- Wrongful DeathSurviving Parents/Wrongful Death Plaintiffs v. Railroad. U.S. District Court Eastern District of Missouri. Early morning trespass by plaintiffs, adult son on the railroad’s right of way. The trespasser was struck and killed by a train. Plaintiffs’ asserted the railroad negligently allowed residents to traverse its tracks, failed to fence the right of way, failed to provide warnings, and failed to patrol the right of way in congested areas. Through aggressive early pre-discovery investigation Mr. Brasher of Boyle Brasher LLC established that the trespasser was intoxicated, that he had been sitting between the rails of the track prior to being struck, and that he had been drinking before the accident at a bar owned by his parents, the plaintiffs. After these facts were disclosed to plaintiffs’ counsel, the case was voluntarily dismissed with prejudice at a very early stage with no payments of any kind by the defendant railroad to plaintiffs.
- Traffic ViolationsPlaintiffs, Automobile Driver and Passenger v. Trucking Company and Driver. Circuit Court of Madison County, Illinois. The deceased automobile driver’s estate and the surviving passenger who suffered severe spinal injuries with quadriplegia and a traumatic brain injury sued the driver of a tractor trailer and the trucking company as a result of a collision between the automobile and a tractor trailer as the tractor trailer backed out of a logistics company driveway onto a public street. We assisted Mr. Brasher and Mr. Nash in defending the trucking company and truck driver and prosecuting a counterclaim against the driver’s estate and a third-party claim against the logistics company. By deposing an employee of the logistic company, We established that the automobile driver was speeding at the time of the collision. We also obtained the decedent driver’s cellular phone records and deposed an employee of the wireless communication company which resulted in evidence that the automobile driver was talking on the phone with a friend seconds before the collision. We researched and wrote several winning briefs and argued before the trial court on issues which led to resolution of the claims below plaintiffs’ expectations.
- ArsonReifers Holmes & Peters LLC attorneys have successfully defended hundreds of personal injury claims involving insured, self-insured, or uninsured individuals and businesses. Our firm has extensive experience representing insurance carriers, including primary coverage liability insurers, excess insurers, life, disability and health insurers in a wide range of insurance-related claims. Our firm has successfully defended a variety of claims, including automobile accidents; premises liability; products liability; wrongful death; ERISA; toxic tort; class action litigation; mass tort; fire and arson defense; legal malpractice; medical malpractice; trucking accident litigation; railroad-related litigation; workers’ compensation; aviation accidents; declaratory judgment actions; and property damage actions.
- Business DisputesReifers Holmes & Peters LLC attorneys understand that business disputes can be complex and overwhelming. These disputes may disrupt a company’s operations and frustrate decision makers. Our attorneys help clients protect their rights and interests so that their business operations are not negatively impacted by disputes, contractual disagreements, or unsubstantiated allegations. Our firm has experience representing corporate clients, partnerships, professional corporations and individuals in a wide range of issues.
- Unfair CompetitionReifers Holmes & Peters LLC attorneys have successfully litigated business and partnership disputes, contract disputes, fraud and unfair competition allegations, wrongful discharge claims, and noncompetition and confidentiality disputes, among others. Our attorneys have tried many cases that resulted in successful outcomes for our commercial clients in some of the most hostile jurisdictions in America. Businesses seeking counsel in commercial litigation look to Boyle Brasher attorneys for advice and representation.
- AntitrustCorporation v. Motor Carrier. Corporation sued motor carrier represented by Mr. Brasher for breach of contract and antitrust violations arising out of a failed purchase of a trucking company. Following a two week trial in state court in Indiana, a jury returned a verdict in favor of Mr. Brasher’s client, the motor carrier.
- Wrongful TerminationAccusations of wrongful termination require a strong legal defense, and our attorneys are relied upon to formulate litigation plans to achieve the best results for clients in whatever industry or business scenario in which such claims may arise.
- Employment DiscriminationReifers Holmes & Peters LLC attorneys have proven expertise in providing aggressive and cost-effective representation in all areas of employment law for its clients both in the Southeast and nationwide. We defend employers faced with charges filed with administrative agencies and at all phases of litigation. The firm has handled major individual and class action employment discrimination suits in both state and federal courts.
- Employment LitigationOur attorneys have tried hundreds of jury cases to verdict. The firm's practice is broad and diverse, covering areas such as labor and employment disputes, medical malpractice defense, railroad law, toxic torts, and the trucking industry. No matter the case or the forum, Reifers Holmes & Peters LLC attorneys are committed to the highest standards of professional excellence.
- Sexual HarassmentSexual harassment claims can have damaging effects on a business. If your company is affected by one of these claims, our experienced attorneys will provide a vigorous defense.
- Premises LiabilityAs the volume of new asbestos lawsuits declines, filings by the plaintiffs’ asbestos bar involve a larger percentage of mesothelioma, advanced lung cancer, and a wide range of other types of toxic exposure, including mold, diesel exhaust, solvents, benzene, silica, and lead. In addition to mass toxic tort claims, Reifers Holmes & Peters LLC attorneys have the knowledge and experience to defend “secondhand” or “take-home” exposure cases, novel theories of premises liability, and alleged successor-in-interest liability, as well as traditional negligence and strict liability in tort theories.
- Property DamageReifers Holmes & Peters LLC also frequently represents and consults our railroad clients in a variety of other matters, including trespasser claims, property damage claims, third-party claims against and on behalf of the railroad, and many more.
- Personal InjuryInjured Motorist v. Trucking Company. Personal injury claim filed in U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri, Southwest Division. Motorist alleged he was injured in accident with client trucking company. Mr. Godsy moved to dismiss the case as a result of plaintiff’s numerous violations of discovery orders. The court agreed with this position and ordered the case against Boyle Brasher LLC’s client dismissed.
- Medical MalpracticeReifers Holmes & Peters LLC attorneys have defended clients’ interests against medical malpractice claims for decades. Our attorneys represent physicians, hospitals, nursing homes, osteopaths, nurse practitioners, physicians’ assistants, physical therapists, medical clinics, diagnostic laboratories, ambulance companies, and all other healthcare providers in these claims.
- Slip and Fall InjuryOn January 2, 2015 Ralph Godsy, Boyle Brasher Partner, obtained summary judgment on all counts for a BBLLC client facing a Premises Liability claim in Madison County, Illinois. The plaintiff claimed that water on an interior stairway caused her to slip and fall. She claimed the business owner was negligent for failing to remove the water and/or for failing to warn of its presence. She claimed that as a consequence of this negligence she suffered an ankle fracture that required surgery resulting in economic damages – lost wages and the cost of medical treatment – and non-economic damages – pain, suffering, and disfigurement. In his motion for summary judgment, Ralph argued that as the water had been tracked inside on the shoes and clothes of persons walking through the snow on the parking lot, the business owner was shielded from liability under Illinois’ “Natural Accumulation” rule. Ralph further argued that his client was entitled to summary judgment under contract law because, prior to the incident, the plaintiff had voluntarily signed an informed consent/liability waiver and release form that specifically referred to slip and fall injuries at the facility. No appeal was filed.