Man blames town for damages after water line break

CHARLESTON – A Kanawha County man is suing over claims his property sustained damage when a town water line broke.

James Shope filed a lawsuit Sept. 5 in Kanawha Circuit Court against the Glasgow Municipal Water Department, the Town of Glasgow Water and Sewer Department, and the Town of Glasgow, citing negligence.

According to the complaint, a municipal water line, owned by the Town of Glasgow and jointly operated by the other defendants, ruptured on Hickory Road, spilling approximately 1.5 million gallons of water onto the street and into the plaintiff's yard.

The complaint states the water caused flooding and severe damage to the plaintiff's home, retaining walls, support structures and driveway. The defendants are accused of negligence, nuisance, and strict liability.

Shope seeks compensatory damages, attorney fees and interest.

He is represented by attorneys Shawn R. Romano and Miles B. Berger of Romano and Associates in Charleston. The case has been assigned to Circuit Judge Charles E. King.

Kanawha Circuit Court case number: 14-C-1609