News from March 2016
Worker sues Greenbrier Minerals over injury, discharge
BECKLEY — A Fayette County man is suing his former employer, claiming the company created unsafe working conditions and fired him for a workers' compensation claim.
Landowner accuses logging firm of property damage
WEBSTER SPRINGS — A Webster County woman says a logging company damaged her land by the unauthorized removal of timber.
State leaders criticize Clinton's anti-coal comment
CHARLESTON – Several state leaders are taking issue with Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton’s comments that she would “put a lot of coal miners and coal companies out of business.” Clinton’s comment came Sunday during a town hall meeting in Columbus, Ohio.
CALA praises work of legislative session
CHARLESTON – A statewide legal reform group praised the West Virginia Legislature for the work done in the session that ended March 12. “We applaud the members of the West Virginia Legislature for their abilities to tackle big issues, particularly lawsuit reforms, which will move our state forward and into the national mainstream,” said Roman Stauffer, executive director of West Virginia Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse. “This session they continued to focus on much-needed lawsuit reforms that wil
Former student says WVSU professor sexually harassed her
CHARLESTON – A former student is suing West Virginia State University and a professor for sexual harassment she claims she endured. Rachel Halstead was a student at WVSU in the Criminal Justice Master’s Degree program and in approximately March or April 2014, she was in the office of her professor, Samuel Swindell, to discuss coursework, according to a complaint filed March 2 in Kanawha Circuit Court.
AG's office lists most common consumer complaints for Metro Valley
CHARLESTON — At the end of the annual national Consumer Protection Week, West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey released a list of the top eight consumer complaints received by the Consumer Protection Division for Cabell, Kanawha, Putnam and Wayne counties in 2015.
Auto Club Group seeks interpleader action in Putnam County
WINFIELD – The Auto Club Group is seeking an interpleader action involving policy limits and a car accident that caused one death and multiple injuries. The Estate of Melisha Dailey Jividen; Brenda Demoss; Kenneth Demoss; Christopher Higginbotham; Glen Michael Jividen; and Emilee R. Craigo, individually and as next friend of Violette Craigo and Avery Craigo were all named as defendants in the suit.
Women say family member was hurt during stay at Worthington nursing home
MORGANTOWN – Two women who have power of attorney are suing Worthington Nursing & Rehabilitation Center after they claim their family member was injured during her stay with the center. Charlene Kimberly and Deanna Cramer were also named as defendants in the suit. PWNR LLC is doing business as Worthington Nursing & Rehabilitation Center.
Empowering Families sues former employee for violating duties
BECKLEY – Empowering Families LLC is suing Uplifting Families LLC and a former employee it claims violated her duties during her employment. Rema Bulmer, individually and as a former officer/member of Empowering Families, was also named as a defendant in the suit.
Jury says Charleston-Kanawha Housing Authority not negligent in injury suit
CHARLESTON – A Kanawha Circuit Court judge has entered a final judgment in a lawsuit against Charleston-Kanawha Housing Authority after a two-day trial. Circuit Judge James C. Stucky entered the final judgment after a trial occurred on Feb. 22 and 23.
Lamar sues Love Family Practice Group for breach of contract
BECKLEY – Lamar Texas Limited Partnership is suing Love Family Practice Group after it claims the company breached its contract. On Nov. 19, 2014, the defendant entered into an advertising contract with Lamar wherein it agreed to purchase advertising space for the period of Nov. 24, 2014, until Nov. 22, according to a complaint filed in Raleigh Circuit Court.
Wooton campaign releases first TV ads of Supreme Court race
CHARLESTON – The first television advertisements in the race for state Supreme Court will be appearing soon. According to Washington-based Justice at Stake, Federal Communications Commission records show the campaign of former state lawmaker Bill Wooton has purchased ads to run in the Beckley/Bluefield, Charleston/Huntington and Clarksburg television markets. The cost is at least $28,380, according to the FCC records.
Worker accuses ex-employer of wrongful termination
BECKLEY — A Raleigh County man is suing his former employer, claiming he was terminated after filing for workers' compensation benefits.
Judge: Justice companies owe $2M from 2013 coal deal
BECKLEY – A federal judge says two companies owned by Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jim Justice owe more than $2 million from a 2013 coal deal. On March 11, U.S. District Judge Irene Berger issued a memorandum opinion and order granting summary judgment to Thomas K. Lampert of Pennsylvania. He is trustee for the Thomas K. Lampert Irrevocable Trust. Last year, Lampert sued Tams Management Inc. and Southern Coal Corporation in federal court. It says the companies – owned by Justice – didn’t p
Wal-Mart seeks to move libel case to federal court
BECKLEY — Wal-Mart wants a slander and libel case against the company to be heard in federal court.
Car buyers accuse Hometown Hyundai of contract breach
BECKLEY – A couple is suing a car dealer for allegedly breaking a promise to pay off they vehicle they traded toward a new one.
Lowe’s wants personal injury case moved to federal court
WHEELING – Lowe’s Home Centers wants a customer’s personal injury case against the store heard in federal court.
Worker’s crushed foot leads to negligence case against McElliotts Trucking
CHARLESTON – A Kentucky man is suing a West Virginia trucking firm in a dispute surrounding a workplace injury.
Horizons Youth Services seeks to move discrimination case to federal court
CHARLESTON – A company sued in a case involving alleged disability discrimination has petitioned to remove the lawsuit from city to federal court.
LCN Electrical Contracting alleges client owes unpaid invoice
WINFIELD – A Putnam County business says a firm that hired it for electrical subcontracting work still owes money on the project.