling her cigarettes in Cook County Circuit Court after a federal judge refused to kick the pharmacy retailer off her lawsuit, dooming the chance to keep the lawsuit in federal court, where a group of tobacco companies wished for it to stay.
IL Supreme Court: County judges can't delay proceedings by state agencies while related cases in court
The Illinois Supreme Court ruled that a district court cannot put a hold on proceedings by the Workers' Compensation Commission while related claims are playing out in court.
Judge: Moms' lawsuit's lack of focus thwarts class action attempt vs Blue Cross over lactation service coverages
A group of mothers claiming Blue Cross Blue Shield illegally failed to cover lactation consultations are trying to certify too broad a class, judge says
Court: Police misconduct investigator's refusal to alter report about shooting not protected by First Amendment
A federal appeals panel says a Chicago police misconduct investigator can't sue City Hall for allegedly retaliating against him when he refused to say other police officers planted evidence, as the First Amendment doesn't protect his refusal to include what he believed to be false information in his official report.
Appeals panel says Chicago cops justified in shooting of driver of car involved in drive-by shooting in 2015
Appellate judges noted the man had already crashed several times fleeing the scene, and officers already knew someone in the car had fired a gun less than two minutes earlier.
Appeals court cans Chicago cop's court challenge over lieutenant exam; Claimed was rigged for brass' wives, girlfriends
A federal appeals court ruled against a Chicago police sergeant who alleged department brass helped their wives and girlfriends cheat on the lieutenants’ exam, giving the women an unfair advantage over other applicants.
Judge finds DuPage County not on the hook for lawsuit brought by home health worker fired when state funding ran out
A federal judge put an end to a home health worker’s claim that she was wrongfully fired when the state-funded program for which she worked in DuPage County was terminated.
Defendant doctor's attempt to render medical aid to ill juror in court doesn't warrant new medmal trial: Appeals court
A state appellate court refused to grant a mistrial in a medical malpractice case, despite the plaintiffs' contention a decision by the defendant doctor and his lawyer to come to the aid of a juror who fell ill during closing arguments colored the other jurors' perceptions of the doctor.
IL Supreme Court: Federal law doesn't block railroad from suing employees it blames for causing train accident
A railroad company can sue employees who it blames for causing railroad accidents, even after those employees first sue the railroad for injuries they suffered in the accident the railroad says they caused, the Illinois Supreme Court has ruled.
Court: Liberty Mutual not responsible for providing legal defense to candy maker Ferrara
The Ferrara Candy Company has to handle its own legal defense and reimburse Liberty Mutual after an appellate court found the insurer was not responsible for defending and indemnifying the confectioner in a lawsuit.
Court refuses to suspend FOID enforcement while gun rights group's lawsuit vs IL continues
As a gun advocacy group challenges the constitutionality of Illinois' Firearm Owner Identification law, courts say a preliminary injunction suspending the law is not in the public's best interest.
Appellate court reverses $45M verdict to Enbridge over 'rare' Romeoville oil spill caused by water line break
Saying there was no way a Romeoville business could have known its ruptured water line also would cause an oil spill, a state appeals panel has tossed out a $45 million verdict awarded by a jury to petroleum pipeline company Enbridge Energy to cover its costs in cleaning up a 2010 spill.
Judge nixes 'tit-for-tat' try to toss Chicago city lawyers accused of letting truck drivers be harassed over political discrimination suit
Two truck drivers had asked a judge to disqualify Chicago city lawyers they say are allowing O'Hare Airport officials to threaten and harass them in an attempt to get them to drop their lawsuit over retaliation for refusing to perform political work for Chicago city officials.
Appellate court: Union trustees entitled to attorney fees when they had to sue an employer to force a payroll audit
Trusts that manage health, pension and other benefits for unionized electrical workers may go after a company for legal costs they incurred when they had to sue the company to obtain payroll information needed to disburse the funds, a federal appeals panel has ruled.
Judge OKs class action vs Northrop Grumman over severance pay for laid off workers
A class action lawsuit can proceed against aerospace giant Northrop Grumman, after a federal judge ruled in favor of former employees arguing that they and others were entitled to severance pay that they never received.
IL Supreme Court: Buyers of defective RV not required to allow dealer to fix it before demanding refund
Illinois' highest court has handed a win to a couple who purchased a lemon of a motor home and demanded a refund.
Federal court: Illinois mining company's layoffs were handled legally
A laid-off coal mine worker lost his bid to sue the operator a southern Illinois coal mine over a mass layoff he alleged ran afoul of federal employment law.
Menards owes $20K to southern IL man accused of shoplifting, after denying in legal brief man was innocent
The legal doctrine of absolute privilege could not protect Menards from paying out $20,000 to a man wrongly accused of shoplifting, because the company disputed his innocence in later legal filing, judges said.
Appellate court: Cumulative back injuries qualify Harvey firefighter for line-of-duty pension
CHICAGO -- A state appellate court reversed on Sept. 6 a suburban pension board’s decision to deny a firefighter line-of-duty disability for back pain caused by years of repetitive injuries.