SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - The Illinois Supreme Court on Feb. 4, in a 4-2 decision, invalidated the state's legislative cap on noneconomic damages in medical malpractice cases, saying that such a limitation violates the separation of powers clause of the Illinois Constitution (Abigaile Lebron, a minor, et al. v. Gottlieb Memorial Hospital, et al., Nos. 105741, 105745, Ill. Sup.). From Mealey's Litigation Report: Punitive Damages

BALTIMORE - A Baltimore jury on Jan. 26 awarded a man $9,936,688 for mesothelioma caused by exposure as a child to asbestos on clothing his father wore home from his job as an engineman aboard an oil tanker (Nayman Lawson, et al. v. A.C. and S. Inc., et al., No. 24X08000102, Consolidation number 24X08000279, Md. Cir., Baltimore City). From Mealey's Litigation Report: Asbestos