West Virginia Record

Task: 166908
WINFIELD -- A paramedic is suing Putnam County Emergency Medical Services after he was injured on the job.

The Putnam County Commission and Cecil Kimball were also named as defendants in the suit.

On Jan. 4, 2010, during the course of his employment, Charles Lester was gathering supplies from an ambulance, having just come back from transporting a patient, according to a complaint filed Jan. 4 in Putnam Circuit Court.

Lester claims despite numerous complaints, the defendants failed to repair a large heater in the back of the ambulance and ice had formed on the steps of the ambulance.

While exiting the ambulance, Lester slipped on ice on the top step of the ambulance, causing him to fall down the ambulance steps, landing on his back on the bottom step, according to the suit.

Lester claims the unsafe working condition presented a high degree of risk and a strong probability of serious injury or death, but the defendants failed to repair it.

The defendants' negligence caused Lester injuries, including an L3 fracture, chest contusions, hip contusions, numbness and tingling in limbs, nervous conditions, sleeping problems and constant pain and soreness, according to the suit.

Lester is seeking compensatory damages and medical expenses in the amount of $18,000 with pre- and post-judgment interest. He is being represented by Pamela A. Lambert.

The case has been assigned to Circuit Judge O.C. Spaulding.

Putnam Circuit Court case number: 12-C-4