Injured person with an arm sling, sitting at a desk and filling out paperwork with the help of an attorney.

Injured in West Virginia? Let a Trusted Injury Lawyer Fight for You.

If someone else caused your injuries, you deserve answers and action. A West Virginia personal injury lawyer can help you seek justice and the compensation you need to move forward. Schedule your free consultation with Stewart Bell, PLLC today. We’re here to protect your rights and help you recover.

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Your Personal Injury Lawyer in West Virginia

An unexpected injury can disrupt every part of your life, from your ability to work and care for your family to the simple routines you once took for granted. When someone else’s negligence is to blame, you shouldn’t be left to bear the burden alone. In times like these, having a compassionate and experienced personal injury lawyer in West Virginia by your side can make all the difference. At Stewart Bell, PLLC, we understand the challenges you’re facing, and we’re committed to helping you take back control. Our team is here to listen to your story, explain your legal options, and fight for the justice you deserve.

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Help Is at Your Fingertips

Getting help with your case is as easy as a call or a click. We take it from there!

We Fight for Justice

You’ve suffered enough, and we work hard to bring you the full settlement you’re owed.

You Don’t Pay Unless We Win

We work on a contingency-fee basis, meaning there are no upfront costs or hidden fees — you don’t pay unless we win for you!

Why Injured West Virginians Trust Stewart Bell

Our team at Stewart Bell, PLLC is committed to representing injured victims and their families across West Virginia. We are not just another personal injury law firm in West Virginia—we are local advocates who understand the unique challenges our community faces.

Here’s what sets us apart:

  • Extensive Experience: Our attorneys have decades of experience navigating complex injury claims in West Virginia courts.
  • Local Knowledge: We know the legal landscape, local courts, and insurance company tactics.
  • Responsive Communication: We keep our clients informed, address their questions promptly, and prioritize clear, honest guidance.
  • Strong Advocacy: We thoroughly investigate cases, preserve evidence, and pursue every available legal option to secure justice.

Personal Injury Cases We Handle in West Virginia

Our West Virginia personal injury attorneys have experience in a wide range of injury claims, including:

For over 30 years, the personal injury lawyers at Stewart Bell have been dedicated advocates for the residents and businesses of West Virginia. If you’ve been hurt due to someone else’s negligence, we offer free consultations to discuss how we can help you move forward.

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Steps to Take After an Accident

The moments after an accident are often overwhelming, but your actions can have a big impact on your health, your financial future, and your ability to pursue a personal injury claim. Here’s what you should do to protect yourself:

  1. Get Medical Help Right Away: Your health comes first. Even if you feel fine, some serious injuries may not show symptoms immediately. Medical records can also serve as valuable evidence.
  2. Report the Accident: Whether it’s a car crash, slip and fall, or injury at a nursing home, make sure the incident is reported to the appropriate party—police, property manager, or supervisor. This creates an official record that your lawyer can use later to support your claim.
  3. Gather and Preserve Evidence: If it’s safe to do so, take photos or videos of the accident scene, your injuries, and anything that may have contributed. Get names and contact info for any witnesses. Keep medical bills, receipts, and any communication related to the incident.
  4. Watch What You Say: Be careful about what you say to others involved or to insurance adjusters. Avoid admitting fault, making assumptions, or minimizing your injuries. Don’t post about the incident on social media, as insurers may use that against you.
  5. Reach Out to a Personal Injury Lawyer in West Virginia: Before dealing with insurance companies, speak to a knowledgeable attorney who can advise you on your rights, protect your claim, and begin building your case. Early legal guidance can make all the difference in securing fair compensation.

Compensation for Personal Injuries in West Virginia

If you were injured as a result of someone else’s negligence, West Virginia law allows you to seek financial recovery through a personal injury claim. This compensation is designed to help you rebuild your life, cover your losses, and hold wrongdoers accountable.

These are tangible, financial losses that can be calculated using bills, receipts, or employment records. They are intended to make you whole financially.

  • Medical expenses: Hospital stays, surgery, physical therapy, medication, medical devices, and future care needs.
  • Lost wages: Income lost due to missed work during your recovery.
  • Loss of earning capacity: Compensation for future income you can no longer earn due to a long-term disability.
  • Property damage: For damaged personal property.

These damages are meant to compensate for the emotional, psychological, and quality-of-life impacts of your injuries. Though harder to calculate, they are just as important.

  • Pain and suffering: Physical discomfort and chronic pain.
  • Emotional distress: Anxiety, depression, PTSD, or other psychological effects.
  • Loss of enjoyment of life: When you can no longer participate in hobbies, activities, or daily life as you once did.
  • Disfigurement or permanent disability: For lasting changes to your body or physical abilities.
  • Loss of consortium: When injuries affect your relationship with a spouse.

Punitive damages are not awarded in every case. They are reserved for situations where the defendant’s conduct was especially reckless, malicious, or willfully indifferent to others’ safety. The goal is not to compensate the victim, but to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar behavior.

Note: Punitive damages are capped at 4 times the amount of compensatory damages or $500,000, whichever is greater.

Pursuing full compensation requires understanding both the short- and long-term impact of your injuries. At Stewart Bell, PLLC, we can evaluate your case and help you seek the maximum recovery allowed under West Virginia law.

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How Can a Lawyer Help You Recover Damages?

The aftermath of a serious injury is difficult enough without having to handle legal complexities on your own. Insurance companies often take advantage of unrepresented individuals by minimizing payouts, delaying responses, or outright denying valid claims. That’s where having a skilled West Virginia personal injury lawyer can make a life-changing difference.

