John R. Fowler, PLLC

Law Firm Overview

At John R. Fowler, PLLC, we provide aggressive and skilled representation of individual and business clients in matters related to mining, manufacturing, construction, and insurance. From our office in Charleston, we are able to bring the same level of expertise, quality, and dedication to clients anywhere in the state of West Virginia accused of manufacturing defective products or placing workers and contractors in an unsafe environment.

We serve our individual and business clientele in a variety of ways, with special emphasis on the following areas of law:

• Environmental Defense: Coal, Timber and Water
• Product Liability Defense
• Construction Accidents
• Casualty Insurance Defense

Whatever the nature of your business, we can help. We are equipped to defend against all kinds of claims. In the past, we have successfully represented clients in cases ranging from helicopter crashes and bridge collapses to methane fires in coal mines. With more than 45 years of experience behind us, we have already defended against most types of claims. If you hire us, we will put that vast experience to work for you. We have tried more than 120 cases to jury verdict.

Lawyers John R. Fowler, Andrea M. King and the rest of our legal staff are committed to protecting the goods, services, and reputation that you have worked so hard to produce over the years. When accidents occur, it is seldom the fault of the manufacturing or mining company. In many cases, the accidents are a direct result of the victims' own negligence or wrongful conduct. We have the expertise and resources to conduct a thorough investigation of each incident, and the sensitivity and skill to approach such delicate issues on your behalf in a firm and fair manner.

When your company's reputation and assets are in jeopardy, you need an experienced, aggressive, and reliable defense lawyer to protect you and your interests. At John R. Fowler, PLLC, that is exactly what you will get. Contact us now and let us help you defend your product.

Areas of Practice

• Business & Commercial Law
• Construction Law
• Insurance Defense
• Insurance Law
• Personal Injury -- Defense

Representative Clients

• The Travelers Companies
• Piney Land Company
• McCreery Coal Land Co.
• State Auto Insurance Companies
• White Oak Group
• Cranberry Hardwoods
• Northland Insurance Company
• American Claims Service, Inc.
• Markel Southwest Underwriters, Inc.
• Scottsdale Insurance Company
• Cafaro Company
• Chartis Insurance Company
• Founders Insurance Company
• Berkley Specialty Underwriting Managers
• Haas & Wilkerson Insurance
• Homesite Insurance
• Phelps Dunbar
• PACCAR Inc.

Representative Cases

• Weiford v. Thiebaud, 422 F.2d 400 (4th Cir. 1970)
• Preiser Scientific, Inc. of Ohio v. Piedmont Aviation, Inc., 432 F.2d 1002 (4th Cir. 1970)
• State ex rel. Whitman v. Fox, 160 W.Va. 633, 236 S.E.2d 565 (1977)
• In re: Brown, 164 W.Va 234, 262 S.E.2d 444, 166. W.Va. 226 (1990)
• Judicial Inquiry Comm'n of West Virginia v. McGraw, 165 W.Va. 704, 271 S.E.2d 344, 171 W.Va. 441 (1983)
• Cook v. Volkswagen of America, Inc., 101 F.R.D. 92, 38 Fed.R.Serv. 2d 1580 (S.D. W.Va. 1984)
• Shamblin v. Nationwide Mut. Ins. Co., 175 W.Va. 337, 332 S.E.2d 639, 183 W.Va. 585 (1990)
• Greene v. Carolina Freight Carriers, 663 F.Supp. 112 (S.D. W. Va. 1987)
• Clark v. Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A., 200 W.Va. 763, 490 S.E.2d 852 (1997)
• Harmon v. Elkay Mining Co., 201 W.Va. 745, 500 S.E.2d 860 (1997)
• Wilt v. State Auto. Mut. Ins. Co., 203 W.Va. 165, 506 S.E. 2d. 608, 203 F.3d. 825 (4th Cir 1998)
• Sayer Bros., Ins. v. St. Paul Fire & Marine Ins. Co., 150 F.Supp.2d 907 (S.D. W.Va. 2001)
• State ex rel. Preissler v. Dougherty, 166 W.Va. 240, 273 S.E.2d 574 (W.Va. 1980)
• Fortner v. Fortner, 168 W.Va. 70, 282 S.E.2d 48 (W.Va. 1981)
• Fortner v. Fortner, 171 W. Va. 441, 299 S.E.2d 872 (1983)
• Carr v. Alford, 811 F.2d 1504, 1987 WL 35852 (W.Va. 1987)
• Shreve v. Warren Assoc., Inc., 177 W.Va. 600, 355 S.E.2d 389 (W.Va. 1987)
• Shreve v. Warren Assoc., Inc., 183 W. Va. 585, 396 S.E.2d 766 (1990)
• Hamilton v. Harper, 185 W.Va. 51, 404 S.E. 2d 540 (W.Va. 1991)
• Thompson v. Nationwide Mut. Ins. Co., 1991 WL 476220 (S.D.W.Va. 1991)
• Ruehl v. John Alden Life Ins. Co., 818 F. Supp. 169 (S.D. W.Va. 1993)
• McCormick v. West Virginia Dept. of Public Safety, 202 W.Va. 189, 503 S.E. 2d 502 (W.Va. 1998)
• State ex rel. West Virginia Deputy Sheriff's Ass'n. Inc. v. Sims, 204 W.Va. 442, 513 S.E.2d 669 (W.Va. 1998)
• State ex rel. West Virginia Deputy Sheriff's Ass'n. Inc. v. Sims, 203 F.3d 825 (4th Cir. 2000)
• State ex rel. Davidson v. Hoke, 207 W.Va. 332, 532 S.E.2d 50 (2000)
• State ex rel. Atkins v. Burnside, 212 W.Va. 74, 569 S.E.2d 150 (W.Va. 2002)
• Hill, Peterson, Carper, Bee & Deitzler, PLLC v. XL Specialty Ins. Co., 261 F. Supp. 2d 546 (S.D.W.Va. 2003)
• In re: Flood Litigation, 216 W.Va. 534, 607 S.E.2d 863 (W.Va. 2004)
• CSX Transp., Inc. v. Board of Public Works of State of W.Va., 312 F. Supp.2d 839 (S.D.W.Va. 2004)
• Cottril v. Tucker, 2004 WL 3382843, S.D.W.Va. (2004)
• Bonnett v. Summit Hotel Properties, LLC, 2007 WL 4510302 (S.D. W.Va. 2007)
• Collins v. Meadowbrook Mall Co., 2008 WL 5120732 (N.D.W.Va. 2008)
• United Transp. Union v. Perdue, 2008 WL 4527177 (S.D.W.Va. 2008)
• State Auto Property and Cas. Ins. Co. v. Rhodes, 2009 WL 2392100 (S.D.W.Va. 2009)
• Mills v. Aetna Bldg. Maintenance, Inc., 2009 WL 3063450 (S.D.W.Va. 2009)
• State Auto Property and Cas. Ins. Co. v. Edgewater Estates, Inc., 2010 WL 1780253 (S.D. W.Va. 2010)
• Michael v. Appalachian Heating, LLC, S.E.2d, 1020 WL 2346274 (W.Va. 2010)

West Practice Categories

Business & Commercial, Construction, Insurance, Insurance Defense, Personal Injury -- Defense