St. Louis Injury Lawyer Blog

Illinois Man Injured on Construction Site

2010-04-28T02:55:36Z

A Prairie State Energy Campus worker was hospitalized on Monday after a construction accident. The 35-year-old man (his name has not been released) was working on the 13th floor when he was suffered a blow to the head from a piece of metal. John Felchlia, Washington County Ambulance Service Administrator told KMOX News that an on-site rescue team affiliated with the campus immobilized the man on that floor until rescue workers came. He was then lowered by crane to the waiting emergency vehicles.

The man was taken to a St. Louis hospital and his condition has not been released. The U.S. Department of Labor estimates there are approximately 13 injuries per 100 workers in the field of civil engineering construction.

]]> If you or a loved one have been the victim of an accident at work, you may be entitled to compensation. Many of these accidents involve both workers compensation claims as well as additional third party claims. WWF&G handles workers compensation claims, as well as the third party claims that derive from these claims. Please contact WWF&G at 1-800-WWFGLAW for a free consultation.

Granite City Man Charged After Fatal Motorcycle Accident

2010-04-20T02:31:21Z

In a grand jury indictment Thursday, Daniel R.W. Mull was charged with reckless homicide and aggravated driving under the influence of alcohol. Mull, 33, was driving one of two motorcycles involved in a fatal accident on October 3, 2009. Both Mull's passenger, Lisa Caradonna, 41, and the other motorcycle driver, William Guffey, 42, were killed in the accident. The other passenger, Alison Crandall, 21, was injured but survived while the driver of the truck, Jonathan Basden, 34, was uninjured.

Authorities say that Basden was making a left turn on U.S. Route 40 when both motorcycles attempted to pass his truck on the left side, hitting the driver's side of the vehicle.

]]> According to the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT), in 2008 there were 1,506 motorcycle accidents in Missouri. Of these crashes, 66 resulted in fatalities. The driver of a motorcycle has a duty to exercise ordinary care, or to act as a reasonably prudent motorcycle driver under the circumstances to prevent injury to themselves or the other drivers on the road.

The law firm of WWF&G has represented numerous victims of motorcycle accidents. Injuries resulting from motorcycle accidents are often serious, and our firm provides aggressive representation for those victims of accidents and their families. If you or a loved one has been wrongfully injured in an accident involving a motorcycle, please call us for a free consultation at 1-800-WWFGLAW.

Illinois Trooper Given Probation After Causing Fatal Accident

2010-04-18T01:32:11Z

In court on Friday, Illinois State Trooper Matt Mitchell pleaded guilty to two counts of reckless homicide and aggravated reckless driving. The wreck occurred on November 23, 2007, when prosecutors say Mitchell was driving 126 mph and using his cell phone when his car struck another carrying two teenage sisters. The girls, Jessica Uhl, 18, and Kelli Uhl, 13, died at the scene of the accident after their car was engulfed in flames.

The Illinois State Police has not yet said whether or not Mitchell will lose his job; he was suspended from the force with pay after the accident. According to the Belleville News-Democrat, St. Clair County State's Attorney Robert Haida has stated that he believes Mitchell will have his license revoked.

]]> With his conviction, Mitchell became the first Illinois officer convicted of reckless homicide for an on-duty wreck. The case has resulted in a variety of procedural changes for State Troopers including implementation of policies that limit speed when responding to calls, require the car's video camera to be on when emergency lights are in use, and require officers to use hands-free devices with their cell phones.

The law firm of WWF&G has represented numerous victims of wreckless driving incidents. Injuries resulting from accidents are often serious, and our firm provides aggressive representation for those victims of accidents and their families. If you or a loved one has been wrongfully injured in an accident, please call us for a free consultation at 1-800-WWFGLAW.

Missouri Parents Continue Lawsuit Against Baseball Team After Daughter's Death

2010-04-16T03:53:11Z

A Missouri family is in court once again after their daughter's death in 2003 while climbing a rock wall. Christine Ewing, 22, was climbing a wall at a Mid-Missouri Mavericks minor league baseball game in Columbia, MO when a safety cable broke. Ewing fell 20 feet onto asphalt. Police later discovered that the cable was not only rusty, but was frayed and held together with duck tape.

