Melton and DuChateau Secure Dismissal with Prejudice and Sanctions Against Plaintiff in Federal Insurance Case
Isaac Melton and Jim DuChateau attained a rare result in a state or federal court: dismissal of a case with prejudice based on a motion for sanctions that also secured an award of attorney’s fees and costs against the plaintiff. The property insurance claim initially appeared routine. Plaintiff informed his insurance company that pipes in […]
Dmitrieva Ends 2025 on a High Note with Back-to-Back Successes
Irina Dmitrieva closed out 2025 with two additional wins, reinforcing her impressive track record. The first case involved a complex rental/leasing dispute that intersected with bankruptcy law. On November 3, 2025, the Illinois Appellate Court, First Division, dismissed a pro se appeal in Wilson v. Cagan Management Group, Inc. Plaintiff had sought to enforce a $50,000 settlement […]
HeplerBroom Attorneys Prevail in Another Madison County Wrongful Death Case
HeplerBroom attorneys recently prevailed in the Illinois Fifth District Appellate Court, which affirmed summary judgment in favor of the firm’s hospital client. The case alleged that the hospital’s ambulance crew failed to recognize a hazardous condition on the sidewalk and lost control of the gurney, resulting in the fall. After several years of discovery, however, […]
HeplerBroom Attorneys Successfully Defend Favorable Jury Verdict in Illinois Fourth District Appellate Court
HeplerBroom attorneys recently prevailed in a complex commercial lease dispute when the Illinois Fourth District Appellate Court upheld a jury verdict in favor of the firm’s client. MKM Oil, Inc. and Fast Break, LLC v. Welk, 2025 IL App (4th) 240284-U. Welk, a large real estate developer who owned a gasoline station in the Village of […]
Zupanci and Jolley Secure Defense Verdict in Madison County Wrongful Death Claim
A jury in Madison County (Illinois) found in favor of Dede Zupanci and Sarah Jolley’s hospital client in a recent medical malpractice suit. Plaintiff filed a wrongful death lawsuit alleging a provider misread a radiology study. The defense argued that the radiologist met the standard of care and there was no causal connection with the […]
HeplerBroom Attorneys Secure Defense Verdict in St. Louis Professional Liability Trial
After a four-day jury trial, Meg Fowler, Patrick Bousquet, and Anna Kister secured a rare complete defense verdict in the City of St. Louis. Their client, a local cosmetologist and small business owner, was accused of causing the plaintiff second-degree burns, nerve damage, and permanent disfigurement during a facial waxing treatment. The team was able […]
HeplerBroom Successfully Defends Favorable Jury Verdict on Appeal
HeplerBroom has successfully defended a favorable jury verdict in the Illinois Appellate Court, First District, in a case where the jury awarded plaintiffs $40,000 instead of the $3 million they sought. The case involved an unusual cause of action that rarely goes to trial. (More details about that trial are available on our website: Moch, Fay, […]
Koepke and Bushnell Obtain Significantly Lower Award in Macoupin County Premises Liability Trial
After a three-week trial, where the two plaintiffs had asked for awards of between $2.3 and $3 million apiece, the jury in a Macoupin County premises liability trial awarded them only $40,000 each. In addition, only 30% of that fault was attributed to HeplerBroom’s client. The case involved a 2014 carbon monoxide leak of a […]
Varadachari and Bramstedt Secure a Favorable Verdict for Defendant in Premises Liability Case
The jury in a recent premises liability trial in Miller County, Missouri, returned a favorable verdict for the defendant represented by Bharat Varadachari and Emilee Bramstedt. Plaintiff had rented a house and the use of one of several outbuildings on a property owned by the defendant. The plaintiff walked into a third, unmaintained building—one the […]
Fowler and Houser Secure Defense Verdict in Jefferson County Property Damage Case
A Jefferson County, Missouri, jury unanimously found in favor of Meg Fowler and Peter Houser’s client in a case of drainage issues on a property. Plaintiff alleged that the client had cleared more trees during construction than originally proposed and should have built a detention basin, creating a dangerous condition. Fowler and Houser were able […]