News from March 2016
Woman says she broke her wrist at Civic Center
CHARLESTON – A Charleston woman is suing the city after she fell at the Civic Center during a basketball game and broke her wrist. Mary and John Fox filed the complaint in Kanawha Circuit Court against the City of Charleston, which owns and operates the Charleston Civic Center.
Alpha seeking $28M in restitution from former CEO
BECKLEY – Alpha Natural Resources is seeking nearly $28 million in restitution from former CEO Don Blankenship in the criminal case against him. Alpha filed a motion for miscellaneous relief on March 7, and Blankenship’s attorneys filed a memorandum opposing the relief on the same day.
Woman accuses Charleston surgeon of negligence
CHARLESTON – A woman is suing a Charleston surgeon she claims was negligent during surgery and caused her damages. On Feb. 3, 2014, Dominique Atkins was seen and evaluated by Dr. Michael Covelli for complaints of hyperthyroidism, according to a complaint filed March 1 in Kanawha Circuit Court.
Kanawha woman blames Kroger for collision, injuries
CHARLESTON – A Kanawha County woman is suing Kroger after she claims it is responsible for a collision that caused her injuries. Kroger Dedicated Logistics Co.; Ruan Transport Corporation; Ruan Transportation Management Systems Inc. and Cedric D. Allen were also named as defendants in the suit.
Another problem with public financing
“[T]he public financing of elections – for judgeships or any other positions – is a boondoggle we all should deplore.” That's what we wrote six years ago in an editorial opposing Gov. Joe Manchin's proposal of a public financing pilot project for the two state Supreme Court seats to be contested in the 2012 election.
Fayette woman says funeral home wrongfully terminated her
BECKLEY – A Fayette County woman is suing S.E. Funeral Homes of West Virginia Inc. after she claims her employment was wrongfully terminated. The Estate of John Attilli and John Dawson also were named as defendants in the suit.
Wal-Mart moves chips-and-salsa display case to federal court
CHARLESTON – A suit in which a man blames Wal-Mart, PepsiCo and Frito-Lay for injuries after an incident involving an in-store display of chips and salsa is headed to federal court. On Feb. 2, 2013, Arthur Buckalew was a patron lawfully walking along the premises near inside fixture displays of various merchandise, including Tostito’s corn chips and salsa, according to a complaint filed Jan. 27 in Kanawha Circuit Court. Wal-Mart filed to have it removed to federal court on Feb. 29.
Exotic dancer says patron bit her breast, requiring surgeries
WHEELING – A dancer at an Ohio County gentleman’s club claims a patron bit her breast, causing injury and requiring extensive medical treatment. Tina Marie Talbert filed her lawsuit March 2 in Ohio Circuit Court against RMLL Enterprises Inc., doing business as Jill’s Gentleman’s Club. Donald Goddard also is named as a defendant.
West Virginia's comeback begins now
CHARLESTON – Historic and unprecedented. Those words illustrate West Virginia’s seismic victory recently at the U.S. Supreme Court – a victory that reverberated across the nation instilling hope in the state’s coal industry and forcing bureaucrats to think twice before using executive regulation to bring about radical change. The ruling, issued Feb. 9, immediately stopped President Obama from implementing the centerpiece of his coal-killing agenda. It limits further economic damage by freezing t
Renter accuses apartment complex of violating collection laws
CHARLESTON — A West Virginia woman says the apartment complex where she lived for two years is trying to collect rent she doesn’t owe.
Ketchum’s Pattern Jury Instructions for civil trials now for sale
CHARLESTON – For five years, West Virginia Supreme Court Chief Justice Menis Ketchum has been working on a project to make jury instructions easier for a lay jury to understand.
Ex-store manager accuses 7-Eleven of wrongful termination
CHARLESTON — A Kanawha County woman is suing 7-Eleven Inc. a 7-Eleven store and her former supervisor, claiming they terminated her position after she suffered a work-related injury.
Funeral home owners named in another lawsuit
WINFIELD – The grandson of the founders of a Poca funeral home is suing the current owners, who already were facing legal troubles. J. Michael Gatens III filed his lawsuit Feb. 12 in Putnam Circuit Court claiming Chad Harding owes him $113,000 on a promissory note as well as interest. Harding is the owner of Gatens-Harding Funeral Home and has been accused of falsely reporting 111 deaths to an insurance company, allegedly to collect pre-need funeral services.
Plateau Medical Center accuses Mountain Medical Associates of contract breach
FAYETTEVILLE – Plateau Medical Center is suing Mountain Medical Associates after the hospital claims the medical practice breached its contract. Oak Hill Hospital Corporation is doing business as Plateau Medical Center. Scott Keffer Inc. is doing business as Mountain Medical Associates.
Segal helps fund K-9 units for police, military
CHARLESTON — Charleston attorney Scott Segal knows more than most about the needs of K-9 law enforcement officers whose basic healthcare and safety equipment often falls to the budget cutting ax.
WVU Law School EILC awarded for entrpreneurial support to West Virginia businesses
MORGANTOWN – The Entrepreneurship and Innovation Law Clinic at West Virginia University recently was presented with the 2015 Entrepreneurial Support of the Year award by TechConnectWV, which further brings recognition to a beneficial program for both students and local businesses and organizations.
Kanawha magistrate helps celebrate Dr. Seuss Day
CHARLESTON – One should be very careful which Dr. Seuss book to read aloud, Kanawha County Magistrate Julie Yeager said during an interview in the lead up to her visit to a South Charleston school next week.
Operations supervisor at Ergon-West Virginia alleges wrongful termination
NEW CUMBERLAND – A former operations supervisor at Ergon-West Virginia alleges that he was fired in retaliation for requesting a medical leave for knee surgery.
Doddridge County property owner says pipeline builder damaged his land
WEST UNION – A property owner is suing over damage allegedly caused to his property by a company installing an oil and gas pipeline, citing breach of contract, trespass and fraud.
Macy's allegedly kept billing couple after debt paid off
NEW CUMBERLAND – A Chester couple is suing a credit card issuer for problems they allegedly experienced several months after they paid the bill in full.