News
Client Obtains $1 Million Judgment
01-20-12
A Pulaski County judge recently awarded $1 million to a man represented by Casey & Devoti.
The man was a passenger in a Toyota 4Runner involved in a motor vehicle collision on a rural highway in Pulaski County. The 4Runner left westbound Raleigh Road when its driver attempted to navigate a curve at too high a speed. The truck rotated clockwise before overturning.
The passenger suffered injury to his neck, upper back and left hand. He fractured the vertebrae located at C6, C7, T1 and T2 and required extensive surgery, including spinal fusion. He continues to experience left hand weakness.
Matt Devoti tried the case before Judge Mary Sheffield on December 8, 2011. Following trial, the trial court entered judgment in favor of Matt's client and against the motorist in the amount of $1 million.
The judgment was not appealed.
Editorial Addresses WC Issues
11-01-11
We represent a number of a people in Workers' Compensation claims throughout eastern Missouri and the Ozarks. Workers' Compensation is under attack in Missouri. Our clients know that fact. Many Missourians are learning of the battle due to the publicity given several claims arising out of terrible circumstances. The attacks on the Workers' Compensation were the subject of a recent editorial in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. To view the editorial, go here.
Injured Worker Wins Permanent Total Benefits
09-08-11
An injured roofer roofer represented by Casey & Devoti won his Workers' Compensation claim. The man suffered extensive injury to his left shoulder and arm when the roof on which he was standing collapsed in October 2007. The man fell approximately 15 feet and landed on his left shoulder. He has lost the use of his lower left arm and left hand and his shoulder is constantly painful, interfering with his ability to sleep and move about.
Following hearing, the administrative law judge found the man permanently and totally disabled. The judge ordered the roofer's former employer and its insurer to pay the man a weekly benefit for the rest of his life and for medical care required by the man in the future related to his injuries. At hearing, the employer and its insurer denied liability for both the lifetime weekly payment as well as future medical care.
Matt Devoti tried the case in the Springfield office of the Missouri Division of Workers' Compensation. The employer was insured by Zurich American Insurance Co.
Casey and Devoti Volunteer with Habitat for Humanity
08-09-11
Matt Casey and Matt Devoti worked with Habitat for Humanity this past weekend. Habitat is building 10 homes in the JeffVanderLou neighborhood just north of downtown St. Louis. Matt and Matt volunteered with a 12 member team sponsored by the Lawyers Association of St. Louis. 2011 was the second year that Matt and Matt worked with Habitat on a project in north St. Louis.
Thomas Casey to Receive Trial Bar Highest Honor
03-14-11
Tom Casey is the 2011 recipient of the Lawyers Association of St. Louis' Award of Honor. The Award is the Association's highest honor and is given each year to a lawyer "whose service to the profession and community merits recognition, not as a reward, but as an example that may inspire others to similar service." Tom will receive the Award of Honor on April 16. The Lawyers Association is the association of trial lawyers and judges in the St. Louis metropolitan area. Click here to visit the Association's website.
Devoti Speaks at Insurance Litigation Seminar
02-10-11
Matt Devoti is speaking at a continuing legal education seminar on February 24. The seminar addresses issues encountered during the litigation of insurance coverage claims. Speakers will address the insurance contract, the taking of the insurer's representative's deposition, pleading, discovery, the trial of insurance coverage disputes and ethical considerations in litigating these claims. Matt is the only plaintiffs' lawyer of the four speakers participating in the seminar.
Please call or email Matt if you would like more information about the seminar. Click here to review the written materials Matt submitted for inclusion in the course book that will be distributed to seminar attendees.
Senate Committee Considers Changes to Workers Compensation
01-25-11
Last evening, a Missouri Senate committee held a hearing to consider Senate Bill No. 8. The bill proposes additional changes to Missouri's Workers' Compensation system. Most significantly, the bill blocks the ability of an injured person to seek compensation from a fellow employee who negligently injuries the person if the injury occurs during work. The proposed legislation follows legislation that was passed in 2005 that severely limited injured workers' rights to collect for on-the-job injuries by enacting a number of provisions, including the redefining of what activities constitute a compensable "accident." Today, Missouri's Workers' Compensation system is the exclusive (or only) remedy for an injured employee to seek redress against his employer for an injury suffered on-the-job.
