Steve Korris News
Firefighters should have applid for workers' comp, Court says
CHARLESTON – Fifteen Martinsburg firefighters who sued the city because they thought they could not pursue workers' compensation claims found out they should have applied for workers' comp after all.
Court overturns removal of lawyer in Erickson estate battle
CHARLESTON -- Ethel Erickson's children fought her over control of her wealth, and now that she has died they are fighting her attorney over control of her wealth.
Miner can't sue over fear of death, Court rules
CHARLESTON – Coal miner Berchie Bias cannot sue his employer over his fear of smoky death, the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals has decided.
Benjamin, Albright issue venue case concurring opinions
Benjamin CHARLESTON – When the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals declared that the state's restriction on lawsuits from residents of other states violated the United States Constitution, only two of five Justices felt that way.
Starcher says colleagues ignored facts in Moose case
Starcher CHARLESTON – West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals Justice Larry Starcher has accused his colleagues of ignoring facts to win Moose Lodge votes.
State Supreme Court OKs C&O class action trial
CHARLESTON – By a single vote, the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals on July 12 denied a petition to stop a class action trial over Daewoo autos.
Court sides with Charleston in Blue Jay Way case
CHARLESTON -– Charleston taxpayers moved a mountain in 1999. And according to Kanawha County Circuit Judge Paul Zakaib Jr., they don't have to put it back.
Timing of nonprofit's status questioned
CHARLESTON – West Virginia Consumers for Justice, sponsor of televised attack ads in the 2004 campaign for the state Supreme Court, raised hundreds of thousands of dollars before it filed for tax exemption as a nonprofit organization.
Supreme Court makes snowy distinction
CHARLESTON – Nimble on ice, the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals carved a line between snow that falls from the sky and snow that public employees shovel.
After 12 years without license, attorney is annulled
CHARLESTON – For 12 years, the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals let Thomas McCorkle pretend he held a license to practice law. But the Court's tolerance backfired and, at last, they cracked down.
Fight over Belle restaurant continues
CHARLESTON – Eric Gardner and William Gardner started a feud in JD's Pilot House the day they bought it, and the feud continues in Kanawha Circuit Court.
Maynard says colleagues set double standard
Justice Spike Maynard CHARLESTON – Justice Spike Maynard suspects his colleagues on the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals set a double standard when they denied a $5 million tax refund to Elk Run Coal Company.
Lawyer annulled after losing Colorado license
CHARLESTON – When the Colorado State Bar kicked out Daniel Post, he should have reported it to West Virginia where he still held a license to practice law.
Venue decision opens door for plaintiffs
CHARLESTON – Bart Morris of Virginia suffered an injury on his job in Virginia operating a forklift that an Ohio company made, but the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals has decided that he can sue for damages in West Virginia.
Report shows big tobacco, AGs at odds
CHARLESTON -- Big tobacco companies and state attorneys general do not trust each other any more.
Court asks officials to consider taking crime lab from State Police
CHARLESTON – Thirteen years after a shocking discovery that Trooper Fred Zain of the West Virginia State Police Crime Laboratory provided false and inaccurate evidence, a cloud still hangs over the crime lab.
Columbia shorted property owners on royalties, Court rules
CHARLESTON – Property owners who leased oil and gas rights to Columbia Natural Resources received less in royalties than they deserved, the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals has ruled.
Council helped state make comp switch
CHARLESTON - When the National Council on Compensation Insurance signed up to help West Virginia convert from public to private workers compensation, the consulting firm spotted a problem right away.
Car salespeople now need a license
Ruth Lemmon CHARLESTON – Everyone who sells cars for West Virginia dealers will need a license to stay in the business.
Tobacco settlement violates Constitution, federal suit claims
SHREVEPORT, La. – When attorney generals of 46 states signed a settlement of claims against tobacco companies they violated a section of the U. S. Constitution forbidding compacts between states, according to a lawsuit in federal court in Shreveport.