News from July 2007
McGraw gives OxyContin money to Morgantown truancy agency
McGraw CHARLESTON - A truancy task force is the target of state Attorney General Darrell McGraw's latest appropriation of funds from his controversial 2004 settlement with prescription drug manufacturer Purdue Pharma.
YOUR LEGAL WRITES: Breathing life into the legal newsletter
Brown Paper, envelopes, address labels and stamps are making a comeback through the resurrection of printed newsletters.
Parents sue state agencies over disabled son's death
CHARLESTON - The parents of a severely disabled 22-year-old man are suing several state agencies after their son died from choking on a hot dog at a bowling alley.
Mountain State ranks last in Forbes' Best States For Business
CHARLESTON -- West Virginia slipped to dead last in the annual Forbes.com list of Best States For Business.
Man says St. Frances Hospital responsible for mother's death
CHARLESTON - A Kanawha County man has filed a wrongful death suit on behalf of his mother, who died due to an injury blamed on St. Frances Hospital.
Va. couple file suit over racing incident at Charles Town
CHARLESTON - A Virginia couple who races horses at Charles Town Races and Slots has filed a suit against the racetrack and fellow riders after a competing horse clipped heels with their horse, causing the horse to fall and the jockey to be injured.
Supreme Court's meth reversal sparks political debate
Maynard CHARLESTON – Driving someone else's car with two passengers, cold medicine, matches and syringes in it does not add up to conspiracy to make methamphetamine, the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals has ruled.
Miners injured at Aracoma seek damages
CHARLESTON - Seven miners who were injured in a Logan County mine fire that killed two of their co-workers, filed lawsuits against Massey Energy and Aracoma Coal Company seeking punitive damages for their injuries.
Another publication ranks West Virginia legal climate bad for business
During the 2006 State of the State address, Gov. Joe Manchin unveiled new "Open For Business" highway signs that welcome visitors to West Virginia. CHARLESTON - West Virginia and Virginia share a border, but apparently little else.
Woman says she was sexually assaulted on plane piloted by husband
CHARLESTON - A Kanawha County woman has filed a lawsuit against an owner of the Executive Air Terminal at Yeager Airport, claiming he sexually assaulted her on a plane her husband was piloting.
Point Pleasant council appoints new city attorney, eliminates municipal judge
Ronald F. Stein Jr. recently was appointed to replace James Casey as Point Pleasant's city attorney. (Photo by Lawrence Smith) POINT PLEASANT –Included in the first official acts of the new city council was appointment of a city attorney, and elimination of the municipal judge.
Fourth lawsuit involving Point Pleasant settled in 2005, councilman says
POINT PLEASANT – At least one lawsuit in which the city of Point Pleasant was involved was apparently settled over two years ago, but paperwork to formally dismiss it was only recently signed.
Point Pleasant council still taking a wait-and-see approach to settling, fighting lawsuits
POINT PLEASANT – Despite the election being over, several newly election members of the Point Pleasant city council remain mum or non-committal on whether the city should settle or fight three lawsuits that were initiated during the previous administration.
Attorney: W. Va. SC ignoring law for benefit of trial lawyers
Frank CHARLESTON - When a state's legal reputation is so poor that it is widely regarded as the worst in which to do business, it is normally pretty hard to shock the legal community.
King credentialing trial begins in Putnam County
WINFIELD – Whether Putnam General Hospital is partly to blame in more than 120 medical malpractice suits against Dr. John King is at the heart of a trial that began Monday in Putnam Circuit Court.
Woman sues Empty Glass over injuries from bar scuffle
CHARLESTON - A Florida woman has filed a suit against a local bar owner after she was injured during a scuffle at the establishment.
East Bank candidate seeks writ over recent election
CHARLESTON - A candidate in the recent East Bank elections has filed a lawsuit against the town's board of canvassers, seeking a writ of mandamus to disregard certain ballots, which were allegedly stolen, and declare him the mayoral winner.
State development office, supervisor sued for harassment
CHARLESTON - A Kanawha County woman filed a lawsuit against her supervisor, claiming he sexually harassed her when they worked together.
West Virginia's drug war
Plaintiff's lawyers love to hide their most potentially self-enriching lawsuit offensives behind the facade of "consumer safety," and for good reason.