About

Tim Houston’s practice at Calwell Luce diTrapano PLLC primarily focuses on representing clients whose lives have been devastated by the medical malpractice of healthcare facilities and providers. Tim is a seasoned litigator with nearly 15 years of experience litigating cases involving highly complex matters of science and medicine in state and federal courts across the country. Tim has substantial trial and appellate experience representing West Virginians who have been tragically injured through no fault of their own as well as businesses large and small in complex contract and commercial disputes. Tim’s practice areas include medical malpractice, catastrophic personal injury and wrongful death, toxic exposure, environmental contamination, product defect, premises liability, workplace discrimination and harassment, and complex business disputes.

Before joining Calwell Luce diTrapano PLLC in 2022, Tim was the member-in-charge of the Charleston, West Virginia office of a multi-state law practice specializing in catastrophic personal injury and wrongful death claims in addition to medical malpractice and product defect cases. Tim also served as the firm’s general counsel.

Tim’s recent successes include cases against neurosurgeons, general practitioners, hospitalists, chiropractors, and emergency personnel for the failure to timely diagnose vertebral osteomyelitis and Cauda Equina Syndrome resulting in paraplegia as well as surgical error and negligent post-operative care cases causing catastrophic personal injuries and death. Tim has also successfully brought claims against healthcare professionals for the over-prescription of highly addictive and highly lethal opioids and against nursing homes for failure to provide adequate care to patients who cannot care for themselves during the most vulnerable time in their lives. Tim has also successfully resolved product defect claims against manufacturers, importers, and online retailers.

While studying at The Thomas R. Kline School of Law at Duquesne University, Tim finished third in his class, graduating summa cum laude. Tim served as senior staff member of the Duquesne Law Review, was a member of Duquesne’s renowned National Moot Court Team, earning Order of the Barristers, and was the recipient of the Distinguished Student Award and other various accolades for the highest academic achievements. A few years after graduation, Tim was accepted into the prestigious Trial College at Stanford Law School in Palo Alto, California, where he studied trial advocacy.

Bar Admissions

• West Virginia State Bar, 2008
• Pennsylvania State Bar, 2010

Court Admissions

• U.S. District Court, Northern District of West Virginia
• U.S. District Court, Southern District of West Virginia

Education

• Stanford Law School, Trial College, 2011
  • International Association of Defense Counsel Trial Academy
• J.D., Duquesne University, Thomas R. Kline School of Law, 2008
  • Summa cum laude
  • Law Review, senior staff
  • National Moot Court Team (Order of the Barristers)
  • Distinguished Student Award
  • CALI Award
• B.A., History, College of the Holy Cross, 2004

Areas of Practice

• Medical Malpractice

Publications

• “Handshakes That Turn Into Wrestling Matches – Discovery vs. Trial Depositions, Rule 30(b)(6), and The 100 Mile Rule,” International Association of Defense Counsel, Trial Techniques and Tactics Committee Newsletter, 2-1-2011
• “Checking Meritless Mass Tort Claims at the Door – Lone Pine Case Management Orders Reinforce the Obligation of Plaintiff’s Counsel to Have a Case Before Filing Suit,” International Association of Defense Counsel, Toxic and Hazardous Substances Litigation Committee Newsletter, 2009
• “Two Roads Diverged in a Yellow Wood – The Pennsylvania Supreme Court’s Seven Year Walk to Arrive Right Back at the Force: Gehring v. Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board,” 46 Duq. I. Rev. 607, 2008

Memberships

• Injury Board
• West Virginia Association for Justice

Honors

• Litigation Counsel of America, Associate Fellow
• West Virginia Rising Stars (Environmental Litigation, Class Action & Mass Torts) (2010)