The owner of the wall, Marcus Floyd, was tried for involuntary manslaughter after the incident but ended up pleading guilty to misdemeanor assault. Ewing's parents sued Floyd in 2004 in a wrongful death suit that resulted in a $700,000 award. However, now the Ewings claim that the Mid-Missouri Mavericks hold some liability for letting Floyd allow the cord to fall into disrepair.

]]> In 2005, another judge held a hearing that found the Maverick's organization responsible for Ewing's death. At the time of the hearing, the judge ruled that the team's insurance companies owed $4.58 million in damages. Currently, the case has been re-opened to debate the amount owed by the team. While no verdict has been reached, the court is expected to come to a conclusion within the next 90 days.

The lawyers of WWF&G are aggressive advocates for the families of wrongful death victims. If you feel that a loved one may have been involved in a wrongful death, please call 1-800-WWFGLAW for a free consultation.

St. Louis Man Killed in Motorcycle Crash

2010-04-13T03:50:55Z

Eastbound 270 was temporarily shut down on Sunday night after a man crashed his motorcycle near Bellefontaine road. The driver, Andrea M. Wyatt, 41, ran into the back of an eastbound vehicle while attempting to change lanes.

Allegedly, Wyatt was operating the motorcycle at high speeds when the crash occurred. After hitting the vehicle, Wyatt veered into a guardrail, where he was thrown from the bike. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the other vehicle left the scene uninjured.

Trenton Man Behind $1.9 Million Scam Targeting Elderly

2010-04-12T00:14:01Z

The man behind a Ponzi scheme that reportedly cheated senior citizens out of close to $1.9 million plead guilty last Thursday. Lavern Huelsmann, 44, a licensed insurance agent, had convinced elderly people to invest in a "cash management account" under the company he ran, Senior Retirement Services. He then turned around and used those investments to build and decorate his Trenton home, gamble and make extravagant jewelry purchases.

Huelsmann will face sentencing on July 10 and is currently facing up to 30 years in prison, a fine of up to $500,000, and three years of supervised release and mandatory restitution according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

]]> According to the National Committee for the Prevention of Elder Abuse (NCPEA) elderly abuse can come in multiple forms. From physical abuse to psychological abuse, it is estimated that 4-6% of the elderly are abused nation wide. If you suspect that a loved one has been taken advantage of or abused, please call us for a free consultation at 1-800-WWFGLAW. Someone needs to stand up for your loved one and, at WWF&G, we have valuable experience in nursing home neglect cases.

ATV Accident Kills Festus Man, Injures Woman

2010-04-06T16:50:45Z

An ATV accident in St. Francois County on Monday night left one dead and another injured. The Missouri Highway Patrol reports that the crash occurred around 9:45 p.m. at the intersection of Berry and Lake Timberline roads. The driver, Day Alexander, 39, was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident while his passenger, Sarah K. Barrett, 30, was found in serious condition and was air lifted to St. John's Mercy Medical Center in Creve Coeur.

After failing to stop at a stop sign, Alexander lost control of the 2002 Yamaha Raptor as it slid across the road. The ATV then hit a log, causing the vehicle to overturn and throwing both Alexander and Barrett off of it. The accident report did not note whether or not either passenger was wearing a helmet.

]]> According to ATVSafety.gov, in 2008 alone there were 135,100 emergency-room treated ATV accidents and 410 of them were fatal. If you or someone you know has been injured in an accident involving an ATV, please contact the law firm of WWF&G at 1-800-WWFGLAW for a free consultation.

Missouri Trench Collapse Victim's Family Awarded $6 Million

2010-04-02T16:58:44Z

In 2008, 29-year-old Timothy Epperson was working for the city of Perry, MO fixing sewer lines with another city worker when the sides of the trench collapsed. His co-worker survived but Epperson was trapped under the debris and died later that night in an area hospital.

Epperson left behind three sons and a wife who would eventually file a suit against the town's superintendent on behalf of her sons. Last week, Circuit Judge Robert Clayton II awarded the family $6 million, claiming "breached duty of care" towards Epperson on the part of the town. According to the Hannibal Courier-Post, the judge also claimed that proper safety precautions were not observed on the site of the accident and that the superintendent was aware of the dangers around the trench.

]]> The United States Department of Labor estimated that in 2008, for every 100 workers in the field of civil engineering and construction, almost 12 experienced some sort of job-related injury. If you or someone you know has been injured on the job, contact the law firm of WWF&G at 1-800-WWFGLAW for a free consultation.