Our trusted legal team at Stewart Bell, PLLC helps protect your rights and maximize your recovery by:

  • Thoroughly Investigating Your Case: We dig deep to gather crucial evidence such as surveillance footage, accident reports, medical records, witness statements, and expert analysis. This groundwork helps build a strong foundation for your claim.
  • Identifying All Liable Parties: Some injury cases involve more than one responsible party. We carefully examine the facts to hold all negligent individuals, companies, or institutions accountable.
  • Handling Insurance Company Communications: Insurance adjusters are trained to reduce payouts. We take over all communications to protect you from manipulation, misstatements, or pressure to settle for less than you may deserve.
  • Calculating the Full Value of Your Claim: We assess not only your current losses but also future medical costs, long-term income impact, and emotional suffering. This helps ensure you don’t leave money on the table.
  • Negotiating for a Fair Settlement: Our team aggressively negotiates for a settlement that reflects the true value of your damages.
  • Taking Your Case to Trial if Necessary: If a fair agreement cannot be reached, we are fully prepared to represent you in court.

Without a knowledgeable advocate on your side, you risk being undervalued or overlooked. At Stewart Bell, PLLC, we’ve helped injury victims in Charleston, Huntington, Dunbar, and across the state for decades. Schedule your free consultation today and learn how we can help you secure the compensation you may be entitled to.

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West Virginia Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury Claims

Under West Virginia law, you typically have 2 years from the date of the injury to file a personal injury lawsuit. If you fail to file within this time frame, your case may be dismissed entirely, and you could lose your right to seek compensation, no matter how strong your claim may be.

Even if you believe you have plenty of time, delays can make it harder to gather evidence, locate witnesses, and build a strong case. Insurance companies may also use delays against you to question the seriousness of your claim. Don’t wait to take action–reach out to an injury lawyer in West Virginia today.

Establishing Liability in West Virginia Personal Injury Cases

Successfully pursuing a personal injury claim in West Virginia requires proving that someone else’s negligence directly caused your injuries. To succeed in a claim, you must prove 4 key elements:

  1. Duty of Care: You must show that the at-fault party owed you a legal duty of care. This means they had a responsibility to act with reasonable care to avoid harming others.
  2. Breach of Duty: You must demonstrate they breached that duty by acting carelessly or failing to act when they should have.
  3. Causation: You must prove that the breach of duty was the direct cause of your injuries.
  4. Damages: You must show that you suffered actual damages—physical, emotional, or financial—as a result of the incident.

In some situations, multiple parties may share liability. An experienced attorney will investigate every angle to determine who is legally responsible and pursue claims against all liable parties.

What Evidence Is Used to Support a Personal Injury Case?

Strong evidence is the foundation of a successful personal injury claim. Our team at Stewart Bell, PLLC works quickly to preserve and analyze critical information that can prove fault and damages. This may include:

  • Medical records documenting the extent and cause of your injuries
  • Accident or incident reports filed by law enforcement or facility staff
  • Photographs and video footage from the scene of the accident or surrounding areas
  • Eyewitness statements providing independent accounts of what happened
  • Expert testimony, such as accident reconstruction specialists, engineers, or medical professionals who can clarify complex issues
  • Documentation of damages, including receipts, pay stubs, or future care estimates

What If I’m Partially at Fault?

West Virginia uses a modified comparative fault system under WV Code § 55-7-13a. This means your compensation can be reduced based on your percentage of fault. However, you are still eligible to recover damages as long as you are less than 50% responsible.

For example: If you were found to be 30% at fault, and your total damages were $100,000, your award would be reduced to $70,000.

Insurance companies may try to shift blame onto you to limit their payout. That’s why having a lawyer who can effectively challenge these tactics and defend your right to fair compensation is crucial.

Our West Virginia Personal Injury Attorneys

Charleston Personal Injury Lawyer Jeff David Stewart

Attorney Jeff David Stewart

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Katherine H. Arritt

Attorney Katherine H. Arritt

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Personal Injury Lawyer Andrew Paternostro

Attorney Andrew L. Paternostro

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West Virginia Personal Injury FAQs

That depends on your medical costs, lost income, pain and suffering, and other damages. A lawyer can give you a clearer estimate after reviewing your case.

Not without legal advice. Insurers often offer low settlements. A lawyer can evaluate whether the offer is fair and negotiate a better deal.

Not always. Many cases settle out of court. But if the insurer refuses to offer a fair amount, a lawsuit may be necessary.

It depends on the strength of your evidence and legal strategy. Having an experienced lawyer greatly increases your chances of success.

Every case is different. Some may resolve in a few months, while more complex cases can take over a year, especially if they go to trial.

You generally have 2 years from the date of injury. Some exceptions apply, so it’s best to consult an attorney immediately.

Our personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we win.

Get a Free Case Review with a West Virginia Personal Injury Lawyer

If you or a loved one has been injured due to someone else’s carelessness, don’t face the aftermath alone. At Stewart Bell, PLLC, we’ve spent decades standing up for individuals and fighting back against negligent parties and powerful insurance companies. We know what it takes to win tough cases, and we’re here to help you every step of the way.

Contact our trusted personal injury lawyers in West Virginia today to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation. We’ll review your case, explain your legal options, and help you move forward with confidence.

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For more than 30 years, the lawyers of Stewart Bell, PLLC have helped the people and businesses of West Virginia protect their interests and rights. We understand the issues that injured people and their families face after an accident and work quickly to obtain the MAXIMUM amount of compensation for every case we handle.

We have recovered MILLIONS of dollars for clients injured because of nursing home abuse, motor vehicle accidents or medical malpractice.

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