Huntington woman blames water company for property damage

HUNTINGTON -- A Huntington woman is suing West Virginia-American Water Company for damages done to her property.

Nancy Lee Bates James, Frank James and Does 1-25 were also named as defendants in the suit.

Nancy Lee Bates James inherited that certain real estate in Barboursville from her mother and she and her husband, Frank James, divided the real estate into lots and developed it into a subdivision, according to a complaint filed April 9 in Cabell Circuit Court.

Marian V. Moreland claims West Virginia-American Water Company took over the maintenance and control of the water main installed in the real estate.

The water main was placed at what became the front of Moreland's residence, according to the suit.

Moreland claims on July 16, 2011, the water main broke, allowing a large amount of water to escape, causing damage to her wall, driveway and real estate.

The defendants failed to properly inspect the water main prior to taking control of it to ensure that proper piping was utilized in the installation of the water main, according to the suit.

Moreland claims the defendants utilized the wrong water pipe for installation of the water main in the subdivision, which lead to or contributed to the water line failure.

The defendants carelessly, recklessly, negligently, willfully, wantonly, maliciously and unlawfully failed to properly inspect and maintain the water line, which caused Moreland's property damage, according to the suit.

Moreland is seeking compensatory and punitive damages. She is being represented by R.R. Fredeking II.

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

Cabell Circuit Court case number: 12-C-231