Steve Korris News
Former public defender loses law license
CHARLESTON – Former public defender John "Mack" Cavendish of Morgantown, who collected more than $60,000 on false bills, has lost his law license for three years.
Medicare kicked off injury suit recovery in '09
West BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Kicking off a campaign to recover proceeds of personal injury suits, lawyers for Medicare claim a share of a $300 million settlement of chemical contamination claims in Anniston, Ala.
Contractor subject employee to racial taunts, Court rules
CHARLESTON – PAR Electrical Contractors subjected black employee Richard Bevelle to racial hostility, the state Supreme Court of Appeals has ruled.
Justices tell Fayette judge to have trial over logger's death
CHARLESTON – For the second time, the Supreme Court of Appeals has ordered Fayette Circuit Judge Paul Blake to hold trial for the parents of logger Clarence Coleman, who died when a tree fell on his head.
Medicare soon to go after liability settlements
WASHINGTON – By finally enforcing a law requiring the reporting of all injury payments, Medicare can begin getting reimbursed for payments made to individuals who later settled liability claims.
Jackson Kelly still could have committed black lung fraud, miner claims
Smoot BECKLEY -– Just because a report from a panel cleared Jackson Kelly lawyer Douglas Smoot of ethics charges in a black lung case doesn't mean the firm hasn't committed constant fraud, miner Clarence Carroll alleges in U.S. District Court.
Recht rules for CSX in brain damage cases
Recht WHEELING – Circuit Judge Arthur Recht granted summary judgment to CSX Transportation in seven suits blaming the railroad for brain damage in workers, after declaring medical evidence behind the suits unreliable.
Recht calls asbestos litigation against CSX 'bizarre'
Recht WHEELING -– As Circuit Judge Arthur Recht looked back over six years of asbestos litigation against CSX Transportation, the picture disturbed him.
Long John Silver's suits won't go back to Mercer County, federal judge rules
BLUEFIELD – Angela Dyson, former manager of Long John Silver's restaurant in Princeton, can't pursue a sexual harassment claim in Mercer Circuit Court.
Mingo coal slurry cases moved to Jackson
CHARLESTON -– Chief Justice Robin Davis found Mingo County coal slurry litigation against Massey Energy as hard to grasp as coal slurry.
Judge asked to approve Charleston newspaper settlement
CHARLESTON – The U.S. Attorney's office has asked U.S. District Judge John Copenhaver to approve a settlement ending Gazette ownership of the Daily Mail.
Greenbrier owner says some lawyers switched sides, now suing him
CHARLESTON -– The Greenbrier resort owner James Justice claims lawyers for some of the coal companies he sold last year improperly switched sides and sued him.
Justices to hear case regarding consumer proof of deception
Calwell CHARLESTON – Justices of the Supreme Court of Appeals must decide whether class action consumer fraud claims require proof of deception.
Judge rejects Digitek consumer class action
Goodwin CHARLESTON – Chief U.S. Judge Joseph Goodwin sternly rejected a consumer class action over Digitek heart medicine on May 25.
Investigators can interview UBB witnesses privately, Berger says
Berger CHARLESTON – Federal investigators can privately interview witnesses to the Upper Big Branch mine explosion, U.S. District Judge Irene Berger decided on May 20.
1,400 asbestos cases dismissed
Peirce CHARLESTON – In a clean sweep, Circuit Judge Arthur Recht disposed of about 1,400 asbestos suits that Robert Peirce of Pittsburgh filed against CSX Transportation.
Masters seeks more than $1 million in fees on oil case
Masters CHARLESTON –- Charleston lawyers Marvin Masters and Scott Segal make $550 an hour, according to exhibits Masters submitted to federal court on May 19.
Charleston lawyer leads Toyota national class action
Bailey SANTA ANA, Calif. –- U.S. District Judge James Selna has picked Benjamin Bailey of Charleston for the team running national class actions against Toyota.
UBB investigation not for 'private litigants,' U.S. attorney says
Berger CHARLESTON – Federal agents probing 29 deaths at Upper Big Branch mine must interview witnesses privately to protect the integrity of the investigation, according to assistant U.S. Attorney Carol Casto of Charleston.
Police don't need visual evidence in DUI cases, Justices rule
McHugh CHARLESTON – Police don't have to see a person driving in order to prove the person drove under the influence of alcohol, the Supreme Court of Appeals ruled on May 6.