THIS JUST IN: Kanawha County

June 6
Mary Kathryn Black, executrix of the estate of Steve Black v. A.W. Chesterton Co., et al
PA – Cindy J. Kiblinger; J – Visiting
* Mary Kathryn Black filed an asbestos suit against 37 companies on behalf of her late husband, who died from esophageal cancer. The suit claims Steve Black contracted the cancer after on-the-job asbestos exposure. According to the suit, Steve Black was a steelworker at Armco Steel, where he was exposed to asbestos. While on the job, Black installed and tore out insulation, where he inhaled the deadly fibers, which caused him to develop esophageal cancer. Mary Kathryn Black claims she and her family lost the financial support of her husband, as well as his general services, companionship and society. She seeks compensatory and punitive damages.
Case number: 08-C-1110

June 10
Job Squad Inc. v. Champion Industries, et al
PA – Lisa Kerr Michael Folio; J – Walker
* Job Squad, a local nonprofit, filed a suit against Champion Industries, seeking $2.2 million in damages. Job Squad claims Champion stole confidential information and business clients. The suit also names Rhonda Copen, a former project manager at Job Squad, as a defendant. Copen left Job Squad to go to Champion. The suit says that shortly after she left, BB&T and Ticketmaster switched to Champion's presort mailing system. Job Squad claims Copen held mail from clients and misappropriated trade secrets by disclosing information. Job Squad seeks $2.2 million in actual damages, as well as punitive damages.
Case number: 08-C-1123

Gerald George and Kelly George v. Firasat Malik, M.D., Jay Kim, M.D. and Thoracic and Cardiovascular Associates, Inc.
PA – Richard Lindsay; J – Walker
* Gerald and Kelly George filed a medical malpractice suit against two local cardiothoracic surgeons, after Gerald developed a MRSA infection after heart bypass surgery. According to the suit, Gerald George developed the infection around the indwelling line in his arm. According to the suit, George claims Malik, Kim and TCA were negligent in evaluating his IV sites and checking for infections. They also failed to timely and properly diagnose and treat George for the infection, which lead to a prolonged and debilitating hospital course and permanent injury. Kelly George, Gerald George's wife, is also a plaintiff in the suit. She claims she sustained great and irreparable loss in that she has suffered a loss of comfort, society, convenience and consortium from her husband. Gerald and Kelly George seek compensatory damages as allowed under the Medical Professional Liability Act.
Case number: 08-C-1126

June 11
Doris Bowen, executrix of the estate of Lemuel N. Bowen v. 20th Century Glove Corporation of Texas
PA – David P. Chervenick, Scott Segal; J – Visiting
* Doris Bowen filed an asbestos suit against 124 companies after her husband died from illnesses contracted after exposure to the deadly dusts. Bowen filed the suit on behalf her late husband, Lemuel Bowen, who died from complications of lung cancer and asbestosis. Lemuel Bowen worked as a welder at American Car Foundry in Huntington. Doris Bowen seeks compensatory and punitive damages.
Case number: 08-C-1136

Virginia E. Harris, executrix of the estate of Jack Harris v. 20th Century Glove Corporation of Texas
PA – David P. Chervenick, Scott Segal; J – Visiting
* Virginia E. Harris filed an asbestos suit against 124 companies after her husband died from illnesses contracted after exposure to the deadly dusts. Harris filed the suit on behalf her late husband, Jack Harris, who died from complications of lung cancer and asbestosis. Jack Harris worked as an electrician for IBEW Local 317. Virginia Harris seeks compensatory and punitive damages.
Case number:08-C-1137

Walter Socha v. 20th Century Glove Corporation of Texas
PA – David P. Chervenick, Scott Segal; J – Visiting
* Walter Socha filed an asbestos lawsuit against 124 companies, claiming he developed asbestosis and lung cancer after asbestos exposure. Socha worked as a laborer and pipefitter at Wheeling Pittsburgh Steel. He seeks compensatory and punitive damages.
Case number: 08-C-1138

John Stoll and Betty L. Stoll v. 20th Century Glove Corporation of Texas
PA – David P. Chervenick, Scott Segal; J – Visiting
* John and Betty Stoll filed an asbestos lawsuit against 124 companies, claiming John Stoll developed mesothelioma and asbestosis after asbestos exposure. Stoll worked as a laborer, electrician and crane operator at Weirton Steel. He seeks compensatory and punitive damages.
Case number: 08-C-1139

Gloria Koontz v. Evetta Kessel
PA – William W. Pepper; J – Stucky
* Gloria Koontz filed a suit against Evetta Kessel after Kessel's pit bull attacked her. Koontz claims the dog "viciously" attacker her and bit her face, which required medical treatment. Koontz claims she has been caused loss of ability and capacity to enjoy life and potential loss of income. She seeks compensatory and punitive damages.
Case number: 08-C-1141

June 12
Jessica Pack, as administratrix of the estate of Carter Michael Pack, Eric Pack v. Stork Craft Manufacturing, Inc.
PA – Harry F. Bell, Jr., William Bands and Andrew L. Paternostro; J – Kaufman
* Jessica and Eric Pack filed a suit against Stork Craft Manufacturing, after their son died of asphyxiation in a crib that was made with improper parts. According to the suit, on May 2006, Jessica Pack bought a Storkling crib, designed, manufactured, and sold by Stork Craft. On July 5, 2006, Carter Michael Pack was born. The suit says Jessica Pack noticed wood screws on the crib's railing had loosened on Jan. 16, 2007. The screws were tightened by Eric Pack. Later that day, Jessica fed her son and put him down for a nap at approximately 2:55 p.m. About an hour later, she found Carter Michael with this face pressed against the crib's mattress, between the railing and the crib itself. He was not breathing. The suit says the Packs immediately removed the baby from his crib, called 911 and commenced CPR. Carter Michael Pack was taken to Summersville Memorial Hospital where he was pronounced dead at 4:55 p.m. According to the suit, Stork Craft put the crib on the market using screws in violation of safety regulations promulgated by the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission. In the five-count suit, the Packs claim they suffered sorrow, mental anguish, solace to include society, companionship, comfort, guidance in the kindly offices and advice of the decedent, loss of income of the decedent, services, protection, care and assistance provided by the decedent, and funeral expenses. They seek compensatory and punitive damages.
Case number: 08-C-1149