Man sues state jail authority for injuries

HUNTINGTON -- A man is suing the West Virginia Regional Jail and Correctional Facility Authority and a correctional officer after he claims he was injured while incarcerated.

In February 2009, Joseph Harper was being housed at the Western Regional Jail when he was maliciously wounded, assaulted and battered by Byron Williamson, who was a correctional officer at the jail, according to a complaint filed Dec. 29 in Cabell Circuit Court.

Harper claims the defendants had a duty to protect him from harm and failed to do so.

The state jail authority negligently failed to supervise and train Williamson, according to the suit.

Harper is seeking compensatory and punitive damages. He is being represented by Michael A. Woelfel.

The case has been assigned to Circuit Judge David M. Pancake.

Cabell Circuit Court case number: 10-C-921