WV Justice Wooton treated for dehydration, released after medical incident Wednesday

West Virginia Watch · Lori Kersey · September 3, 2026

The West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals. (Photo by West Virginia Legislative Photography) West Virginia Supreme Court Justice Bill Wooton was treated for dehydration and released from Charleston Area Medical Center Wednesday evening, hours after he had a “medical incident” while on the bench, a spokesman for the court said Thursday.

Justice William R. Wooton Oral arguments before the court were canceled Wednesday, the first day of the court’s fall term, after Wooton, 81, had the medical incident. Wooton is feeling better and went back to work Thursday, Jared Hunt, communications director for the Supreme Court, said in an email.

“ I want to thank everyone for their prayers and best wishes for my complete recovery. I was feeling a bit under the weather yesterday and had apparently become quite dehydrated, which triggered my sudden illness during Wednesday’s oral arguments,” Wooton said in a statement.

Wooton added that he’s grateful for the quick action of his colleagues, court security and first responders for coming to his aid.

“After an evaluation at the hospital and influx of fluids, I’m happy to report that I am feeling much better today and have returned to work at the Court,” Wooton said in the statement. “Again, I want to thank everyone for their concerns and well wishes and am grateful to be able to get back to work for the people of West Virginia.”

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