Burnt man suing 25 John Does

CHARLESTON - A Milton man is suing Richards Energy Service and 25 John Does over a defective natural gas well in Sissonville.

William Joseph Bryan Porter claims that the 25 men who constructed
the well, as well as the company they work for, are at fault for an
incident on Feb. 19, 2004.

The lawsuit was filed Feb.17 in Kanawha Circuit Court.

"The true names and capacities - whether individual, corporate,
associate or otherwise - of defendants first Doe through 25th Doe,
inclusive, are unknown to the plaintiffs," the complaint states. "The
plaintiffs allege that each of said defendants are negligently or
otherwise responsible in some manner for the happenings herein
referred to, and negligently or otherwise caused injuries and damages
proximately thereby to plaintiffs."

Porter claims he was working in Sissonville for B.J. Services
Company and was using a natural gas well "for the purpose which it was intended when it traumatically and severely injured him."

Porter and his wife Ada are suing Richards Energy Service, a
Charleston company, and the 25 John Does because he claims he became
disable and suffered permanent injury to his head and brain because of the incident. He adds in the claim that none of the 25 John Does let him know the dangerous nature of the well.

Porter is charging: Negligence per se; breach of express warranty;
breach of implied warranty; strict products liability; false
representation; negligent infliction of emotional distress; loss of
consortium; and damages.

Porter claims he has lost income and earning potential, as well as
medical and related damages. His wife is claiming loss of consortium
with her husband.

Circuit Judge Irene Berger has been assigned the case. Franklin L.
Gritt is the attorney for the Porters, who demand a trial by jury.

Kanawha Circuit Court case number 06-C-326