Michelle Marinacci
Personal Injury & Insurance Dispute Lawyer
West Virginia Personal Injury, Medical Malpractice & Insurance Bad Faith Trial Lawyer
Michelle Marinacci is a partner and trial attorney at Gold, Khourey & Turak who represents individuals and families in serious personal injury, medical malpractice, wrongful death, and insurance bad faith litigation throughout West Virginia and Ohio.
With more than 25 years of litigation experience, Michelle focuses her practice on catastrophic injury cases, denied insurance claims, and complex medical negligence litigation involving serious injuries, substantial losses, and sophisticated civil litigation matters.
Michelle is widely recognized for her work in insurance bad faith litigation — representing policyholders when insurance companies wrongfully deny, delay, undervalue, or mishandle valid claims. Her cases have involved automobile insurance disputes, life insurance claims, disability insurance claims, homeowner insurance disputes, and other complex coverage matters. Michelle has been repeatedly recognized by Super Lawyers® for her work representing injured individuals and policyholders in complex personal injury, medical malpractice, wrongful death, and insurance bad faith litigation.
Attorneys throughout West Virginia regularly consult Michelle on complex insurance bad faith claims, insurance coverage disputes, appellate litigation, and sophisticated civil litigation involving high-exposure claims and difficult legal issues.
However, what truly separates her from other lawyers is her commitment to her clients. Michelle understands that battling an insurance company that refuses to pay a legitimate claim is frustrating and all too stressful. She also understands that serious injuries as result of a car accident, medical errors, or other personal injury can be devastating and life changing. Michelle knows that communication and compassion is key to a successful outcome.Â
Former Insurance Defense Lawyer Turned Plaintiff Advocate
Before representing injured individuals and policyholders, Michelle defended insurance companies, hospitals, physicians, pharmaceutical companies, and corporate defendants at a prominent West Virginia defense firm.
That experience gives her unique insight into:
- how insurance companies evaluate claims.
- how adjusters minimize payouts.
- how defense attorneys prepare litigation strategy.
- how large institutions attempt to limit financial exposure.
Today, Michelle uses that knowledge to aggressively advocate for people and families facing some of the most difficult moments of their lives.
She also previously served as Chief of Staff to former Justice Brent D. Benjamin at the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals, where she worked closely on appellate matters and complex legal issues before the Court.
Catastrophic Injury & Personal Injury Litigation
Michelle represents clients in serious injury and wrongful death claims involving:
- Car accidents
- Truck accidents and commercial vehicle crashes
- Motorcycle accidents
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
- Wrongful death
- Premises liability and slip-and-fall injuries
- Workplace injuries involving third-party negligence
- Dog bites and animal attacks
Her practice focuses heavily on catastrophic injury litigation involving permanent disability, future medical treatment, lost earning capacity, and long-term life-care damages.
Medical Malpractice Representation
Michelle also handles complex medical malpractice cases involving:
- Failure to diagnose or delayed diagnosis
- Surgical negligence
- Birth injuries
- Emergency room errors
- Medication and prescription mistakes
- Anesthesia errors
- Misread imaging studies, including MRIs, CT scans, and x-rays
- Hospital negligence
- Defective medical devices
Insurance Bad Faith & Denied Insurance Claims
Michelle represents policyholders in disputes involving:
- Wrongfully denied insurance claims
- Delayed claim investigations
- Underpaid settlement offers
- Failure to defend or indemnify
- Unfair claim settlement practices
- Life insurance disputes
- Disability insurance denials
- Homeowner insurance disputes
- Auto insurance bad faith claims
- Violations of the insurer’s duty of good faith and fair dealing
Representative Results
Michelle Marinacci has secured substantial settlements and verdicts in West Virginia and Ohio personal injury, medical malpractice, wrongful death, and insurance bad faith litigation. Her experience includes complex catastrophic injury claims, denied insurance disputes, and medical negligence cases involving significant physical, emotional, and financial harm.
The following representative results reflect Michelle’s experience handling serious injury and insurance litigation matters.
Personal Injury & Wrongful Death Results
- $1,000,000 car accident settlement for motor vehicle collision injury claim. Our client was seriously injured and required long-term medical treatment.
- $750,000 personal injury settlement involving significant orthopedic injuries and future medical damages.
- $650,000 settlement in a catastrophic injury claim involving disputed liability and extensive rehabilitation treatment.
- $366,000 settlement for injuries sustained in a negligent personal injury lawsuit.
- Multiple additional confidential settlements involving traumatic brain injuries, spinal injuries, and permanent impairment claims.      Â
    Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.
Medical Malpractice Results
- $775,000 medical malpractice settlement involving surgical errors and preventable complications.
- $635,000 wrongful death and medical negligence settlement involving hospital care and treatment issues.
- $475,000 settlement in medical malpractice lawsuit involving significant patient injuries.
- Multiple additional six-figure medical negligence settlements involving surgical errors, emergency room negligence, medication mistakes, and hospital liability claims.
    Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.
Insurance Bad Faith & Denied Insurance Claim Results
- $600,000 jury verdict against national insurance carrier involving bad faith claim handling and unfair settlement practices.
- $399,000 insurance bad faith settlement involving disputed coverage and claim delay allegations.
- $260,000 insurance bad faith settlement involving improper handling of a valid insurance claim and insurer misconduct.
- Confidential settlement involving disputed life insurance death benefits and coverage litigation.
 Multiple additional six-figure confidential recoveries involving homeowner insurance disputes, disability insurance denials, and automobile insurance bad faith claims.
Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.
Published Appellate Decisions & Complex Litigation Experience
Michelle’s litigation experience includes involvement in significant published appellate decisions involving insurance law, medical malpractice, toxic torts, product liability, and complex civil litigation.
