Lawrence Smith News
Hurricane man now seeks injunction over noise
WINFIELD – Upon the advice of legal counsel, a Hurricane man is taking a different route in his quest to reduce the amount of noise coming from an on-going construction project near his home.
Second Mason med mal case challenging MPLA moves forward
POINT PLEASANT – A pending malpractice case against a former Mason County physician appears to be headed to trial without a requisite certificate of merit.
Legal ads at heart of federal suit
Butcher CHARLESTON – The publisher of an upstart publication in Lincoln County is suing his established rival and the county commission, alleging they've bilked taxpayers out of money through excessive publication of legal advertising.
PA says she was ousted by doctor's wife over alleged affair
POINT PLEASANT – A former physician's assistant at a Mason County hospital alleges the physician's wife orchestrated her removal from his staff.
Better bedside manner could have averted suit, former patient says
Urata Singleton attempts to negioate the hallway in her Leon home. A malpractice suit she filed against Dr. Jack M. Levine in 2001 alleges surgery he performed on her foot contributed to her near inability to walk. (Photo by Lawrence Smith) LEON – Had a former Mason County physician shown a little compassion and courtesy, he would not have been the defendant in a lawsuit says one of his former patients.
Journalist sues contractor over attempt to censor story
WINFIELD – The publisher of a Putnam County news Web site has filed suit against an Ohio contractor for its attempt to stifle a story he was preparing on unlicensed blasting taking place on a new Wal-Mart store near his home.
Special judge appointed to hear noise ordinance writ
WINFIELD – As one legal action a Hurricane man filed in Putnam Circuit Court gets under way, another sees some action with the appointment of a special judge, and response by the defendant.
Point Pleasant council appoints new city attorney, eliminates municipal judge
Ronald F. Stein Jr. recently was appointed to replace James Casey as Point Pleasant's city attorney. (Photo by Lawrence Smith) POINT PLEASANT –Included in the first official acts of the new city council was appointment of a city attorney, and elimination of the municipal judge.
Fourth lawsuit involving Point Pleasant settled in 2005, councilman says
POINT PLEASANT – At least one lawsuit in which the city of Point Pleasant was involved was apparently settled over two years ago, but paperwork to formally dismiss it was only recently signed.
Point Pleasant council still taking a wait-and-see approach to settling, fighting lawsuits
POINT PLEASANT – Despite the election being over, several newly election members of the Point Pleasant city council remain mum or non-committal on whether the city should settle or fight three lawsuits that were initiated during the previous administration.
Human Rights Commission cases now online
Carter CHARLESTON – A state agency has taken another step into the information age by placing decisions made by its administrative law judges online.
Hurricane man seeks help on city noise ordinance
HURRICANE – A Putnam County man is seeking the assistance of the court to aid in enforcing the city of Hurricane's noise ordinance.
Will third time be a charm? Va. man sued twice before by state residents
MORGANTOWN – Prior to filing their suit in magistrate court, two of the eight West Virginia residents suing an alleged private investigator brought suit against him previously, but to no avail.
Case already on court followers' radar screens
Jones CHARLESTON – As the state Supreme Court agrees to hear a possible challenge to a medical malpractice reform law, those who supported and opposed it say they plan to watch the case closely.
Med mal reforms face Supreme Court challenge
Westmoreland CHARLESTON – The state Supreme Court has agreed to hear a Mason County case that could challenge the constitutionality of a medical malpractice reform law.
Mason malpractice case remains a mystery
POINT PLEASANT – In addition to remaining tight-lipped about how a recently accepted appeal to the Supreme Court may effect their case, attorneys for a former Mason County physician, now practicing medicine in Illinois, aren't talking about one of his previous malpractice cases currently under seal.
Former Mason physician sued five times in seven years
POINT PLEASANT -– Court records show five previous malpractice suits against a Point Pleasant doctor now residing in Illinois, including one that is under seal.
Dues under investigation for new complaints of unethical behavior
CHARLESTON – In addition to its lawsuit, a Nicholas County finanical services company has filed a companion ethics complaint against a Kanawha County mental hygiene commissioner.
PVH settles malpractice case out-of-court, receives victory in CON appeal
Pleasant Valley Hospital POINT PLEASANT – Two lawsuits involving Pleasant Valley Hospital have come to a conclusion, one resulting in an out-of-court settlement, and another in its favor.
Second Mason malpractice case challenges MPLA
POINT PLEASANT – Following the lead of a Mason County physician, an Ohio man has brought a malpractice suit against a former Point Pleasant doctor, now living and working in Illinois, without filing a certificate of merit.