Articles Posted in Premises Liability

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A 27-year-old man attending the Steelers game on Sunday died after falling 40 feet from an escalator around 4:30 p.m. after the game ended and crowds of fans were exiting Acrisure Stadium.

According to reports from the Pittsburgh Department of Public Safety, EMS responded to a “fall from height” call around 4:45 p.m. at Acrisure Stadium, minutes after the Steelers lost to the Jets.

They tended to the man at the scene, and transported him to a local hospital where he died from his injuries.

The Steelers released a statement Sunday evening stating that they were aware of the situation and would assist police in any way to further investigate the matter.

Escalators are easily accessible in airports, large buildings, shopping malls, and stadiums and other large venues. While these devices are certainly convenient for the masses, they are also heavy machines that have many moving parts, so things can go awry very quickly.

Florida-Stadium-Personal-Injury-Lawyers-200x300While we do not often hear about escalator incidents in the news and other media outlets, when these accidents do happen, they are usually unexpected and leave victims suffering from serious injuries if they are lucky enough to survive. After such a tragedy, victims and their families may be wondering who is liable. Is the stadium owner or manager responsible for legal damages?

If you or someone you love has been injured or killed because of a dangerous condition or defect at a sports venue in Florida, then our Florida Stadium Injuries Lawyers at Whittel & Melton can help protect your rights. Under premises liability laws, you may be entitled to financial compensation for personal injury or wrongful death damages after a slip and fall or trip and fall at a stadium if the venue’s owner or manager failed to live up to their obligations and keep their premises safe to all spectators and visitors.

What Causes an Escalator Accident?

Escalators are comprised of many moving parts, so when they are poorly designed or maintained, things can go wrong in an instant. The most common escalator accidents happen due to:

  • Fingers getting trapped
  • Escalators changing direction – leading to a pileup
  • Limbs getting trapped between steps
  • Missing comb plates
  • Missing foot brushes
  • Overcrowding
  • Gaps in plates or steps
  • Flaws in the escalator design
  • Clothing and limbs getting stuck in machinery
  • Poor lighting
  • Loose or missing screws
  • Emergency shut-off buttons that fail
  • Defective handrails

Slip and Fall or Trip and Fall Incidents at Stadiums

In order to be successful in a Florida stadium injury or wrongful death lawsuit, it must be shown that the property owner or manager was negligent. Whether filing a claim against Tropicana Field, Silver Spurs Arena, Raymond James Stadium, Pensacola Bay Center, Marlins Park Lockhart Stadium, Lakeland Center, Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena, Hard Rock Stadium, Germain Arena, Florida State Fairgrounds Complex and Expo Hall, FIU Stadium, First Data Field, FAU Stadium, EverBank Field, ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, Donald L. Tucker Civic Center, Doak S. Campbell Stadium, CFE Federal Credit Union Arena, Camping World Stadium, Bright House Networks Stadium, Bragg Memorial Stadium, Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, BB&T Center, Amway Center, AmericanAirlines Arena, or Amalie Arena, plaintiffs must be able to prove the following elements:

  • The stadium or sports venue owed you a duty of care
  • The owner or manager of the venue knew about a hazard, or should have known about the hazard, and failed to remedy the situation or failed to warn all visitors of the danger
  • The negligence of the owner or manager contributed to your injuries (or the death of a loved one) in some way
  • Economic damages were suffered as a result of the accident, such as medical bills, lost wages, funeral expensed, and other financial losses

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A Pinellas County woman is suing an Oldsmar Aldi grocery store, alleging negligence led to her fall.

The woman filed a complaint Feb. 11 in Pinellas County Circuit Court against Aldi LLC, doing business as Aldi Inc., alleging the grocery store operator failed to exercise reasonable care for her safety.

According to the complaint, on May 11, 2017, the woman went to shop at the Aldi grocery store in Oldsmar when she fell due to a puddle of liquid on the floor. She sustained bodily injuries, resulting in pain and suffering, mental anguish, loss of capacity for the enjoyment of life, and the expense of hospitalization, medical and nursing care and treatment.

The woman says Aldi negligently allowed the puddle of water to remain on the floor and failed to clean up the mess.

