West Virginia News

Court Throws Out Nevada’s Insurance Agent Countersignature Law

The U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals has invalidated Nevada’s insurance producer countersignature law, in what could be the final nail in the coffin for these requirements on nonresident producers. U.S. District Judge Melvin Brunetti, writing for the 9th Circuit …

New Markets

The following markets were selected from the MyNewMarkets database of 25,000 coverages and programs. To find additional markets, or to submit markets, go to www.MyNewMarkets.com. Liquor Liability Coverage Nuts & Bolts: Advanced E&S Insurance Underwriters recently announced the offering of …

Federal Mine Officials Issue Final Rule on Underground Seals

The nation’s coal operators have six months to submit plans for complying with new federal requirements covering stronger seals and increased monitoring to ward off explosions in underground coal mines. The changes stem from a Jan. 2, 2006, methane gas …

Hospital Firm to Settle 11 Lawsuits in Former West Virginia Doctor Case

Hospital Corporation of America has agreed to settle 11 lawsuits that accuse a former West Virginia physician of harming patients, a lawyer for the plaintiffs said. The lawsuits were filed by former patients and their families against Dr. John A. …

Fraud Roundup

2 Plead Guilty in Insurance Fraud Related Charges West Virginia officials sentenced two Kanawha County women on insurance fraud related charges, according to Insurance Commissioner Jane L. Cline. Tina Marie Browning, 40, of Eskdale, W. Va., was indicted on one …

Supreme Court Hears West Virginia Flood Lawsuit Arguments

Lawsuits seeking damages from timber, mining and land companies for devastating 2001 floods should be revived, lawyers representing hundreds of southern West Virginia residents told the state Supreme Court on Wednesday. But attorneys for more than 100 defendants in the …

5 West Virginia Fire Departments Respond to Blaze, Motel Evacuated

A five-alarm fire is blamed for snarling traffic for eastbound commuters driving into Charleston, W. Va. Wednesday. All four lanes of U.S. Route 60 in the Kanawha County community of Jefferson were blocked by firefighting equipment Wednesday morning. As rush …

Safety Award at West Virginia Mine Stirs Critics

The federal Mine Safety and Health Administration plans to give a safety award to a Massey Energy Co. underground mine in West Virginia where two men were killed in a January 2006 fire. Massey announced the award for its Aracoma …

Former West Virginia Doc Files $10m Suit over Revoked Medical License

A former West Virginia physician facing 124 malpractice lawsuits has filed a suit of his own, seeking $10 million from the state Board of Osteopathy. In the lawsuit, Dr. John A. King, formerly with Putnam General Hospital, said the “tortuous …

West Virginia Man Sentenced in Insurance Fraud Case

West Virginia officials sentenced a Kanawha County man on April 10 for a misdemeanor count of insurance fraud committed in 2006, according to West Virginia Insurance Commissioner, Jane L. Cline Meddie R. Dunlap, 56, of Alum Creek, W. Va., pleaded …