Personal Injury Attorney

August 14, 2024

Back to School Safety Checklist | Florida Injury Lawyers Whittel & Melton

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

It is that time of year again – the kids are all heading back to school. Right about this time is when family life gets hectic, but it is important to take the time to review – and share with your kids – some key safety tips that can keep them safe throughout the school year.

Tips for Transportation Safety

Children must take the necessary safety precautions whether they walk, ride their bicycles, or take the bus to and from school. To ensure that your child gets to school safely, consider the following suggestions:

August 1, 2024

Tampa Airport Construction Equipment Operator Killed On the Job | Tampa Workplace Wrongful Death Lawyers Whittel & Melton

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A construction equipment operator was killed Wednesday morning in an accident at Tampa International Airport.

The incident occurred around 7:40 a.m. when workers were working on a shuttle guideway project, according to a news release.

The investigation is ongoing. Flight operations continued unaffected.

May 20, 2024

Is Hiring a Lawyer The Best Thing for My Case? | Florida Injury Lawyers Whittel & Melton

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

Suffering an injury because of another person’s negligence can flip your life upside down. The aftermath of a car accident, a slip and fall, a workplace accident, or any other personal injury accident can be daunting, with growing medical bills, lost pay, and pain and suffering to consider. However, when it comes to recovering compensation for your losses, hiring an experienced personal injury lawyer at Whittel & Melton can make all the difference.

Keep in mind that the opposing party’s insurance company is not your friend. Without a doubt, they will advise you against hiring an attorney as doing so will probably result in a larger payment from their business. Their primary purpose is to reduce the amount they must pay, whether by shifting blame to you, undervaluing your injuries, or pressuring you to accept a low-ball settlement offer.

Your personal injury claim is likely worth much more than the insurance adjuster is letting on, which may shock you. The truth is that the insurance industry’s own research has revealed that clients who are represented by a personal injury lawyer receive three times larger payouts than those who choose to take these cases on without legal representation.

Findings From the Insurance Research Council

According to the Insurance Research Council, accident victims with lawyers by their side receive payouts that are roughly 3.5 times more than those without. Since its initial publication in 1999, this research has been revised and is still valid.
In addition to greater settlement amounts, the Insurance Research Council discovered that 85 percent of all insurance settlements for bodily injury claims went to individuals who hired an attorney.

The Insurance Research Council’s findings are supported by an internal investigation done by Lawyers.com. The study found that 91 percent of individuals who hired a lawyer received compensation, compared to 51 percent who received no payout. Furthermore, even after accounting for the attorney’s contingency fee, claimants with legal assistance received around three times the amount as those without. According to a 2023 update from Lawyers.com, the average payout is $52,900, and personal injury verdicts and settlements normally range from $3,000 to $75,000.

Insurance companies do not want you to work with an attorney because they know that this most likely means they will pay more for your claim. Do not be fooled by their attempts to make you a “fair” offer. It is in your best interests to sit down with our Florida Personal Injury Lawyers at Whittel & Melton, who have the experience needed to handle personal injury cases as well as a proven track record of success, and discuss your claim in a free consultation before accepting any offers from insurance adjusters. When you meet with us, we can ask questions and discuss the details of your case in further detail so that you can determine how you would like to proceed. Continue reading

April 18, 2024

News: Marion County sanitation worker dies after being hit by truck’s tire

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

MARION COUNTY, FL – State troopers said a Marion County sanitation worker was killed in an accident on Tuesday morning, according to WKMG.

It happened as the worker was loading garbage within the Spruce Creek subdivision on Southeast 108th Terrace.

The Florida Highway Patrol said the man was hit by a tire from the garbage truck at about 9 a.m. The worker, a 25-year-old Ocala man, was pronounced dead by Marion County Fire Rescue.

March 19, 2024

Free Bus Rides for Pasco County Voters Today – Hope On and Vote! | Florida Injury Lawyers Whittel & Melton

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

GoPasco offers free bus rides to Pasco County voters on Tuesday, March 19, so anyone needing transportation to the polls has it!

