Bert Wolfe employee says manager intentionally hit him with car

CHARLESTON -- A Cross Lanes man is suing Bert Wolfe Ford after he claims his manager intentionally hit him with a car.

James Workman, the general manager at Bert Wolfe Ford, was also named as a defendant in the suit.

On June 23, 2009, Michael Barker, who was employed at Bert Wolfe Ford, was in the process of obtaining a vehicle identification number from a Chrysler SUV for a customer he was attending to, according to a complaint filed April 1 in Kanawha Circuit Court.

Barker claims while he was looking for the vehicle identification number, Workman "jumped in a motor vehicle and deliberately, intentionally and with great force and violence, drove the vehicle into plaintiff, causing him to be severely maimed and injured."

Workman's conduct caused Barker to sustain severe and permanent injuries to his left foot, knee and ankle, according to the suit.

Barker claims Bert Wolfe Ford is liable for Workman's actions because he was engaged in his job performance.

Barker is seeking compensatory and punitive damages. He is being represented by Rudolph L. DiTrapano and Elizabeth G. Kavitz.

The case has been assigned to Circuit Judge Carrie Webster.

Kanawha Circuit Court case number: 11-C-537