Case Name: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY AS SUBROGEE OF DIANA K. SMITH, Claimant, vs. WEST VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF HIGHWAYS, Respondent
Court: West Virginia Court of Claims
Jurisdiction: West Virginia
Decision Date: 1973-03-21
Citations: 9 Ct. Cl. 255
Docket Number: No. D-606
Parties: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY AS SUBROGEE OF DIANA K. SMITH, Claimant, vs. WEST VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF HIGHWAYS, Respondent.
Judges: 
Reporter: Report of the West Virginia Court of Claims
Volume: 9
Pages: 255–256

Head Matter:
Opinion issued March 21, 1973
STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY AS SUBROGEE OF DIANA K. SMITH, Claimant, vs. WEST VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF HIGHWAYS, Respondent.
(No. D-606)
Robert J. Louderback, Attorney for the Claimant.
Donald L. Hall, Attorney for the Respondent.

Opinion:
DUCKER, JUDGE:
Diana K. Smith, who assigned her interest herein to the Claimant, had lawfully parked her 1968 Ford Convertible automobile near her place of employment on Wyatt Road, near Shinnston, Harrison County, West Virginia, on February 26, 1971, and while so parked the employees of the respondent were blasting across the highway and cleaning debris caused by heavy rains. As the result of one such blast, stones were thrown into the air, landing upon said automobile thus causing damage in the amount of $78.80.
Respondent admits the alleged facts, that the damage caused was the result of negligence on the part of the respondent's employees, and that the amount of damage is correct and reasonable.
As we have frequently held in similar blasting cases, where the damages were caused by the negligence of the respondent and there was no contributory negligence on the part of the claimant or other proper defense, the claimant is entitled to recover, and accordingly we hereby award the claimant the sum of $78.80.
Award of $78.80.