News from February 2024
Mother accuses Cabell school staffers of belittling, ignoring, depriving nonverbal son
HUNTINGTON – The mother of a 6-year-old nonverbal child has sued the Cabell County Board of Education claiming her son was belittled, ignored and deprived of food and water by school employees and injured on their watch.
Justices affirm Mingo ruling in Hatfield parking lot fall case
CHARLESTON — The West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals affirmed a lower court decision, ruling that the Mingo County Board of Education was not entitled to immunity.
Supreme Court affirms Monongalia County utility pole case ruling
CHARLESTON — The Supreme Court affirmed Monongalia Circuit Court's order granting summary judgment to Frontier West Virginia and T.A. Chapman Inc.
William Ballard Rejoins Steptoe & Johnson’s Bridgeport Office
William C. Ballard has rejoined the Bridgeport office of Steptoe & Johnson PLLC as an Associate in the firm’s Litigation Department.
Coal company owned by Justice found to be in contempt
ROANOKE, Virginia – A federal judge has said a coal company owned by Gov. Jim Justice and his family is in contempt of court because it hasn’t paid more than $500,000.
Attorney General Morrisey: SCOTUS Hears Emergency Stay of EPA ‘Good Neighbor Plan’ Rule
West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey on Wednesday issued a statement following U.S. Supreme Court arguments on a potential stay of the administrative action related to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s ‘Good Neighbor Plan’ for the 2015 Ozone Ambient Air Quality—a plan for regulating downwind emissions.
Estate sues WVU Board of Governors, blame doctor for woman's death
CHARLESTON – The estate of a Kanawha County woman has sued the West Virginia University Board of Governors following her death, blaming a WVU School of Medicine doctor.
Estate sues South Charleston following fatal fire truck accident
CHARLESTON – The estate of a man has filed a lawsuit against the City of South Charleston and a fire department employee following a fatal fire truck accident on U.S. 119.
Scott Andrews Joins Steptoe & Johnson’s Huntington Office
Scott W. Andrews has joined the Huntington office of Steptoe & Johnson PLLC as Of Counsel. His practice will focus on medical professional liability matters, including nursing home and long-term care facility defense.
State Police hit with 72 lawsuits about hidden camera at academy
CHARLESTON – The West Virginia State Police has been hit with 72 new lawsuits related to the hidden camera in the women's locker room and shower facilities at its academy in Institute.
Whistleblowers file three retaliation lawsuits against State Police
CHARLESTON – Among the 72 new lawsuits filed against the West Virginia State Police related to a hidden camera in the women’s locker room and showers of the academy are three that allege retaliation against three whistleblowers involved in investigating complaints against a now-fired State Trooper.
Hearing date set for Justice request to stop Greenbrier Sporting Club auction
LEWISBURG – A hearing on motions in the case filed by businesses owned by Gov. Jim Justice and his family to temporarily stop the auction of the Greenbrier Sporting Club is scheduled for April 12.On February 15, the court scheduled a hearing on the plaintiffs’ motion for preliminary injunction for February 20.
Surety firm seeks liens on Justice companies to pay $8.5M judgment
ROANOKE, Virginia – A Chicago-based surety company has asked a federal court to approve liens against West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice and two of his companies for failing to pay a court-ordered judgment of more than $8.5 million.
Speaking of transparency and honesty
Our leaders continually tell us they’re looking out for us and have our best interests at heart. But anyone who looks around at the real state of the State of West Virginia knows that simply isn’t true.
Va. judge issues final orders denying Justice request to set aside $300 million in judgments
MARTINSVILLE, Virginia – A Virginia judge has issued 21 final orders denying requests by Gov. Jim Justice, his family and companies to set aside more than $300 million in confessed judgments.
Justices rule in favor of Cabell school board in excess levy funding case
CHARLESTON – The state Supreme Court has sided with the Cabell County Board of Education, saying it isn’t required to include the Cabell County Public Libraries and Greater Huntington Park and Recreation District on the 2024 excess levy ballot.
Attorney General Morrisey Joins Coalition Asking SCOTUS to Pause Appeals Court Ruling on Trump Immunity in Election Case
West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey joined a coalition of 22 states asking the U.S. Supreme Court to grant a request to pause the D.C. Circuit’s ruling in former President Donald Trump’s immunity case on charges he plotted to overturn the 2020 election results.
Woman says she was fired while on leave recovering from COVID
CHARLESTON – A woman says her former employer fired her while she was on leave recovering from COVID-19.
Man sues after being injured in warehouse fork truck accident
A man has sued a trio of companies after he sustained severe injuries in a warehouse fork truck accident.
U.S. Supreme Court hears emergency stay of EPA ‘Good Neighbor Plan’ rule
WASHINGTON – The United States Supreme Court heard oral arguments on a potential stay related to the Environmental Protection Agency’s “Good Neighbor Plan.”