WEST VIRGINIA RECORD

HUNTINGTON -- A former employee is suing Delachaux Metal Inc., Huntington Alloys Corporation and his supervisor for a work-related injury.

Mark A. Sowards, of Cabell County, worked for Huntington Alloys from Oct. 1, 2003, until Jan. 29, 2008, according to a complaint filed Jan. 20 in Cabell Circuit Court.

Sowards claims he was exposed to a pinch point hazard while separating heavy drums and that Huntington Alloys and Charles Eugene Peters exposed him to the unsafe working condition.

The defendants were aware of the existence of the unsafe working condition, which is in violation of a state or federal safety statute, according to the suit.

Delachaux Metal, Inc., designed, constructed, manufactured, assembled, distributed, advertised, promoted, inspected/failed to inspect and sold the heavy drum containing metal products in a defective condition, according to the suit.

Sowards claims when he was exposed to the pinch point hazard he severed his finger from his hand.

Sowards is seeking compensatory and punitive damages. He is being represented by J. Michael Ranson, Cynthia M. Ranson and George B. Morrone III of Ranson Law Offices.

The case has been assigned to Circuit Judge F. Jane Hustead.

Cabell Circuit Court case number: 10-C-0061