AEP accused of damaging bridge

WAYNE - Six lawsuits have been filed against American Electric Power over claims AEP damaged a bridge.

Appalachian Power Company is doing business as American Electric Power.

On July 27, 2012, the defendant sent trucks to Stone Fort Road to inspect and make repairs to electrical problems caused by the weather, according to six complaints filed Oct. 16 in Wayne Circuit Court.

William Adkins and Elenora Adkins; Rondal Adkins and Myrtle Adkins; Hanable Adkins and Carolyn Adkins; Johnny Adkins; Stanley Adkins and Velma Adkins; and Samuel Gilkerson and Geneva Gilkerson claim during that time, the defendant's agents, servants or employees negligently operated the trucks over a bridge, resulting in permanent damages to the bridge and causing them injuries.

As a direct and proximate result of the defendant's negligence, the plaintiffs have and will incur in the future the costs of repairing or replacing the bridge, according to the suit.

The plaintiffs claim they have and will lose use of the bridge before and during repair or replacement.

The plaintiffs have and will incur inconvenience and aggravation; have and will incur out-of-pocket expenses; have and will lose income and wages; have and will incur mental and emotional distress; and were otherwise injured and damaged, according to the suit.

The plaintiffs are seeking compensatory damages. They are being represented by Bert Ketchum of Greene Ketchum.

The cases have been assigned to Circuit Judge Darrell Pratt.

Wayne Circuit Court case numbers: 13-C-210, 13-C-211, 13-C-212, 13-C-213, 13-C-214, 13-C-215