CHARLESTON – Nationwide Property & Casualty has filed two lawsuits against West Virginia American Water alleging the water company was negligent and caused two of its insured loss of business.
Nationwide filed the lawsuits on behalf of Hi Lad Inc, which is doing business as Comfort Inn West; and Pacroca Corp., which is doing business as La Roca Mexican Restaurant.
Between June 23 and June 29, the water transmission main outside WVAWC’s West Relay pumping station in Dunbar experienced three successive breaks and/or leaks, according to two complaints filed April 15 in Kanawha Circuit Court.
Nationwide claims as a result of the water line breaks and/or leaks, Comfort Inn and La Roca suffered significant losses of business.
As a direct and proximate result of the negligence of the defendant, Nationwide paid its insured for the loss of business, according to the suits.
Nationwide claims it is due $7,418.54 for Comfort’s damages and $10,000 for La Roca’s damages. La Roca also paid a $1,000 deductible due to WVAWC’s negligence.
The plaintiff tried amicably to collect from the defendant to no avail, according to the suits.
Nationwide is seeking judgment in the total amount of $18,418.54 in compensatory damages with interest. It is being represented by Melissa K. Oliverio of the Law Offices of Khan & Skeens.
The cases have been assigned to Circuit Judge Joanna Tabit.
Kanawha Circuit Court case numbers: 16-C-575, 16-C-578