What Is DiPiero Simmons McGinley & Bastress, PLLC?

Updated

DiPiero Simmons McGinley & Bastress, PLLC is a personal injury law firm based in Charleston, West Virginia. It represents people injured in accidents they were not at fault for, along with families pursuing wrongful death claims. The firm was founded 40 years ago and reports more than 150 years of combined experience across its lawyers. It offers free case evaluations, so a potential client can discuss a case before deciding whether to hire the firm.

Who the firm serves

The practice centers on plaintiffs — injured people and grieving families — rather than on defending insurance companies or corporations. According to the firm, it handles cases regardless of the circumstances surrounding the injury or death, and it presents itself as willing to investigate the factors behind an accident to pursue compensation.

The firm also notes particular experience with industrial accidents. It states that it helped recover more than $60 million in West Virginia workers' compensation funds from mining companies that used contract miners to accumulate large unpaid debts.

Practice areas

The firm lists the following areas of practice:

Practice area Typical situation
Car accidents Injury claims after a collision
Truck accidents Lawsuits involving commercial trucks
Industrial accidents Workplace and industrial injury claims
Medical malpractice Complicated negligence cases against providers
Nursing home abuse Harm to residents in care facilities
Slip and fall Premises liability claims
Wrongful death Claims brought by surviving family members
Opioid litigation Cases tied to the opioid crisis
Employment law Workplace disputes
Commercial litigation Business-related legal disputes

The mix matters if your situation is not a straightforward car crash. A firm that lists medical malpractice, industrial accidents, and opioid litigation is signaling it takes on complex, resource-intensive cases rather than only routine claims.

How the firm describes its approach

Two features stand out in the firm's own description:

  • Team-based handling. The firm says it approaches every case as a team, with each lawyer applying individual insights, skills, and strategies. It frames this as a way to draw on knowledge from diverse legal areas.
  • Longevity and continuity. The Charleston practice was founded 40 years ago. The firm was formerly known as DiTrapano Barrett DiPiero McGinley & Simmons, PLLC, which is useful to know if you find older references to the firm under its previous name.

Named partners include J. Timothy DiPiero and Lonnie C. Simmons, both listed as partners.

What to check before contacting the firm

  • Confirm the fit. Match your situation to the practice areas above. If your matter is outside them, ask whether the firm handles it or can refer you elsewhere.
  • Ask what the free evaluation covers. The firm advertises free case evaluations. Use that conversation to learn who would work on your case and what the next steps would be.
  • Note what is not stated. The available firm information does not list fees, fee structures, or whether consultations happen by phone, in person, or online. Ask about these directly rather than assuming.
  • Verify current details. Lawyer rosters, practice areas, and contact information change. Check the firm's site or call the Charleston office to confirm before relying on any listing.

If you were injured in West Virginia and are deciding whether to reach out, the free case evaluation is the lowest-commitment starting point: it lets the firm assess your situation and lets you judge whether its team-based approach and experience match what your case needs.