Tampa Bay Injury Attorney Blog

Tampa, St. Petersburg, Clearwater Personal Injury Lawyers Serving Hillsborough, Pinellas, Manatee and Sarasota Counties Whittel & Melton, LLC

Accidents caused by other people's negligence are by their very nature, unplanned. It's for this reason that when an accident happens, victims may find themselves bridled with injury, pain and financial losses, not knowing which way to turn.

Being involved in an accident can be one of the most unsettling and devastating times in a person's life. During this time, having a seasoned attorney on your side, looking out for your best interest, can be the difference between becoming whole or struggling with pain and financial loss for years to come. If you are a victim of an accident, who you select as your attorney is the most important decision you need to make.

We are here to help.

The Tampa Bay Personal Injury Attorneys at Whittel & Melton guarantee that our clients receive the personalized attention they deserve. Our first priority is doing everything in our power to fight for full and fair compensation for your injury and loss.

Our Pinellas and Hillsborough County personal injury practice involves every type of injury case-- from serious car or motorcycle accidents to slip and falls to premises liability. The first step we take with our prospective clients is to schedule a free consultation to discuss the facts of the case. Our St. Petersburg Personal Injury Lawyers then will offer advice about options to seek financial recovery following a serious accident, catastrophic injury or the wrongful death of a loved one. We represent clients on injury claims arising from of a wide range of incidents and accidents. Click any area to the left to learn more about the scope of our practice.

If you have been in an accident, we don't think that you should have to suffer unnecessarily just because you were involved in an accident and are awaiting resolution to your case. While we cannot take the pain away, many times, we are able to refer you to Doctors who will treat and manage your pain, even if you don't have health insurance.

We Stand with You.

Most importantly, at Whittel & Melton, you can be confident that we will stand behind you and your case. Once we commit to representing you, we will never put you or your claim on the back burner, and we are available by phone 24 hours a day.

We promise to aggressively pursue the parties and insurance companies involved in your case to obtain justice for you and your loved ones. Through financial settlement or trial, we will prepare your case to achieve maximum compensation. You will never be responsible for any attorney's fees unless and until there is a successful financial recovery for your damages. Simply put, we will not be satisfied until you are.

We are proud to help accident victims throughout Hillsborough, Pinellas, Manatee and Sarasota Counties – including Tampa, Brandon, St. Petersburg and Clearwater, Bradenton and Sarasota, Florida.

Please call us at anytime. We are available 24 hours a day. (813) 221-3200, (727) 823-0000, (866) 608-5529.

April 16, 2018

Pinellas County Parents Accuse Hospital of Medical Negligence in Son’s Delivery

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

Pinellas County parents are suing a St. Petersburg hospital, alleging negligence in the delivery of their son.

The couple filed a complaint on April 2 in Pinellas Circuit Court against CHS/Community Health Systems Inc., doing business as Bayfront Health St. Petersburg, alleging the hospital breached professional standards of care and treatment.

According to the complaint, on May 4, 2017, the woman was at Bayfront Health for the delivery of her son who suffered a brain injury during the birth procedure. The lawsuit says the parents suffered irreparable harm, including additional medical costs, time and resources in an attempt to secure medical records as a result of the unlawful practice of the hospital to withhold portions of the records that are crucial evidences to evaluate medical negligence for the woman’s labor and delivery.

The parents allege Bayfront Health St. Petersburg violated state and federal laws pertaining to their right to health information.

Medical malpractice or negligence cases involve a complex set of rules regarding standards of care. To be successful in these cases against negligent medical providers, you need a Pinellas County Medical Malpractice Attorney at Whittel & Melton who understand the complicated legal facets of your case and can tackle even the most daunting of opponents on your behalf.

We pride ourselves on helping those who have been injured by the negligence or carelessness of doctors, nurses, OB-GYNs and other medical providers in Pinellas County and throughout the state of Florida. Many labor and delivery medical malpractice cases involve:

Birth injuries
Misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis
Brain injuries
Spinal cord injuries
Defective medical devices
Dangerous drug interactions
Prescription medication errors
Surgical mistakes
Anesthesia errors

April 12, 2018

Man Dead After Boat Capsizes in Tampa, Near Davis Island

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A man is dead after a boat capsized Saturday afternoon in Tampa, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

The incident happened shortly before 2 p.m. in Hillsborough Bay just south of Davis Islands.

Emergency responders arrived at the scene after receiving 911 calls about six people clinging to a buoy.

The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office used boats to pull some five people out of the water. One of the people recovered from the water, a 57-year-old man, died from his injuries.

One person was able to swim to Beer Can Island and was rescued by MacDill Air Force Base Marine Patrol.

One person was transported to a hospital for treatment.

FWC is conducting an investigation of the boating incident.

The boat, which sunk, will be retrieved once the weather improves.

