St. Louis Record

Monday, January 20, 2020

Hot Topics News

Hot Topics

Bayer 'pleased' by federal government's amicus brief in company appeal of $25M Roundup verdict

WASHINGTON – Bayer AG is encouraged by 16 amicus briefs, including those filed by the federal government and seven U.S. states, in the company's appeal of a $25 million judgment in favor of a California man who claims the weed killer Roundup caused his cancer.

By Karen Kidd | Jan 15, 2020

Hot Topics

St. Louis jury clears J&J in woman's ovarian cancer lawsuit

ST. LOUIS - A jury on Friday decided that Johnson & Johnson was not responsible for development of a St. Louis woman’s stage-two ovarian cancer from the use of its baby powder, which the plaintiff alleged had been contaminated with asbestos.

By John Sammon | Dec 21, 2019

Latest News

Bill on punitive damages would remove use as a settlement bargaining tool: Senator

By John Breslin | Dec 20, 2019

An ability to immediately ask for punitive damages when filing suit can be unfairly used as a bargaining tool by plaintiffs, according to a Missouri senator who introduced a bill to reform the approach to such awards.

Punitive damages reform top priority of Missouri business leaders

By John Breslin | Dec 19, 2019

Puntiive damages reform is a top priority of business leaders in Missouri, the state Chamber of Commerce has said.

Two St. Louis law firms spend close to $8 million finding weedkiller plaintiffs: analysis

By John Breslin | Dec 18, 2019

Two St. Louis law firms have spent an estimated nearly $8 million to attract and sign up plaintiffs to sue multinational conglomerate Bayer over the use of its weedkiller, according to figures released from a media data firm.

Mass tort litigation proliferates as ad spending by lawyers increases; FTC keeping watch over lead generators

By Amanda Smith-Teutsch | Dec 18, 2019

Observers say murky relationship between lead generators and lawyers needs to be examined.

Reform advocate: People need to use site tracking lawyer, union donations

By Karen Kidd | Dec 16, 2019

JEFFERSON CITY – A little-used online tool that tracks trial lawyer and union donations to Missouri candidates for public office should be getting more attention than it does, a tort reform advocate said during a recent interview.

City of St. Louis ranks No. 5 in this year's ATRA 'Judicial hellhole' list

By Karen Kidd | Dec 10, 2019

WASHINGTON – The city of St. Louis continues to drop in American Tort Reform Association's Judicial Hellholes list, coming in at No. 5 on this year's ranking, but isn't exactly improving and still has plenty to hang its head about.

More than $20 million disbursed to victims from punitive damages awards fund, Labor Department figures reveal

By John Breslin | Dec 2, 2019

JEFFERSON CITY – More than $20 million was deposited in funds for legal services and to help victims of accidents unable to collect damages or otherwise be compensated for their injuries over a 15 year period to the end of 2017, according to figures released by the Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations.

Senators expected to vote within days on nominee for Missouri Eastern District, confirmation not certain

By John Breslin | Nov 27, 2019

U.S. Senators are expected to vote within days on whether to confirm a nominee for the federal bench in the Eastern District of Missouri.

Officials, industry ponder problem of cannabis cash, potential clash with federal banking rules

By John Breslin | Nov 18, 2019

JEFFERSON CITY – State government officials are sifting through submissions on a draft rule drawn up on how taxes, fees and licenses will be paid ahead of the opening of the first medical marijuana dispensaries.

Farmers have few practical alternatives to Roundup, but still have faith in the weed killer, Farm Bureau president says

By Karen Kidd | Nov 12, 2019

JEFFERSON CITY – Despite tens of thousands of lawsuits and well orchestrated advertising campaigns from plaintiff lawyers, farmers in Missouri still put their faith in Roundup and have little in the way of alternatives, an agriculture advocate said during a recent interview.

Lawmakers urged to close loophole allowing law enforcement to reap benefits of cash and asset seizure

By John Breslin | Nov 12, 2019

Legislators in Missouri should try again to close a loophole that allows Missouri law enforcement to benefit directly from the seizure of cash and property despite a long standing state statute that attempted to curtail the activity, according to advocates for reform.

Agriculture trade groups 'fully support' science-based technology behind Roundup, farming advocate says

By Karen Kidd | Nov 12, 2019

JEFFERSON CITY – Farmers in Missouri still put their faith in Roundup and the science behind the weed killer despite the tens of thousands of lawsuits over its alleged risks, an agriculture advocacy group said during a recent interview.

Roundup sales are up despite tens of thousands of lawsuits, company spokesperson says

By Karen Kidd | Nov 11, 2019

JEFFERSON CITY – If sales figures from Bayer AG, which owns Roundup manufacturer Monsanto in St. Louis, are anything to go by, farmers still have faith in the weed killer despite tens of thousands of lawsuits and experts that suggest they shouldn't.

Defense bar, experts, gather for asbestos conference as figures reveal sharp rise in St. Louis filings

By John Breslin | Nov 11, 2019

Experts on genetics will speak on the potential link to individuals contracting mesothelioma at a defense bar asbestos litigation conference to be held this week.

Paramedic appeals decision to dismiss discrimination, coercion complaint against union

By John Breslin | Nov 11, 2019

A St. Louis-area paramedic who claims he was intimidated by a union for posting flyers informing fellow workers they could resign their membership and pay lower dues is appealing a decision by regional labor relations officials.

Schmitt: Moves towards settlement with states and companies blamed for opioid crisis, though tentative, welcome

By John Breslin | Nov 6, 2019

JEFFERSON CITY – Missourians affected by the opioid crisis and those charged with tackling its impact need help and the state's attorney general's office says recent moves towards possible settlements are welcome.

JUUL spokesman says company is 'taking aggressive actions' to reduce underage vaping

By Amanda Smith-Teutsch | Oct 31, 2019

ST. LOUIS – A spokesman for one of the most-popular electronic cigarette companies says critics are off the mark when they claim the companies market their products to young people.

Digital workplace apps may be convenient, but they can be a hotbed for employee lawsuits

By Shanice Harris | Oct 23, 2019

JEFFERSON CITY – Digital workplace apps are becoming commonplace for office interactions, offering a streamlined approach to employee growth and relationship through a single portal that’s easy to manage is tempting. But at what cost?