Personal Injury Attorney

June 11, 2014

Florida Slip, Trip and Fall Injury Lawyer :: National Safety Month – Stop Slips, Trips and Falls

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

Slip, trip, and fall accidents are a primary cause of injury in the United States for people of all ages and genders. June is National Safety Month, which is why it is important to address these risks, and for all of us in Florida to strive to help prevent future accident injuries.

The Second Week of National Safety Week Is Dedicated to Fall Prevention

The National Safety Council has dedicated the second week of June to raising awareness about slip and fall and trip and fall injuries. There are many ways we can prevent serious injuries and fatalities throughout our Florida communities, including the following:

June 6, 2014

Tampa Negligent Security Injury Attorney :: One Man Possibly Injured in Onyx Nightclub Shooting

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

St. Petersburg police believe gun shots fired at the Onyx Premium Nightclub may have left one man injured last night, but they can’t be sure.

The apparent victim arrived at Bayfront Health St. Petersburg shortly after police were called to the club about 3:15 a.m. According to reports, the 31-year-old refused to tell police how he ended up with a gunshot wound in his right leg.

A police spokesman claims the victims was “very uncooperative” and told officers to leave him alone.

No one else at the club or nearby it was able to provide police with details.

The same club, under its former name, The Scene, was the site of a February 2012 shooting where at least one man was injured. Following that incident, at least three negligence claims were filed against the club’s former owners in Pinellas-Pasco Circuit Court.

When people go out to bars and nightclubs in Tampa and St. Petersburg, they expect to enjoy their evening and have a good time. Unfortunately, there are too many times when a night out on the town ends in a violent attack, unnecessary injuries, beatings, shootings and even death. In certain situations, people may have been subjected to unreasonably dangerous conditions that harmed them. If you have been the victim of an act of violence that caused a terrible injury at a nightclub or bar, a Tampa Negligent Security Injury Lawyer at Whittel & Melton can help.

Under the law of premises liability, owners and supervisors of nightclubs and bars can be held liable for any violent crimes that occur on their property, including shootings, accidents, assaults, injuries and wrongful death. Bar security staff, bouncers, restaurant and bar managers and other employees may also be held accountable for violent acts when extreme force is used.

If you or someone you love was the victim of an attack, beating, shooting, accident, injury or even death at a nightclub or bar, you may be infuriated and unsure of how to obtain justice. Opportunely, the law allows those who have been the victims of nightclub or bar negligence to seek compensation for damages including past, present and future medical care needs, lost past and future wages, emotional pain and suffering, hospital and ambulance bills and other expenses through what is known as a personal injury lawsuit.

June 4, 2014

Florida Auto Accident Injury Attorney :: New NHSTA Study Shows the Staggering Toll of Car Crashes on U.S. Residents

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

Whenever a motor vehicle accident occurs in Florida, or anywhere else throughout the country, it creates a series of events that cost money. While these costs are not always apparent to other people, make no mistake, car accidents can be quite expensive.

When viewed as a whole, the numbers are downright shocking. A recent study conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration demonstrates that motor vehicle accidents cost more than $870 billion in economic loss per year. This study examined data from 2010. That $870 billion can be broken down even further to a personal basis, averaging an estimated cost of $900 per person in the U.S., which does not just apply to accident victims, but all people residing in this country.

NHTSA’s study, “The Economic and Society Impact of Motor Vehicle Crashes, 2010,” focuses on some of the behavioral factors that influenced that year’s nearly 33,000 highway fatalities, 3.9 million injuries and 24 million damaged vehicles. According to the study, three driver behaviors including speeding, drunk driving and distracted driving, accounted for 56 percent of the economic loss to the nation and 62 percent of the societal harm. Societal harm is described as harm due to loss of life and decreased quality of life.

What is not so shocking is that drunk driving accidents were found to be among the most expensive kinds of accidents. These accounted for 18 percent of the total economic loss and 23 percent of the overall societal harm.