Click here to view Senate Bill No. 8.
Casey and Devoti Recognized
10-25-10
Our firm is pleased to announce that both Matt Devoti and Matt Casey have been identified as "Rising Stars" in "Super Lawyers". Devoti and Casey are identified in the November issue of "Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers 2010," a Thomson Reuters and KC Magazine publication. "Rising Stars" are top lawyers identified by the publication who are 40 years old or younger or who have been in practice 10 years or less.
Devoti Speaks with Group about Non-Partisan Court Plan
08-04-10
Matt Devoti spoke with members of the Gateway Alliance Civil Liberty Co
uncil at the group's August meeting. Matt discussed the Non-Partisan Court Plan with the Council's membership. The Council is gun-rights advocacy group centered in Brentwood, Missouri.
The Non-Partisan Court Plan is the method by which the judges of the Missouri Supreme Court, Courts of Appeals and some circuit courts are appointed. Under the Plan, judges are chosen on merit rather than by popular election or political connections. Please contact Matt if you'd like him to speak with your group about the Non-Partisan Court Plan.
Woman Wins Workers Compensation Claim
07-15-10
A woman who worked as a custodian for the Fox School District for over 20 years recently received a favorable Award in a Workers' Compensation claim tried earlier this Spring. The woman claimed that she suffered injury to her neck, left shoulder and low back when she fell from a stool while cleaning a chalkboard. Following hearing, the administrative law judge awarded the woman nearly $188,000 from the District and the Second Injury Fund.
Woman Wins Premises Case in Pulaski County
06-24-10
A woman represented by Casey & Devoti recently received a judgment in her favor in a premises liability case. The woman slipped on water while working at Fort Leonard Wood in Pulaski County. The water was left behind by an employee of a contractor who had mopped the floor. No warning signs were posted when the woman fell.
The case was tried before Judge Mary Sheffield. On May 7, Judge Sheffield entered judgment in favor of the woman in the amount of $700,000.
Homeowners Win Case in Appeals Court
04-21-10
Homeowners represented by Casey & Devoti recently won their appeal of a verdict reached by a jury in Phelps County.
Ross and Tammie Pool sued the insurer of their home after a water pipe burst in a wall of their home. Water from the pipe pooled beneath the home, causing the home to settle. The Pool's case was tried to a jury in January 2009. The jury returned a verdict in favor of the insurer based upon a faulty instruction submitted by the insurer. An instruction is the written direction given to the jury at the end of the case which directs the jury which facts the jury must find in order to render a verdict.
The Pool family appealed the court's submission of the insurer's instruction to the jury. The appeal was filed in the Missouri Court of Appeals, Southern District, in Springfield. The Court of Appeals agreed with the Pool family and sent the case back to Phelps County to be re-tried.
Click here to read the Southern District's opinion.
Casey Elected Councilman
04-21-10
On April 6, 2010, Matt Casey was elected to the Richmond Heights, Missouri city council. Richmond Heights is located at the intersections of I-64 and I-170 in the heart of the St. Louis metropolitan area with a population of approximately 10,000 people. Matt will serve a four year term on the council.
Devoti Acknowledges 75 Years of Lawyers Association
01-27-10
Matt Devoti recently wrote a column celebrating the 75th anniversary of the Lawyers Association of St. Louis. The Association is St. Louis' local association of trial lawyers. The Association was founded in November 1934 to provide an association for all lawyers in good standing - without regard to race, color, creed or type of practice. Click here to read Matt's column.
Devoti Wins Sexual Assault Case
11-17-09
On October 30, a jury in St. Charles County returned a verdict in favor of a young woman represented by Matt Devoti. Matt represented the woman in a sexual assault case brought against the young man who assaulted her and his parents. Click here to review a report of the verdict published in Missouri Lawyers Weekly. Click here to review a column commenting on the case.
