CHARLESTON – An inmate in a work program alleges he was injured while filling potholes when the hitch of the trailer he was riding in came undone.
Brian Neff filed a complaint in Kanawha Circuit Court against West Virginia Division of Corrections and Correctional Officer Christopher Baughey alleging negligence, failure to train and other counts.
The suit states that the plaintiff was an inmate at Slayton Work Camp in Fayette County. He alleges on Nov. 2, 2015, he was working with the Department of Highways filling potholes and was riding in the back of a trailer pulled by Department of Corrections transport vehicle operated by Baughey.
The plaintiff alleges Baughey struck a pothole while driving, which caused the trailer hitch to come undone and caused injuries to him. He alleges Baughey violated policy when he failed to properly and securely latch the trailer.
The plaintiff is seeking all reasonable sums due, attorney fees and court costs. The plaintiff is represented by Paul M. Stroebel of Stroebel & Johnson PLLC in Charleston.
The case has been assigned to Judge Jennifer Bailey.
Kanawha Circuit Court case number 19-C-482
