Simmons Firm's '$5 for the Fight' Donation Drive To Help Unemployed Union Workers Surpasses Goal

A donation match challenge to benefit unemployed St. Louis union workers, spearheaded by the Simmons Law Firm, has surpassed its initial $50,000 goal.

Earlier in March, the Simmons Firm agreed to match all donations to ‘$5 for the Fight’ fundraiser up to $25,000 for a grand total of $50,000 raised. Last week, officials with the fundraiser, which is organized by the St. Louis Labor Council, announced that nearly $27,500 in outside donations was raised.

"On behalf of the Simmons Firm, we are thrilled to see this response and to have played a part in making it happen,” said Attorney Chris Guinn in the St. Louis Labor Tribune. “Thanks to the strength and goodwill of the labor community, this is an outstanding result that will help hard working families throughout the St. Louis area."

The “$5 for the Fight” Fund was originally established in 1996 by the St. Louis Labor Council, AFL-CIO, to assist union members and their families during a financial crisis while they supported a collective bargaining action. It was redirected in 2009 to support unemployed union families, who through no fault of their own, had fallen on hard times because of the down economy. Last year, the campaign raised $134,000 that helped 472 families pay their rent, afford their mortgage, keep their utilities on, eliminate medical bills and more.

The “$5 for the Fight” Emergency Fund is only possible because of generous donations made by caring businesses like the Simmons Firm, union organizations and dedicated individuals. Without them, many of these families would have nowhere to turn for help,” said Robert A. Soutier, president of the Greater St. Louis Labor Council. “Thanks to the leadership of the Simmons Firm, we hope it will be possible for us to help even more unemployed union workers with mortgage payments, rent, utilities, medical bills and more in the coming year.”

Donations can still be made by check or online. Mail a check or money order to “$5 for the Fight,” c/o St. Louis Labor Council, 3301 Hollenberg Drive, Bridgeton, MO 63044 and include your union affiliation if applicable. To make an online donation, visit www.labortribune.com and click “$5 for the Fight” Donations in the left hand column. An option to create a reoccurring automated donation is also available.
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Simmons Firm Ranks as One of Illinois' 50 Largest Law Firms

CHICAGO – Simmons Browder Gianaris Angelides & Barnerd LLC ranks as the 48th largest law firm in Illinois according to the 12th annual survey of the largest law firms in Illinois by Chicago Lawyer Magazine. Last year, the firm was ranked 53rd.

The Simmons Firm employs 57 attorneys in Illinois, 17 of which are equity shareholders and 35 associates.

“We are proud to be recognized as one of the largest law firms in Illinois,” said Shareholder Perry Browder. “As a plaintiff’s firm, our size and resources has enabled us to help individuals and business throughout Illinois and the nation.”

Surveys were sent to the 200 largest firms in Illinois, according to data from the magazine’s sister publication, the Sullivan’s Law Directory. The directory is the most comprehensive listing of legal professionals in Illinois. Firms were asked to submit data as of Jan. 1, 2012. A total of 124 responses were received.

Chicago Lawyer is a monthly magazine that reports on major legal issues, trends and attorneys in the Chicago area and throughout the state of Illinois. It is a respected source of legal information for managing partners, corporate counsel and judges.

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Simmons Firm Secures $2.86 Million Jury Verdict Against RT Vanderbilt for Family of Mesothelioma Victim

NEW CASTLE, Del. – A Delaware jury awarded a $2.86 million verdict today to the family of Michael Galliher, who died from mesothelioma, a rare and aggressive cancer caused by exposure to asbestos fibers. Simmons Firm attorneys Randy Cohn, Conard Metcalf and Bill Kohlburn represented Galliher’s family, including his wife, sons and four grandchildren, against RT Vanderbilt In re Asbestos Litigation Michael Galliher, No. 10C-10-315 (Del. Super. Ct., New Castle City.). It is the largest asbestos verdict against a single defendant in Delaware in over a decade.

Michael Galliher, of Mansfield, Ohio, was diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma in August 2010. He died months later on Feb. 3, 2011 at the age of 62. While working at Crane Plumbing Fixtures Factory for nearly 40 years, Galliher used a talc powder contaminated with asbestos fibers to dust large molds of sinks, bathtubs and other ceramic fixtures. The asbestos fibers came from a mine in Gouverneur, N.Y., owned and operated by RT Vanderbilt Company, Inc.

Expert testimony during the trial linked Galliher’s exposure to talc dust containing asbestos fibers. RT Vanderbilt did not list the proper safety warning on the talc powder, Simmons Firm attorney Randy Cohn said.

“The magnitude of Mr. Galliher’s exposure is immeasurable,” said Cohn. “Like many Americans, he worked hard his entire life so he could enjoy retirement with his grandchildren. Instead, it caused him to be exposed to asbestos and develop a deadly cancer.”