Speeding accounted for 21 percent of the overall economic loss costing the nation $59 billion and 24 percent, or $210 billion, of the societal harm.

Distracted driving crashes were responsible for 17 percent of the total economic loss and cost $46 billion. These crashes accounted for $129 billion, or 15 percent, of the overall societal harm.

On a positive note, researchers for this study concluded that using seatbelts led to a savings of almost $70 billion in medical care, lost productivity and other costs that were not incurred. For now, around 5 percent of the total economic loss involved people in auto accidents where they were not buckled up or did not properly fasten their seatbelt.

May 28, 2014

Florida Injury Attorney :: Florida Takes Top Four Spots in New Ranking of America’s Deadliest Cities for Pedestrians

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

While all pedestrians should pay extra close attention when crossing the street, it seems that Floridians need to be especially mindful.
In a new report from the National Complete Streets Coalition, Dangerous By Design 2014, a Pedestrian Danger Index was used to rank the deadliest places to walk in America. Florida is home to the top four cities, with six other southern cities finishing out the top 10:

Orlando, FL
Tampa, FL
Jacksonville, FL
Miami, FL
Memphis, TN
Birmingham, AL
Houston, TX
Atlanta, GA
Phoenix, AZ
Charlotte, NC

You can view the full list here.

The Pedestrian Danger Index was calculated by looking at the last five years of available data on pedestrian fatalities and factoring in the number of local commuters who walk to work every day.

The report shows that 47,025 people nationwide were hit by cars and died while walking between 2003 and 2012. This number is 16 times greater than the number of Americans who died in natural disasters over the same time frame. Additionally, another 676,000 pedestrians were injured while travelling on foot, which likens to someone being hit by a car every eight minutes.

The elderly are found to be much more at risk than any other age group, according to the report. While they only represent 12.6 percent of the total U.S. population, adults ages 65 and older account for 21 percent of pedestrian fatalities.

This report shows just how dangerous busy roads and intersections can be for those walking to their destinations. The following tips are a great reminder on how to stay safe as a pedestrian:

Stay Alert. Distracted walking can be just as dangerous as distracted driving. Always look where you are going and be aware of your surroundings. In 2010, more than 1,500 people were treated in U.S. emergency rooms for pedestrian-related injuries resulting from distractions, especially cell phones. Keep your eyes off your cell phone when crossing the street!

Never Jaywalk. Did you know that pedestrians can be held liable for auto accidents, too? When you cross the street against a light and run into traffic, you increase your risk of being struck and potentially killed by a motorist.

Use the Sidewalk. While sidewalks may not be located in certain areas in the city, if they are available for use, please use them and do not walk in the street. If a biker is taking up the sidewalk, gently remind them that they are meant for pedestrians.

May 23, 2014

Florida Auto Accident Injury Lawyer :: Car Crashes Increase over Memorial Day, Stay Safe on Florida’s Roadways

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

Memorial Day weekend is finally here and many of you will be setting out to enjoy the official start of summer with our state’s numerous recreational possibilities. With that said, it is estimated that close to 34 million people will be hitting the road over the long holiday weekend and traveling at least 50 miles from home. Whether you are staying local or making a trek to a family member or friend’s home, the Florida Auto Accident Attorneys at Whittel & Melton urge you to drive safely and exercise caution this holiday weekend.

Memorial Day weekend is supposed to be a time for remembrance and celebration. Whatever type of activity you choose to partake in this weekend, we urge you to do so responsibly. Make sure if you are driving to always pay attention, look out for any roadside construction and always see to it that everyone in your vehicle is buckled up. Remember, if you are going to be drinking at any point during the holiday weekend, just be sure to have a designated driver set in place.

According to AAA, the amount of motorists travelling on the roadways this Memorial Day weekend will be at a 10 year high. Dating back to past Memorial Day weekends, statistics show that there is an increase of more than ten percent in motor vehicle accidents vs. other holiday weekends.

