News from August 2015
Kanawha couple blames Blue Flame Pipeline for injuries
CHARLESTON – A Kanawha County couple is suing Blue Flame Pipeline after they claim it caused life-altering injuries. In April 2013, George Stewart became employed as a non-supervisory employee of Blue Flame as a Class A truck driver, hauling water pipe to a gas pipeline near Buck Run, according to a complaint filed in Kanawha Circuit Court. Stewart claims on Sept. 24, 2013, he was operating a tractor trailer owned by Blue Flame and was on his way down the access road when he noticed there was
Hinton man says tavern overserved unlicensed driver blamed for wreck
HINTON – A Summers County man is suing a Hilldale tavern, alleging premises negligence when he says he was struck on the road by an overserved and unlicensed driver who had patronized the defendant’s bar.
Ohio grandmother alleges injuries from broadside impact
NEW CUMBERLAND – A Steubenville, Ohio, woman is suing an Ohio rental company doing business in West Virginia along with an individual employee, alleging the company’s driver was negligent in causing her lasting damages.
Woman claims Cardinal Pediatrics deviated from standard of care
MORGANTOWN – A Monongalia County woman is suing Cardinal Pediatrics after she claims it violated the applicable standard of care when treating her child. Between Oct. 25, 2012, and Aug. 15, 2013, Eliza B.
Dynamic Energy named in three more well water contamination suits
PINEVILLE – Three more lawsuits have been filed against Dynamic Energy after residents claim it contaminated their well water. Mechel Bluestone Inc. was also named as a defendant in the suits. David Keith Hatfield, Lora Hatfield, Adam Keith Hatfield, Hubert Hatfield and Kelly Hatfield; Michael Toler and Aleta Toler; and Scottie Toler, Priscilla Toler, Makellan Hurley and Randy Toler have water from a well and depend on their water well for all of their domestic needs, including drinking, bathi
Two Putnam County men sue a third man for failure to repay $16K in loans
WINFIELD – Two Putnam County men are suing another man they claim failed to repay money they loaned to him. Between July 12, 2014, and Sept. 14, Charles M. Koenig came to Bruce D. Campbell and represented to him that he wanted to borrow several various sums of money
Woman accuses Healthsouth Corporation of age discrimination
MORGANTOWN – A Masontown woman is suing Healthsouth Corporation after she claims it discriminated against her based on her age. Bonnie Shaffer was employed by Healthsouth from September 1992 until Dec. 7, according to a complaint filed in Monongalia Circuit Court. Shaffer claims she had a good record of service and was well respected and had a series of medical issues, which caused her to miss work. In 2014, Shaffer began experiencing on the job harassment from her managers and she would joke
Williams Ohio Valley Midstream hit with more noise, pollution suits
MOUNDSVILLE – Two more lawsuits have been filed against Williams Ohio Valley Midstream LLC after the plaintiffs claim the company was noisy and polluted their residences. Robert Carnahan and LeeAnn Carnahan and Ellen Harness own properties that are located near an oil and gas compressor owned by Williams, according to two complaints filed in Marshall Circuit Court. The plaintiffs claim Williams' operations have caused fumes, dust, noise and light to be present on their properties during all ho
Judge denies DuPont testimony, expert motions
COLUMBUS, Ohio – A federal judge, for the most part, denied motions by DuPont asking the court to exclude certain testimony and experts in an ongoing mass tort against the chemical company by Mid-Ohio Valley residents who were exposed to C8 in their drinking water. Judge Edmund A.
Woman’s family alleges landlord stole, destroyed personal effects
POINT PLEASANT—The daughter of a Jackson County woman is suing a Charleston property management company, alleging unlawful seizure and destruction of her mother’s personal property following a fatal accident.
Judge says pipeline can't survey without eminent domain
UNION – A Monroe County judge says a developer can’t survey a couple’s property without permission. Judge Robert Irons ruled last week that Mountain Valley Pipeline didn’t show enough proof that its natural gas pipeline project would provide enough public use to do the survey through eminent domain.
Patrick Morrisey is keeping his promises
Promises, promises. That's pretty much all voters have to go on when a candidate runs for office the first time. When seeking re-election, however, that same candidate has a record to run on. Voters can scrutinize that record and judge accordingly. Have the promises been kept, for instance? If not, why not?
Mineral, royalty owners group to meet at Greenbrier
WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS – Marita Noon, executive director for Energy Makes America Great Inc. and the companion educational organization, the Citizens’ Alliance for Responsible Energy (CARE) will speak during the National Association of Royalty Owners (NARO) - Appalachia annual members’ conference Aug. 30– Sept. 1.
McCuskey running for state auditor
CHARLESTON – An attorney and current House member is running for state Auditor. Republican John McCuskey formally announced his campaign Tuesday.
Former employee accuses Cabell Co. Commission of discrimination, FMLA violations
HUNTINGTON – A former employee is suing Cabell County Commission in federal court for discrimination and Family and Medical Leave Act violations. Donna L.
Woman says educational loan company violated consumer protection act
BECKLEY - A woman is suing Great Lakes Educational Loan Services Inc. after she claims it violated the West Virginia Consumer Credit and Protection Act. Autumn Iannamorelli claims Great Lakes has engaged in repeated violations of the West Virginia Consumer Credit and Protection Act, according to a complaint originally filed in Raleigh Circuit Court and removed to federal court on July 29. Iannamorelli claims Great Lakes attempted to collect debt by coercion, in violation of West Virginia code
Woman sues United Financial, driver for car accident
CHARLESTON – A woman is suing United Financial Casualty Company and the driver of a vehicle that she was in when a car accident occurred. Verba J.
Woman accuses Verizon Wireless of wage payment violations
WHEELING - A woman is suing Verizon Wireless after she claims it violated the West Virginia Wage Payment and Collection Act. Ashley Stender was employed by Verizon and worked for the defendant until her employment was terminated on Oct. 1, according to a complaint originally filed in Ohio Circuit Court and removed to federal court. Stender claims the defendant did not pay all owed wages to her until Oct. 17 and Oct. 31.
Former Logan coach accuses Chapmanville of false arrest
LOGAN – The former coach of Logan High School's boys basketball team has sued the Town of Chapmanville over what he calls a false arrest and malicious prosecution following a brawl during a game. Mark Hatcher was Logan’s coach during the 2013-14 season, according to his complaint filed in Logan Circuit Court.
Morrisey leads coalition supporting prayer at public meetings
CHARLESTON – West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey's office is leading a 13-state coalition to urge a federal appeals court to uphold public officials’ right to pray at public meetings. The coalition last week filed an amicus curiae, or friend of the court, brief in the case of Lund v. Rowan County. The case is currently before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, which includes West Virginia in its jurisdiction.