NEW CUMBERLAND — A Hancock County couple is suing two related Preston County bodies and one or more unknown individuals, alleging personal injuries in a visit to a public site maintained by the defendants.
Opal V. Huggins and Steven Huggins of Bretz filed a lawsuit Aug. 24 in Hancock Circuit Court against Preston County, the Preston County Commission, and John Doe(s), alleging premises negligence in 2013 when Opal Huggins fell into a hole in a school building floor.
The suit states on Oct. 13, 2013, the couple was visiting the Old Bretz School, at the corner of Third and Evergreen Streets in Bretz, when Opal Huggins “fell into an open hole in the floor severely injuring her left wrist and lumbar spine.”
According to the complaint, the section of flooring where the woman fell was in a state of disrepair and therefore dangerous. The plaintiffs argue Preston County and the Preston County Commission had been notified of the hazardous area yet failed to take any action to remedy the condition.
Opal and Steven Huggins seek compensatory damages for pain and suffering along with lost household services, consortium and capacity to enjoy life, pre- and post-judgment interest, attorney fees and costs. They are represented by attorneys James Villanova and Michael Metro of Villanova Law Offices in Pittsburgh. The case has been assigned to Circuit Judge Lawrence S. Miller.
Hancock Circuit Court case number 15-C-125.