THIS JUST IN: Boone County

May 12
David Wayne Lesher v. Hamer Log & Lumber Co, Hamer Lumber Sales Inc., Hamer Hardwood Manufacturers Inc.
PA-J. Kristofer Cormany; J-Thompson
* Lesher seeks damages for injuries sustained at work at a sawmill near Madison. He says Hamer exposed workers to high risk of injury. He says he was maintaining a conveyor belt system and cleaning wood particles fallen to the ground between the wood chipping machine and the conveyor belt system when "his shirt sleeve was caught by a splice on the belt and his right arm pulled through conveyor belt's tail terminal pulley causing severe and permanent injuries to his right arm and hand."
Case number: 08-C-106

May 23
Elk Run Coal Company vs. Eddie Lester
PA-Brian J. Moore; J-Thompson
* Elk Run says Lester, an underground mine manager, breached a non-compete contract signed Nov. 9, 2007, that extended through Dec. 31, 2010. Elk Run also seeks a preliminary injunction preventing Lester from working at a competitive mine within a 90-mile radius of Sylvester. Lester terminated his employment with Elk Run on April 2 and went to work for Brody Mining. Elk Run says that violates a one-year covenant not to compete should he quit or be discharged. The coal company says Lester "solicited Elk Run employees in an attempt to obtain their services." Elk Run wants Lester to repay the differential of his "enhanced salary" from Jan. 1 to when he left the company.
Case number: 08-C-114