Steve Korris News
Asbestos firm doesn't want CSX talking to former clients
Peirce WHEELING – Pittsburgh asbestos lawyer Robert Peirce, facing civil fraud and racket claims from CSX Transportation, doesn't want the railroad contacting his former clients.
Justices to decide if debt collectors are creditors
CHARLESTON -– At the center of the struggle between borrowers and lenders in West Virginia, justice has parked a motorcycle.
Massey, Arch must pay selenium penalties, Chambers rules
Chambers HUNTINGTON – Massey Energy and Arch Coal mines have discharged selenium into streams in violation of water quality permits for a year and must pay civil penalties, U.S. District Judge Robert Chambers has ruled.
Judges can force insurers to destroy records, Justices rule
Davis CHARLESTON –- Judges can require insurers to destroy or return medical records that crash victims provide in lawsuits, the Supreme Court of Appeals has ruled.
Actavis lawyer questions lack of publicity for settlement
Goodwin CHARLESTON – Lawyers who sued drug maker Actavis and distributor Mylan tell U.S. District Judge Joseph Goodwin they deserve $6 million for achieving a great settlement, but Actavis lawyer Matthew Moriarty of Cleveland wonders why they don't tell the world.
Jackson Hewitt says plaintiff had scheme to cheat on taxes
Chambers HUNTINGTON – Tax preparer Jackson Hewitt claims a Bailey & Glasser client who started a class action over refund anticipation loans obtained one in a scheme to cheat on her taxes.
Aetna wrong on man's disability benefits, judge says
Johnston CHARLESTON – Aetna Life Insurance improperly denied disability benefits to former Bristol Myers Squibb manager Ricky Dickens without explaining why it disregarded a Social Security Administration decision in his favor, U. S. District Judge Thomas Johnston ruled on March 28.
Goodwin wants no secrecy in Digitek files
CHARLESTON – U.S. District Judge Joseph Goodwin stripped secrecy away from settlement of suits over heart medicine Digitek so citizens can understand his coming decisions on fees and expenses for plaintiff lawyers.
Federal appeals judges uphold mandatory vaccinations
Tabit RICHMOND – Fourth Circuit appeals judges have upheld the constitutionality of mandatory vaccination for West Virginia school children.
N.C. man wants W.Va. Justices to hear his case
CHARLESTON – North Carolina takes a two-year limit on wrongful death suits more seriously than West Virginia, so a North Carolina man pleads for a West Virginia court to hear his suit.
Justices to hear case involving judge's pension
King CHARLESTON – Justices of the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals must divide Kanawha Circuit Judge Charles King's pension between his wife and his former wife.
Justices say state auditor billed nonprofit correctly
Davis CHARLESTON – Owners of Woodlands Retirement Community in Huntington must pay $457,386.79 for a certificate showing they redeemed their properties for more than $6 million in taxes and interest, the Supreme Court of Appeals has decided.
Drug company balks at $6M fee request
Goodwin CHARLESTON –- Owners of drug maker Actavis, who led a successful $30 million defense against suits over heart medicine Digitek, don't feel like paying $6 million more to lawyers who sued them.
Justices side with judge in Jefferson planning commissioner case
CHARLESTON – Three real estate developers owe $15,000 each in punitive damages to Jefferson County planning commissioner Todd Baldau, the Supreme Court of Appeals has ruled.
Digitek lawyers ask judge for $6M
Goodwin CHARLESTON -- Plaintiff lawyers who settled claims over heart medicine Digitek for $10 to $13 million ask U.S. District Judge Joseph Goodwin for more than $6 million.
Judge backs out of WVU Bresch case
Bresch CLARKSBURG -- U.S. District Judge John Bailey has bailed out of a lawsuit over a degree West Virginia University awarded to Heather Bresch, daughter of former Gov. and current U.S. Senator Joe Manchin.
Man who helped start asbestos cases found guilty of fraud
CINCINNATI – Robert Gilkison, who instigated thousands of asbestos suits against CSX Transportation for a Pittsburgh law firm, cheated the government all the while.
Briefs push both sides of med mal cap debate
MORGANTOWN – Caps on awards for pain and suffering in medical malpractice trials prevent runaway jury verdicts, the West Virginia State Medical Association pleads in a case the Supreme Court of Appeals will hear on Tuesday, March 8.
Justices to hear argument on med mal caps
CHARLESTON – Winners of a $629,000 judgment in a medical malpractice trial plead for more at the Supreme Court of Appeals, claiming a cap on their recovery violates the West Virginia Constitution.
Logan cinema should get tax credits, Justice say
Ketchum CHARLESTON – Owners of Fountain Place Cinema in Logan deserve $393,176 in tax credits over 10 years, the Supreme Court of Appeals has ruled.