Ky. woman blames person for family member’s death

WAYNE – An Inez, Ky., woman is suing a man she claims is responsible for her family member’s injuries and death.

On Aug. 26, 2010, Daniel Pope was an employee of Bob Pope and was working as a laborer, according to a complaint filed Aug. 23 in Wayne Circuit Court.

Jamalyn Stepp claims Daniel Pope was hauling logs of timber along with Bob Pope to Tolsia Lumber Company in Fort Gay and the two men were in the process of unloading logs from the back of Bob Pope’s truck when one of the logs fell from the truck and landed on Daniel Pope, causing severe injuries that ultimately led to his death.

Daniel Pope was subjected to various unsafe, hazardous and dangerous conditions caused by the negligent, wanton, willful, careless and reckless activity of Bob Pope, according to the suit.

Stepp claims Bob Pope negligently and carelessly failed to train and supervise his hired laborers and negligently and carelessly failed to maintain safe equipment where Daniel Pop was working.

As a result of the defendant’s actions, Daniel Pope and his lawful heirs, which includes his surviving children, suffered serious personal injuries causing death; severe pain and suffering after the injury, but before his death; loss of capacity to earn an income and perform household and other related duties; medical and funeral expenses; and loss of consortium and financial support by the surviving children, according to the suit.

Stepp claims Bob Pope exposed Daniel Pope to an unsafe working condition of which he had actual knowledge.

The heirs of Daniel Pope will continue to suffer from injuries and damages into the indefinite future, according to the suit.

Stepp is seeking compensatory and punitive damages with pre- and post-judgment interest. She is being represented by Kenneth P. Hicks.

The case has been assigned to Circuit Judge James H. Young Jr.

Wayne Circuit Court case number: 12-C-197