News from January 2016
Princeton woman alleges discrimination after filing workers' compensation claim
PRINCETON – A Princeton woman is suing two health care companies over claims she was discriminated against after filing a workers' compensation application.
Grafton man claims Go-Mart, Heater Oil Co.'s negligence caused injuries
GRAFTON – A Grafton man is suing a combination convenience store over injuries he claims he sustained on its premises.
Former students seek to block WVU Tech's move to Beckley
CHARLESTON – Two former WVU Tech students have gone to court to keep West Virginia University from moving the school from Montgomery to Beckley. Dorothy Phillips and William “Bolts” Willis filed their writ of mandamus Jan. 15 in Kanawha Circuit Court against the WVU Board of Governors.
Sunbelt Equipment claims Pipeline Energy owes sum for leased equipment
WEST UNION – A Texas equipment company is suing a Tennessee company over claims it has failed to pay sums owed for equipment provided.
Attorney: W.Va. State firing goes against First Amendment
CHARLESTON – The attorney for Sarah Halstead, who was fired from West Virginia State University Research & Development Corporation for sharing Facebook photos of the vandalism of Top-O-Rock, said her termination goes against the U.S.
ACLU gives notice to sue jail authority for 2014 water crisis
CHARLESTON – The American Civil Liberties Union of West Virginia gave notice last week that it intends to sue the state for conditions at South Central Regional Jail during the 2014 water crisis. The notice listed the West Virginia Regional Jail and Correctional Facility Authority-Division of Corrections and Attorney General Patrick Morrisey as defendants in the potential lawsuit. The notice states that inmates at South Central were given inadequate amounts of drinking water and bathing water
Morrisey, other AGs push painkiller prescribing guidelines
CHARLESTON — West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey has joined 35 states and the District of Columbia in urging the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to quickly adopt proposed guidelines for prescribing opioid painkillers. Morrisey and a bipartisan group of attorneys general believe the CDC’s guidelines provide additional guidance to doctors to better evaluate the potential benefit and harm of prescribing opioid painkillers, such as oxycodone and hydrocodone. “Prescription dr
Court issues stay; Tomblin won't fill vacant Senate seat until after arguments
CHARLESTON – The state Supreme Court has issued a stay, allowing Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin to wait to fill a vacant state Senate seat until after the court hears arguments in the matter.On Jan. 15, the Justices issued the stay after West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey's office had filed an emergency order earlier in the day for clarification. That followed another filing from Tomblin saying he planned to fill the state Senate seat left vacant by Daniel Hall at 4 p.m. Saturday unless the
Monongalia County men face suit following boating accident
MORGANTOWN – Several people from Maine, West Virginia and Pennsylvania are suing two Monongalia County men over injuries they allegedly sustained during a boat collision
Preston County man claims unsafe scissor jack caused vehicle to fall and injure him
KINGWOOD – A Preston County man is suing three other Preston County residents over injuries he allegedly sustained in their work garage in Masontown.
Couple alleges negligence in Chapmanville car crash
LOGAN – A Logan County husband and wife are suing a Logan County man and a Missouri woman over injuries allegedly sustained in a vehicle collision.
Nicholas County man alleges negligence for on-job injury
WEBSTER SPRINGS – A Nicholas County man is suing a Webster County wood products company over injuries he alleges he sustained while working for the company.
Preston County residents claim Monongahela Power violated right of way agreement
KINGWOOD – Two Preston County residents are suing a power company over claims it left debris and waste on their property after a vegetation maintenance cycle.
Kaufman starts fourth term as Kanawha's chief circuit judge
Circuit Judge Tod J. Kaufman took over as Chief Judge for Kanawha County Circuit Court on January first.
Tomblin mentions legal reforms in State of the State address
CHARLESTON – Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin mentioned legal reform in his final State of the State address. “We’ve reformed medical malpractice and improved our legal climate,” Tomblin, a Democrat, said as he listed some of his administration’s accomplishments.
Mercer woman says Bill Cole Automotive breached warranties
PRINCETON – A Mercer County woman claims an allegedly defective starter mechanism on a vehicle she purchased from Bill Cole AutoMall still hasn't been repaired after multiple attempts.
House passes resolution nullifying EPA 'Waters of the U.S.' rule
WASHINGTON – The U.S. House of Representatives, including West Virginia’s entire congressional delegation, on Jan. 13 approved a measure that would effectively kill the Environmental Protection Agency’s new “Waters of the United States” rule. The House voted 253-166, passing a resolution of disapproval to nullify the rule, which extends the federal agency’s authority to all bodies of water, no matter the size or frequency. Only one Republican – U.S. Rep. Chris Smith of New Jersey – voted against
Humphreys' firm files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy
CHARLESTON – A prominent Charleston attorney who has been sued by former clients for allegedly mishandling hundreds of asbestos and flood damages cases has filed for bankruptcy. Jim Humphreys said Jan. 13 that his law firm James F. Humphreys & Associates has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The firm is entering bankruptcy to “resolve all pending and potential claims against the firm in one forum and in a timely and equitable manner,” according to a statement from the firm.
State Senate vacancy hearing set for Jan. 19
CHARLESTON – West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey's motion to intervene in a lawsuit filed over the process of filling a vacancy in the state’s Ninth Senatorial District has been granted, and the state Supreme Court hearing is set for Jan. 19. “We filed a motion to allow the State of West Virginia to intervene in the Ninth Senatorial District ballot vacancy case so that the opinion of the Attorney General may be properly considered by the West Virginia Supreme Court,” Morrisey said i
Woman sues Chrysler over vehicle vibration claims
PRINCETON – A Mercer County woman is suing a Chrysler manufacturer, alleging a car she purchased was defective, despite attempts to repair the vehicle.