NEW CUMBERLAND — An Ohio couple is suing a Weirton homeowner and a tour coordinator, alleging their negligence caused the wife to be injured in a fall.
Marilyn Stoddard and Dennis Stoddard of East Liverpool, Ohio, filed a complaint Jan. 26 in Hancock Circuit Court against Douglas Jackson and Top of WV Convention & Visitors Bureau Inc., alleging failure to provide a safe environment for visitors.
According to the complaint, on Nov. 21, 2015, plaintiff Marilyn Stoddard was an invitee of defendants for the tour of Jackson's home in Weirton. While touring the home, the suit says, she fell 20 feet through a large hole on the floor near the staircase.
The lawsuit says she sustained severe and disabling injuries while Dennis Stoddard suffered loss of consortium, society and service of his wife. The plaintiffs allege the defendants failed to conduct a reasonable inspection and maintain the premises in safe condition and failed to warn invitees of the existence of a dangerous condition.
The Stoddards seek trial by jury, damages in excess of the jurisdictional limits of the court, pre- and post-judgment interest and all other just and proper relief. They are represented by attorneys M. Eric Frankovitch and Kevin M. Pearl of Frankovitch, Anetakis, Simon, DeCapio & Pearl LLP in Weirton.
Hancock Circuit Court Case number 17-c-9