Overland Policeman Charged After Pushing Man Down Stairs

2010-04-01T22:33:13Z

An Overland officer has been charged with one count of first-degree involuntary manslaughter based on his involvement in a confrontation that left one man dead as a result of being pushed down a flight of stairs. Ken Hamilton, 49, suffered from a head injury after being pushed down a set of stairs on March 20. On March 25, Hamilton died in a St. Louis hospital after spending several days on life support.

The officer, Andrew Thomas Ringeisen, came to Hamilton's duplex after receiving a road rage complaint citing a vehicle whose description matched Hamilton's Jeep. Ringeisen and other officers arrived at the 2600 block of West Milton Avenue sometime close to 11 p.m. While the Overland Police Department is not providing details the exact sequence of events, they told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch that no guns or Tasers were used during the officer's interactions with Hamilton.

]]> Hamilton was found by his brother, Joe Hamilton, after he heard noise coming from the staircase. When he arrived at the scene of the accident, Joe Hamilton found his brother laying on the ground and no signs of the officers. The accident is undergoing continued investigation by the St. Louis County Police department at the request of the Overland Police chief.

If have been the victim of wrongful injury or know someone who has been the victim of a wrongful death, WWF&G can help. If someone you know has been a victim of an accident or wrongful death, please contact the law firm of WWF&G at 1-800-WWFGLAW or on our website, www.stlouisaccidentlaw.com.

St. Louis Family Sues Over Fatally Injured Pedestrian

2010-03-29T01:49:27Z

Last Wednesday, the family of a pedestrian who was fatally injured last year took their case to court. On September 14, 2009, 83-year-old Lionel Speidel was crossing the street when a car struck him. The car, a Pontiac Grand Am, was being driven by a 17-year-old when the accident occurred at the 3800 block of Virginia Avenue, less than a block away from the teen's home.

Investigators later learned that the teen had been under the influence of marijuana at the time of the accident and he was charged with involuntary manslaughter. Speidel later died in a nearby hospital. Recently, his daughters have taken on the driver and his family, filing a wrongful death suit seeking more than $50,000.

]]> According to the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT), in 2008 there were 33 fatal crashes involving pedestrians in the state of Missouri and 178 crashes that resulted in injury. WWF&G has years of experience handling wrongful death and accident cases. If you or someone you know has been involved in a pedestrian accident, please contact the law firm of WWF&G at 1-800-WWFGLAW or on our website, www.stlouisaccidentlaw.com.

New Douglas Illinois ATV Accident Tragically Kills 10-Year-Old

2010-03-26T04:15:11Z

Last Friday, a 10-year-old Livingston girl was fatally injured in an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) accident. The minor, Montana Garner, was a passenger on the adult-sized vehicle being operated by her 12-year-old friend. At some point the vehicle flipped, landing on top of her head and causing her death.

Upon receiving the call about their daughter, Larry and Diane Garner rushed to the scene of the accident. While waiting for the ambulance to arrive, her mother administered CPR without response. Montana was rushed to a nearby hospital before being airlifted to Cardinal Glennon Children's Medical Center in St. Louis. She was pronounced dead upon arriving at the hospital.

Garner's parents claim they didn't know their daughter was riding or in any way operating an ATV. They told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch that they never would've given the child permission if the parents had asked.

According to ATVSafety.gov, a site sponsored by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, children under 16 should never be allowed to operate an adult-sized ATV. Their research found that in 2008 alone, there were 135,100 emergency-room treated ATV accidents and 410 of them were fatal.

]]> WWF&G represents victims and families of ATV accidents. If you or someone you know has been injured in an accident involving an ATV, please contact the law firm of WWF&G at 1-800-WWFGLAW or 618-462-1077 for a free consultation.

Former Saline Township Supervisor Faces Allegations of Sexual Misconduct

2010-03-23T01:58:19Z

Last Thursday former Saline Township Supervisor Alvin Steiner was accused in yet another sexual misconduct suit. This suit marks the fifth brought against the former Township employee since January by women who claim that Steiner tried to grope and kiss them when they came to his office seeking financial aid.

According to the Belleville News-Democrat, the fourth woman to file a suit, Laura B. Barry, stated that she never followed up on her aide request because Steiner's original advances had made her too uncomfortable. The suit has also charged other Township employees were aware of Steiner's behavior but made no actions to report or prevent them.

