Charleston | (304) 345-0346
Charleston | (304) 345-0346
Morgantown | (304) 599-1112
D. Blake “J.R.” Carter, Jr., is a partner at Bailey, Javins, & Carter L.C., located in Charleston, West Virginia. Providing representation to clients throughout the region, he focuses his practice on personal injury and wrongful death litigation, assisting plaintiffs who have been harmed by the negligence of other parties. The types of cases that Mr. Carter handles arise out of coal mining accidents, truck and other motor vehicle collisions, construction site, logging and other workplace injury accidents, pedestrian injuries, premises liability and defective products.
As an undergraduate, Mr. Carter obtained his Bachelor of Arts in economics from West Virginia University, graduating in 2001. Remaining in Morgantown for his legal studies, he then enrolled at the West Virginia University College of Law and was awarded his Juris Doctor in 2005. Mr. Carter joined the predecessor to his current firm that same year. Admitted to practice before all West Virginia state courts, he is also admitted to practice before the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia.
During his career, Mr. Carter has prevailed on behalf of his clients in a number of published decisions. In one such case, the state’s highest court ruled in favor of his client on a question of the tolling of the applicable statute of limitations. In another, Mr. Carter was able to successfully introduce the opinions of experts in a products liability case after the lower court had disallowed them. He continues to stay abreast of current developments in personal injury law and trial techniques through his active participation in the West Virginia Association for Justice. Mr. Carter has also been named to The National Trial Lawyers: Top 40 Under 40 and is a West Virginia Super Lawyer honoree.
For me, finding a career in law was a natural journey based on where I grew up and the field I thought I was going into. I grew up in the coal fields of southern West Virginia. My family has a long line of coal miners, and many of my friends and their parents were coal miners.
Initially, I was going to be a mining engineer—I even went to college on a mining engineering scholarship. But as I spent time in the mines, I saw the challenges people in my community faced. Workers were getting hurt because companies were cutting corners, and they were treated like numbers—discarded and left to navigate a difficult workers’ compensation system. It became clear to me that I wanted to help.
I’ve always wanted to give back to where I’m from, and I’ve never forgotten my roots. Even now, when people ask me where I’m from, I tell them, “I’m from Oceana, but I live in Charleston.” I proudly claim the coal fields.
The turning point for me was a conversation with my dad, a disabled coal miner. He sat me down and said, “Son, the top doesn’t care if you’re the guy running the place or the guy shoveling the tailpiece. If it’s going to get you, it’s going to get you. I’m proud of you for going to college, but why don’t you find something else to do?”
That conversation stuck with me. I talked to an advisor, decided to go to law school, and found my calling in helping the people from my community.
What sets me apart is the personal touch I bring to my cases. I’m selective about the cases I take, but once I take on a client, I treat them like family. I give all my clients my personal cell phone number and tell them to call or text me anytime, day or night.
Choosing the right lawyer after a catastrophic injury is one of the most important decisions a person can make—it can determine the future well-being of their family. I’ve represented families across the country, even as far as Montana, but my work is rooted in understanding. My background in mining and mining engineering gives me a unique perspective. I know the processes, the equipment, and the challenges workers face.
I also ensure we have the resources to hire the best experts and dedicate the time to treating every case as if it’s the only one we have. That level of commitment and understanding sets me and my firm apart.
My legal journey has been one of growth and commitment. I started as a fresh law school graduate, joining my firm at the lowest level, and worked my way up to becoming a partner and owner. It’s something I take great pride in.
I’ve built my career around representing blue-collar working families, the backbone of West Virginia. This state was built on the hard work of men and women who rely on their physical strength to provide for their families. When companies cut corners and those workers are injured or killed, they deserve justice.
They’re not looking for extravagance—they want stability: dinner on the table, Christmas presents under the tree, a car they can depend on, and a roof over their heads. My work is about helping them rebuild that life after a catastrophic injury takes it away.
Personally, my greatest achievement is being a father to my two boys, who are 11 and 7. They’re the light of my life. Professionally, I take immense pride in the work I do for my clients. It’s not easy—being away from my family for work or putting in late hours at the office. But when I lay my head down at night, I need to know that the time I spend away from my kids is for a cause worth fighting for. Helping working families find stability after their lives have been upended makes it all worthwhile.
One case stands out. A young man in his late twenties was paralyzed from the chest down. He had a baby under a year old and lived in a rental property with 18 steps—completely inaccessible for someone in a wheelchair. At the time, I was a young father myself, so his situation hit close to home.
My goal was to ensure he and his family had stability. We were able to secure the resources for him to have an accessible home and the support his family needed. Even six years later, we remain close friends. Meeting him as a client and now calling him a friend is something I’m incredibly proud of.
My favorite movie is Rocky—it’s a story about work ethic and perseverance. If I had to pick a quote, it would be, “Anything worth having is worth working for.”
Phone: 304-345-0346
Toll Free: 800-497-0234
Fax: 304-345-0375
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