Wrongful Death

April 3, 2017

Shaq Furnishes Home of Girl in Dog Attack

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

Shaquille O’Neal has bought new furniture for the family of a 5-year-old Atlanta girl who survived a dog attack that left another child dead.

According to reports, the girl returned home this week after being hospitalized since the Jan. 17 attack. The two children were walking to a bus stop when they were attacked by two dogs. One died from his injuries. The dogs’ owner has been charged with involuntary manslaughter and reckless conduct.

O’Neal met the family at an Atlanta furniture store and picked up the tab for new items. The family said that the former NBA star and current TNT analyst has been involved with the family since the attack.

This may come as a surprise, but nearly 4.7 million Americans are attacked by dogs every year. These attacks result in 800,000 people requiring medical treatment for their injuries. Sadly, the dog attacks that result in fatalities usually involve innocent children.

It is true that most dogs go through their lives without delivering harm to anyone. However, most does not mean all and traumatic dog attacks do happen. If a victim survives a dog attack, they are usually left to deal with painful, permanent scarring to the face and body.

December 23, 2016

WARNING: Accidental Shooting Deaths Spike During The Holidays

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

The most wonderful time of the year is also among the deadliest.

According to an analysis by the Associated Press and the USA Today Network, unintentional shootings spike in the U.S. during the holidays.

The analysis determined that 32 people were killed nationwide and 59 injured over the past two years from Christmas Eve through New Year’s Day — which is the most likely day for accidental shootings each year.

The victims were mostly male and young, with a median age of 19. Nearly half the shootings were self-inflicted, and most occurred in their own homes.

The AP and USA Today Network looked at holiday shootings after an earlier investigation found that accidental shootings involving children happen far more often than federal government statistics show.

Based on incidents compiled by the Gun Violence Archive, they found that more than 320 minors were killed by unintentional shootings over a 2½ year period that ended June 30.

Several factors contribute to the increase:

Children and teenagers are out of school for the holidays and have access to unsecured guns at their homes and those of relatives and friends.
Adults are drinking alcohol and inattentive to gun safety or their children.
New guns are given and received as gifts in the tens of thousands.
It’s a popular time of year for hunting.

December 20, 2016

Selfie Gone Wrong: St. Pete Man Arrested After Accidentally Firing Handgun

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A man was arrested after a selfie with a handgun in the bathroom of an adult entertainment club went wrong on Friday.

St. Petersburg police said that the 34-year-old man went to the bathroom at Club Lust to take a selfie with the gun.

Somehow, the gun went off and the bullet went through to the women’s restroom next door.

Police said that the man tried to run. He was arrested and charged with being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm, possession of Xanax and possession of marijuana less than two grams.

It is unknown if anyone in the women’s restroom was injured by the bullet.

Gun violence is a huge problem across the United States. In fact, according to statistics from the Centers for Disease Control, someone in America is killed by gunfire every 15 minutes. While the Second Amendment allows people the right to bear arms, handling guns carelessly can result in real serious harm to innocent bystanders.

Guns should never be used or handled in a joking manner. Injured victims of gun accidents have the right to seek financial compensation for all damages. Our Florida Injury Lawyers at Whittel & Melton can help you recover the full amount for all medical bills, lost wages and pain and suffering related to a gun accident. If you lost a loved one in an accidental shooting, we can help you file a wrongful death claim.

December 12, 2016

Skateboarder Struck By Car In Front Of Nease High School

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A former Nease High School student was struck by a vehicle while riding a skateboard Monday afternoon on Ray Road near the high school, according to authorities.

The St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office said the young man was airlifted to a hospital with serious injuries.

No further information is available at this time.

Skateboarders, just like pedestrians, can suffer serious injuries when they are hit by cars. Because skateboarders are exposed, any impact from a vehicle can result in severe bodily harm. If you or someone you love has been involved in an accident while skateboarding, our Florida Injury Lawyers at Whittel & Melton can help.

Liability in these types of accidents can depend on various factors. Was the driver abiding by all traffic laws? Was the driver operating their vehicle at the appropriate rate of speed? Were they in the proper lane? In many of these cases, drivers are not operating their vehicle properly. A driver that failed to observe the rules of the road will likely be found liable for all injuries they cause.

November 23, 2016

Stay Safe Today! It’s Blackout Wednesday!

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

As you and your loved ones get together today and the rest of the week to celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday, please have safety on your mind as the roads can be crazy out there! With Black Friday shopping starting Thursday evening, there are sure to be many drivers on the roadways at all times of the night and early morning. It is today, though, that is a growing concern for many. The day once innocently called Thanksgiving Eve by those anticipating all the celebrations of the next day, has become known as Blackout Wednesday to bars, law enforcement, and hospitals around the country. This night sees a marked increase in drunk-driving injuries and deaths.

There are many reasons that the day before Thanksgiving has become one of the year’s busiest nights for bars and clubs. College students and recent grads coming home for the long weekend and reconnecting with old friends is one reason for the increase in DUI accidents and deaths. Another reason is that most professionals are off work on Thanksgiving, so a quick drink after work can escalate into a full night out.

While there is absolutely nothing wrong with going out tonight and having fun, please be prepared if you are consuming alcohol. Before you go out, know how are you getting home. Do not drive if you have had too much to drink and do not ride with anyone else who is not sober. Just by being on the road your risk of being involved in an alcohol-related accident is about 30 percent higher from Blackout Wednesday through the New Year’s holiday, according to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration.