]]> The Township's lawyer denies that the Township had any prior knowledge of the allegations against Steiner, and told the News-Democrat that out of the 139 people that received awards last year, 89 of them were women. All of the suits seek damages in excess of $50,000 plus attorney's fees.

The Rape, Abuse, & Incest National Network (RAINN) estimates that 1 in 6 women will be sexually assaulted in their lifetime. If you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual misconduct, please contact the law firm of WWF&G at 1-800-WWFGLAW or 618-567-8030 for a free consultation.

Illinois Pontiac Dealer Sued After Slip-and-Fall

2010-03-19T16:55:13Z

James Kirby, a Millstadt resident, was shopping for a car on July 10, 2008 when he slipped on an unidentified substance. Kirby claims the dealership, Bob Brockland Pontiac Buick GMA, failed to alert customers to the spill. On March 3, 2010, he filed a suit claiming negligence on the part of the dealership.

Kirby claimed his daily life had been adversely affected because of his fall. He cited injuries in his knee among injuries that left him disabled, causing him to lost wages and incur medical costs.

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that there are 27.7 million hospital visits per year caused by unintentional injuries, including things like slip and falls. Any fall, especially for the elderly, can lead to serious and potentially fatal injuries.

]]> If you or someone you know has been injured due to a slip-and-fall, please do not hesitate to contact the law firm of WWF&G at 1-800-WWFGLAW or 618-4620-1077 for a free consultation.

Edwardsville Illinois Toddler Seriously Injured After Days of Abuse

2010-03-17T23:22:27Z

Two-year-old Amanda Runyon is still recovering after several weeks in the hospital and multiple surgeries. According to the Globe-Democrat, the toddler was brought to the hospital on March 1st after the child was vomiting and drifting in and out of consciousness. Authorities later revealed that the injuries occurred after days of abuse at the hands of the child's mother's boyfriend, 24-year-old Kraig Monroe.

Monroe was arrested in his trailer on the same afternoon the child was admitted to the hospital. Besides suffering from a broken arm and severe bruising, doctors were forced to remove ¼ of Runyon's intestines. Monroe is being charged with aggravated battery of a child. He is currently being held on $500,000 bail.

]]> At the time of the beating, the toddler was living in a trailer with her mother, Dawn Obptande. When authorities came to the trailer to arrest Monroe, they noted that the living conditions were unsanitary and found drug paraphernalia inside the residence.

Runyon's condition has recently been upgraded to fair from serious and has been moved out of the intensive care unit at Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital in St. Louis, where she was airlifted over two weeks ago. At this time, no charges have been pressed against the child's mother.

Child abuse is a serious issue in the United States. Childhelp, a national organization that seeks to prevent child abuse, estimates that almost five children die on a daily basis as a result of abuse or neglect. Almost 68% of child abuse occurs at the hands of a family member.

Abuse can come from not only a family member, but also occurs at daycares, nursing homes, schools and other care centers. If you know someone who may be suffering from abuse, you may have a claim. Please do not hesitate to contact the law firm of WWF&G at 1-800-WWFGLAW or 618-567-8030 for a free consultation.

St. Louis Missouri Sisters Killed in Granite City Crash

2010-03-13T02:38:22Z

Two St. Louis women were killed on Friday when the car they were riding in was broadsided after pulling into the path of an on-coming SUV. The sisters have been identified as Deneice G. English, 54, and Verna L. Smallwood, 43.

The accident occurred near Illinois Route 3 and Missouri avenue when the car the women were riding in attempted to make a left turn into the Lowe's on Missouri Avenue. The SUV was heading north on Route 3 when it struck the side of the car as it turned, flipping the SUV onto its side.

English was pronounced dead shortly after arriving at the Gateway Regional Medical Center in Granite City, while her sister was rushed to a St. Louis hospital where she died the next morning. The driver of the car has not been identified, but reportedly has been treated and released from the hospital. Similarly, the driver of the SUV is reported to have escaped serious injury.

According to the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), there have been 142 fatalities from accidents to date in 2010. In a 2008 study, IDOT notes there were 77 fatalities and 11,376 injuries related to accidents while turning.

]]> If you or someone you know has been injured in a car accident, contact the law firm of WWF&G at 1-800-WWFGLAW or 618-567-8030 for a free consultation.