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.

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 highways, 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 have aided him in representing linemen and cable workers in electrocution cases.

Bill has successfully recovered victims suffering from certain types of diseases that are directly related to 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

• West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals
• Virginia Supreme Court
• Pennsylvania Supreme Court
• United States Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals
• United States District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia
• United States District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia
• United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia

EDUCATION

• West Virginia University - Doctor of Jurisprudence - 1987
• West Virginia University Law Review - Lead Articles Editor
• West Virginia University - Bachelor of Science - 1982
• Business Administration - Emphasis in management, economics, and finance

PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS AND MEMBERSHIPS

• West Virginia State Bar; Virginia State Bar and Pennsylvania State Bar
• West Virginia Association for Justice 

AMERICAN ASSOCIATION FOR JUSTICE

• West Virginia State Bar - Chairman of the Law Practice Succession Committee
• West Virginia State Bar - Member of the Task Force on the Future of Law 
• Legal Aid Pro Bono - Volunteer

OTHER ASSOCIATIONS AND MEMBERSHIPS

• Leadership West Virginia
• West Virginia Collegiate Business Plan Competition - Judge
• Covenant House - Board Member
• Mana Meal, Inc. - Volunteer
• The National Eagle Scout Association

INVITED PRESENTATIONS and PUBLICATIONS

• 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