Mason man files two suits against himself

POINT PLEASANT -– In two lawsuits pending in Mason Circuit Court, the plaintiffs and defendants are one in the same.

John Hall Sr. filed separate suits for personal injury and wrongful death in Mason Circuit Court on behalf of his two children. In the complaints filed on Sept. 24, Hall names himself as administrator of his late wife's estate as defendant.

According to the suits, Hall's wife, Bridgette, was driving their 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier on W. Va. 62 two miles north of the Racine Locks and Dam near their home in Letart on Sept. 26, 2008. Accompanying Bridgette in the car were the Hall's two children John Jr., and Misty Maxine, then 4-and 6-years-old, respectively.

At about 7:55 a.m, Bridgette "negligently lost control of [the] vehicle ... and crossed into the path of a 2005 Mack dump truck owned by George Goldizen Trucking Inc." According to both the suits, and her death certificate, Bridgette, 26, a student at Marshall University, died instantly.

Following the arrival of first responders, both John Jr. and Misty were airlifted to Cabell-Huntington Hospital. Though John Jr. would survive, suffering a fractured leg, and various "cuts, abrasions and bruises," Misty died later that evening.

In the suits, Hall maintains that Bridgette, and not the truck driver, was at fault for the collision. Her negligence resulted in John Jr.'s injuries and Misty's death.

In both suits, Hall seeks unspecified damages. He, in his capacity as John Jr.'s guardian, and as administrator of Misty's estate, is represented by Point Pleasant attorney Ronald F. Stein Jr.

The cases are assigned to Judge David W. Nibert.

Mason Circuit Court case numbers 10-C-118 and 10-C-119