Lawsuit alleging hazing injuries at Clay County High transferred

CLAY - A case involving the alleged hazing and assault of a Clay County High School student has been moved from Kanawha County to Clay County.

G.W., by his next friend and guardian, Julia Wilkinson, filed a lawsuit April 26 in the Circuit Court of Kanawha County against the Clay County Board of Education and Scott Gibson, individually and as agent and employee of the Clay County Board of Education, citing negligence.

Following oral arguments on Aug. 29, on Nov. 4 Kanawha Circuit Judge Carrie Webster ordered the case to be dismissed and transferred to the Circuit Court of Clay County.

According to the complaint filed April 26, during 2012-13 G.W. was a freshman at Clay County High School when he was allegedly a victim of a hazing incident while at basketball practice on Feb. 5, 2013.

G.W. says that on Feb. 8, he was assaulted by another student prior to a basketball game at the high school, resulting in a concussion, four staples to the crown of his head, a bruised tailbone and other bruises on his face and body.

According to the complaint, Scott Gibson was required to be on duty to supervise students during the time of the incidents.

G.W. is seeking an undisclosed amount of damages. He is being represented in the case by attorney Christopher J. Heavens of Heavens Law Offices.

Clay County Circuit Court Civil Action No. 13-C-32