Spills happen in grocery stores. In fact, you have probably been shopping and heard something fall or shatter followed by “Clean-up on Aisle 5” over the loudspeaker. When spills do happen, the owner or operator of the grocery store is supposed to get the spill cleaned up in a reasonable amount of time so that customers or employees don’t slip and fall.

A slip and fall in a grocery store can result in serious injuries. When you slip on something like a puddle of liquid on a smooth floor, you gain velocity, which increases the force of your impact. You could easily break an arm, shoulder, kneecap, elbow, or leg, or land on your back and end up with head injuries or spinal cord trauma. A slip and fall can also cause your body to twist in unnatural ways that tears ligaments or cartilage, which can result in painful injuries that require surgery.

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A resident is suing Pinellas Park nursing home operators, alleging breach of duty and negligence.

The woman filed a complaint Feb. 1 in Pinellas County Circuit Court against Pinellas Park Facility Inc., doing business as The Care Center at Pinellas Park, alleging they failed to exercise reasonable care in operating a nursing home in according with the state statutes.

According to the complaint, between July 29-Aug. 20, 2018, the woman was a resident at The Care Center of Pinellas Park. As a result of the facility’s negligent acts and omissions, the woman suffered a fall and injury Aug. 14, 2018.

The woman says this resulted in pain and suffering, disability, disfigurement, medical and hospitalization expenses and aggravation of a pre-existing condition. She alleges the facility failed to chart changes in her medical condition, failed to consult with her power of attorney, family and/or legal representatives and failed to monitor and provide a safe environment.

Many nursing home residents are injured in falls every day across the country. They may suffer hip fractures, traumatic brain injuries, broken bones, and other serious injuries. In a majority of these cases, these injuries could have been prevented if staff and management had been supervising residents properly and administering appropriate care.

If you or a loved one was hurt in a nursing home fall, you may have the legal right to seek financial compensation from the person or company responsible. Our Tampa Bay Nursing Home Abuse Injury Attorneys at Whittel & Melton can provide you with an immediate, free consultation about your case so that you know what steps to take next.

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U.S. Sen. Rand Paul was awarded more than $580,000 in damages and medical expenses on Wednesday in his lawsuit against the neighbor who tackled him and broke several of his ribs in a dispute over lawn maintenance.

A jury in Bowling Green, Kentucky, deliberated less than two hours before delivering the award to the Republican lawmaker.

Paul had testified during the three-day trial that he feared for his life as he struggled to breathe after his neighbor slammed into him in their upscale Bowling Green neighborhood in late 2017.

The jury awarded $375,000 in punitive damages and $200,000 for pain and suffering, plus $7,834 for medical expenses.

The neighbor’s attorney said they would appeal.

In his lawsuit, Paul sought up to $500,000 in compensatory damages and up to $1 million in punitive damages.

The neighbor has already served a 30-day prison sentence after pleading guilty to assaulting a member of Congress. Federal prosecutors have appealed, saying 21 months would have been appropriate. The neighbor also paid a $10,000 fine and served 100 hours of community service in the criminal case.

The attack in Paul’s yard was motivated by lawn care, not politics.

The neighbor told the jury that he attacked Paul after watching the senator begin forming a brush pile near their property line.

The day before the attack, the neighbor said, he had burned another brush pile that Paul had created near the boundary. He doused that pile with gasoline and set it on fire, the neighbor said. An explosion burned his face, neck and arms, and he said he was still in severe pain when he attacked Paul the next day. The neighbor testified he had hauled away previous brush piles accumulated by Paul without asking the senator.

The neighbor testified that he tried to talk to Paul about his lawn maintenance concerns, but was rebuffed. Paul maintained in his testimony that he kept any brush pile on his own property.

A successful personal injury claim may allow injury victims to recover financial compensation for the following expenses and damages:

  • Medical bills
  • Lost income
  • Future medical bills
  • Pain and suffering
  • Disfigurement
  • Loss of consortium
  • Property damage
  • Emotional injury
  • Economic and noneconomic damages
  • Harm to one’s reputation

In some cases, punitive damages will be awarded as well. Punitive damages are meant to punish the wrongdoer for their reckless and careless behavior, and deter future negligent or intentional illegal actions.

