Abatement is generally the temporary or permanent halting of a process (a lawsuit) or a situation (a nuisance).
In West Virginia, abatement refers to the legal process of suspending or stopping a lawsuit or a nuisance. If a lawsuit is abated, it means that the case is put on hold or dismissed, which can occur for various reasons such as the death of a party, a lack of jurisdiction, or a pending decision on a similar case that will determine the outcome of the abated case. Abatement of a nuisance, on the other hand, involves the cessation of a condition or activity that is interfering with the use or enjoyment of property. This could be something like noise, pollution, or an obstruction. West Virginia law allows for the abatement of nuisances through court orders, and in some cases, immediate action may be taken to stop the nuisance if it poses a significant threat to public health or safety. Local ordinances and state statutes provide specific procedures and remedies for abatement of nuisances.