Voters who present a valid voter information card will receive free bus rides thanks to a partnership between Pasco County Public Transportation and the Supervisor of Elections. Voters who otherwise would not have been allowed to cast a ballot on election day have come to favor the collaboration, which has been in place for a little over ten years.

Polls throughout the state open at 7 a.m. and close at 7 p.m.

February 27, 2024

Social Media Can Hurt You Personal Injury Claim: Irish Woman Loses $820,000 After Pic Emerges of Her Tossing Christmas Tree | Florida Personal Injury Lawyers Whittel & Melton

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A woman in Ireland recently learned the hard way that social media is not your friend when it comes to a legal dispute, like a personal injury claim.

After a photo of the 36-year-old woman winning a competition to see who could throw a tree the farthest surfaced online, an Irish court denied the mother’s $820,000 insurance claim.

In 2017, the woman apparently claimed in disclosures made before Ireland’s High Court that she suffered from “debilitating pain” from a car accident that prevented her from lifting heavy objects and kept her in bed on bad days.

November 9, 2023

NHTSA Urges Drivers to Steer Clear of Decorative Car Steering Wheel Decals | Florida Injury Lawyers Whittel & Melton

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is warning consumers to avoid purchasing aftermarket steering wheel decals as they may detach in a collision and cause very serious injuries or death.

The NHTSA reports that at least one motorist suffered the loss of sight in one eye when a rhinestone embellished aftermarket emblem dislodged from the steering wheel in a crash and hit her in the face.

The item in question is a metal or plastic plate with an adhesive back that covers the vehicle’s logo in the center of the steering wheel. It is typically adorned in rhinestones or other shiny embellishments. When an air bag deploys in a collision, the product may become a projectile that causes significant harm or even death.

These aftermarket decals, unlike the permanently mounted insignia on your vehicle’s steering wheel, can readily become detached when the air bag deploys. Your air bag may also stop working properly if you make any modifications to it or its cover.

The NHTSA has released a warning asking consumers to avoid purchasing these potentially dangerous decals. If you have already purchased one and applied it to your steering wheel, the NHTSA urges you to remove it promptly to avoid any potential injuries.

Why Is Bling on Your Steering Wheel Dangerous?

These shiny, gemstone encrusted decals go over the steering wheel, which is where the driver’s side airbag deploys in the event of a crash. This is essentially placing a fragile item on top of an explosive. If a crash occurs, the stones from the cover could separate and become airborne shrapnel scattering about the vehicle that could cause harm to vehicle occupants.

Though aesthetically pleasing, these diamond or rhinestone embellishments are not safe. You may be entitled to compensation for losses such as medical costs, lost wages, hospitalization, rehabilitation costs, pain and suffering, and emotional anguish if you were hurt by products manufactured using defective components. Our Florida Injury Lawyers at Whittel & Melton can offer you a free consultation about your legal rights and alternatives. Continue reading

June 6, 2023

Hiring a Personal Injury Lawyer for Your Health | Florida Injury Attorneys Whittel & Melton

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

Hiring the right lawyer for your case does not just mean getting the best results. It also means getting the right treatment.

The truth of the matter is that our Florida Injury Lawyers at Whittel & Melton have been practicing personal injury law for a very long time, and we have great relationships with doctors all over the Sunshine State, especially in the communities near our office locations in Spring Hill, New Port Richey, St. Petersburg, Inverness, Beverly Hills, Bushnell, The Villages, Gainesville, Tampa, Boca Raton, and Miami Beach.

What does this mean for injury victims? The benefit of seeking treatment from a medical professional recommended by an attorney is that you will probably be seen immediately away and can choose a location that is convenient for you.

It is acceptable to receive care from your health insurance provider if you have coverage. Your health insurance company will be entitled to compensation for any accident-related medical care it paid for when your injury claim is resolved.

When receiving care through a health insurance provider, there may be protracted wait times and challenges obtaining physical therapy authorization. Additionally, you might need to see a chiropractor but your insurance does not cover that type of care.

If you employ a personal injury attorney, they may recommend a physician who will treat you on a lien, which means you will not have to pay the physician until after you have received the settlement money from the case. Doctors that have an established relationship with your lawyers will prioritize seeing you and will go that extra mile to really do what they can to help you.

