News from March 2020
AG opinion approves broad absentee voting amid Coronaviris pandemic
CHARLESTON — West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey has issued an opinion saying the state of emergency declaration gives the Secretary of State authority to allow voters broad access to absentee voting for the upcoming primary election.
Attorneys, firms step up to help others during Coronavirus pandemic
HUNTINGTON – Attorneys are stepping up to help as more and more changes take place because of the Coronavirus pandemic. Some are providing money to help, while others are trying to help local businesses.
Mediation tentatively scheduled in Crossings Mall litigation
MARTINSBURG — Mediation tentatively has been scheduled in a case involving Tara Retail Group and Crossings Mall for March 27.
Elkview man alleges he was terminated by Cintas due to his age
CHARLESTON – A former Cintas employee who lost his job after 20 years with the company claims he was terminated due to his age.
Couple claims Gateway Mortgage illegally mismanaged their USDA loan
CHARLESTON – An East Bank couple is suing Gateway Mortgage over allegations their loan was mismanaged through prolonged mitigation and the company failed to credit their payments.
Spilman Thomas & Battle creates task force to handle Coronavirus questions for clients, others
CHARLESTON – As the Coronavirus pandemic continues to change daily life, one West Virginia-based law firm is working to keep its clients and others ahead of the game. Spilman Thomas & Battle has created a COVID-19 Task Force to help clients with questions today and in the future.
Attorneys adapting and changing procedures amid Coronavirus concerns
CHARLESTON – The Coronavirus pandemic is forcing changes in every phase of life. The courts and legal community are no exception.
It might be time for Judge Warren McGraw to retire
This might be a good time for Judge McGraw to engage in self-examination and consider whether or not he himself needs to seek a change of venue.
First lawsuit in VA hospital deaths seeks accountability
MORGANTOWN – The first lawsuit over the suspicious deaths at the Louis A. Johnson Veterans Hospital in Clarksburg has been filed. This is the first of many.
WEST VIRGINIA SUPREME COURT OF APPEALS: Legislature Approves Fiscally Responsible Budget for State’s Court System
In the first year the West Virginia Legislature had more control over the judicial system budget, lawmakers generally approved the courts’ budget as submitted, making only a minor adjustment relating to the judges’ retirement system.
WEST VIRGINIA SUPREME COURT OF APPEALS: Supreme Court Issues Protocol on Coronavirus
Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia issued a protocol addressing concerns about the potential spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) to ensure the court system remains open and functions as normally as possible.
WEST VIRGINIA SUPREME COURT OF APPEALS: Supreme Court Arguments Postponed
Arguments at the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia that were scheduled for March 17 and 18 were being postponed, and a date to hear the arguments has not been determined.
WEST VIRGINIA SUPREME COURT OF APPEALS: CIP Postpones Training Sessions
The West Virginia Court improvement Program (CIP) is postponing three training sessions because of concerns over the coronavirus.
JACKSON KELLY PLLC: A Message from Jackson Kelly PLLC's Managing Member Regarding the Coronavirus
Jackson Kelly is a regional firm dedicated to our clients.
Indiana justices rule bar not at fault for injuries that left Porterfield blind
CHARLESTON – The Indiana Supreme Court ruled that the bar where Del. Eric Porterfield (R-Mercer) was blinded in 2006 had no way of knowing a fight would break out.
Former Burger King worker claims persistent sexual harassment forced her to quit job
CHARLESTON – A former Burger King employee alleges she and other co-workers faced persistent sexual harassment by a co-worker that forced her to quit her job.
Former Northern Correctional Center inmate alleges officers slammed him into wall, floor
CHARLESTON – Two West Virginia Department of Corrections officers are facing a suit from a former inmate who alleges they repeatedly slammed him into a wall and the floor, causing head injuries.
Louisiana construction company claims it is owed more than half a million for supplies used on Wetzel County project
NEW MARTINSVILLE – A Baton Rouge, Louisiana-based construction company alleges it is owed more than half a million dollars for labor, equipment and tools it supplied for a compressor facility construction project in West Virginia.
Supreme Court suspends almost all state court proceedings through April 10
CHARLESTON – West Virginia Supreme Court Chief Justice Tim Armstead has directed state courts to suspend all but emergency proceedings through April 10 in response to the Coronavirus pandemic. Armstead filed the court order March 16. It says all civil and criminal trials and jury orientations should be postponed.
Morrisey reminds consumers to be smart during Coronavirus pandemic
CHARLESTON — West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey is asking consumers to be smart and vigilant as they conduct business during the Coronavirus pandemic.