Orange County

August 22, 2017

Property Owner Accused of Negligence in Orange County

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A tenant is suing a property owner for alleged negligence in the Orange County Circuit Court.

The woman filed a complaint on June 23 alleging that the property owner failed to provide a safe environment for her tenants.

According to the complaint, the tenant alleges that she suffered a severe injury to her left fibula on Oct. 5, 2014, which allegedly necessitated two months of orthopedic exercises, one year of disability for a year, and caused her to be unable to work. The tenant claims that the injury was caused when she struck tree roots and a mole hole due to the alleged poor lighting and maintenance of the lawn.

The tenant holds the property owner responsible for allegedly failing to warn her about the existing dangers of the premises, maintain and supervise the premises where the accident occurred and for allegedly allowing a dangerous condition to exist.

Property owners are responsible to adequately operate, manage, maintain and supervise their property to protect tenants and others from risk of harm. However, when property owners fail to maintain a safe environment for that results in serious injuries, they may be held liable for negligence.

The time following an accident can be a difficult and confusing time for injury victims. Our Florida Premises Liability Lawyers at Whittel & Melton understand this and work closely with clients through the legal process. We know you might be facing a lengthy recovery process and unable to work, which brings up the stress of paying your normal bills on top of medical bills and other accident-related losses. We can take care of your injury claim. If your accident was caused by your landlord’s careless or negligent behavior, we don’t think it is fair for you to be held responsible for paying somebody else’s mistakes.

August 10, 2017

Orlando Business Being Sued for Failing to Fix Dangerous Condition in Parking Lot

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A business invitee is suing an Orlando business for alleged negligence.

The woman filed a complaint on June 21 in the Orange County Circuit Court, alleging that the business failed to provide a safe environment for its business invitees.

According to the complaint, the woman alleges that she was returning to her car on March 11, 2015 when she tripped and/or slipped on an uneven sidewalk on the business’ parking lot. As a result, she suffered bodily injury, pain and suffering, disability, mental anguish, an aggravation of a pre-existing condition, medical expenses and loss of earnings.

She holds the business responsible for allegedly failing to correct a dangerous condition and provide adequate signs that warned of the dangerous condition.

She is seeking more than $15,000 in damages.

If you slipped in a parking lot, there are a number of questions our Florida Slip and Fall Accident Injury Lawyers will ask you to determine who is at-fault and whether you can be compensated, including the events leading up to your accident.

July 24, 2017

Theme Park Injury Report: Fainting, Motion Sickness On Disney, Universal Rides

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

Central Florida theme parks have submitted their injury reports for the second quarter of 2017.

There were a total of 16 illnesses or injuries that required a hospital stay of 24 hours, according to the state’s quarterly report.

Walt Disney World reported 11 incidents, while Universal Orlando had four and SeaWorld Orlando had one.

The incidents ranged from seizures to back pain.The injuries and illnesses happened between April and June.

At Disney’s Animal Kingdom, a 31-year-old woman felt dizzy and lost consciousness on the park’s newest attraction, Flight of Passage. On June 12, a 79-year-old woman with a pre-existing condition also became ill after being on the ride.

An 81-year-old woman had motion sickness on Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey in April. An 18-year-old woman had a similar illness on Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey.

Other incidents reported:

Disney World

A 57-year-old woman with a pre-existing condition experienced stroke-like symptoms on Castaway Creek at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon.
A 48-year-old woman with a pre-existing condition had a seizure on Seven Dwarfs Mine Train at the Magic Kingdom in May.
A 34-year-old man reported eye irritation on Expedition Everest at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

Universal Orlando

A 47-year-old woman fainted on the Incredible Hulk Coaster at Universal’s Islands of Adventure on June 20.
A 45-year-old man reported back pain on the Kala & Tai Nui Serpentine Body Slides at Universal’s Volcano Bay.

SeaWorld Orlando

A 54-year-old man reported a shock to his arm on Journey to Atlantis on June 15.

No incidents were reported by Legoland Florida or Busch Gardens Tampa Bay.

An outing at Disney World, a county fair or any of the amusement parks around Florida should be a day filled with fun and excitement. However, an amusement park injury can turn a great day into a nightmare in just a matter of seconds.

If you have been injured at an amusement or theme park, it is very important for you to contact an experienced injury lawyer before signing any documents or making any statements to a park owner or representative. The park’s initial offer will not likely cover certain necessary damages, such as ongoing medical needs or future losses.