You can help exercise safety this Memorial Day weekend just by brushing up on a few safety steps:

Always give yourself enough time to get from Point A to Point B.
Follow all posted speed limits.
Limit Driver Distractions.
Make sure everyone, including those in the back seat, is wearing their seat belt.
Do not drink and drive. In fact, make sure you have a designated driver assigned before you start drinking so that you are not tempted to drive after consuming alcoholic beverages.

May 19, 2014

Florida Personal Injury Attorney :: Woman Files Lawsuit after Consuming Liquid Nitrogen Cocktail at Miami Beach Fundraising Event

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A 61-year-old Miami Beach woman has filed a lawsuit against the Miami Beach Botanical Garden after she landed in the hospital from ingesting a cocktail laced with liquid nitrogen at a fundraising event in January.

The woman said after she took a drink from the cocktail the pain was instantaneous.

The toxic cocktail burned her insides, forming holes in her esophagus and stomach. The liquid changed to gas inside her body, which created the need to expand. Doctors rushed the woman into surgery.

May 13, 2014

Florida Child Injury Lawyer :: Look Before You Lock – The Risks & Consequences of Leaving Children Alone in Hot Cars

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

We rely on our vehicles to get ourselves and our loved ones safely where we need to go, however it can be easy to forget that when you leave a child in the car for too long, the results can be deadly. According to statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the leading cause of all non-crash-related fatalities involving children aged 14 and younger is heatstroke.

Vehicles can reach extreme temperatures very quick, even if you have the windows rolled down. A child’s body absorbs more heat on a hot day than an adult’s does due to the fact that children’s bodies have a harder time regulating body temperature. Heatstroke can happen even in cars parked in a shaded area on days that reach 80 degrees or less. Studies have shown that in temperatures around 80 degrees, a vehicle can become lethal in just 10 minutes.

As parents and caregivers, it is vital to understand the risks and consequences associated with leaving kids in vehicles, especially hot cars.

Potential Risks

In just 10 short minutes, a car can jump up by 20 degrees Fahrenheit.
Cracking or rolling down a window does very little to keep the car cool.
Even with temperatures in the 60s, your vehicle can heat up to temperatures that exceed 110 degrees.
A child’s body temperature can climb up to five times faster than an adult’s.
Heatstroke can occur even in mild temperatures. In fact, studies show that heatstroke can occur when it is as cool as 57 degrees outside!
A child dies when their body temperature reaches 107.

Possible Consequences

Death from heatstroke.
In the state of Florida, it is considered a second-degree misdemeanor to leave a child under the age of six alone in a car for more than 15 minutes or while the motor was running causing the health of the child to be in danger.
This crime is punishable by a fine of up to $500.

How to Avoid a Tragic Heatstroke

Never leave a child alone in a car, even if you need to run a quick errand.
Remind children to not play in an unattended vehicle.
Do not leave infants or young children in a parked car, even if the windows are rolled down.
Place a purse, briefcase or anything else that you will need when you get out of the car in the backseat, so that you cannot forget about a child riding in the backseat.
Make it a habit to look inside your vehicle, both front seat and back, before locking the door and walking away.
If you should see a child alone in a hot vehicle, call 911 right away. If you notice that they are in distress due to heat, it is important to get them out of the car as quickly as possible.

May 8, 2014

Florida Injury Lawyer :: New Regulations Could Be Placed on Parasailing Industry in Florida

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

For the first time ever, Florida Gov. Rick Scott has the opportunity to sign into law a bill imposing restrictions on how parasailing companies conduct their business. The new laws would require operators to carry $1 million of insurance per rider and would ban parasailing in sustained winds topping 20 mph or gusts reaching 25 mph.

According to a senate report, between 2001 and October of 2013, there have been 21 parasailing accidents in Florida that have resulted in 23 injuries and six deaths.

Of those that have lost loved ones is an Ocala woman who lost her youngest daughter to a parasailing accident in Pompano Beach in 2007. Her older daughter was left with brain damage.

The mother blames the tragedy on a void of regulation in the parasailing industry, something she hopes this new law will change.

