J. L. Simmons Co., Inc. ex rel Hartford Insurance v. Firestone Tire & Rubber Co.

108 Ill.2d 106 (1985)

Employer’s rights and obligations in contribution cases.

Employee brought suit against owner of work place for damages for injuries received. Defendant brought thirdparty action against plaintiff’s employer for indemnity or contribution. The Circuit Court of Peoria County, James Bumgarner, J., realigned employer from third-party defendant to coplaintiff and rendered judgment in favor of employee and required employer to contribute 50 percent to amount defendant owed employee on account of its own negligence. On appeal, the Appeal Court, 126 Ill.App.3d 859, 81 Ill.Dec. 627, 467 N.E.2d 327, affirmed judgment in favor of employee, but reversed defendant’s right to contribution, and remanded. Defendant’s petition for leave to appeal was allowed.  Read More

"The law is not an inflexible structure whose walls restrain progress. Rather, it needs to be nudged molded and shaped. An able advocate best represents his client by convincing the Courts of that fact."

John E. Cassidy. Sr. (1896-1984)
Firm Founder Illinois Attorney General (1938-1940)