OPINION ISSUED APRIL 2, 1990
LONNIE E. PERDEW, JR., AND MARGIE PERDEW
VS.
DEPARTMENT OF HIGHWAYS
(CC-89-214)
Claimant Margie Perdew appeared in person.
James D. Terry, Attorney at Law, for respondent.
PER CURIAM:
Claimants week $129.05 for expenses they incurred as the result of an accident which occurred on
March 31, 1989. The Court, on the motion of Margie Perdew, amended the style of the claim to
include Lonnie E. Perdew, Jr., as a proper party claimant. Claimant Margie Perdew was traveling
south on W.Va. Route 68 from Parkersburg, West Virginia, toward Ravenswood, in her 1988
Pontiac Grand Am when the vehicle struck a rock.
Claimant Margie Perdew testified that West Virginia Route 68 is a two-lane, blacktop road. The
accident occurred at approximately 3:30 p.m. The road surface was damp, and her speed was
approximately 45 miles per hour. The vehicle in front of her sent up a spray of dirt and water which
obstructed her view of the rock, although she did observe it momentarily before her vehicle struck
it. Claimant then proceeded about 150-200 feet to a place where she could stop the vehicle. She had
traveled this route earlier that morning, but did not observe rocks present at that time. The rock
damaged the tire and rim of the automobile. Additionally, the vehicle required alignment.
Dempsey Skeens, Assistant County Supervisor in Jackson County for the respondent, testified
regarding reports of road defects. He produced a copy of a daily report (DOH-12) indicating that
Donald Solock worked for 1 _ hours on Route 68 the day of the claimant's accident. He explained
that the area is a slip area in which rocks would roll into the road. Donald Solock indicated that he
had not seen rocks while working in the area on March 31, 1989. There are "Falling Rock" signs
present which are visible in both directions approximately 500-600 feet from the area.
For an award to be made in cases such as this, it must be proven that the respondent had actual or
constructive notice of the defect in the roadway, and a reasonable amount of time to take corrective
action. Davis vs. Department of Highways, 11 Ct.Cl. 150 (1976), and Porterfield vs. Department of
Highways, 14 Ct.Cl. 373 (1983). There is no evidence in the record of such notice; therefore, the
Court hereby denies the claim.
Claim is disallowed.