HUNTINGTON – A Logan woman is suing One Valley Bank of Huntington and Branch Banking & Trust after she claims she was injured on the companies' property.
On June 16, Brenda Gore was attending an appointment in the BB&T building and exited the building with the intent of walking to her vehicle that was parked adjacent to the building, according to a complaint filed May 18 in Cabell Circuit Court.
Gore claims she took a few steps toward her vehicle and then stepped onto a mulch-covered manhole with an unsecured lid, which flipped up and caused her to fall into the man hole, where she became lodged and was very seriously injured.
The plaintiff was unable to free herself from the manhole and others who came to rescue her were unable to free her, which made it necessary to call 911 for assistance, according to the suit.
Gore claims first responders were able to free her from the manhole and she was transported to Cabell Huntington Hospital for treatment.
The defendants failed to keep the street, walkways and public grounds in repair and free from nuisance and hidden dangers, according to the suit.
Gore claims the defendants also failed to keep the manhole lid in a closed and/or locked position.
The defendants' actions caused Gore to endure pain and suffering, mental anguish and emotional distress; annoyance and inconvenience; and loss of the ability to enjoy life, according to the suit.
Gore is seeking compensatory damages. She is being represented by J. Michael Ranson and Cynthia M. Ranson of Ranson Law Offices PLLC.
The case is assigned to Circuit Judge Christopher D. Chiles.
Cabell Circuit Court case number: 15-C-336