Six years before his death, Galliher retired to spend more time with his grandchildren, family members said. His three local grandchildren would visit him and his wife almost daily. He taught them how to garden and play baseball. He would also take them on regular trips to a local lake or mushroom hunting. He passed away just two weeks shy of his 33rd wedding anniversary.

“This outcome is not about the money,” said Galliher’s wife, Darcel. “This is about the fact that a jury has held RT Vanderbilt responsible for its actions. We just hope no other family has to go through the pain and loss we have experienced.”

Founded in 1916, RT Vanderbilt is a mining and manufacturing company that sells more than sixty categories of minerals and chemicals used in over 800 products in industries including the rubber, plastic, petroleum, ceramic, cosmetic, and household products industries. 

The verdict applies 100 percent liability to the company. Cohn said the decision reinforces that companies will be held responsible for knowingly using substances containing carcinogens like asbestos fibers without adequate safety warnings.

“No amount of money can replace these kids’ grandfather. However, his family can rest assured that the ones responsible have been held accountable,” he said.

About Simmons Browder Gianaris Angelides & Barnerd LLC:
The Simmons Firm, headquartered in Alton, Ill., is one of the country’s leading asbestos and mesothelioma litigation firms. With additional offices in St. Louis, Chicago, Los Angeles and San Francisco, the firm has represented thousands of patients and families affected by mesothelioma throughout the country. The Simmons Firm has pledged nearly $20 million to cancer research and proudly supports mesothelioma research. For more information about the Simmons Firm, visit http://www.simmonsfirm.com.

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Simmons Employees Deliver Pallets of Food to Five Madison County Food Pantries

ALTON, Ill., Nov. 16, 2012 – Simmons Law Firm employees delivered today more than 35,000 pounds of food and personal hygiene items to Madison County area pantries donated during the 6th Annual Simmons Employee Foundation Food Drive.

 “Supporting the food pantries in our communities goes hand in hand with our employee foundation’s mission,” said Marty Mengarelli, firm attorney and director of the foundation. “It’s important to everyone here at the firm that we always start our holiday season by giving back to those who need an extra bit of help this time of year.”

Tuesday, firm employees sorted and divided the food into 5 equal portions of about 7,000 pounds each, which were then loaded onto palettes. This morning, the food was loaded onto two trucks that delivered the 36,430 pound of donated goods to the Alton Salvation Army, the Crisis Food Center in Alton, the Community Hope Center in Cottage Hills, the Collinsville Area Ministerial Association’s Helping Hands food pantry, and the Community Care Center in Granite City.

Lyn Cloninger, president of the Community Hope Center, was very appreciative for the delivery. He said the pantry always depends on the firm’s donation to restock their canned goods before the start of the holiday season.

“This is a slow time for us leading up to the holidays. We’re always low (on donations) from about the end of August until the holidays start,” he said. “The Simmons Firm’s food drive donation is always a big help. They support a big part of what we do here, and we really appreciate it.”

Cloninger said the pantry has never been busier with the number of families the pantry serves up by 15 to 20 percent since last year. On average, the pantry serves about 100 families every day it’s open. However, last Wednesday, the pantry served a record breaking number of 153 families, he said. Last month, the pantry served a total of 71,000 pounds.

“We serve a lot of needy people,” Cloninger said. “We’ve been seeing a lot of professional people who used to donate themselves who are now needing our help.”

The SEF food drive is also supported by corporate sponsors in the community. RCS Construction, of Wood River, Ill., donated two trucks, gas and a driver to help deliver the food. Kienstra Illinois, of Madison, Ill., supplied a second driver. Save-A-Lot in Granite City also donated the delivery of several tons of food to the firm’s warehouse in East Alton.

“We couldn’t have done it without our employees, their friends and families who donated the items and the local business who ensured the food arrived where it was supposed to be,” Mengarelli said.

The SEF food drive ran from Oct. 1 through Nov. 9.

About Simmons Employee Foundation:

In late 2004, the employees of the Simmons firm came together to create a single, streamlined way for them to give back to the communities they are so proud to call home.  As a result of their creativity and heartfelt commitment, the Simmons Employee Foundation (SEF), has provided nearly $1 million of financial support and countless volunteer hours to local charitable organizations.
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Simmons Law Firm Pledges $25,000 to Help Union Workers Through Labor Council's "$5 for the Fight" Fundraiser

The Simmons Firm, one of the St. Louis region’s largest personal injury law firms, has announced a new fundraising effort to match donations up to $25,000 to the Greater St. Louis Labor Council’s “$5 for the Fight” Emergency Relief Fund, assisting union members and their families facing financial hardship.

“The Simmons Firm has been a longtime supporter of workers’ rights and unions,” said Mike Angelides, managing shareholder of the Simmons Firm. “We hope others will be even more motivated to help local union families when they know their donation will go twice as far.”

