Man says faulty entrance gate got him fired

CHARLESTON – A man says a faulty security gate arm got him fired.

Mark Webb filed a lawsuit June 15 in Kanawha Circuit Court against American Electric Power.

Webb claims he was a dump truck driver for a company called Headwaters, Inc.

He says that on Dec. 5, 2008, he was entering an AEP property in Glasgow through a security gate.

According to the complaint, as Webb was going through the gate, the arm came down on the truck, causing minimal damage to the truck and more damage to the gate.

Webb says an employee of AEP called his employer to say they did not want Webb on AEP property again.

Because of this call, Webb says he was fired from his job.

He's seeking compensatory and punitive damages.

J. Michael Ranson, Cynthia M. Ranson and George B. Morrone are representing the plaintiff.

The case is before Kanawha Circuit Court Judge Paul Zakaib.

Kanawha Circuit Court case number: 09-C-1097