At the end of the day, a personal injury case is not only about money – it is about making you feel better, getting you quality medical care, and getting you on the right track for now as well as in the future. This is why it is so important to hire the right lawyer and not just any lawyer. Continue reading

May 25, 2023

Kickoff Your Summer Safely with these Backyard Safety Tips for Memorial Day | Florida Injury Lawyers Whittel & Melton

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

Memorial Day weekend marks the start of the summer for many Americans. Beer will be flowing, and barbecue grills will be lit. While most Memorial Day celebrations are enjoyable and safe events, accidents do occasionally occur and people get hurt. If you are hosting or attending a Memorial Day party, our Florida Personal Injury Attorneys at Whittel & Melton have some helpful advice for you.

Memorial Day Safety Tips for the Party Hosts

Adult supervision: During your barbeque, appoint a rotating team of one to three adults to keep an eye on kids playing, especially close to the grill or fire pit. Stop any dangerous activities before they start, like jumping off patio furniture and marshmallow roasting stick sword fights.

Grills: To minimize burn injuries, place grills about 10 feet away from people. Furthermore, one of the primary causes of barbeque fires is leaning your bag of charcoal against the grill; refrain from doing this. After you have finished grilling, let the coals cool for a while before pouring water on them. You can view more tips on grilling here: Grill Tips

Standing water: Backyards may have standing water areas. Standing water is a mosquito breeding ground and a slip and fall hazard. Of course, empty any containers that have water, including the tarp that covers any backyard boats that may have collected rainwater. Place temporary ground covers or just rope off portions of your yard that have standing water.

Pets: While your precious pup may not hurt a fly, sometimes large crowds can cause them to exhibit erratic behaviors. Secure pets in areas where kids and even adults will not be in danger.

Swing sets and other outdoor play equipment: Swing sets should be anchored and level. You will want to inspect tree houses and other play structures for any cracks, holes, or exposed hardware that could cause injury. If you have a trampoline, make sure it is anchored securely before you allow any jumpers inside. An adult should always supervise jumpers.

Swimming pools: Make sure you have adults always supervising tiny swimmers. Drowning is the leading cause of death in children ages 1-4, so keep this in mind. Make sure you have fences, alarms, and covers for your pool and keep all chemicals locked away. Flotation devices do not prevent drowning, so you still need to supervise children who are wearing floaties. Do not run around the pool. Tell kids to refrain from pushing or dunking people in the pool, as well as playing any hold your beath underwater games. If there is bad weather, like lightning, then get out of the pool immediately.

Memorial Day Safety Tips for the Party Guests

You should take precautions to avoid getting hurt when you are celebrating Memorial Day on someone else’s property. Here are some common reasons slip and fall and trip and fall accidents occur:

Wet or slick floors
Unsecured carpets or rugs
Cracked or broken sidewalks
Cracked or broken stairs
Extension cords that are loose

If you or a loved one is harmed in an accident this Memorial Day weekend, then you need to get medical care as soon as possible. Once your injuries have been handled by a medical professional, then you should contact our Florida Personal Injury Lawyers at Whittel & Melton. We can help you pursue financial compensation for lost wages, medical bills, and other damages.

Sometimes an unsafe accident scene does not necessarily indicate that the property owner was careless. As the injured party, you must establish that the property owner was aware of the harmful condition yet did nothing to address it. Our attorneys have a wealth of knowledge demonstrating that property owners failed to take reasonable safeguards and endangered visitors.

You can contact us online 24/7 or you can call us any time of the day or night at 866-608-5529. Your consultation with us is always free. Continue reading

October 31, 2022

Stop for School Buses | Florida Injury Lawyers Whittel & Melton

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

School buses happen to be one of the safest vehicles on the roadway. Every day, millions of children ride school buses and less than 1% of all traffic deaths involve children on school buses.

School buses are designed so that they are highly visible to others and are equipped with safety features like flashing red lights, stop-arm signs, cross-view mirrors, high crush standards, protective seating, and rollover protection features.

Children are at a greater risk of being involved in an accident when entering or exiting a school bus than when they are passengers on one, so it is very important for all drivers, parents, and students to understand school bus safety.