Fla. woman blames recreation department over injury

BECKLEY — A Florida woman has sued a Raleigh County agency, alleging liability in a personal injury.

Vida Marlene Helvey filed a lawsuit Feb. 19 in Raleigh Circuit Court against the Raleigh County Recreational Authority, alleging liability in a 2013 event.

According to the filing, on Oct. 18, 2013, Helvey was at Lake Stephens in Surveyor, a facility overseen by the defendant, for the to decorate a pavilion for her daughter’s wedding. When Helvey exited the pavilion’s front door she tripped on the curb and was injured, the suit states. The lights were not functioning, the suit states, and the defendant was in breach of duty by not keeping the premises adequately lit and safe.

The plaintiff alleges pain and suffering, annoyance and inconvenience, disability, and both temporary and permanent damages to her face, nose, lips, teeth, hands and knees,

Helvey seeks: general, compensatory and punitive damages for her injuries, medical expenses and distress; attorney fees; and costs.  She is represented by attorney Kyle Lusk and Matthew Bradford of Lusk & Bradford in Beckley.

Raleigh Circuit Court case number: 15-C-122-B