The lawsuit, filed against the makers of Xarelto, alleges that the medication, which is designed to prevent strokes, instead prevented the plaintiff’s blood from properly congealing. The plaintiff, Sonja Lemoins, filed the 90-count complaint in Madison County, Illinois, against Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Bayer Corporation and several related companies.

Lemoins alleges that while the defendants marketed the drug as an effective and safe treatment to reduce the risk of systemic embolism and stroke, they had learned from clinical trials that the medication could cause an increase in excess bleeding, including bleeding that required transfusions, and gastrointestinal bleeding.

According to the lawsuit, in 2012, there were 2,081 reports filed of adverse events involving the drug, with 151 resulting in death.

Lemoins alleges that the defendants’ negligence caused her severe injuries, and she seeks a judgment of more than $4.35 million.

An MDL proceeding was established by the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation for Xarelto complaints in the Eastern District of Louisiana, assigned to federal judge Eldon E. Fallon. On March 5, Lemoins’ lawsuit was removed to the MDL court, along with four other lawsuits from other jurisdictions.

Paul Greenberg is a Chicago medical malpractice lawyer with Briskman Briskman & Greenberg. To learn more call 1.877.595.4878 or visit http://www.briskmanandbriskman.com/.

The Agency for Community Transit in Edwardsville and the Madison County Mass Transit District have claimed immunity under the Tort Immunity Act.

According to the lawsuit, William Beltz was riding his bicycle along Schoolhouse Trail in Madison County when he was struck by a vehicle traveling along Route 111. Beltz died of his injuries. His wife, Mary Beltz, filed the wrongful death lawsuit.

The lawsuit claims that bicyclists must navigate the intersection of the trail with Route 111 by means of a crosswalk lacking signage warning of the intersection’s dangers. According to the complaint, William Beltz had no notice of the hazards he would encounter at the intersection. The lawsuit also alleges that prior to its reconstruction, the Schoolhouse Trail was 560 feet south of the intersection.

In a motion to dismiss, the two transit districts argued that, as public entities, they are immune under the Tort Immunity Act.
The defendants said that local public entities and employees are not liable under the Act for injuries caused by the failure to provide traffic control devices or by the condition of riding trails.

Judge Barbara Crowder of Madison County Circuit Court took the motion under advisement.

The lawsuit seeks a judgment of more than $400,000.

Bob Briskman is a wrongful death attorney with Briskman Briskman & Greenberg. To learn more call 1.877.595.4878 or visit http://www.briskmanandbriskman.com/.

Dot Foods is being sued along with the truck driver who crashed into trooper, Kyle Deatherage, in November, killing him. The defendant argued that the case has no connection to Madison County and should be heard in Montgomery County where the accident occurred.

The plaintiff, Sarah Deatherage, argued that the defendant had failed to show that plaintiff’s choice of venue was improper. The plaintiff’s attorney said that Dot Foods and its subsidiary Dot Transportation moved nearly $130 million worth of goods from warehouses in Madison County during the last four years. The plaintiff argued that the defendant failed to prove that it does not do business in the county for the purposes of venue.

According to the plaintiff, Kyle Deatherage worked and resided in Madison County and his family has the right to file the lawsuit there.

The lawsuit seeks damages for grief, depression and mental anguish for Sarah Deatherage and her two children. According to the complaint, Dot Foods negligently hired a truck driver who the company knew was a danger, and the driver operated the truck when he was not fit to do so, due to an unspecified medical condition.

Bob Briskman is a wrongful death lawyer in Chicago, IL with Briskman Briskman & Greenberg. To learn more call 1.877.595.4878 or visit http://www.briskmanandbriskman.com/.