State ex re. WVSSAC v. The Honorable David W. Hummel, Jr.
Significant West Virginia litigation involving administrative law, injunctive relief, and the authority of the West Virginia Secondary School Activities Commission (WVSSAC).
Lemasters v. Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company
A significant West Virginia insurance law case involving issues related to insurance coverage obligations, claim handling practices, and bad faith litigation.
Columbia Casualty Company v. Westfield Insurance Company
Complex insurance coverage litigation involving indemnity obligations, insurance policy interpretation, and allocation of responsibility between insurance carriers.
In Re: West Virginia Rezulin Litigation
Major pharmaceutical and product liability litigation involving complex class certification, medical evidence and causation issues.
Bower v. Westinghouse Electric Corporation
A landmark West Virginia toxic tort case involving environmental contamination and medical monitoring claims.
Grennell v. Western Southern Life Insurance Company
Insurance litigation involving disputed coverage issues and claims handling practices by a life insurance carrier.
State ex rel. Medical Assurance of West Virginia, Inc. v. The Honorable Arthur M. Recht
Significant West Virginia litigation involving medical malpractice insurance and procedural issues.
DeVane v. Kennedy
Complex civil litigation before the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals involving significant legal and procedural issues.
Professional Recognition & Leadership
Michelle has been recognized for her work in complex personal injury, medical malpractice, and insurance litigation throughout West Virginia and Ohio.
Her professional recognitions and leadership roles include:
- Selected to Super Lawyers® for the past three consecutive years
- Executive Committee and Board Member, West Virginia Association for Justice
- Member, American Association for Justice
- Member, Ohio Association for Justice
- Continuing Legal Education Speaker
- West Virginia State Bar Committees
- Board Member, Harmony House Children’s Advocacy Center
Education & Admissions
- Florida State University College of Law, J.D., magna cum laude
- West Virginia University, B.A., magna cum laude
Licensed in:
- West Virginia
- Ohio
- Pennsylvania
- United States Supreme Court
- Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals
- Multiple federal district courts
Personal Background
Michelle is proud to call Wheeling, West Virginia home and maintains strong ties to the Ohio Valley community where she was born and raised. Her deep local roots help shape her commitment to representing individuals and families throughout West Virginia and Ohio.
Outside the practice of law, Michelle enjoys spending time with her extended family and her dog, Poppi, and attending community events throughout the Ohio Valley.
Articles & Insights by Michelle Marinacci
Michelle regularly writes about insurance bad faith litigation, personal injury claims, medical malpractice lawsuits, and complex legal issues affecting individuals and families throughout West Virginia and Ohio.
Bad Outcome vs. Medical Malpractice: What’s the Difference?
Not every negative medical outcome qualifies as medical malpractice. Michelle explains the difference between an unfortunate medical result and negligence by a healthcare provider, hospital, or medical professional.
How Much Is My Medical Malpractice Claim Worth?
The value of a medical malpractice claim depends on factors such as the severity of the injury, future medical care, lost income, pain and suffering, and long-term damages. Michelle discusses how medical negligence claims are evaluated in West Virginia and Ohio.
What Should You Do If You Believe Your Insurance Company Is Acting in Bad Faith
Insurance companies are required to handle claims fairly and in good faith. Michelle explains the steps policyholders can take if they believe an insurer is improperly delaying, denying, or undervaluing a valid insurance claim.
Signs Your Insurance Company May Be Acting in Bad Faith
Unreasonable delays, inadequate investigations, low settlement offers, and improper claim denials may all be signs of insurance bad faith. Learn common warning signs policyholders should watch for after filing an insurance claim.
How To Handle Insurance Claims After a Car Accident
The actions taken after a car accident can significantly affect an injury claim and insurance recovery. Michelle discusses medical treatment, documenting injuries, dealing with insurance adjusters, and protecting your legal rights after an accident.
What Are Bad Faith Claims in Property Damage Cases?
Property damage bad faith claims can arise when insurance companies improperly deny, delay, or underpay homeowner, fire, storm, or other property damage claims. Michelle explains how bad faith insurance laws may protect policyholders in West Virginia.
Common Mistakes To Avoid After a Car Accident
Mistakes made after a serious car accident can negatively impact both injury claims and insurance recovery. Michelle explains common issues involving delayed medical treatment, recorded statements, social media activity, and settlement discussions with insurers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is insurance bad faith?
Insurance bad faith occurs when an insurance company improperly denies, delays, undervalues, or mishandles a valid insurance claim.
What should I do if my insurance claim was denied?
If your insurance claim was denied, delayed, or underpaid, it is important to review the insurance policy, claim communications, and denial explanation carefully.
What qualifies as medical malpractice in West Virginia?
Medical malpractice occurs when a healthcare provider, hospital, or medical professional fails to provide appropriate medical care and causes injury to a patient.
What damages may be available in a wrongful death case?
Depending on the circumstances, compensation in a wrongful death case may include medical expenses, funeral costs, lost financial support, loss of companionship, future lost income, and other damages permitted under West Virginia or Ohio law.
What evidence is important in a truck accident case?
Truck accident cases often involve extensive evidence, including driver logs, black box data, maintenance records, accident reports, witness statements, and commercial trucking regulations. Michelle handles complex truck accident litigation involving serious injuries and commercial vehicle crashes.
Contact Michelle Marinacci
If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in an accident, experienced medical negligence, or is facing a denied or delayed insurance claim, Michelle Marinacci is available to discuss your situation and help you understand your legal options.
Michelle represents individuals and families throughout West Virginia and Ohio in personal injury, medical malpractice, wrongful death, and insurance bad faith litigation.
To schedule a consultation, contact Gold, Khourey & Turak today by phone, through our online consultation form, or through our Live Chat. Your consultation is free and there is never a fee until we recover compensation for you.Â
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