At Whittel & Melton, our experienced Florida Personal Injury Attorneys understand the complexities surrounding personal injury cases, as well as the importance of presenting adequate evidence to support these claims. We will work diligently to compile the necessary documentation and we will consult with medical experts to effectively pursue your personal injury claim. We are dedicated to achieving the most favorable outcome possible for our injured clients.

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A 2-year-old girl has been injured after falling into the rhinoceros exhibit at the Brevard Zoo in Melbourne.

Brevard County Fire Rescue officials said the girl was taken to an Orlando hospital for treatment Tuesday afternoon. Her mother was also taken to a hospital for treatment.

The zoo’s executive director said they don’t believe the rhino’s horn touched the child. The extent of the child’s injuries is not clear.

She fell through the steel poles that separate guests from rhinos during a hands-on experience.

The zoo has offered the hands-on experience daily since 2009 without any incidents prior to Tuesday.

Zoos go to great lengths to protect both animals and visitors by making sure exhibits are enclosed properly and cages are adequately maintained. Our Florida Injury Attorneys at Whittel & Melton strongly urge parents and caretakers to closely observe children during every aspect of a zoo visit as defects can occur at any time, which can result in an animal or child coming into contact with one another and a serious injury occurring.

In Florida, premises liability laws allow injury victims to hold a property owner responsible for injuries that occur due to defects on the property. If the owners of the zoo knew, or reasonably should have known, about a hazard on the property, such as a cracked sidewalk, dangerous zoo ride, or unsafe animal enclosure, but did not take the necessary steps to repair it, the zoo could be liable for visitor injuries.

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A 44-year-old man was injured Saturday on a raft ride at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon, according to the Orange County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies responded to the water park at about 1 p.m. The man was riding Miss Adventure Falls when his arm became stuck between the ride’s conveyor belt.

Disney cast members attempted to free the man’s arm before deputies arrived. The Reedy Creek Fire Rescue responded to the water park and were able to free the man’s arm.

The man was flown to Osceola Regional Medical Center with non-life threatening injuries.

The attraction is currently closed while Disney reviews the incident.

Miss Adventure Falls debuted at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon in 2017.

In 2017, the latest year for statistics on Disney parks, 2.163 million people visited Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon. That breaks down to 5,926 visitors a day.

The rides and activities at most water parks have the potential to cause very serious injury if things go wrong. Because of this, operators must exercise reasonable care to ensure the safety of their rides and their riders.

While it is very important to document an injury and report it to park officials, obtaining legal representation swiftly following the accident is essential in prevailing in a lawsuit against a water park. You may be entitled to recover for your medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, wrongful death, or other losses.

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A Florida woman is suing Texas Roadhouse Inc., a national chain, after she slipped and fell down at one of the barbecue restaurants in Orlando.

The woman filed a complaint on Nov. 8, in the 9th Judicial Circuit Court for Orange County, alleging that the restaurant failed to keep the premises safe.

She alleges that she slipped and fell down on a wet or slippery substance on the floor while at the Texas Roadhouse. She suffered injuries that resulted in pain, disability, disfigurement and scarring. She also has suffered mental anguish and lost enjoyment in life. She incurred medical costs and lost income as a result of the accident.

She holds Texas Roadhouse responsible because the restaurant failed to follow its own corporate policies regarding the dangerous condition, failed to have adequate staff on duty and/or assigned to the task of inspecting and maintaining the premises, and failed to provide warning signs of debris and/or a slippery substances.

Restaurants have basic duties that are owed to customers they invite onto their premises. A restaurant must ensure that the property is inspected regularly to identify whether there are any hazardous or dangerous conditions that could cause an accident to occur. Things like slippery floors, uneven tiles, broken stairs or railings and other unsafe conditions must be corrected or at least have warnings that are visible to guests so that they can avoid the unsafe area.

If there are not adequate warnings, and if dangerous conditions are the direct cause of an accident, a slip and fall victim can pursue a claim for financial compensation. Restaurants can be held accountable for any injuries that can be traced back to their negligence. The restaurant can be held responsible for costs associated with medical care and treatments, missed time from work, lost wages or loss of earning potential. Victims may also be able to recover non-economic damages as well, including pain and suffering and mental anguish.