July 11, 2017

Disney Boardwalk Villas Guest Sues for Trip & Fall Injury Caused by Screw

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

An Illinois woman visiting the Disney BoardWalk Villas in Lake Buena Vista alleges that she was injured while shopping there.

The woman filed a complaint on June 13 in the 9th Judicial Circuit Court of Florida – Orange County against Walt Disney Parks and Resorts US Inc. alleging negligence.

According to the complaint, the woman alleges that on June 25, 2015, she was upon the Disney premises for the purpose of visiting the shops and restaurants when she tripped on a raised screwed and fell. She alleges she suffered bodily injury resulting in pain and suffering, disfigurement, mental anguish and aggravation of a previously existing condition.

She holds Walt Disney Parks and Resorts US Inc. responsible because they allowed a dangerous hazard to exist and failed to warn of the dangerous condition.

She is seeking more than $15,000 in damages.

If you were injured in a trip and fall on someone else’s property, you may have the right to seek compensation for your injuries and other damages. This is an area of law called premises liability.

Under Florida law, property owners have a duty to exercise ordinary care to avoid injuries to visitors on their property. With that said, if a property owner’s negligent maintenance, operation or design of the property caused you to slip, trip and/or fall, the owner could be held liable.

Two key questions in any slip and fall case in Florida will be:

Was the property owner aware of the dangerous condition?
Was the hazard “open and obvious” so that you could have avoided it, thus preventing the slip, trip or fall?

May 16, 2017

Suit Alleges Orlando Wal-Mart Employee Allowed Stack of Tables to Fall on Shopper

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A woman is suing Wal-Mart Stores for negligence in a store accident that resulted in a stack of tables falling on her arm.

The woman filed a complaint on March 20 in the Orange County Circuit Court against Wal-Mart alleging that its store failed to provide a reasonably safe environment for its patrons.

According to the complaint, the woman says that on May 21, 2016, she suffered bodily injury, disability, medical expenses, loss of earnings and aggravation of a previously existing condition resulting from the negligent action of an employee as he allowed a stack of tables to fall on her arm.

She holds Wal-Mart responsible because the store failed to exercise reasonable care in the maintenance, inspection, customer service or mode of operation of the premises.

The woman is seeking compensatory damages in excess of $15,000 together with interest and costs.

When you set foot inside a retail store you expect you will be provided with a reasonably safe shopping experience. In fact, retail stores are legally obligated to maintain safe premises. If you slip, trip, fall or suffer another type of injury in a retail store you may have a valid legal claim against the store for financial compensation.

Many retail store injuries can leave you emotionally traumatized and physically unable to work. When you are unable to work, your finances can wind up in complete disarray. If you have suffered due to the negligence of a retail store employer or owner, let our Florida Personal Injury Lawyers at Whittel & Melton help you obtain the compensation you need to move forward with your life.

December 7, 2016

2 Hospitalized After Gas Leak At Orlando Strip Mall

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

Emergency crews rushed two people to a hospital because of a gas leak at an Orlando strip mall Wednesday.

Two patients were taken to Orlando Regional Medical Center for dizziness but are in stable condition, according to reports.

The shopping plaza at Orange Blossom Trail and Holden Avenue was evacuated.

According to reports, a manager of a food store was chiseling away ice from a freezer containing fish when he hit a Freon line.

Hazmat crews responded to contain it. The Health Department and state fire marshal were called in.

No one ever wants to be involved in a gas leak situation. However, the truth is that these accidents happen, so it is best to be prepared. The following safety steps can be of help should a gas leak arise:

Alert everyone in the near vicinity and immediately get away from the gas odor.
Do not use any sources that may act as an ignition to a gas leak such as matches, vehicles, cell phones and flash lights until you move to a reasonable and safe distance away from the area.
Get to a safe place and then call 911.

October 24, 2016

Moped Driver Dies A Week After Orange County Hit-And-Run Crash

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A 64-year-old moped driver who was struck by a hit-and-run driver in Orange County last week has died, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

The crash happened at 4:40 a.m. at the intersection of Colonial Drive and Forsyth Road.

According to troopers, the moped driver was stopped at the intersection in a left turn lane of westbound Colonial Drive, where he was trying to make a U-turn.

As he made the turn, troopers said a Honda Accord, traveling eastbound, hit the back of his moped. He was run over by the car. The driver of the car fled the scene.

