Huntington woman blames water company for injury

CHARLESTON -- A Huntington woman is suing American Water Works Service Company, Inc., after she was injured when she stepped on an unsecured water meter cover.

On Sept. 19, 2010, at approximately 6 p.m., Kathryn H. Edwards was leaving her mother’s home after assisting her with laundry and off jobs around the house when she stepped on an unsecured water meter cover owned by the defendant and her foot and leg fell into the hole, according to a complaint filed Sept. 12 in Kanawha Circuit Court.

Edwards claims the defendant owed a duty to the public to properly secure and maintain its water meter covers in a reasonably safe condition.

The defendant was negligent in failing to properly secure and/or maintain the water meter cover, according to the suit.

Edwards claims she suffered injuries to both of her knees, left calf, ankle, heel and lower back as a result of the defendant’s negligence.

The defendant’s actions also caused Edwards to sustain medical and other out-of-pocket expenses; lost wages; physical pain and suffering; mental anguish and suffering; emotional distress; scarring; annoyance and inconvenience; and loss of capacity to enjoy life.

Edwards is seeking compensatory damages. She is being represented by Johnson W. Gabhart.

The case has been assigned to Circuit Judge Carrie Webster.

Kanawha Circuit Court case number: 12-C-1850