News from March 2016
Federal government sues convicted landlord for sex discrimination
CLARKSBURG – The federal government is suing a convicted landlord after it claims he discriminated against tenants based on their sex. Brian Carl Walden, as conservator for Gary Walden, a protected person, and as administrator CTA of the estate of Tina Walden; Walden Homes LLC, which is doing business as Walden Rentals; and 973 Chestnut Ridge Road Inc. were also named as defendants in the suit.
Man sues WVU Board of Governors for discrimination, retaliation
MORGANTOWN – A former employee is suing the West Virginia University Board of Governors after he claims he was a victim of discrimination and retaliation. Mark Stewart began his employment with WVUBOG as the Associate Director in the Procurement, Contracting and Payment Services Department at the university, according to a complaint filed March 4 in Monongalia Circuit Court.
Woman accuses Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston of gender discrimination
MORGANTOWN – A former employee is suing the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston after she claims she was discriminated against because of her gender.
Medical practice hit with two wage payment violation lawsuits
BECKLEY – Two lawsuits have been filed against Love Family Practice Group after former employees claim it violated the West Virginia Wage Payment and Collection Act and also engaged in improper medical billing practices.
Woman blames Mon General for family member’s death
MORGANTOWN – A woman is suing Monongalia County General Hospital after she claims it and several physicians are responsible for her family member’s death.
Morgantown man accuses Stonerise Health Care of discrimination
MORGANTOWN – A Morgantown man is suing Stonerise Health Care LLC after he claims he was discriminated against because of his disability and sexual orientation.
Judge rules against WVU in Teamsters' FOIA lawsuit
MORGANTOWN – A circuit judge has ruled against West Virginia University Board of Governors in a Freedom of Information Act suit filed last month by the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. WVU must provide all the requested e-mail communications without redactions and is ordered to produce an index identifying the withheld documents; and provide the index and the actual documents to the court for review.
Rayle Coal Co. wants to move land damage case to circuit court
WHEELING — The defendant in a land damage lawsuit is seeking to move the case from magistrate court to circuit court.
Company accuses customer of contract breach
WINFIELD — A West Virginia firm is suing a software and engineering company to collect money they allegedly owe under a work agreement.
Justices affirm circuit court decision confirming arbitration award
CHARLESTON – The West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals has affirmed a circuit court’s decision confirming the arbitration award in a lawsuit filed nearly six years ago. The petitioner, Ryan Cunningham, appeals from the November 2, 2011, order of Kanawha Circuit Court confirming an arbitration award and entering judgment on that award.
Supreme Court says town didn’t go against state code
CHARLESTON – The West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals said the Town of Granville did not go against state code when it adopted an ordinance regarding mobile homes and house trailers. Patrick Russell and Sylvia Smith appealed a March 30, 2015, order by Monongalia Circuit Court in which the court found that the Town of Granville had authority to adopt an ordinance regulating the placement of mobile homes and house trailers, according to a March 15 opinion.
AG hails CDC painkiller prescribing guidelines
CHARLESTON — West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey is asking insurers, medical professionals and healthcare regulators to quickly implement new opioid prescription guidelines outlined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Case against remodelers accused of fraud dismissed
WINFIELD — A Putnam County couple is suing a firm they hired to remodel their kitchen, claiming the workers lied about the project’s cost.
Storage unit company accuses renters of failing to pay lease
BECKLEY — A Tennessee firm is suing a Raleigh County business and two individuals in a dispute over rent payments for a storage unit.
Injured worker accuses firm of deliberate safety violations
BECKLEY — A Fayette County man says he suffered on-the-job injuries while working for a firm in Raleigh County.
AG's office expands federal partnership to fight drug dealers
CHARLESTON — A second attorney from West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey's office has been sworn in as a special assistant federal prosecutor, expanding the office’s fight against the state’s drug epidemic. Chief Operating Officer and Senior Deputy Attorney General Anthony Martin received his cross designation as a Special Assistant U.S. Attorney.
What do the Foxes say?
“I thought the rabbit droppings in your backyard were Cocoa Puffs and I experienced intestinal distress after eating them.
Supreme Court says Putnam Co. man can't run for magistrate
CHARLESTON – The West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals has issued an order stating that Troy Sexton cannot run for Putnam County magistrate.
Four individuals sue King Coal Trucking for vehicle accident
LOGAN – Four individuals are suing King Coal Trucking LLC after they claim one of its employees caused a car accident that injured them. Earl Jeffrey Jarrell was also named as a defendant in the suits. On April 1, 2014, Sheila Allen was operating a 2014 Mitsubishi Lancer northbound on W.Va. 10, in which Charles Hammonds, Eleanor Hammods and Lavonna Graham were passengers and was stopped at a traffic signal near Strollings, according to four complaints filed March 4 in Logan Circuit Court.
Legislature continues focus on needed lawsuit reforms
CHARLESTON – As the curtain falls on this year’s legislative session, we all should 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.