West Virginia Record

Dec. 8
In The Interest Of Jordan Scott Messer, An Incapacitated Adult; State of West Virginia; WV Department of Health & Human Resources, Petitioner
PA- Jennifer L. Anderson, Boone County Asst. Prosecuting Attorney; J- William S. Thompson
* Messer was previously found as a mentally handicapped "protected person." Robert L. Messer, his guardian-conservator, died. Court granted Petition to appoint a guardian ad litem for J.S. Messer, appoint DHHR as guardian and Boone Sheriff's Department as his conservator.
Case number: 11-C-230

Dec. 14
Staci Queen, individually and as Parent, Guardian, and Next Friend of the infant, Maggie Queen vs. Walter G. Martin Jr. and Enterprise Rent-A-Car Co. of Kentucky, LLC
PA- Greg K. Smith; J- Thompson
* Staci Queen complains vehicle she was driving, with infant daughter a properly restrained passenger, was unlawfully rear-ended July 2010 on U.S. 119 near Danville by a pick-up truck owned by Enterprise and operated by Martin. She seeks jury awards of compensatory damages for both Plaintiffs, litigation costs, pre- and post-judgment interests, and all other proper relief.
Case number: 11 -C-231

Dec. 16
Scott S. Halstead, Leota Cook, his wife vs. Massey Energy Co.; AT Massey Coal Co.; Massey Coal Sales Co.; Massey Coal Services, Inc.; Don Blankenship; and Performance Coal Co.
PA- Anthony J. Sparacino; J- Thompson
* Personal injury suit details that Halstead was working in Boone County as an employee of Performance Coal Co. when April 2010 underground explosion occurred at Upper Big Branch Mine. Complaint says "negligent, intentional and reckless conduct..." caused the explosion resulting in 29 fatalities, with safety statutes and regulations violated. Halstead was completing his shift when the explosion happened and contends he suffered permanent physical and emotional injuries, including brain injuries. He calls for jury judgment for an amount that will adequately and fairly compensate him and his wife, plus pre- and post-judgment interests, litigation expenses, and such other relief Court deems appropriate, including punitive damages.
Case number: 11-C-232

Tenisia Jarrell vs. James E. Pyne and Elk Run Coal Co., Inc. d/b/a Black Castle Mining Co.
PA- Anthony J. Sparacino; J- Thompson
* Involved in a head-on vehicle accident January 2010 on W.Va. Route 305 near Lester in Raleigh County, Jarrell's personal injury suit claims Pyne was intoxicated when driving the truck that struck her car. Pyne, resident of Uneeda, reportedly was employed by Defendant coal company and operating a vehicle owned and insured by his employer. Jarrell, claiming severe and potentially permanent injuries to body and mind, seeks jury determination of compensatory and punitive damages, awards for pre- and post-judgment interests, costs of litigation and such other relief deemed appropriate.
Case number: 11-C-233

John Morrison vs. James E. Pyne and Elk Run Coal Co., Inc. d/b/a Black Castle Mining Co.
PA- Anthony J. Sparacino; J- Thompson
* Morrison was a passenger in Tenisia Jarrell's car during above-described collision involving Defendants. He wants same jury awards detailed in Case number: 11-C-233.
Case number: 11-C-234