Water that accumulated at this building on Camden Avenue in Parkersburg is what Steven and Debra Momish say later flooded into their apartment across the street. (Photo by Lawrence Smith)
PARKERSBURG – A Wood county couple allege a physician, the city of Parkersburg, the Wood County Commission and the state of West Virginia share responsibility for water damage their apartment sustained earlier this year.
Steven and Debra Mowish named Dr. Saurabi Naik, and his business, Sirnaik Holdings of West Virginia, as lead defendants in a property damage lawsuit filed in Wood Circuit Court. In their complaint filed Sept. 30, the Mowishes allege Naik failed to take steps necessary to drain water from a building he owns on Camden Ave. in South Parkersburg that later flooded into their apartment.
According to their suit, the Mowishes sustained water damage on an unspecified date to their apartment on 3300 1/2 Camden Ave. They allege the damage was a result of water that accumulated across the street at 3301 Camden Ave. and failed to properly drain.
They allege that not only Naik and Sirnaik Holdings, but also the city of Parkersburg and the state Department of Highways had a duty to ensure the drain under the building was functional. Because of unsafe conditions at the building, including the accumulated water, the Mowishes aver the Wood County Commission condemned it on May 7.
However, they say the Commission's action was too little, too late. The failure of not only the Commission, but also Naik, Sirnaik Holdings, the city and DOH to ensure the drain was functional before the flooding of their property has caused them "annoyance, inconvenience and mental suffering."
The Mowishes seek unspecified damages, interest, attorney fees and court costs. They are represented by Parkersburg attorneys William O. Merriman Jr. and C. Edward McDonough.
The case is assigned to Judge Robert W. Waters.
Wood Circuit Court case number 10-C-430