Man says he was injured on 'uneven' roller rink

CHARLESTON – A Boone County man is suing over claims he was injured when he fell at a cracked and uneven roller rink.

James Lewis Buzzard filed a lawsuit Oct. 3 in Kanawha Circuit Court against Southridge Grand Prix and Family Fun Center, citing negligence.

According to the complaint, Buzzard paid admission, rented skates and began roller skating at the defendant's facility on Oct. 6, 2012, when his skates became stuck in a crack in the surface and he fell forward, fracturing his wrist. The complaint states the defendants had turned down the lighting and the skating surface provided was unkempt, not level and cracked. The defendant is accused of negligently maintaining its skating surface and failing to inspect it to make sure it was safe for customers.

Buzzard seeks compensatory damages for pain and suffering and medical expenses, including surgeries, plus interest and costs of action.

He is represented by attorney Shannon M. Bland of Bland & Bland in Charleston. The case has been assigned to Circuit Judge James C. Stucky.

Kanawha Circuit Court case number: 14-C-1807