City Sidewalks Remain In Disrepair Two Years After Lawsuit
11-11-09
Almost two years after Casey & Devoti obtained a verdict against the City St. Louis for the death of Lisi Bansen, the city sidewalks which were found to have caused her death remain in disrepair. On November 4, 2005, Lisi Bansen was killed when she was struck by a car as she navigated her wheelchair in the street. Ms. Bansen was forced into the street because the city sidewalks were in such a broken condition that she was unable to maneuver her wheelchair over them. Despite having lost the the Bansen lawsuit nearly two years ago, the City of St. Louis has failed to completely repair the sidewalks which were found to have contributed to cause Ms. Bansen's death.
See the KSDK news report about the failure of the City of St. Louis to repair the sidewalks by clicking here.
Devoti Writes Column for Lawyers Association
09-24-09
Matt Devoti is the president of the Lawyers Association of St. Louis. The Lawyers Association is the local bar association whose membership consists of trial lawyers and judges. The September newsletter of the Association features the "President's Column" written by Matt.
Click here to read Matt's column.
Devoti Speaks at Insurance Litigation Seminar
06-05-09
On June 4, 2009, Matt Devoti spoke at a seminar addressing issues confronted by lawyers during the litigation of insurance coverage disputes. Matt spoke to fellow lawyers about fundamental concepts underlying all insurance cases as well as practical issues that must be addressed during the trial of these cases.
Click here to view materials.
Tom Casey Speaks at Memorial Service
05-15-09
Tom Casey recently delivered the keynote address at a memorial service hosted by the Lawyers Association of St. Louis. The service recognized those lawyers who died this past year. Tom's address discussed the practice of law as a profession and public service.
To see a copy of Tom's speech, click here.
Devoti Speaks at Automobile Insurance Seminar
04-03-09
On April 2, 2009, Matt Devoti spoke at a seminar addressing complex issues that often exist in uninsured and underinsured motorist cases. The seminar was sponsored by National Business Institute.
Click here to view materials.
Casey & Devoti Files Class Action Against US Fidelis
04-01-09
Casey & Devoti files a class action lawsuit against US Fidelis, one of the largest sellers of extended automobile warranties in the country, alleging violations of the Missouri Merchandising Practices Act, a state consumer protection law. In the suit, Plaintiffs allege that US Fidelis uses misrepresentations and omissions of material fact to deceive consumers in the sale of extended automobile warranties.
Click here to see a copy of the class action lawsuit filed by Casey & Devoti.
See the St. Louis Post Dispatch article referencing the lawsuit by clicking here.
US Fidelis Lawsuits
02-18-09
Casey & Devoti is currently investigating and accepting cases against US Fidelis. US Fidelis is a Missouri company that sells extended auto warranties. The company has been accused by many consumers and state's attorney generals of unethical and misleading practices in the sale of the warranties. The company is also known as Dealer Services and National Auto Warranty Services. If you purchased an extended warranty from US Fidelis, Dealer Services or National Auto Warranty Services, please contact us for a free consultation.
Tom Casey Awarded Britt Memorial Award
12-15-08
Thomas J. Casey was awarded the James T. Britt Memorial Award at the annual Missouri Lawyers Assistance Conference, held October 10 and 11, 2008 in
Devoti Wins Case in MO Supreme Court
06-11-08
On June 10, 2008, the Missouri Supreme court unanimously ruled in Casey & Devoti's favor in a police chase case resulting in the death of two women. The Supreme Court held that, although the individual police officers involved in the crash are immune from suit, the city that employed them can still be held liable for the police officers' actions if a jury finds their actions to be negligent.
See the article in the Park Hills Daily Journal article here and the Supreme Court opinion here.
Casey & Devoti Wins Lawsuit Against City
12-06-07
Casey & Devoti wins lawsuit against the City of St. Louis for the death of a wheelchair bound pedestrian struck by a motor vehicle in the street due to dangerous and impassable sidewalks.
See the St. Louis Post-Dispatch Articles here and here.