By AP/KWMU
Edwardsville, Ill. – The number of class-action lawsuits filed in Madison County, Ill. continues to rise. In 2003, there were 106 class-actions filed in the Metro-East circuit. That's more than the 77 that were filed in 2002, and the 43 filed the year before.
Class-actions are filed on behalf of a large group of people and typically involve allegations of misconduct against a product, company or service.
Lawyers say the county attracts such a large number of class actions because it has developed a pro-plaintiff reputation.
The suit that gained the most attention in 2003 in the County was against Philip Morris. A Madison County judge ordered the company to pay $10.1 billion to Illinois smokers. That judgment is being appealed.
The lawsuit stemmed from the company's marketing of its "light" brands of cigarettes.