Attorney E. William (Bill) Harvit

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 36 years, he has had the privilege of representing hard working people who believe in these same principles.

Bill worked many jobs prior to attending law school, some of which provided background knowledge that has assisted him in representing workers seriously injured on the job, as well as the family members of workers who were killed.

As an underground coal miner, Bill learned coal mining practices and procedures. This experience has helped him successfully represent many clients who were seriously injured or killed in underground mining explosions and other accidents, including The Sago Mine and the Upper Big Branch disasters. Many, if not all, of these cases involved improper mining techniques and/or the disregard for safety practices and procedures for the sake of profit; all could have been avoided.

Further, he has successfully represented surface coal miners who were seriously injured or killed while working around or on improperly designed, constructed and/or maintained haul roads and highwalls, as well as negligently maintained or jury-rigged surface mining equipment.

Bill has also successfully prosecuted industrial and heavy equipment accidents involving rock trucks, well service vehicles, continuous miners, excavators, tractor-trailers, and other heavy equipment. Some of these cases involved vehicles with defective brakes or other defects. Other cases have involved defective products, including respiratory devices, lifting equipment, polycarbonate material, hazardous chemicals, and others.

Prior to law school, Bill also worked for an electric utility company where he learned about the installation and maintenance of high voltage structures. This knowledge and experience has aided him in representing lineman and cable workers in electrocution cases.

Bill has successfully recovered for victims suffering from certain types of diseases that are directly related to the exposure to toxic chemicals, such as silica, asbestos, benzene, and others. Many widows and families have not only received lost medical expenses and lost wages, but precedent setting recoveries.

Unfortunately, people are seriously injured or killed from improper medical, surgical, and other procedures performed in hospitals, clinics and labs. Bill has prosecuted many of these cases successively. Also, he has represented clients whose disease was not diagnosed in a timely fashion, as well as clients who were diagnosed with an incorrect disease and sustained injuries from unnecessary treatments. Additionally, he has successfully represented victims of nursing home neglect and abuse as well as their family members and their estates.

To begin discussing your case with Attorney Harvit, contact our firm today. We offer free case evaluations.

HOW HE CAN HELP

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.

STATES ADMITTED TO PRACTICE

• West Virginia
• Virginia
• Pennsylvania

COURTS ADMITTED TO PRACTICE

EDUCATION

• West Virginia University - Doctor of Jurisprudence - 1987
  • West Virginia Law Review - Lead Articles Editor
• West Virginia University - Bachelor of Science - Business Administration - 1982
   

PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS AND MEMBERSHIPS

• West Virginia State Bar
• Virginia State Bar 
• Pennsylvania State Bar
• West Virginia State Bar - Chairman - Law Practice Succession Committee
• West Virginia State Bar – Member – Probate Committee
• West Virginia Association for Justice 
• American Association for Justice
• Legal Aid Pro Bono – Volunteer
• ABA – Free Legal Answers - Volunteer

OTHER ASSOCIATIONS AND MEMBERSHIPS

INVITED PRESENTATIONS and PUBLICATIONS

• West Virginia Estate Planning Institute - Fourth Annual Conference - Seminar on Succession Planning
• National Conference of Appellate Court Clerks – Presentation on Succession Planning (postponed due to Covid-19)
• West Virginia State Bar - Seminar on Law Practice Succession Planning 
• The West Virginia Lawyer, Law Practice Succession and Exit Planning, (Issue 43, Autumn 2019)
• Greenbrier County Chamber of Commerce - Presentation on Business Succession Planning 
• Merck & Company - Presentation on Evidence - Based Medicine 
• West Virginia State University - Presentation on Liebeck v. McDonald's Restaurants