HUNTINGTON – A man who wrecked his scooter in Huntington is suing the law firm he hired to represent him in an associated case, saying the firm didn't adequately handle his case.
James E. Holley filed a lawsuit April 17 in Cabell Circuit Court against Fredeking and Fredeking Law Offices and Paul E. Biser and Robert R. Fredeking.
Holley says he was injured in 2004 when a vehicle caused his motorized scooter to swerve into a deeply set drainage grate on Piedmont Road in Huntington.
Holley contends the grate was set well below industry standards. The wreck caused him injuries, he claims.
Holley says he hired the defendants to represent him in a lawsuit he filed after the wreck.
The plaintiff says the law firm fell short on several aspects of handling his case, but was perhaps most deficient in failing to add to the lawsuit as a defendant the company allegedly responsible for dangerous drainage grate -- Mountain Enterprises, doing business as Lenore Asphalt.
Holley says he ended up settling with the city of Huntington for $25,000, which he called "less than a reasonable" amount. He believes if the case had gone to trial, a jury would have given him more in damages.
Holley is being represented by Donald J. Tennant. The case is before Cabell Circuit Judge F. Jane Hustead.
Cabell Circuit Court case number: 09-C-308
Man blames law firm for 'less than reasonable' $25,000 settlement
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