All Topics

• Ten Vehicle Pile-Up on I-70

  Mike Simon | February 21, 2007 11:11 AM | 0 CommentsWest Virginia, WV

  Interstate 70 was closed for thirty minutes following a multiple vehicle car accident on Sunday, February 18. The accident occurred in the eastbound lanes of the interstate between exits 216 and 218 near the Ohio Valley Mall in St. Clairsville.The accident remains under investigation, but according to the Ohio State Highway Patrol, blowing snow resulting in decreased visibility is suspected to...

• West Virginia Gas Station Explosion Kills Four

  Mike Simon | February 20, 2007 11:29 AM | 0 CommentsWest Virginia, WV

  An explosion at the Flat Top Little General Store on Route 19 in Ghent, West Virginia, near Winter Place ski resort killed four people. The explosion occurred at about 10:45 a.m., on January 30, just as a fire truck was pulling into the station in response to a report of a gas leak. The cause of the explosion remains under investigation with theories that it was a propane tank or a liquid...

• Katrina Trial Begins

  Mike Simon | February 19, 2007 11:34 AM | 0 CommentsWest Virginia, WV

  The first trial of over 4,000 federal lawsuits filed in Louisiana against insurers arising out of Hurricane Katrina began on February 12. The lawsuit against Allstate Indemnity Company alleges "bad faith" against the insurer. The plaintiffs allege that Allstate failed to promptly or properly adjust their insurance claim, and underpaid them for wind damage sustained in the storm.Last month a...

• Occidental Chemical Named in Class Action Suit

  Mike Simon | February 19, 2007 11:15 AM | 0 CommentsWest Virginia, WV

  Occidental Chemical has been named as a defendant in a class action lawsuit by residents of Alabama alleging that their property was damaged by operations at Occidental's Muscle Shoals facility.Residents living near the plant filed the suit on January 10, 2007. The plaintiffs allege that the plant has released toxic chemicals into the air and water, ultimately contaminating their property, and...

• $405 Million Jury Verdict

  Mike Simon | February 19, 2007 11:09 AM | 0 CommentsWest Virginia, WV

  A Roane County, West Virginia jury has awarded an 8,000-member class of owners of natural gas rights a jury verdict of nearly $405 million. The class action lawsuit was filed on behalf of all West Virginia gas-royalty owners who leased land to Columbia Natural Resources, LLC.The company had lease agreements with the plaintiffs allowing it to drill for gas on land they owned, but according to...

• State Birth Injury Program In Jeopardy

  Mike Simon | January 09, 2007 3:27 PM | 0 CommentsWest Virginia, WV

  According to a study released last quarter, the Virginia state birth injury program, designed to bar medical malpractice lawsuits against doctors and hospitals when a child receives permanent birth injuries from oxygen damage or spinal damage, faces a cash shortage of $132 million and, at its present state, can survive only 17 more years."There are no real surprises," the program's executive...

• Weirton Residents Injured in PA Car Accident

  Staff Writer | September 17, 2006 11:34 AM | 0 CommentsWest Virginia, WV

  Two residents of Weirton were injured Friday when the car they were in slid off the road and hit a tree stump. Authorities say Thomas R. McClelland was speeding when he tried to make a left turn while traveling on Route 18 in Hanover Township, PA. He was taken to the hospital and listed in fair condition at last report. The passenger in McClelland's car was treated and released. Neither was...

• Antibiotics Linked to Tendon Rupture

  Staff Writer | September 06, 2006 11:02 AM | 0 CommentsWest Virginia, WV

  In late August the consumer watchdog group petitioned the FDA to place stronger warnings about the possibility of tendon rupture on the labels of the Fluoroquinolone class of antibiotics. The drug makers say that they do in fact warn of tendon rupture, but Public Citizen argues the warnings a buried in a list of adverse events and calls for a "black box" warning - the FDA's strongest warning for...

• Should One Hire An Attorney for Insurance Disputes?

  Staff Writer | August 24, 2006 11:24 AM | 0 CommentsWest Virginia, WV

  The answer to that question is a resounding yes, and Jack Landskroner in Cleveland points out why: parties who hire representation receive three-times more than those without representation in insurance disputes. Jack reminds us to:Keep in mind that all insurance companies have scores of attorneys at their fingertips, despite the fact that they would prefer you do not retain counsel. Also...

• Michael G. Simon, West Virginia Attorney

  Staff Writer | July 12, 2006 3:32 PM | 0 CommentsWest Virginia, WV

  Born in Weirton, West Virginia on July 13, 1965; admitted to practice law in 1990 and is licensed to practice law in West Virginia, Pennsylvania and Ohio.Received his Bachelor of science Degree from Youngstown State University in 1987 and his J.D. from the university of Dayton School of law in 1990.Solicitor, City of New Cumberland, WV 1993-presentMember: West Virginia Bar Association,...