The “$5 for the Fight” Fund was originally established in 1996 by the St. Louis Labor Council, AFL-CIO, to assist union members and their families during a financial crisis while they supported a collective bargaining action. It was redirected in 2009 to support unemployed union families, who through no fault of their own, had fallen on hard times because of the down economy. Last year, the campaign raised $134,000 that helped 472 families pay their rent, afford their mortgage, keep their utilities on, eliminate medical bills and more.

“This fundraiser helps St. Louis families who have spent decades working hard to improve their lives and their surrounding communities,” said Simmons Firm Attorney Chris Guinn. “We hope to help raise $50,000 through ‘$5 for the Fight’ and give folks a helping hand during these difficult economic times.”

The $50,000 raised from the Simmons campaign would mark the largest corporate donation the fundraiser has received since it started. All donations will directly benefit St. Louis-area families because the labor council and the United Way of Greater St. Louis cover administration costs.

“The “$5 for the Fight” Emergency Fund is only possible because of generous donations made by caring businesses like the Simmons Firm, union organizations and dedicated individuals. Without them, many of these families would have nowhere to turn for help,” said Robert A. Soutier, president of the Greater St. Louis Labor Council. “Thanks to the leadership of the Simmons Firm, we hope it will be possible for us to help even more unemployed union workers with mortgage payments, rent, utilities, medical bills and more in the coming year.”

Donations can be made by check or online. Mail a check or money order to “$5 for the Fight,” c/o St. Louis Labor Council, 3301 Hollenberg Drive, Bridgeton, MO 63044 and include your union affiliation if applicable. To make an online donation, visit www.labortribune.com and click “$5 for the Fight” Donations in the left hand column. An option to create a reoccurring automated donation is also available.

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Simmons Firm Secures $3 Million Asbestos Jury Verdict Against Crane Co. For Family of Mesothelioma Victim

BUFFALO, N.Y., Oct. 25, 2012 – Simmons Browder Gianaris Angelides & Barnerd LLC, a nationwide leader in asbestos litigation, announced today that a New York jury has awarded a $3 million verdict to the family of Gerald Suttner, a pipefitter who died from mesothelioma, an incurable cancer caused by asbestos exposure. For more than a decade, Suttner was exposed to asbestos used in valves manufactured by the defendant, Crane Co.

Simmons Firm attorneys Myles Epperson and Perry Browder, along with co-counsel Michael Ponterio and Joseph Kremer of Lipsitz and Ponterio of Buffalo, N.Y., represented the wife and dependent adult daughter of Suttner in Suttner v. Crane Co., (No. I2010-12499, N.Y. Supreme Ct., County of Erie). 

Suttner, formerly of Tonawanda, N.Y., was diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma in October 2010. He died twelve months later at the age of 77. Suttner worked as a pipefitter at the GM Powertrain Facility in Tonawanda for 36 years. From 1964 to 1979, his work included repairing valves manufactured by Crane with asbestos gaskets and packing materials.

Expert testimony during the trial established there is no safe level of asbestos exposure, and Suttner’s exposure to the asbestos in the valves led to his mesothelioma diagnosis.

The dangers of asbestos have been known since the early 1900s. Crane knew of the hazards of asbestos as early as the 1930s, but the company continued to use asbestos well into the late 1980s without placing warnings on its products.

“The defendant’s use of asbestos and failure to warn workers and consumers of its dangers is inexcusable,” said Browder. “On behalf of Mr. Suttner’s family, we are proud to have won and held Crane responsible for its decision to use this lethal material in its products.”

Suttner retired from the GM Tonawanda plant in 1997. He and his wife, Joanne, also cared for their adult daughter who is disabled.

“Mr. Suttner worked hard in order to provide for his family, and he always played by the rules. Born out of wedlock and raised by his grandparents, he was determined throughout his life to help other people struggling under difficult circumstances. It appears that this jury sent a strong message to defendant Crane Co., that it, too, should have played by the rules that govern honorable behavior by warning Mr. Suttner about the dangers of handlings its products,” said Michael A. Ponterio, a partner at Lipsitz & Ponterio.

As a national officer in the Shriners organization, Mr. Suttner was an active volunteer for the Shriners Hospital in Erie, Pa. He drove children back and forth to the hospital, often traveling multiple hours each way.  He also wrote articles for the organization’s national magazine and played in a band that traveled around the country to raise money for the hospital.

“Jerry was a good man who worked hard his entire life to take care of his family and make his community a better place. He gave selflessly to people whom he had never met, because that’s the kind of man he was,” Epperson said. “His death, which could have been prevented, was a significant loss both to his family and to so many others whose lives he touched.”

The trial lasted nearly three weeks. The jury deliberated for two days and held Crane liable for Suttner’s mesothelioma, as well as 17 other asbestos manufacturers.

Crane, founded in 1855 in Chicago, manufactures industrial engineered products and employs 10,000 employees worldwide. In 2011, the company reported net sales of $2.545 billion.

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