John Sammon News
New IL anti-doxing law could be used by 'powerful' to silence critics with lawsuits, threats
Supporters say a new Illinois law is needed to give people the recourse to go after those who might 'dox' them, or publish their private info online with the intent to make them a target of hate, threats and harassment. Critics say it goes far beyond that
J&J top corporate rep grilled in Oklahoma opioid trial - state focuses on 'Norman' poppy strain
NORMAN (Legal Newsline) – A corporate spokeswoman for Johnson & Johnson and its drug subsidiary Janssen Pharmaceuticals on Thursday faced questioning by lawyers for the State of Oklahoma who attempted to link the company’s quest for profits to an opioid epidemic in the state.
Father recounts loss of son in Oklahoma Johnson & Johnson opioid trial
NORMAN, Okla. (Legal Newsline) – Fighting back tears, a father who lost his son to an opioid overdose recounted the nightmare during testimony in a trial alleging that Johnson & Johnson flooded the state with addictive drugs for profit.
Opening remarks in opioid case against Johnson & Johnson alleges greed created drug epidemic
NORMAN, Okla. (Legal Newsline) – Opening arguments began Tuesday in a first-ever trial in attempt to hold drug manufacturers accountable for an opioid over-dose crisis, accusing Johnson & Johnson and its subsidiary company Janssen Pharmaceuticals of providing medications for profit that destroyed thousands of lives.
Appeals panel: Woman can't sue Chicago Food 4 Less, snow removal crew, for icy slip-and-fall
A woman who said she broke her ankle when she slipped and fell on ice in the parking lot of a Chicago Food 4 Less store can't sue the store or the company hired to clear ice and snow from the lot, a state appeals court has ruled.
Wisconsin Central RR blocked by FELA from countersuing employees it blames for train accident: Appeals panel
A railroad company should not be allowed to countersue two workers who it blames for a train-on-train collision, because such a countersuit would serve to interfere with those workers' rights to sue the railroad for their injuries, a state appeals court has ruled.
New Cook County assessor promises more efficient, less contentious office
Cook County taxpayers should expect a less troubled and more efficient Cook County Assessor's office, a spokesman for newly elected Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi promised.
Supreme Court decision could help reduce 'forum shopping' in False Claims Act fraud suits
The U.S. Supreme Court could be poised to deal a blow to so-called "forum shopping" and a stronger hand to companies and others defending themselves against would-be whistleblowers accusing them of defrauding the government.
Appellate court: IL property tax appeals board wrong to reject East Peoria challenge of casino tax assessment
A state appeals court will allow the city of East Peoria another crack at overturning a tax board's decision to cut the property tax assessment for the Par-a-Dice hotel and casino.
Court: 'Poorly written' policy means State Farm on hook for $4M for 'stacked' fleet vehicle coverage
A state appeals court has ruled a man injured in a car accident could claim up to $4 million in underinsured motorist coverage under his employer's policy, rather than $250,000, because his employer maintained a fleet of 16 vehicles, and the total policy should include the full fleet, not just one car at a time, because the policy was "poorly written" and "ambiguous."
IL appellate decision vs attorneys in class action 'pro objectors' case 'so damaging,' attorney says
An attorney whose practice focuses on helping defend complex class action lawsuits said the rise of class action objectors milking the litigation system for quick payoffs has become a thorn in the side of businesses and attorneys attempting to settle lawsuits.
Changes in Illinois Human Rights Act could bring more claims, lawsuits vs employers, attorney says
The recent election of Democrat J.B. Pritzker as governor of Illinois could make the state more employee-friendly through impending changes to the Illinois Human Rights Act (IHRA), and an attorney advises employers should be ready to defend themsevles against more claims and lawsuits.
Exotic dancers sue Ocean’s Gentleman’s Club for allegedly unpaid wages, classifying them as contractors
Female exotic dancers are suing a Bedford Park nightclub where they performed, alleging the Ocean’s Gentleman’s Club improperly classified them as independent contractors and illegally withheld wages and tips.
Federal judge OKs addition of local store employee to lawsuit vs Home Depot over saw blade accident
A man injured by a circular saw blade in an alleged accident during a home improvement project has won the right to take his lawsuit against retailer Home Depot back to Cook County court after a federal judge cut up Home Depot's attempt to stop the plaintiff from adding one of its local store employees as a defendant, ending the retailer's bid to keep the matter in federal court.
Judge: Gym didn't 'fail to warn' of charges to credit card, if charges were unintentional from start
A federal judge has cut up much of a man's lawsuit against a fitness club, saying he can't sue the club over unintentional erroneous charges the club later refunded.
Attorneys: US Supreme Court's Masterpiece Cakeshop decision important win for exercise of 'sincere' religious beliefs
The U.S. Supreme Court's recent decision, granting a win to a Colorado baker accused of violating the civil rights of a gay couple by refusing to bake a custom-designed cake for their wedding, could signal that, while the courts are upholding the civil rights of same-sex couples, it does not create a legal "open season" on others - including business owners - whose religious beliefs may not allow them to walk in step with society's rapidly changing values, say two attorneys who specialize in litigating religious freedom cases.
Illinois attorney general's billions in collections part of job, also something to be watched: Economics prof
Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan announced her office has brought in more than $14 billion in collections since she took office in 2003, including $864 million in 2017. But how much of the mission of the attorney general falls under collecting money for the state?
Seventh Circuit decision continues trend favoring debtors over collectors in debt dispute lawsuits, attorneys say
A federal appeals panel has affirmed a judgment for debtors in a dispute with a debt collector over whether a debt was actually disputed, and the decision only continues a trend within Chicago's federal courts of moving the needle in such cases in favor of those owing disputed debts, said lawyers following such cases.
States' lawsuit vs Trump over car emissions rules could alter industry, set precedent for future executive actions
An attempt by a group of state attorneys general to bar the Trump administration from undoing Obama administration rules related to vehicle fuel economy could have far-reaching implications for the future of the auto industry, while also establishing legal precedent over the ability of succeeding presidential administrations to implement policies, particularly if they differ wth environmental bureaucratic rules made by the EPA.
Illinois unlikely to copy Wisconsin on third-party litigation financing disclosure law, observers say
While Wisconsin has enacted a new law requiring the disclosure of the identity of anyone who lends money to fund a lawsuit, Illinois appears unlikely to follow the lead of its neighbor to the north.