Pushed man sues

MOUNDSVILLE - A Marshall County man who alleges he was pushed to the ground outside a Moundsville bar is suing.

Leonard Gray filed a lawsuit June 12 in Marshall Circuit Court against John Peabody, the believed owner of J.R.'s Pub, and 10 John Does. Also listed as plaintiffs are his wife Tracy and children Joseph and Regina.

Gray claims he was a business invitee of J.R.'s Pub on June 11, 2005, when the incident occurred.

"The defendant, the believed owner and/or manager of J.R.'s Pub, pushed, shoved or otherwise struck ('touching') the plaintiff Leonard Gray from behind," the complaint says. "As a result of this touching, the force of momentum resulted in… Gray hitting the asphalt area outside or near J.R.'s Pub.

"The touching and the resulting fall caused serious personal and non-personal injury upon the body of… Gray."

Gray adds that he has suffered significant medical bills as a result, as well as physical problems and "loss of time."

The lawsuit also says Peabody has already been convicted of battery in criminal proceedings.

He claims the 10 John Does, employees of J.R.'s Lounge, had a duty to keep the premises safe.

The plaintiffs are seeking compensatory and punitive damages and are represented by Mark A. Blevins of the Ohio Valley Law Center in Wheeling.

Judge Mark Karl has been assigned the case.

Marshall Circuit Court case number 06-C-134K