Lawrence Smith News
CIVIL FILINGS: Mason County
April 12
Mason funeral home settles with AG for $175K in pre-need funeral suit
McGraw POINT PLEASANT -- For its repeated mishandling of pre-need funeral contracts, a Mason County funeral home has forever lost the ability to sell them, and is out almost $200,000.
Mason hospital, doctor sued for failed hysterectomy
POINT PLEASANT -- For failing to perform a hysterectomy on her the first time, a Mason County woman is suing both the doctor who performed it, and the hospital where it was performed for medical malpractice
Father and son allege wrongful termination in Mason
POINT PLEASANT - A father and son have filed suits against a Bend-area municipality for wrongful termination.
Disbarred Martinsburg attorney convicted for UPL plans appeal
MARTINSBURG -- In what may be a legal first in West Virginia, a person has been criminally convicted for the unauthorized practice of law.
CIVIL FILINGS: Jackson County
April 28
CIVIL FILINGS: Mason County
April 2
Motion: Insufficient evidence to sustain Putnam attorney's bankruptcy fraud conviction
HUNTINGTON - Following his conviction for bankruptcy fraud last month, a Putnam County attorney is asking that either his conviction be set aside or he be granted a new trial.
Judge: No 'catastrophic consequences' from attorney fee ruling
Evans CHARLESTON - A federal judge dismissed as humbug a Charleston attorney's characterization that children with disabilities would be denied access to the courts if his recent ruling regarding attorneys fees in a 2006 civil case was left to stand.
Putnam settles wrongful death suit against EMS squad for $85K
WINFIELD - The Putnam County Commission has settled a wrongful death filed against its EMS squad by the estate of a Winfield man with the bulk of the money going into trust for his minor children.
Putnam EMS also sued for wrongful death in 2003
HUNTINGTON - Prior to one involving a Winfield man, the Putnam County Commission five years ago agreed to settle a wrongful death suit against the EMS squad filed by the estate of a Kentucky man.
CPA firm seeking payment from law firm for tax prep
CHARLESTON - A Charleston accounting firm is suing a Charleston law firm for helping them avoid a visit from the tax man.
Kanawha school board says attorney committed fraud
Evans CHARLESTON - The Kanawha County Board of Education is accusing a Charleston attorney of committing fraud in pocketing money that should've been paid to a client.
Putnam attorney convicted for bankruptcy fraud
HUNTINGTON - A Putnam County attorney has been found guilty of committing fraud in a former client's bankruptcy case.
CIVIL FILINGS: Jackson County
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CIVIL FILINGS: Wood County
This Just In
Indicted Ripley cop accused in civil suit of coercing informant into sex
RIPLEY - For the second time in three months, a former Ripley police officer is accused of sexual misconduct.
Putnam woman files suit to reclaim property
WINFIELD - A Putnam County woman is seeking the court's intervention in seeking return of property that belonged to her late ex-husband.
Logan woman accuses state police of civil rights violations
Bullock CHARLESTON - A Logan County woman is suing the West Virginia State Police, and one of its troopers over alleged civil rights violations.
Former Nitro treasurer sues mayor, city for defamation
Casto CHARLESTON - A former Nitro city official alleges she was defamed by the mayor when he accused her of signing checks without his permission.