Ohio man sues company after falling off scaffolding

CHARLESTON - An Ohio man is suing a Kanawha County company after he fell 22 feet from scaffolding he was on while painting a Charleston building.

Kevin Copley filed the suit June 2 in Kanawha Circuit Court against W.Q. Watters Company.

Copley was employed by W.Q. Watters on July 6, 2006, to paint the United Building. Copley was required to use the D 800 Hi-Lo Powered Scaffold system on the painting job project.

According to the suit, Copley and other employees who were not properly trained were using the hoist system on the building. Copley claims the system and its secondary device was broken and parts were missing.

Copley claims the cable failed July 6, and he fell about 22 feet and sustained numerous bodily injuries and damages.

According to the suit, Copley has to undergo medical expenses and medical treatment, and will incur additional medical expenses in the future.

Copley seeks compensatory and punitive damages.

Attorney Tony O'Dell is representing Copley. The case has been assigned to Judge Irene Berger.

Kanawha Circuit Court case number 08-C-1057