News from December 2005
Starcher ups our insurance ante
One step forward, two steps back.
The Record obligated to be fair and balanced
By Jeffrey T. Jones, president-elect
West Virginia Trial Lawyers Association
Greenbrier County man says mother received poor care at nursing homes
CHARLESTON – A Greenbrier County man claims his mother received poor care at nursing homes last year before her death.
DOH sues Raleigh County man and company for damages to bridge
CHARLESTON – The commissioner of the state Division of Highways has sued a Beckley man and a Raleigh County company after an incident that did damage to a bridge in Summers County.
Woman sues after slipping, falling at Nitro Wal-Mart
CHARLESTON – A woman is suing Wal-Mart after taking a fall at its store at Nitro Marketplace.
Boone County couple claims they were sold a dud home
CHARLESTON – A Boone County couple claims they were sold a bad manufactured home and want out of the deal.
Asbestos suit names 18 defendants
CHARLESTON – A man has filed suit against 18 companies – from worldwide corporations such as Viacom and General Motors to local companies such as Nitro Industrial Coverings – for being exposed to asbestos and other harmful dusts over the span of 40 years as a laborer.
Laborers file silica suits in Kanawha County
Victor S. Woods CHARLESTON -- As defendants in lung injury litigation begin to fight back in courts across the country, a Charleston attorney in the meantime recently filed three separate silica lawsuits in Kanawha Circuit Court.
This just in
Wednesday, Nov. 30
WVU agrees to monitor employees in asbestos settlement
MORGANTOWN – West Virginia University will set up a 20-year program to guard the health of employees it may have exposed to dangerous levels of asbestos.
Auto insurer must honor policy paid by bad check, court rules
Justice Larry Starcher CHARLESTON – West Virginians can buy auto insurance with worthless checks, the Supreme Court of Appeals decided Dec. 2.
Maynard dissents: Insurance decision ranks poor as 'O.J.' verdict
Justice Spike Maynard CHARLESTON - Supreme Court of Appeals Justice Elliott "Spike" Maynard blistered his colleagues for ordering West Virginia National Auto Insurance to cover a customer whose check bounced.
Second forum on legal reform set for Dec. 13
CHARLESTON – Nearly 60 business and legal leaders participated in the first of two forums examining the future of West Virginia's legal and judicial reform efforts.
Contractor says security firm responsible for stolen equipment
CHARLESTON -- The contractor that built the new state Department of Environmental Protection headquarters in Kanawha City has sued a security firm for negligence after a construction site robbery in 2003.
Peyton hopes code of conduct improves public perception of lawyers
CHARLESTON -- The president of the West Virginia Trial Lawyers Association said he hopes the group's recently adopted Code of Prohibited Conduct improves the public's perception of attorneys.
Supreme Court reverses Kanawha decision in divorce
CHARLESTON -- In a divorce where a woman says she owns half the house and a man says he owns the whole house, the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals has taken the man's side.
Charleston still weighing options on user fee opinion
Justice Larry Starcher CHARLESTON -- The city of Charleston is weighing its options a week after the state Supreme Court said it must put its user fee up for vote. Meanwhile, one Supreme Court justice said the $1 weekly fee is a burden on low-income workers in the city. While another justice said the city shouldn't be forced to have an election on the issue.
Charleston woman among plaintiffs in suit against AOL in Illinois
BELLEVILLE, IL--Ten plaintiffs from across the country, including one from West Virginia, filed a class action lawsuit against America Online (AOL) in the 20th Circuit Court of Illinois.
This just in
Thursday, Dec. 1
Is your business prepared for the 2006 changes in Workers' Comp payment plan?
In the coming weeks, West Virginia employers will be notified regarding new premium rates for 2006 Worker's Compensation payments.