News from 2015
Clear Fork residents want state DEP to help fix water issue from abandoned impoundment
PINEVILLE – Nearly 50 Wyoming County residents have asked a judge to issue an order forcing the state Department of Environmental Protection to do something about their drinking water. Forty-six residents of Clear Fork filed their petition for writ of mandamus Sept. 16 in Wyoming Circuit Court against the DEP and Secretary Randy Huffman. In the petition, the petitioners say they live downstream from an abandoned impoundment operated by Eastern Associated Coal LLC.
Ohio couple sues Hutchinson Electric, employee over vehicle collision
WHEELING--An Ohio husband and wife are suing an electrical contracting company and one of its employees, alleging negligence in a vehicle collision in Valley Grove.
WVU Law students argue before federal circuit court
MORGANTOWN – Two West Virginia University College of Law students recently argued an immigration case before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit in Chicago. Kirk Auvil and Phillip Wachowiak, both third-year students, represented Rufino Antonio Estrada-Martinez before the court Sept. 24, against Loretta Lynch, attorney general of the United States. Estrada-Martinez is a client of the WVU Immigration Law Clinic
Charleston woman who had cats seized files another complaint
CHARLESTON – A woman who had already multiple lawsuits in the wake of having two dozen animals seized from her Charleston home earlier this summer has filed another complaint. Amanda Dawn Woods filed her latest injunction request in Kanawha Circuit Court against the Kanawha-Charleston Humane Association, which is named in all of her previous actions. In her filing, Woods says the defendant has, since June, released two false news stories resulting in her being harassed by the general public.
Charleston photographer says officials violated his rights, conspired
CHARLESTON – A well-known Charleston photographer and architect claims government officials have violated his rights and conspired against him. Henry “Ted” Elden Jr. filed his complaint in Kanawha Circuit Court against Corporal C.J.
Putnam couple says Cabot Oil & Gas breached contract, damaged property
WINFIELD – A Putnam County husband and wife are suing an oil and gas company, alleging it damaged their property while drilling.John S. Casto and Cheryl Casto filed a lawsuit Sept. 4 in Putnam Circuit Court against Cabot Oil & Gas Corporation, alleging breach of contract and negligence.
California man blames physicians for bad facial operation at CAMC
CHARLESTON – A former Kanawha County resident is seeking damages and reimbursement for an alleged facial operation gone awry. Oliver Bryce Gipson, former resident of Kanawha County and currently living in California, filed suit in Kanawha Circuit Court against New Century Emergency Physicians of West Virginia Inc., which provides health care staffing for the Charleston Area Medical Center's General Division.
Raleigh Co. woman sues Kroger after fall at Charleston store
CHARLESTON – A Raleigh County woman is suing Kroger, alleging negligence after a fall at a grocery store that she says led to medical expenses. Donna Jean Long, of Raleigh County filed a lawsuit in Kanawha Circuit Court against the Kroger Co., alleging negligence.
AG's office warns of rental property scam
CHARLESTON — West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey bas issued a warning to consumers about a rental property scam that is recirculating throughout West Virginia. In the scam, fake rental advertisements are posted on websites such as Craigslist and other classified sites.
Lincoln Co. woman accuses former employer of disability discrimination
CHARLESTON – A Lincoln County woman has filed suit against her former employers for alleged disability discrimination and other damages. Rebecca M. Oberman filed suit in Kanawha Circuit Court against Meds 2 Go Express Pharmacy Inc.; and Jeffrey Fulks, Pharm. D.
Inmate sues prison authorities, alleging sexual harassment, abuse
CHARLESTON – An inmate at a West Virginia correctional facility is suing prison authorities, alleging sexual harassment and abuse inflicted by a correctional officer. Heather Hayes filed a lawsuit in Kanawha Circuit Court against C.O. Syrus, The West Virginia Regional Jail and Correctional Facility Authority, and John Doe, unknown person or persons, alleging negligence, assault and battery and emotional distress.
Mercer Co. woman accuses Lowe's of contract breach, negligence
PRINCETON--A Mercer County woman is suing Lowe's Homes Centers, alleging it failed to properly install and replace certain materials in her home.Fonda Morgan filed a lawsuit in Mercer Circuit Court against Lowe's Home Centers, alleging breach of contract, breach of implied warranty, breach of express warranty and negligence.
Bailey & Glasser files Volkswagen Diesel class action
BOSTON – A West Virginia-based law firm has filed a class action lawsuit against Volkswagen over what it calls the deceptive marketing of “clean diesel” engines. The Boston office of Bailey & Glasser LLP filed the action Sept. 24 in federal court in Boston against Volkswagen Group of America. The suit describes Volkswagen’s secret software device allegedly designed to fool emission testers and buyers into believing the cars were “eco-friendly when in fact they spew pollutants more than 40 time
Morrisey backs Legislature's probe into Planned Parenthood funding
CHARLESTON — West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey has issued public support of the state Legislature's investigation into Planned Parentood in the state. In a press release, Morrisey said he sent a letter to West Virginia Senate President Bill Cole and Speaker Tim Armstead in support of the Legislature’s efforts to investigate Planned Parenthood operations in West Virginia. Videos released by the Center for Medical Progress alleging that Planned Parenthood has sold fetal organs and
Charleston woman sues Kroger, alleging injuries at store
CHARLESTON – A Kanawha County woman is suing Kroger, alleging injuries suffered at a grocery store.Pauline Holst, of Charleston, filed a lawsuit in Kanawha Circuit Court against The Kroger Co., and Reece-Campbell Inc., alleging negligence.
Cabell woman blames hospital, staff for missing signs of sister's stroke
WINFIELD – A Cabell County woman blames a hospital, physician and nurse for missing signs that her sister was about to have a stroke. Joyce L. Stevens, the sister and Power of Attorney for Sharon E. Burge, filed her complaint Sept. 15 in Putnam Circuit Court against Pleasant Valley Hospital Inc., Dr. Zachary B. Adkins and Shelly Willham, a Certified Family Nurse Practitioner. Burge is a resident of Racine, Ohio.
Kanawha Co. family accuses WVU of malpractice in woman's death
CHARLESTON – A Kanawha County family is suing a healthcare provider, alleging it caused the untimely death of one of its family members.Kimberly Parsons, executrix of the estate of Carol L. Sanatar, deceased, filed a lawsuit in Kanawha Circuit Court against the West Virginia University Board of Governors alleging malpractice.
Kanawha Co. woman alleges sexual misconduct by childcare service
CHARLESTON--A Kanawha County woman is suing a childcare service on behalf of her son, alleging sexual misconduct.
Two WVU Law students arguing case before Seventh Circuit
MORGANTOWN – Two students from the West Virginia University College of Law were arguing before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit in Chicago on Sept. 24. Third-year law students Kirk Auvil and Phillip Wachowiak are representing a Honduran national in Rufino Antonio Estrada-Martinez v. Loretta E. Lynch, Attorney General of the United States of America.
Lawsuit details sexual assault claims against former Logan Co. judge
LOGAN – The secretary for a former Logan County family judge has accused him of sexually assaulting her. Jason Harwood resigned from his judgeship in July, and he agreed to never seek judicial office again in West Virginia. In an admonishment from the state Judicial Investigation Commission, Hardwood admitted to having a sexual relationship with his former secretary. Two months later, that secretary now has filed a civil lawsuit in Logan Circuit Court against Harwood.