Florida Personal Injury Lawyers Blog

October 21, 2024

News: Woman, 38, dies of injuries after being struck by vehicle in Ocala

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

OCALA, FL – A woman has passed away from injuries suffered when she was hit by a vehicle in Ocala earlier this month, reports the Ocala StarBanner.

The incident occurred Oct. 4 in the area of State Road 200 and Southwest 46th Court at about 1115 p.m. The victim was identified as 38-year-old Sheriko Hiroko Johnson of Jacksonville.

According to police, Johnson had been involved in a crash earlier that day on Interstate 75 and had been treated and released from HCA Florida West Marion Hospital for treatment.

October 18, 2024

News: Worker fatally struck by vehicle while clearing tree toppled by Hurricane Milton

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

POLK COUNTY, FL – As of this week at least 24 deaths in Florida have been attributed to Hurricane Milton, including a Polk County employee killed in an accident.

According to a news release, the incident happened Oct. 10 at the cross street of Brooke Road and US Highway 98 near Fort Meade at about 5:45 a.m.

Officials said Polk County Roads and Drainage employees were in the process of cutting down a tree that had fallen during the hurricane and was blocking US 98 when a vehicle struck a Fort Meade Maintenance Unit Service Worker.

October 17, 2024

News: Estimates place Hurricane Milton among costliest storms to date

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

LARGO, FL – While Florida residents continue their efforts to recover from the damage caused by Hurricane Milton, the financial costs of the storm are becoming more clear.

WTSP reports details of an assessment by Karen Clark & Company, which estimates that privately insured losses from Hurricane Milton are expected to reach $36 billon. In terms of the most costly hurricanes on record, the total would rank Milton behind Hurricanes Katrina and Ian, while placing it at about the same level of losses as Hurricane Ida.

So far, the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation estimates combined insured losses from Hurricanes Helene and Milton at over $3 billion.

October 16, 2024

News: Voluntary evacuation order in part of Sumter County due to flooding from Hurricane Milton

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

SUMTER COUNTY, FL – Rising flood waters persist in some parts of Florida in the aftermath of Hurricane Milton, including in Sumter County.

According to WKMG, a voluntary evacuation order was issued Monday for those living along the Withlacoochee River after officials warned that water levels had exceeded 11 feet and are expected to surpass 13 feet by Friday.

Sheriff’s deputies used an airboat to go door to door and ask residents if they wanted to be evacuated from their homes. A staging area was set up at County Road 684 and County Road 688 near the Croom area with fire trucks, a high-water rescue vehicle and an airboat.

October 15, 2024

Help with Flood Insurance Claims After Hurricane Helene and Milton

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

Our Florida Hurricane and Storm Damage Claims Lawyers at Whittel & Melton understand the devastation and loss that come after hurricanes like Milton and Helene. Flooding can bring out serious damage, and not all insurance companies will honor flood damage claims fairly or in a timely fashion. At Whittel & Melton, we are stay ready to help all individuals and families who have been affected by Hurricane Milton or Helene so that we can get you the financial compensation you need to not only recover, but also rebuild after these storms.

Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton Claims: Why You Need a Lawyer

It can be difficult and time-consuming to handle flood damage claims following hurricanes. Victims may find themselves in a delicate position when insurance companies underpay, postpone, or even reject their claims. Another layer of complexity comes from the fact that many flood insurance plans are supported by the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), which is run by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Whether you are dealing with FEMA or a private insurance company, our lawyers at Whittel & Melton have successfully represented storm damage victims, making sure they lock in the full and fair compensation they deserve after a hurricane or storm has damaged their homes or businesses. We can do the same for you.

October 15, 2024

Hurricane Milton brought ‘historical flooding’ to low-lying areas of Pasco County

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

PASCO COUNTY, FL – Recovery efforts continue in areas of Florida that were battered by the effects of Hurricane Milton.

Officials in Pasco County posted an alert over the weekend that there had been historical flooding in low-lying areas and in several neighborhoods around the county near rivers and lakes. Dozens of flooded roads were closed, and drivers were advised to navigate safely around them without driving through floodwaters.

WTSP reported that the Anclote River flooded due to heavy rainfall in the area, leaving houses and cars submerged in the water.

October 14, 2024

News: Driver dies when tree falls on car in CItrus County during Hurricane Milton

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

CITRUS COUNTY, FL – Among the deaths attributed to Hurricane Milton was that of a driver in Citrus County in an accident early Thursday morning.

A report by WTSP states that the incident happened as the man was driving a Ford Taurus on East Parsons Point Road at about 1:30 a.m. The Florida Highway Patrol said a tree fell onto his car east of North Tomberlin Point.

The victim, a 46-year-old man from Inverness, was pronounced dead at the scene.

October 11, 2024

News: Millions still without power as residents assess damage from Hurricane Milton

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

PASCO COUNTY, FL – Over 2.5 million customers remained without power Friday as Florida residents assessed and repaired damage from Hurricane Milton, the Associated Press reports.

At least 12 deaths had been reported due to the hurricane, most in the eastern part of the state. There was widespread flooding in the path of the storm, though Milton did not prove to be quite as catastrophic as had been feared. Residents who evacuated their homes ahead of the hurricane returned to check on their property.

Hurricane Milton’s storm surge caused water levels along the Gulf Coast to rise at least 5 to 10 feet above ground level, according to preliminary estimates from the National Hurricane Center. The worst surge was reported along a

October 10, 2024

Hurricane Milton Moves Out of Florida, Flood Warnings Remain in Multiple Locations

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

On Thursday, Hurricane Milton made landfall in the Atlantic Ocean after devastating Florida, where it caused more than 3 million people to lose power, generated 150 tornadoes, and resulted in at least 12 deaths.

Hurricane Milton produced up to 18 inches of rain in certain regions, with Sarasota County experiencing the worst storm surge, which measured 8 to 10 feet.

While Hurricane Milton has passed out of Florida, flood warnings remain in certain areas.

October 10, 2024

News: Hurricane Milton slams Florida with heavy rain, dangerous winds, tornadoes

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

SIESTA KEY, FL – Hurricane Milton made landfall Wednesday night near Siesta Key south of the Tampa Bay area and proceeded to batter Florida with torrential rain, powerful winds, and tornadoes, WTSP reports.

The storm arrived as a Category 3 hurricane, bringing maximum sustained winds at 120 mph and causing life-threatening storm surge in parts of central and southwest Florida. The hurricane was moving off from Florida’s east coast into the Atlantic on Thursday morning, but a storm surge warning remained in place for much of the state’s east coast and parts of its west coast. The worst storm surge was apparently in Sarasota County, where it was 8 to 10 feet

The dangerous hurricane brought more destruction to a region still trying to recover from the effects of Hurricane Helene just two weeks ago.