News from November 2008
Coal mine fire suit settled
Blankenship LOGAN - The civil lawsuit brought by the widows of two men who died in the 2006 Aracoma coal mine fire has been settled mid-trial.
Wayne men say they found used condom under pizza
WAYNE - Four Wayne County men have filed a suit against a local pizza restaurant, claiming they found a condom under a pizza they ordered.
WV CALA names 'top turkey' lawsuits of the year
Cohen CHARLESTON -- Missing pants and a drunken fall from a horse are behind two lawsuits a state legal reform group calls this year's biggest turkeys.
Developer says Dunbar's actions have hurt its chance to sell land
CHARLESTON - A developer has filed a federal suit against the city of Dunbar, its Planning and Zoning Commission and its City Council and one of its members, claiming it never will be able to sell 70 acres of land it owns as more than a single-family dwelling because of repeated actions taken against it.
PERSONNEL FILE: Kay Casto & Chaney announces new hires
Jones CHARLESTON -- Kay Casto & Chaney has announced that Shannon P. Smith and Erin K. Jones have been hired as associates.
PERSONNEL FILE: Mark Nesselroad joins Steptoe & Johnson
Nesselroad MORGANTOWN -– Steptoe & Johnson is pleased to welcome Mark J. Nesselroad as a new associate in the firm's Morgantown office.
Putnam circuit judge vote results to be recounted
WINFIELD -- The Putnam County Commission has approved a recount of four precincts in the Circuit Judge race between incumbent Ed Eagloski and apparent victor Phil Stowers.
Suit claims gas drilling contaminated drinking water
RIPLEY – A Jackson County family alleges the actions of four energy companies have not only damaged their property, but also their health.
U.S. SC to rule on judicial recusal issue
Benjamin WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Supreme Court will decide if state Supreme Court Justice Brent Benjamin should have recused himself from the $50 million case of a heavy campaign supporter.
Asbestos mother lode
A Pennsylvania lawyer came to Charleston last month and filed 900 lawsuits in one day.
Inmate sues Hustler for $1 million, wants access to child pornography
CHARLESTON -- A Mount Olive inmate has filed a federal lawsuit against Hustler for $1 million, alleging that because the magazine once contained pictures of nude children, he should be allowed to have such photos in prison.
CALA names 'Dirty Dozen,' one on list fights back
Cohen CHARLESTON – The leader of a statewide legal reform group says he is concerned that key legislative leaders received major campaign contributions from personal injury lawyers. But at least one of those leaders is fighting back, saying West Virginia Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse should reveal its donors.
Goodwin denies motion in Digitek litigation
Goodwin CHARLESTON – U.S. District Judge Joseph Goodwin, who ignored advice from a Louisiana lawyer about Wheeling attorney Teresa Toriseva, chooses also to ignore an affidavit from Barry Hill of Wheeling about how he fired Toriseva.
Justices reverse Cabell judge on med mal ruling
Cabell Huntington Hospital CHARLESTON – Cabell Circuit Judge David Pancake misread a clock in West Virginia medical malpractice law by four years when he threw out a mother's suit against Cabell Huntington Hospital, the Supreme Court of Appeals decided Nov. 6.
Fayette man, Pa. investigator contradict Workman statements
Workman CHARLESTON – Both a Fayette County man and a Pennsylvania private investigator take issue with comments a state Supreme Court justice-elect made not only about her role in a wrongful death suit, but also a Putnam County attorney representing the man in an future lawsuit.
Committee: Judge made baseless complaints
CHARLESTON -- A state Bar committee has vindicated two men falsely accused of illegally practicing law by an eastern Panhandle judge.
THIS JUST IN: Kanawha County
Oct. 1
THIS JUST IN: Cabell County
Oct. 31
THIS JUST IN: Putnam County
Oct. 30
THIS JUST IN: Monongalia County
Oct. 29