Dunbar couple sues Champion Industries for work injuries

CHARLESTON -- A Dunbar couple is suing Champion Industries after they claim injuries were sustained at work.

On Jan. 8, 2010, William Gallagher was working at the Hills Plaza facility and was assigned the task of hanging an overhead sign in the sorting room, according to a complaint filed Jan. 5 in Kanawha Circuit Court.

Gallagher claims he was ordered to sit on a pallet, which had been placed on the forks of a fork lift.

While the pallet was raised in the air, it slid off the forks and caused it and Gallagher to fall to the floor, according to the suit.

Gallagher claims he sustained severe and permanent injuries as a result of the fall.

The defendant knowingly and intentionally exposed Gallagher to an unsafe and dangerous condition and violated Occupational Safety and Health Administration regulations, according to the suit.

Gallagher and his wife, Kristin J. Gallagher, are seeking compensatory and punitive damages with pre- and post-judgment interest. They are being represented by Robert D. Cline Jr., Robert A. Campbell and R. Chad Duffield.

The case has been assigned to Circuit Judge Paul Zakaib Jr.

Kanawha Circuit Court case number: 12-C-29