News from July 2008
Cabell man says Bob Evans wrongly fired him
HUNTINGTON - A Cabell County man filed a suit against a chain restaurant after he was injured and fired because he could not work the hours the restaurant required.
Prisoner wants apology from U.S. Magistrate
BECKLEY – Prisoner Chris Umberger expects an apology or something stronger from U. S. Magistrate Judge Clarke VanDervort of Bluefield, for an order Umberger received about his suit against physician Dominick McLain of the federal prison in Beaver.
Radio company files FOIA request against WVU
MORGANTOWN - West Virginia Radio Corporation filed a Freedom of Information Act against West Virginia University and the school's Board of Governors.
Constitution Party can't sue DNR chief over state park ban, attorney says
ELKINS – Leaders of the Constitution Party of West Virginia can't sue director Frank Jezioro of the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources over a ban on politics in state parks, his attorney argues at U.S. District Court in Elkins.
THEIR VIEW: Explaining state's 'brain drain' doesn't take much thought
CHARLESTON -- Could the recent release of U.S. Census Bureau data be responsible for a new online survey of young professionals between 21 and 45 which it hopes will shed some light on the exodus from West Virginia of that demographic?
Blankenship's maid deserves unemployment, Justices rule
Blankenship CHARLESTON – Deborah May, former housekeeper for Massey Coal owner Don Blankenship, didn't quit her job voluntarily and deserves unemployment compensation, the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals ruled.
W. Va. businesses harmed by fake letters, McGraw says
McGraw CHARLESTON - State Attorney General Darrell McGraw continues to keep an eye on what goes in the mail.
One med mal suit dismissed, another filed against Point Pleasant urologist
Vaidya POINT PLEASANT – Despite the dismissal of one, a Mason County physician finds himself defending against another malpractice suit.
Workplace accident leads to $3.5M suit against Norfolk Southern
KEYSTONE -- A McDowell County man has filed a $3.5 million lawsuit against Norfolk Southern Railway Company following a July 2007 workplace accident.
UPS files notice of removal for sexual discrimination suit
MORGANTOWN -- United Parcel Service and an employee are seeking a removal to federal court for a lawsuit following a sexual discrimination suit.
Bluefield named in police brutality suit
BLUEFIELD -- The city of Bluefield, its police department, chief of police and two officers have been named as defendants in a federal case following the continuing harassment and false arrests of a Mercer County couple.
Wheeling faces lawsuit over police brutality
WHEELING -- The city of Wheeling and two of its police officers have been named as defendants in a federal lawsuit following an incident of alleged police brutality.
THEIR VIEW: Bizarre tort system turning state into 'Almost Hell'
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- West Virginia isn't "almost Heaven," but "almost Hell" where its judicial climate is concerned.
THEIR VIEW: State office helps small businesses survive, grow
CHARLESTON -- There's no doubt about it -- even though West Virginia is in a lot better financial shape than many of its neighbors -- we're all feeling the pinch of the economic downturn.
AG challenger on board with ATRA code
Greear CHARLESTON – Dan Greear, the Republican candidate for state Attorney General, has agreed to abide by a transparency code crafted by the American Tort Reform Association if he is elected.
Cipoletti elevated to chief ODC post
Cipoletti CHARLESTON – A longtime staff member at the Office of Disciplinary Counsel has been named as its new chief.
PERSONNEL FILE: Spilman Thomas & Battle attorneys named Super Lawyers
CHARLESTON -- Spilman Thomas & Battle, one of the largest law firms in the region, recently announced attorney rankings in 2008 Super Lawyers.
Funeral home owner still under attack by AG McGraw
McGraw WHEELING – State Attorney General Darrell McGraw recently received authority to continue his case against a bankrupt funeral home.
An unsolved campaign finance mystery
Del. Carrie Webster says she wants to pull back the curtain on "shadow" campaign organizations here in West Virginia.
Workers' comp switch smooth so far, Cline says
Cline CHARLESTON – With a late lift from the Supreme Court of Appeals, West Virginia soared into a new age of competition in workers compensation insurance on July 1.