Our Florida Slip & Fall Injury Attorneys at Whittel & Melton can provide assistance if you have been injured in a slip and fall accident at any restaurant or other premise. We can mount a strong case on your behalf with the hopes of recovering maximum monetary compensation for your slip and fall injury claim.

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A Walmart shopper alleges she was injured when an employee lost her footing while stocking shelves and caused the shelves to fall.

The woman filed a complaint on Sept. 7 in the Harris County District Court against Walmart Inc. alleging negligence.

According to the complaint, the woman alleges that on Sept. 7, 2016, she was shopping at a Walmart store in Houston when a Walmart employee lost her footing on a ladder while stocking and grabbed the shelf, causing the shelves to fall directly upon the woman’s head, back and hip. She alleges she sustained significant injuries resulting in pain and suffering, emotional distress and medical expenses as a result.

She holds Walmart Inc. responsible because the store failed to consider the safety of consumers present in the aisle by placing a ladder and climbing on it when it was not safe to do so and by failing to provide a spotter to steady the ladder while in use.

She seeks damages of at least $75,000, with interest, costs, attorney’s fees and such other and further relief to which she may show herself justly entitled.

Shelf collapses can often result in serious injuries. If shelves are solid or have heavier or dangerous merchandise such as electronics, appliances, or utensils, any customers in the vicinity can suffer devastating injuries, such as:

Store owners have a duty to keep their premises in reasonably safe conditions, which means identifying and eliminating hazards in a timely manner to keep customers free from harm. They are responsible for regularly inspecting the grounds for any potential dangers. If shelves are not properly installed, secured to the walls, inspected, or maintained, and a shelf collapses and causes injuries, the store owner should be held responsible. Injury victims can bring a premises liability claim against the negligent store owner to recover for losses including medical bills, pain and suffering, lost income, and other damages.

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A diner is suing Tijuana Flats Inc., claiming she injured herself at the restaurant after tripping and falling on mats that were overlapping and caused a dangerous condition.


The woman filed a complaint on Aug. 15 in Orange County against Tijuana Flats Inc., alleging that the restaurant breached its duty to exercise reasonable care by allowing mats inside its store to overlap and create a trip hazard.

She claims she sustained injury resulting in pain, disfigurement, mental anguish, loss of capacity for the enjoyment of life, expense of hospitalization, medical and nursing care.

The lawsuit holds Tijuana Flats, Inc. responsible, because the restaurant allegedly failed to correct a dangerous condition and failed to install, maintain, and provide safe flooring surfaces on its premises.

When you slip and fall or trip and fall at a restaurant, it’s not only embarrassing, but you could suffer from injuries that affect your ability to work and that require extensive medical treatment. If a slip and fall or trip and fall accidents was the result of negligence by the restaurant, you could be entitled to financial compensation to cover the costs of your doctor and hospital bills, lost income, and any other costs related to the injury.

Restaurant slip and falls and trip and falls are actually quite common injuries that can cause serious harm. Victims may suffer broken bones, back injuries, fractures and head injuries. If you have suffered injuries in an Orlando restaurant, you should make sure you have someone representing your interests. At Whittel & Melton, we protect the rights of injury victims who have suffered due to someone else’s negligence. We take these cases on a contingency basis, meaning that if you do not recover damages, you do not owe us for any legal fees.

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A Pinellas County customer is suing a Gulfport bar/grill, alleging negligent supervision led to him being attacked.

The man filed a complaint Aug. 8 in Pinellas County Circuit Court against the bar/grill alleging the establishment failed its duty to implement reasonable security and provide a reasonably safe premise to protect customers and guests.

According to the complaint, on Sept. 4, 2016, the man was physically attacked, beaten and stabbed by assailants who were patrons on the premises.

As a result, the man suffered bodily injuries, the expense of medical and nursing care and treatment and the expense of hospitalization.

The man alleges that the establishment did not supervise and/or monitor the unreasonably dangerous situation on the premises and failed to provide employees with adequate means to avoid, prevent or deter criminal activity on the property.

If you have been attacked in a bar, or were injured in a bar fight, you might be wondering if you have a legal case to see damages. Making a claim against a bar or nightclub for your injuries from a bar fight is a personal injury lawsuit that revolves around negligence. To prevail in a lawsuit against a bar for your suffering, you must prove negligence on the part of the establishment, and show that because of that negligence you were injured.

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