The Illinois Personal Injury Weblog of Schaeffer & Lamere P.C.

Katrina's Toll

From the Associated Press via the St. Louis Post-Dispatch: "Katrina may have killed thousands," by Brett Martel--

The mayor said Wednesday that Hurricane Katrina probably killed thousands of people in New Orleans.

"We know there is a significant number of dead bodies in the water," and other people dead in attics, Mayor Ray Nagin said. Asked how many, he said: "Minimum, hundreds. Most likely, thousands."

The frightening estimate came as Army engineers struggled to plug New Orleans' breached levees with giant sandbags and concrete barriers, while authorities drew up plans to clear out the tens of thousands of people left in New Orleans and all but abandon the flooded-out city.

There will be a "total evacuation of the city. We have to. The city will not be functional for two or three months," Nagin said.

Girl's Letters Were a Hoax

From the St. Louis Post-Dispatch: " Girl's story of dad was a hoax, paper says," by Kevin McDermott--

For two years, Carbondale residents have been riveted by the writing of a little girl imploring her father in Iraq: "Don't die, OK?"

Only now are they learning there was never any danger of that.

The Daily Egyptian, Southern Illinois University's student-run newspaper, today will admit to its readers that the saga - of a little girl's published letters to her father serving in Iraq - was apparently an elaborate hoax perpetrated by a woman who claimed to be the girl's aunt.

--Posted by Illinois Vioxx attorney T. Evan Schaeffer of the Illinois Vioxx law firm of Schaeffer & Lamere, P.C.

Theft of Gas on Rise

From the St. Louis Post-Dispatch: "Thefts at pump rise with the price," by Heather Ratcliffe--

Price shock at gasoline pumps apparently is tempting more motorists to speed away rather than pay after filling up.

Some police agencies across the St. Louis region are reporting nearly double the number of "drive off" thefts over the past year. But lots of convenience stores remain reluctant to take the cure - forcing customers to pay in advance.

"That is the easiest fix. It would effectively eliminate gas theft," said Jeff Lenard, a spokesman for the National Association of Convenience Stores. "But pre-pay is really a last resort."

--Posted by Illinois Vioxx attorney T. Evan Schaeffer of the Illinois Vioxx law firm of Schaeffer & Lamere, P.C.

Obama in Godfrey

From the Alton Telegraph: "Obama calls for reducing gas usage," by Linda Weller--

The state’s newest U.S. senator charmed supporters and others Tuesday as he flashed a broad grin, joked, paced back and forth and motioned with sweeping arm gestures at his 28th town hall meeting.

Sen. Barack Obama, D-Chicago, 44, kept his promise that he would answer any questions that some of the 450 people tossed his way in the Commons area of the McPike Math and Science Complex at Lewis and Clark Community College.

--Posted by Illinois work comp attorney T. Evan Schaeffer of the Illinois work comp law firm of Schaeffer & Lamere, P.C.

Fallout from Storms Lingers

From the St. Louis Post-Dispatch: "Outages will reach into Tuesday," by Bill Bryan--

Nearly 100,000 AmerenUE and AmerenIP customers in the St. Louis area still were without power on Sunday evening, and some of them can expect to remain in the dark until Tuesday, company officials said.

The worst weather has moved out of the area, but residents can expect more rain the next couple of days and also below-normal temperatures, according to the National Weather Service.

"We expect that power will be restored to the bulk of our customers by midday (today)," said Sue Bell, a spokeswoman for AmerenUE. "But not everyone will be reached until Tuesday."

--Posted by Missouri personal injury attorney T. Evan Schaeffer of the Missouri personal injury law firm of Schaeffer & Lamere, P.C.

Texas AG Criticizes Merck over Vioxx Litigation

From PharmaLive: "Texas Attorney General Abbott Sharply Reprimands Merck For Attempting To Run From Justice"--

Attorney General Greg Abbott today sent his sternest message yet about the latest maneuver by Merck & Co. to evade justice. The company, he says, is attempting to dilute the power of the Texas lawsuit by asking to have it consolidated with thousands of unrelated cases in Louisiana.

“Merck took almost $60 million from Texas taxpayers and knowingly endangered the health of our citizens,” said Attorney General Abbott. “Now the company is running from its responsibility by trying to flee to Louisiana. Texans deserve better from a company that insists on doing business here.”

--Posted by Illinois personal injury lawyer T. Evan Schaeffer of Schaeffer & Lamere, P.C.

More Complaints About Airlines

From Reuters via Yahoo! News: "Consumer complaints up for some big airlines"--

Three of the four big U.S. airlines in serious financial trouble also are experiencing more consumer complaints, particularly involving mishandled baggage, the government said on Thursday.

US Airways and United Airlines, both bankrupt, and Delta Air Lines, whose finances have deteriorated sharply and says it may seek court protection, all reported higher complaint rates for the first six months of this year compared to the same period in 2004.

The sharpest increase was at US Airways, which plans to merge with America West Airlines this fall.

--Posted by T. Evan Schaeffer of the Madison County Illinois class action law firm of Schaeffer & Lamere, P.C.

A Lifeguard Saves a Life

From the Alton Telegraph: "A heroine on her birthday," by Cynthia M. Ellis--

Lifeguard Kendra Eberhart got the best birthday present she could ask for Tuesday when she breathed life back into a 4-year-old girl who had nearly drowned at Roxana Community Pool.

A day care center’s field trip might have ended in tragedy for Kaylee Camillo of Collinsville, who was spotted floating motionless in the water shortly after 11 a.m., but the quick thinking and actions of the pool’s lifeguards saved her life.

--Posted by T. Evan Schaeffer of the Missouri class action law firm of Schaeffer & Lamere, P.C.