News from February 2016
Jury finds defendant 75 percent at fault for fatal accident
CHARLESTON – A jury has found that the defendant in a lawsuit alleging he was responsible for a deadly car accident was 75 percent at fault for the accident. The jury entered its verdict on Feb. 12, according to the jury verdict form filed in Kanawha Circuit Court.
Lumberyard says Dollar General, contractor owe for materials
NEW CUMBERLAND — A Hancock County lumberyard is suing Dollar General and a contractor over claims that invoices for materials used in a construction project were not paid.
Ex-general manager accuses HOA of wrongful termination
KINGWOOD — A Preston County man says his former employer, Alpine Lake Homeowners Association, allegedly fired him for not committing perjury in a civil case.
Customer accuses Appalachian Power of fraud
HUNTINGTON — A Cabell County woman is suing her electric provider, claiming the company charged her for an amount she did not owe.
Woman sues former employer for alleged age discrimination
LOGAN — A Logan woman claim her age was the reason she was fired from a Unilin North America plant.
Raleigh County Adult Drug Court to open
BECKLEY – The Raleigh County Adult Drug Court will hold its opening ceremony Feb. 26 at the Raleigh County Judicial Annex in Beckley.
Nursing home sued after death of resident
HUNTINGTON — A Cabell County man is suing a nursing home, Huntington Health and Rehab Center, in a case involving his grandfather’s care.
Amtrak wants to move injury case from state to federal court
HUNTINGTON — Amtrak is petitioning to move a personal injury case in which it is a defendant from Cabell Circuit Court to federal court.
Former insurance sales manager claims wrongful discharge
MOUNDSVILLE — A Marshall County woman is suing her former employer, Combined Insurance Company of America, for allegedly firing her to avoid payment of fringe benefits and commissions.
Secretary of State's Office says magistrate’s residency is a court matter
HUNTINGTON – A spokeswoman for Secretary of State Natalie Tennant said that long-term Cabell Magistrate Darrell Black’s residency is a matter that must be answered by a court of law.
State Election Commission approves public financing campaign for Justice Benjamin
CHARLESTON – The State Election Commission approved public financing for Supreme Court Justice Brent Benjamin’s re-election campaign earlier this month.
Monongalia General, DOJ settle lawsuit for $4.8 million
MORGANTOWN – Monongalia General Hospital has agreed to pay $4.8 million as part of a settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice after an investigation was made into improper billing. The investigation concluded with the announcement that 51 additional hospitals have agreed to pay nearly $24 million to settle allegations they improperly billed Medicare for surgical procedures to implant cardioverter defribillators.
States file opening briefs against EPA’s Clean Power Plan
Earlier this month, the U.S. Supreme Court stayed enforcement of the agency’s new rule until arguments in the case conclude. Arguments on the plan’s legality are scheduled for June before the federal appeals court.
The aged politician who won’t go away
What a glorious day it was, that January day three years ago when Darrell “Quick Draw” McGraw rode off into the sunset, metaphorically speaking.
Gastar Exploration petitions to move noise, odor case to federal court
WHEELING – Energy firm Gastar Exploration, the defendant in a civil suit filed by Kenneth and Nadine Corley, have petitioned to move the case from Marshall Circuit Court to federal court.
Monongalia General, DOJ settle lawsuit for $4.8 million
MORGANTOWN – Monongalia General Hospital has agreed to pay $4.8 million as part of a settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice after an investigation was made into improper billing. The investigation concluded with the announcement that 51 additional hospitals have agreed to pay nearly $24 million to settle allegations they improperly billed Medicare for surgical procedures to implant cardioverter defribillators.
A new plan to get West Virginia moving
CHARLESTON – There is no doubt that West Virginia is facing an economic and a fiscal crisis. We are reminded constantly of our troubled times. Miners being laid off because of President Obama’s War on Coal. A majority of our adults not working. High unemployment. Dead last in job growth because we are the most over-regulated state in the nation. A $353 million state budget deficit that is only going to grow in the short term because of the dramatic decline of severance taxes and the ripple effec
WVU offers legal tools to combat blight of abandoned buildings
West Virginia University’s College of Law has published a toolkit to help communities to navigate the thorny issues around a major problem in the state - abandoned and neglected buildings.
Steelworker accuses mortgage lender of breach of contract
NEW CUMBERLAND — A Hancock County man says the lender who acquired his mortgage is ignoring a settlement reached with the prior firm by charging unlawful fees. .
Disabled worker accuses MetLife of denying long-term benefits
CHARLESTON – A Fayette County man is suing his insurance carrier in a dispute surrounding disability benefits.