The moped driver was taken to Orlando Regional Medical Center, where he later passed away.

The Honda, which was reported stolen, was found the day after the crash.

According to FHP, the crash remains under investigation and charges are pending.

If you or someone you love has been injured in a moped accident, or if you have lost someone close to you in an auto accident, our Florida Injury Lawyers at Whittel & Melton can help. We are dedicated to helping victims and families throughout the state of Florida who have suffered personal injuries or wrongful death due to the negligence and carelessness of other people. We know that no amount of money can bring back your loved one, but we are prepared to fight for the money you deserve.

October 3, 2016

Teen Girl Injured After E-Cigarette Explosion on Universal Orlando Ride

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

Police have reported that a teenage girl riding a Universal Orlando amusement park ride suffered burns after an electronic cigarette belonging to another rider exploded and shot a fireball at her.

Police believe that the 14-year-old girl from Tennessee was riding the Hogwarts Express train Saturday with her family when an e-cigarette belonging to a rider in another group blew up in his pocket and the fireball hit her in the face and elsewhere.

The explosion wasn’t big, but scared everyone on the train, according to reports.

The girl was taken to the hospital with mild to moderate burns to her face, arm and leg. The man suffered minor injuries.

An e-cigarette, also known as a vape, is an electronic nicotine delivery system that produces a heated vapor that resembles smoke. They have been for sale in the United States since 2007. E-cigarettes are now used by more than 2.5 million people in the U.S.

If you were burned by an exploding e-cigarette or vape, you could have a legitimate claim against the manufacturers of the vape device and battery, and perhaps other parties. What this means is that you could file a personal injury claim for monetary damages for:

Medical expenses
Pain and suffering
Lost wages
Loss of quality of life
Disfigurement
Emotional & mental anguish

August 25, 2016

Driver Killed in Road Rage Crash in Orlando

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A driver was killed in a road rage incident in the early morning hours of Monday near South Kirkman Road in Orlando.

According to reports, the accident happened around 12:45 a.m. Monday when two cars pulled off Windhover Drive near Universal Studios.

Orlando police believe one of the drivers was run over by a vehicle just one mile away from Universal Studios.

According to investigators, the deceased was involved in some sort of road rage incident which led him to pull over. He stopped on the side of Windhover Road to confront the driver of the vehicle which was tailgating him.

Moments later, police believe the driver of that other vehicle stepped on the gas and ran over the other driver, killing him.

For now, investigators are searching through surveillance footage, and are questioning witnesses and his friends in hopes of finding out who did this.

Orlando Police are also asking for the public’s help. Anyone with more information about what may have happened are encouraged to contact OPD at 321-235-5300.

Injuries or wrongful deaths caused by an aggressive driver are sadly not that unusual throughout the United States or in Florida. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that 27,000 deaths annually occur due to aggressive drivers.

June 16, 2016

Toddler Snatched By Alligator at Disney World Resort

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A 2-year-old boy was snatched off the beach by an alligator on Wednesday at a Disney World Resort.

His body was recovered around 3:30 today. The body was taken to Orange County Medical Examiner’s Office. It is believed that the gator drowned the boy.

The 7- to 8-foot reptile grabbed the boy late Tuesday as he was playing in about a foot of water at the Seven Seas Lagoon at the Grand Floridian Hotel. His father, who quickly rushed to the boy’s aid, could not fend off the alligator and received minor injuries to his hand.

The boy’s mother also rushed into the water, but when the couple was unable to save their son, they alerted a nearby lifeguard who called 911.

Some 50 wildlife specialists, including trained alligator trappers, shifted early Wednesday from a search and rescue effort to a recovery operation, according to the Orange County Sheriff’s Office.

A tragedy like this is not something we read about often in the news, but sadly, things like this can happen in Florida.

According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission numbers, as of April there has been just one other incident where a person was bitten by an alligator in Florida in 2016. There were nine 2015, one of which was fatal, and 10 in 2014, none of which were fatal. Since 2006, there have been five reported fatalities due to alligator attacks, and since 1948, when the agency began keeping track, there have been 23.

Any body of water of any size in Florida can potentially have alligators in them. Most hotels and resorts near bodies of water are pretty vigilant about relocating dangerous animals out of areas where the public would be nearby. In Florida, you have to be very careful as alligators can be anywhere, including golf courses and even backyards.