Firm News
Hartley Law Group, PLLC
Discover the latest news and information regarding cases handled by Hartley Law Group, PLLC.
W.Va. Intermediate Appellate Court Affirms Two Benzene-Related Workers’ Compensation Claims - Benefits Granted to Each Worker
Hartley Law Group, PLLC successfully defended two separate workers’ compensation claims on behalf of workers before the West Virginia Intermediate Court of Appeals which had resulted from benzene exposures. One worker contracted myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) with rapid progression to acute myeloid leukemia (AML) at the age of 62, passing one year after diagnosis as a result of his disease. With the exception of his many years of exposure to benzene-containing products, he had no other risk factors for his disease. He never smoked, had no family history of any blood disease, and had no medical history that could be reasonably related to his development of MDS/AML.
The other worker contracted myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) at the age of 54 after 15+ years of exposure to benzene contained in the various materials he used as a roofer. His development of MDS was 20 years sooner than statistically expected. His medical presentation included a chromosome 7 deletion consistent with a toxin-induced MDS as well as all three of his bloodlines (white, red, and platelets) were dysplastic (containing abnormal cells or showing abnormal development). He had no family history of any blood diseases and no medical history of anything that could be reasonably related to his development of MDS – other than his occupational exposures to benzene.
Relying on an industrial hygienist, toxicologist, hematologist/oncologist, and occupational physician, each claimant established his exposure on the job resulted in the development of injuries “in the course of and as a result of” their employment and affirmations of their workers' compensation awards.
Hartley Law Group also filed civil actions on behalf of both workers and was successful in both of those lawsuits:
- Appalachian Boiler & Fab, LLC v. Judith Caruthers, dependent of Johnny Caruthers, deceased, et al., No. 22-ICA-219 (W.Va. Intermediate Court of Appeals, April 10, 2023)(memorandum decision)
- Lindy & Fred Seco General Revokable Trust, v. Ronald Keller, No. 22-ICA-82 (W.Va. Intermediate Court of Appeals)(memorandum decision)
Attorney E. William (Bill) Harvit Joins Hartley Law Group, PLLC
Bill grew up in southern West Virginia where he was taught that your word is your bond and that hard work is mandatory and must be respected. He has tried to uphold these virtues both before and after becoming a lawyer. For 33 years, he has had the privilege of representing hard working people who believe in these same principles. The focus of Bill’s practice is helping people and their families cope with the enormous problems which arise from a serious injury or wrongful death. Regardless of the type of case, each client receives committed and individual treatment. If you, or a family member or friend, have questions or need assistance, Bill can help.
See Our Firm's Announcement here.
Hartley Law Group, PLLC Donating $500,000 Towards Purchase of a Lung Bus for West Virginia Residents
Hartley Law Group, PLLC is donating $500,000 to the West Virginia University Cancer Institute to help towards the purchase of a mobile lung cancer-screening unit, known as the “Lung Bus." Our hope is that the mobile unit will provide lung cancer screenings for many residents throughout West Virginia who don’t usually have access to this kind of medical care service. Lung cancer is the leading cause of death in West Virginia; approximately 1,507 die each year from the genetic disease.
Read more in our latest blog.
Attorney David Lunsford of Hartley Law Group, PLLC Speaks on Supreme Court Case
The state Supreme Court is being asked to overturn a decision made by the state legislature’s Claims Commission in connection with a 2014 fatal DUI crash in Monongalia County.
The estate of Jonathan Ladanye filed a claim with the commission saying the state Division of Highways was partly at fault for the Interstate 79 crash because the agency had not cleared a pile of snow on a bridge near Westover. The truck Ladanye was riding in hit the snow and went over the bridge to a road beneath. He was killed in the crash. The driver James Coffman was later convicted of DUI with death.
Read more here.
Hartley Law Group, PLLC Sponsors WVU Children's Hospital's 11th Annual Ohio Valley Gala
The West Virginia personal injury firm of Hartley Law Group, PLLC is a proud sponsor of the 2015 Ohio Valley Gala put on by the WVU Children's Hospital. Proceeds from the gala support the hospital's Pediatric Transport Team.
"Last year, 27 children were transported from the Ohio Valley to WVU Children's by the Pediatric Transport Team, so that the care they needed could start before they even arrived in Morgantown," Cheryl Jones, R.N., director of WVU Children's Hospital, said. "The proceeds from the Ohio Valley Gala benefit this crucial transport team."
The theme of this year's gala is "A Tropical Paradise." The event will be held at The White Palace at Wheeling Park on Saturday, August 1 at 6:00 in the evening. Festivities will include a cocktail reception, a silent auction, dancing, live music, and a performance by the Filipino American Association of Pittsburgh Dance Troupe. There will also be recognition of Bernard Twigg, director of community affairs at WesBanco Bank, Inc., a recipient of the "Distinguished West Virginia Award."
Tickets for the gala are $100 per person. More information can be found at www.ovchgala.com. To read more about the gala, click here.
Hartley Law Group, PLLC Participates in the 15 th Annual Ohio Valley Light The Night Walk
Hartley Law Group, PLLC participated in the 15 th Annual Ohio Valley Light The Night Walk on Thursday, April 23, 2015. The Light The Night Walk is a fundraiser to support The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society in their fight against blood cancers. Several Hartley Law Group, PLLC employees braved the chilly temperatures at the Heritage Port in Wheeling to show our support for the cancer survivors and their families. In addition, we raised $7,425 for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society through sponsorship, generous donors and bake sales. We want to thank everyone who participated and donated, and we look forward to continuing our support of this worthy cause!
Hartley Law Group, PLLC to Sponsor Leukemia and Lymphoma Society
Hartley Law Group, PLLC is a proud sponsor of the 2015 Annual Ohio Valley Light the Night Walk Benefiting The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society on April 23, 2015
American Bar Association's Toxic Torts & Environmental Law Committee's 24th Annual Spring CLE meeting
R. Dean Hartley will be participating in a panel discussion entitled "Views From the Front: Plaintiffs' Perspective on Toxic Tort Litigation" at the American Bar Association's Toxic Torts & Environmental Law Committee's 24th Annual Spring CLE meeting entitled Cutting-Edge Scientific and Legal Trends in Toxic Torts and Environmental Law which will be held April 9 through 11, 2015 at the Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa in Phoenix, Arizona. The panel, using various factual scenarios involving exposures to toxic substances, will explain how to evaluate potential plaintiff's cases based on the circumstances surrounding an exposure to toxic material, the likelihood of the defendant's liability, and provide other considerations that they assess during their evaluation of the potential value of a toxic tort case, as well as discuss how to prepare a case, from a plaintiff's perspective, to maximize recovery.
Panel Discussion - 2014 HarrisMartin National Benzene Litigation Conference
R. Dean Hartley has once again been invited to participate in a panel discussion at the 2014 HarrisMartin National Benzene Litigation Conference to be held December 11 and 12 at the Roosevelt Hotel in New Orleans. The panel will discuss RNA and DNA testing as it applies to a benzene case on the second day of the conference.
Severe Form of Black Lung Returns to Threaten Appalachian Coal Miners
Progressive Massive Fibrosis (PMF) is a severe form of black lung disease and can be lethal and it currently affects nearly ten-times more Appalachian coal miners today than it did in the 1970s, about 3.2% of all minors in the Central Appalachian coalfields, according to National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).
Read more about this in our research paper.
