News from January 2016
Wheeling residents sue to stop activities on nearby land
WHEELING—Residents of two historic Wheeling neighborhoods are suing to stop what they say are improper activities of a developer on land near their homes.
Waste service claims Clancy's Irish Pub hasn't paid
KEYSER – A Maryland-based waste disposal company is suing an Irish pub in Keyser, alleging it failed to pay for services rendered.
Mountaineer 4x4 accuses City National of negligence in fraud scheme
WINFIELD – Mountaineer 4x4 Unlimited is suing City National Bank after it claims it was negligent in allowing someone to defraud the company out of nearly $500,000. Mountaineer has been a business since September 1989 and banks at City National, according to a complaint filed in Putnam Circuit Court. The company claims Claude Brian Ellis, the president and sole shareholder of Mountaineer, has run the business since its inception and did not enroll the company in City National’s eBanking or onl
Couple accuses West Virginia Rehabilitation Hospital of negligence
MORGANTOWN – A Monongalia County couple is suing West Virginia Rehabilitation Hospital Inc. after they claim its negligence caused injuries. West Virginia Rehabilitation Hospital is doing business as Healthsouth Mountain View Regional Rehabilitation Hospital.
Woman sues Ansted Center for negligence, malpractice
FAYETTEVILLE – A woman is suing Ansted Center after she claims it was negligent and committed medical malpractice. 106 Tyree Street Operations LLC is doing business as Ansted Center.
Federal judge issues temporary restraining order in fracking waste ban case
CHARLESTON – U.S. District Judge John Copenhaver Jr. has issued a temporary restraining order preventing Fayette County from enforcing a county-wide ban on the storage and disposal of oil and gas waste. “Having reviews the verified complaint and motion, supporting exhibits and memorandum of law, and having conducted a hearing on the motion on January 19, 2016, the court grants a temporary restraining order…” the Jan. 20 temporary restraining order states.
Hearing scheduled for Freedom chemical spill cases ahead of sentencing
CHARLESTON – A federal judge scheduled a hearing leading up to several criminal sentencings surrounding the 2014 Freedom Industries chemical spill that left thousands without water for days. District Judge Thomas Johnston scheduled the hearing for Jan. 27 regarding the Freedom Industries cases. Johnston wrote that the hearing will discuss the factual and legal basis for all pleased offenses in the cases. Sentencings are scheduled in February for former Freedom officials Gary Southern, Dennis
Public Defender Services to no longer cut court-appointed attorneys fees
CHARLESTON – Public Defender Services rescinded its emergency guidelines that were set to go into effect this week. Dana Eddy, the Executive Director of Public Defender Services, said the budget office was able to scrape together enough money to be able to withdraw the emergency guidelines. “I give full credit to the budget office,” Eddy said.
Tammy's Quality Contractors allegedly failed to pay
A company that provides small business loans and merchant cash advances is suing a Chapmanville trucking firm over allegations that the defendant did not pay for goods, funds or services.
Doctor sues VA over alleged wrongful termination
A Berkeley County doctor is suing the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs over alleged wrongful termination.
Charleston attorney files federal lawsuit against Blankenship
CHARLESTON – An attorney who once filed a water contamination lawsuit against Massey Energy now has sued former Massey CEO Don Blankenship for abuse of process and malicioius prosecution. Kevin Wayne Thompson filed his federal lawsuit Jan. 11 in U.S. District Court in Charleston against Blankenship, attorney Daniel L. Stickler and the Jackson Kelly law firm.
Woman claims injuries in suit against Wardensville store
MOORFIELD – A Hardy County woman is suing a grocery store after she allegedly was injured when she slipped and fell.
Logan County residents allege mortgage company bungled payments
LOGAN – Two Logan County residents are suing mortgage company Ditech Financial over alleged mishandling of payments.
Ohio County Woman sues Target under state's wage law
Wheeling—An Ohio County woman is suing Target Corp. over claims that it failed to pay her in a timely manner.
Putnam Circuit Clerk employees file petition for pay raise
WINFIELD – Employees of the Putnam County Circuit Clerk’s office have filed a petition to appeal a county commission order denying raises. In August, the employees filed a grievance alleging they are significantly underpaid for their work.
Woman says St. Mary’s didn't protect her medical records
HUNTINGTON – A Wayne County woman is suing St. Mary’s Medical Center after she claims it allowed people to access her private health information that should not have had access. St. Mary’s Medical Management LLC; Cabell-Huntington Hospital Inc.; Rebecca Winters, formerly known as Rebecca Harmon; and Jessica Hatfield also were named as defendants in the suit. On Oct. 25, 2013, C.H.
Couple blames Wheeling Park Commission for injuries at Oglebay
WHEELING – A couple is suing Wheeling Park Commission and others it claims are responsible for injuries sustained in a hotel parking lot. Oglebay Resort & Conference Center; Oglebay Foundation Properties Inc.; Oglebay Institute; and the City of Wheeling were also named as defendants in the suit. On Dec. 14, 2013, Nancy Belzer was waiting with her family in the Wilson Lodge lobby for a tour bus/trolley to pick them up for the Festival of Lights, according to a complaint filed in Ohio Circuit Co
Woman accuses Little General Store of wrongful termination
PRINCETON – A woman is suing Little General Store after she claims her employment was wrongfully terminated. Vicki Whitt was also named as a defendant in the suit. On March 2, 2013, Crystal Burress was hired by Little General as a crew employee and in May 2013, she was promoted to shift manager and in 2014, to assistant store manager, according to a complaint filed in Mercer Circuit Court. Burress claims shortly after beginning her employment with the defendant, she began suffering harassment
Man blames Reynolds Memorial Hospital for wife’s death
MOUNDSVILLE – A man is suing Reynolds Memorial Hospital after he claims it is responsible for his wife’s injuries and death. On Nov. 4, 2013, Joy Eileen Fluharty was admitted to Reynolds to have a routine left and right heart catheterization, according to a complaint filed in Marshall Circuit Court. Greg Fluharty claims Joy Fluharty’s pre-screening indicated that her heart was not enlarged, that her lungs were clear and there were no signs of pleural effusions or evidence of CHF. At the time
Woman says Weirton Technical Services fired her for pregnancy
WHEELING – A Brooke County woman is suing Weirton Technical Services Inc. for firing her based on her pregnancy. Curt V.