THIS JUST IN: Cabell County

April 22
Steel of West Virginia, Inc. v. General Electric, Inc.
PA-Michael E. Lang; J-David M. Pancake
* Steel of West Virginia sent a transformer that is required to melt scrap to GE for repair. GE allegedly repaired the transformer. The suit claims that when Steel of West Virginia installed the transformer for use in December 2006, it failed. It continued to fail through January 2008. As a result, the company claims it was forced to move a transformer from Roanoke, Va., to Huntington – which included the construction of a temporary bridge. Steel of West Virginia is seeking damages in excess of $1 million.
Case number: 09-C-320

Connie L. Leinen v. Kendrall Waller, Mountaineer Gas Company
PA-Chad Hatcher; J-David M. Pancake
* Leinen was involved in a motor vehicle accident with Waller, an employee of Mountaineer Gas. As a result of the accident, Leinen claims she has suffered lost wages in the amount of $20,000 and incurred medical expenses in the amount of $50,000. She is seeking damages in that amount.
Case number: 09-C-322

Susan Eaches v. Tri-State Chrysler Jeep, LLC d/b/a White Chrysler Jeep
PA-Perry W. Oxley; J-David M. Pancake
* Eaches, a former Tri-State employee, claims she was not paid for accrued personal time and fringe benefits within 72 hours of being fired. The suit also claims the car dealership went out of business the company "was a mere instrumentality of Blair White", the company's owner, who "commingled his personal funds with the funds of Tri-State Chrysler Jeep." Eaches is seeking compensation in the amount of $3,729.36, plus attorney's fees and costs. Fifteen other former employees are also suing the dealership for unpaid wages.
Case number: 09-C-323

Opal Morrison and Wade Morrison v. Big Lots Stores, Inc.
PA – Timothy L. Eves; J-David M. Pancake
* Opal Morrison was at the Big Lots in Huntington in April 2007 when a box of dishes allegedly fell from an overhead rack onto him, causing injuries to his head. In addition, Morrison claims he has suffered emotional injuries as well. He is seeking $75,000.00 in damages for his pain and suffering and also his injuries.
Case number: 09-C-331

April 23
Zetta Cartwright v. Cabell Huntington Hospital, Inc.
PA-Paul L. Frampton Jr.; J-David M. Pancake
* Cartwright was a nurse for the hospital when she became disabled and took a leave of absence. During that time, she claims she was fired because of her disability and was denied reinstatement. She claims this is a violation of the West Virginia Human Rights Act and is seeking lost wages, benefits, back and front pay, punitive and compensatory damages.
Case number: 09-C-347

April 24
Terri Thompson v. Sonic Restaurants, Inc. d/b/a Sonic Drive In
PA-R. Matthew Vital; J-David M. Pancake
* Thompson was visiting Sonic in July 2008 when she claims her finger was severely cut because her order was negligently passed to her through the drive through window. She claims she has suffered severely and was rendered disabled after the cut.
Case number: 09-C-353