It does not take much effort to be prepared for a good time. Plan ahead for a Lyft or Uber to pick you up and get you home safe. You can always just call a taxi.You can even designate a friend to stay sober and get everyone home in one piece. Just remember, if you are buzzed, you are drunk. Don’t jeopardize your future or the safety of others on the road.

November 15, 2016

Child Killed In Polk County ATV Accident

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A 5-year-old boy was killed in an ATV accident in Polk County Saturday.

Deputies said a 32-year-old father and his son, 5, were riding in an area near the 3700 block of West Socrum Loop Road. The child was sitting in front of his father on the ATV, wearing a soft helmet.

The man told deputies he was running the ATV on a dirt road when he made a U-Turn, accelerated and went over a grass mound. At that time, the passenger side front tire support arm broke, causing the ATV to roll several times.

Both riders were thrown from the ATV.

Both were transported to Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center, where the boy was pronounced dead. The father suffered possible broken ribs.

Deputies specified that the helmet the child was wearing was not designed for use with motorized vehicles. The investigation is ongoing.

Polk County has a variety of places where people enjoy tooling around on on all terrain vehicles (ATVs) like four-wheelers, three wheelers, and even dirt bikes. We see a growing number of children playing with these machines each year, which results in more and more injuries and wrongful deaths. Many people do not view these machines as dangerous, and see them as little more than toys, which is sadly not the case.

ATV accidents result in 150 deaths every year. More than 10,000 children under the age of 16 have been killed on ATVS since the 1980s. According to a survey from Johns Hopkins University, the amounts of deaths from ATV accidents have doubled since 1996.

November 14, 2016

Motorcyclist Killed In Polk County Crash With Motor Home

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A motorcyclist was killed Saturday afternoon in a Polk County crash, according to deputies.

A 1988 motor home driven by a 67-year-old Illinois man was traveling northbound on County Road 557, according to reports. The motor home turned left onto the on-ramp for Interstate 4 westbound. A portion of the trailer that was attached to the motor home was still on CR 557 when a black motorcycle hit it.

The trailer detached from the motor home.

A 22-year-old Haines City woman was ejected from the motorcycle.

The woman, who was wearing a helmet, died at the scene.

The driver of the motor home was not injured.

Motorhome or recreational vehicle (RV) accidents are similar to other car accidents as they may occur on city streets, on highways or even in parking lots. Collisions can occur with other vehicles, pedestrians, motorcycles or stationary objects. In addition to property damage, these accidents can cause injury or death. For a family that has unexpectedly lost someone in a motorcycle accident or car accident with an RV, getting medical bills paid and working with insurers can be overwhelming.

If you were injured or if a family member was killed in a motorcycle accident with an RV anywhere in Florida, our Florida Motorcycle Accident Lawyers with Whittel & Melton can help. We will protect your interests and make sure your rights are protected so that you can recover just financial compensation. We know that no amount of money can bring back your loved one, but it can take away some of the financial strains that can endure after losing someone close to you.

October 26, 2016

Motorcyclist Killed in Crash In Hillsborough County

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A motorcyclist was killed Tuesday evening in a crash, and according to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, charges could be filed against the driver who slammed into the biker.

The incident occurred just before 7 p.m.

HCSO believes the biker was operating a motorcycle on Boyette Road when he drove in between two vehicles as he was approaching the intersection of Balm Riverview Road.

At the same time, a female driver was heading westbound on Boyette Road, attempting to turn left and travel south. She pulled into the path of the motorcycle and struck the biker with the passenger side of her car.

The biker was apparently not wearing a helmet and died at the scene after he was ejected from the motorcycle, according to reports. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

According to police, the female driver had an “odor of an alcoholic beverage emanating from her mouth and admitted to having consumed alcohol.”

The woman agreed to a blood draw and could be charged based on the result, investigators said.

Motorcycle accidents usually involve serious injuries, and in the worst cases, death. A motorcycle offers riders very little protection in the event of a collision, leaving bikers vulnerable to catastrophic injuries such as spinal cord trauma, traumatic brain injuries, loss of limbs, neck and back injuries, knee and shoulder injuries and broken bones.

Our Tampa Bay DUI Motorcycle Accident Injury Lawyers at Whittel & Melton can protect your rights after a motorcycle accident, and help you and your loved ones pursue compensation for losses. As former DUI prosecutors, we know how to hold drunk drivers accountable for the pain and suffering they cause to motorcycle accident victims and their families.

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.

September 27, 2016

South Florida Cities Increase Gator Warnings After Disney Tragedy

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

South Florida cities are amping up their efforts to prevent fatal alligator attacks like the one that occurred in Orlando’s Walt Disney World when an alligator emerged from a lagoon, grabbed a toddler wading in ankle-deep water and killed him.

From Oakland Park to Delray Beach, cities have begun replacing “no swimming” signs with stronger warnings on lakes and canals where alligators and snakes might lurk.

Florida does not regulate whether cities or counties need warning signs.

Delray Beach is taking no chances. The city, which currently has only a few “no swimming” signs, plans to install 20 signs that warn of alligators at eight canals and lakes.

So are Oakland Park, North Lauderdale and Parkland, where staff are adding warning signs at parks by water.

According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission numbers, there were nine alligator attacks in 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. There have been 23 reported attacks since 1948, when the agency began keeping track.

Living in Florida, we know the dangers of alligators in any body of water, as well as hotels, golf courses and even backyards. Most public places located near bodies of water are pretty vigilant about relocating dangerous animals out of these areas. The added signage going up in south Florida is great, as it could prevent another tragedy from occurring.