News from December 2008
Woman sues after plate fell on her foot at Big Lots
MARTINSBURG – A Berkeley County woman has filed suit against Big Lots stores, alleging she was injured after a plate fell on her foot.
AG's office files Fair Housing Act suit for two Berkeley families
MARTINSBURG – Attorney General Darrell McGraw's office has filed a state Fair Housing Act suit on behalf of a black and a white Falling Waters family against another Falling Waters family, alleging the black family members were receiving violent threats, including cars being driven quickly toward their 6-year-old son, because of their race.
Suit could force motorcycle track to close
MARTINSBURG – A Berkeley County motorcycle track may be forced to close if a judge finds in favor of a suit seven residents filed against the track complaining about its noise and pollution levels.
THIS JUST IN: Ohio County
Nov. 9
THIS JUST IN: Cabell County
Nov. 26
*** Golf Association, courses offer VIP Card
CHARLESTON -- The West Virginia Golf Association and golf courses across the Mountain State are offering a special Christmas gift: VIP Cards that allow golfers to play top courses in Virginia and West Virginia at heavily discounted prices.
Man's suit against attorney lands in Cabell County
HUNTINGTON – John David Mooney, who claims attorney Michael Frazier should have kept him out of federal prison, has shifted his claim from federal court to Cabell Circuit Court.
Prep sports conference sues to protect trademark
CLARKSBURG – An Ohio high school athletic conference has filed a suit against a West Virginia man, alleging he registered several Internet domains that used the conference's trademarked acronym to raise funds without its permission.
PERSONNEL FILE: Kinley Named Fellow of Litigation Counsel of America
Kinley WHEELING -– Mark E. Kinley of the law firm of Steptoe & Johnson has been selected as a Fellow of the Litigation Counsel of America, a trial lawyer honorary society comprised of experienced and effective litigators throughout the United States, which represents less than one-half of 1 percent of American lawyers.
Former Kanawha magistrate new leader of state system
CHARLESTON -- Former Kanawha County magistrate Janie Moore will serve as the new administrator for the state's magistrate court system.
PERSONNEL FILE: Huddleston Bolen named 'Go-To Law Firm'
Gilpin HUNTINGTON -- Corporate Counsel magazine has named Huddleston Bolen LLP a "Go-To Law Firm" in the areas of litigation and labor and employment law.
USSC cigarette ruling has secondhand results in W.Va.
Recht WASHINGTON – If tobacco companies deceived smokers of "light" and "low tar" cigarettes, smokers can sue them under state consumer laws, the U.S. Supreme Court decided on Dec. 15.
WVAJ calls Hellhole report 'unreliable propaganda'
Karlin CHARLESTON – The West Virginia Association for Justice called this week's "Judicial Hellhole" report by the American Tort Reform Foundation "nothing more than propaganda released by billion-dollar special interests who want immunity when corporations break the law and risk the lives of consumers and workers."
Justices rule against Hampshire residents
Benjamin CHARLESTON – Kanawha Circuit Judge Paul Zakaib overstepped constitutional lines when he ordered West Virginia legislators to authorize a reform election in Hampshire County, the state Supreme Court has ruled.
Justices rule for insurer in underage drinking case
Maynard CHARLESTON – Just because a 19-year-old drank too much at someone's home doesn't mean the homeowner's insurer has to pay for a fatal accident she caused down the road, according to the state Supreme Court.
*** Gus R. Douglass Institute getting 'Swiggy' with it
INSTITUTE -– The Gus R. Douglass Institute (GRDI) of West Virginia State University has placed second in the Statewide Internet Group (also known as "Swiggy") Awards competition.
Judge OKs settlement in Nitro tire fire case
CHARLESTON -- A Kanawha County judge has approved a settlement in a lawsuit involving nearly 6,000 St. Albans and Nitro households after a 2006 fire.
THEIR VIEW: Returning West Virginians eager to become spokespersons
By GOV. JOE MANCHIN