The company that took the Ocala woman’s teenage daughters out parasailing apparently did not keep their equipment in good shape or watch out for inclement weather conditions.

Once the teens were out, the wind began to pick up and the girls asked to be let down, however the wench did not have enough strength to pull them down to safety. The decaying rope snapped, dragging the teens and the yellow parasail into the roof of a two-story home, and finally coming to rest in a tangled mess in a tree.

The daughter that suffered brain damage, now 24, continues to experience side effects from her injuries. She is now a massage therapist, but constant headaches make the physical work quite difficult. Her mother believes she suffers from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.

Many people flock to the beaches of Florida year-round to escape colder temperatures and enjoy some fun in the sun. Most tourists partake in many water adventures, parasailing being one of them, however, many of them fail to recognize the potential dangers involved. Parasailing should be an enjoyable time, but without proper safety measures in place, these types of accidents can lead to permanent and life-threatening injuries, including traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord trauma, back injuries, head injuries, paralysis, broken bones, death from falls and even drowning.

There are many careless acts of negligence that can result in parasailing accidents, including:

Equipment Failure – This can include malfunctions with the boat, harness, towline or sail
Improperly Trained Staff
Absence of Safety Measures
Unlicensed Company or Operator
Operator Negligence
Unsuitable Parasails
Staff Failing to Monitor Weather Conditions or Stay Updated on Alerts
Boat Operators Moving too Close to Other Boats and Structures
Staff Failing to Demonstrate Proper Safety Techniques to Passengers

May 2, 2014

Florida Injury Lawyer :: Paralyzed Jacksonville Teen Awaits $3.5 Million Settlement

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

An 18-year-old Jacksonville teen who was paralyzed from the chest down after a tree limb fell on him was awarded $3.5 million by Jacksonville officials, but the teen has only been given $200,000 of the settlement money.

The teen was confined to a wheelchair in 2011 after a tree branch from a city-owned tree fell on him. While the Jacksonville government has agreed to pay the full settlement amount, the Florida legislature will not approve the rest of the payout, according to reports.

The problem regarding the $3.5 million settlement is that the Florida Senate President Don Gaetz will not hear the teen or any other person’s injury claim bills during his two-year term as president. Gaetz claims that the bill claims system is “broken” and is fueled by emotions rather than merits.

Currently under Florida law, any claim exceeding $200,000 against any government entity must be approved by the state legislature before it is paid out. This includes any money that would be paid by the local government or its insurance carrier.

In order to collect from any claims over $200,000, the injured party must file a claim bill and have it approved by the majority of the Florida legislature. Claim bills allow an individual or entity to be compensated for their injuries or losses caused by the carelessness or negligence of a public officer or agency, even if the government entity is exempt from a lawsuit.

Despite the fact that the teen’s full settlement is currently being blocked by state legislature, another Florida statute could allow the teen to collect more than $200,000 without the legislature’s approval. The catch is that the state or an agency must agree to it.

Different from suing an individual, suing the government requires injury victims to file a notice of claim before proceeding with a lawsuit. Why? This is because governments are usually immune from lawsuits, and therefore cannot be sued without permission.

This immunity often limits the government’s liability for injuries or damages as long as it is found that it exerted reasonable care to counteract damages. In this case, the teen was hit by a large tree branch that fell from a rotting tree owned by the city of Jacksonville. Reports indicate that the tree was not removed until after the teen was injured, even though the city received many complaints from residents about the impending danger.

Reports show that the Jacksonville City Council is working alongside the paralyzed teen and his family to convince the legislature to pass his claim bill.

April 29, 2014

Florida Motorcycle Accident Attorney :: Leesburg Commissioner Involved in Motorcycle Crash at Bikefest

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

Reports indicate that a motorcycle rider crashed into a truck on Sunday driven by Leesburg City Commissioner Jay Hurley.

The motorcycle rider’s identity has not yet been released, but he was treated on the scene and flown to Orlando Regional Medical Center.

The Leesburg Police Department asked the Florida Highway Patrol to help investigate the collision since it involves a top city official.