Woman says she stepped on broken water meter cover, sues

HUNTINGTON - A woman is suing American Water Works Co. Inc. after she claims she was seriously injured when she stepped on a broken water meter cover.

American Water Works Co. Inc. is doing business as West Virginia American Water.

On Dec. 5, 2011, Mary Laura Bowen was working in her capacity as a Rescare Direct Care representative in the area of Fourth Street and Sixth Avenue in Huntington when she stepped on a water meter cover that was broken, according to a complaint filed Dec. 3 in Cabell Circuit Court.

Bowen claims when she stepped on the broken water meter cover, her right leg fell through the "ill kept portal" and significant injury was sustained to her right knee, which required surgery to treat.

As a direct and proximate cause of the defendant's negligent, unlawful, reckless, wanton and willful behavior, Bowen was injured and sustained severe, debilitating and permanent injuries, including injury to her right leg and back and was severely and permanently injured, according to the suit.

Bowen claims she experienced debilitating pain, discomfort, loss of mobility and mental anguish.

The defendant's actions caused Bowen to incur the loss of gainful employment, according to the suit.

Bowen is seeking compensatory damages with pre-judgment interest. She is being represented by Ashley M. Lockwood of Lockwood & Lockwood.

The case has been assigned to Circuit Judge David M. Pancake.

Cabell Circuit Court case number: 13-C-931