Steve Korris News
Moorefield doctor added to suit involving Fentanyl death
WELCH – Physician Rajan Masih of Moorefield, facing criminal trial on drug charges, must also defend himself against a civil claim for wrongful death.
Rare joint motion for remand granted in case against Charleston Area Med Center
Biser CHARLESTON – U.S. District Judge John Copenhaver pleased both sides by sending a suit against Charleston Area Medical Center to Kanawha County circuit court.
Rand's asbestos report shows lucrative outcome for lawyer trust fund managers
Weitz Giants of asbestos litigation hold half the power in seven trust funds that paid $2.4 billion in claims in 2008, according to tables in a new Rand Corporation report.
Benjamin says court erred in logging death opinion
Benjamin CHARLESTON – The state Supreme Court improperly granted an exception from workers' compensation law to the parents of a logger who died on the job, according to Justice Brent Benjamin.
Federal agreement doesn't protect Massey from citizen suits, groups say
CHARLESTON -– Massey Energy's clean water agreement with the government doesn't protect it from citizen suits, nature groups argue in federal court.
Massey wants Copenhaver on two water pollution suits
CHARLESTON – Facing two water pollution claims before federal judges John Copenhaver and Robert Chambers, Massey Energy wants Copenhaver to take charge of both.
Charleston Newspapers antitrust settlement approved
Copenhaver CHARLESTON – U.S. District Judge John Copenhaver looms as a dragon guarding the Charleston Daily Mail from those who would weaken it.
USSC rules in arbitration of arbitration disputes
Scalia WASHINGTON – When an agreement to arbitrate disputes contains an agreement to arbitrate disputes over arbitration, an arbitrator and not a judge must determine the validity of the entire agreement, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in June.
Ga. lawyers wants 19 medical mesh suits transferred to W.Va.
WASHINGTON -– Georgia lawyers for women claiming injuries from pelvic implants want to transfer 19 suits from Georgia to West Virginia.
Massey seeks to dismiss water pollution suit
CHARLESTON – Private citizens can sue to enforce the national Clean Water Act only when government regulators fail to enforce it, Massey Energy argues in federal court.
Justices award new trial to brothers in murder case
CHARLESTON –- Brothers Phillip and Nathaniel Barnett, facing sentences of 36 and 40 years for the murder of Deanna Crawford, have won a new trial.
Braxton deputy gets new trial because of MySpace friend on jury
CHARLESTON – Former Braxton County deputy sheriff Christopher Dellinger has won a new trial on criminal fraud charges because juror Amber Hyre failed to disclose she counted him as a MySpace friend.
Judge had all the facts, Digitek companies argue
Goodwin CHARLESTON – U.S. District Judge Joseph Goodwin knew all he needed to know when he rejected a consumer class action over heart medicine Digitek, according to drug maker Actavis Totowa and distributor Mylan Pharmaceuticals.
Justices reject reinstated teacher's claim for back pay, legal fees
CHARLESTON –- Brian Powell persuaded the state Supreme Court to reinstate his teaching license but couldn't persuade the Justices to award back pay and legal fees.
BrickStreet must pay for man's loss of fingers, judge rules
CHARLES TOWN –- Workers' compensation insurer Brickstreet Mutual must pay a man for loss of his fingers, not because his employers carried the right coverage but because Brickstreet let them think they did, Jefferson Circuit Judge David Sanders ruled.
Attorneys can't switch sides, Justices rule
Davis CHARLESTON – Pittsburgh attorneys who represented coal companies of Jim Justice can't switch sides and represent a client suing his companies, the Supreme Court of Appeals has ruled.
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.
Mingo coal slurry cases moved once again
WHEELING -– Water contamination lawsuits that started in Mingo County and bounced to Jackson County have bounced again, to Ohio County.
Crazy claims no reason to reject class action, lawyer says
Thompson CHARLESTON –- Ludicrous claims shouldn't have caused U.S. District Joseph Goodwin to reject a class action over economic damages from heart medicine Digitek, according to Fred Thompson of Motley Rice.
Judge will hear claim of insurance discrimination, Justices say
Davis CHARLESTON – West Virginia's human rights act prohibits discrimination in settlement of insurance claims, the Supreme Court of Appeals has ruled.