Just like anyone driving a vehicle on the road, boat operators have a responsibility to control their vehicles safely on the water. Operators must understand how to navigate the vessel properly, travel at appropriate speeds, comply with all laws, and never operate the watercraft while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Not all boating accidents can be attributed to operator negligence or inexperience, though. Boating and watercraft accidents can also result from poor maintenance or defective boating design.

Issues that arise in boating accidents, such as proving negligence and responsibility, are similar to car accident and truck accident cases. However, when water is involved, there are additional factors that require the expertise and knowledge of a Tampa Bay Boating Accident Attorney at Whittel & Melton.

March 27, 2018

1 Dead, 4 Seriously Injured in Largo Crash Involving Wrong-Way Driver

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A 17-year-old girl is recovering at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital Monday after a Largo crash involving a wrong-way driver left her and three of her friends all with serious injuries.

The girl was a passenger in the front seat when the cars collided head-on.

Her three friends were also hurt and hospitalized.

Troopers said the other driver in the crash, a 26-year-old woman, was driving the wrong way on 66th Street North. They believe alcohol was a factor.

The woman died in the wreck.

Wrong-way driving collisions usually end in fatality, as this case shows. Most wrong-way driving crashes occur as a result of motorists operating their cars under the influence of alcohol or because they are confused and unaware that they’ve turned onto an exit or one-way street.

Wrong-way driving accidents take the lives of numerous people in Tampa Bay every year, and leave many more seriously injured. The recent rise of wrong-way crashes is alarming, as all of these crashes should be preventable.

March 1, 2018

Speeding Car Crashes into St. Pete Home

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A speeding car was apparently trying to flee law enforcement early Thursday morning when it crashed into a St. Petersburg house, according to law enforcement.

The 27-year-old driver suffered non-life threatening injuries and was taken to a local hospital.

Deputies say that drugs were found inside the car and that the investigation is ongoing.

He was charged with trafficking in cocaine, trafficking in MDMA, possession of hydromorphone, possession of marijuana, and reckless driving.

Just before 2:45 a.m., the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office was conducting a traffic stop when the car took off, with one of the deputies trying to stop it, authorities say.

A violent crime task force unit happened to be in the area and it spotted the car being driven recklessly at a high speed, according to deputies.

The unit and Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office deputies did not try to stop the speeding vehicle, but did keep an eye on it, authorities said.

At around 2:52 a.m., the car crashed into a home on 5301 10th St. North, deputies say, adding that the person in the house at the time was not hurt.

Speeding is one of the largest contributing factors to any auto accident. Speeding is a negligent driver behavior that is not only illegal, but extremely dangerous, as this case shows. It is also more likely that those who drive faster than posted limits do so on a regular basis.

If your accident was the result of another person’s negligence, you have the right to file a claim for financial compensation. Filing an auto accident accident lawsuit can help victims recover damages for property loss, medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering and so much more. Our Tampa Bay Auto Accident Lawyers at Whittel & Melton can help you through the claims process so that you receive full and fair compensation for your losses.

February 22, 2018

Pedestrian Killed in Tampa Hit-And-Run Crash

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

Tampa police are currently investigating an early-morning fatal hit-and-run crash involving a pedestrian.

According to Tampa police, the crash happened in the 6900 block of east Adamo Drive just before 5 a.m. The pedestrian died as a result of the crash.

The eastbound lanes of Adamo Drive were closed at 50th Street for several hours.

No further details regarding the crash have been released.

Pedestrians are injured and killed every day by negligent motorists. At Whittel & Melton, our Tampa Bay Pedestrian Accident Attorneys take a hard stand against at-fault drivers, especially those that flee the scene of an accident, leaving an innocent person suffering. We work hard to protect victims and their surviving family members recover the full and fair damages that they are entitled to recover under the law. We firmly believe that reckless drivers have to be held accountable for their actions.

Pedestrian accidents can be quite complex. The insurance company involved will certainly have a team of adjusters and lawyers involved simply to protect their best interests and minimize payouts. You are no match for the insurance company and their team of professionals by yourself. In fact, the insurance company knows this and hopes that you will not get a lawyer on your side. This is why you must level the playing field and let our Tampa Bay Pedestrian Accident Lawyers at Whittel & Melton help you through this difficult time.

December 26, 2017

Motorcyclist Killed in Tampa Bay Crash

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

Tampa police are investigating a fatal motorcycle crash early Saturday morning.

The crash occurred at South Manhattan Avenue and West Euclid Avenue.

Police believe the motorcyclist hit a tree.

The victim, a 36-year-old man, suffered fatal injuries.

The crash caused the road to be closed for several hours Saturday morning while police conducted the investigation.

No further information is available at this time.

Motorcyclists take on a certain amount of risk when they hit Tampa’s open roads. They are much more vulnerable than passenger vehicle drivers in crashes, as they have nothing except their personal gear between them and the asphalt. After a motorcycle accident, talk to our Tampa Bay Motorcycle Accident Lawyers at Whittel & Melton. We can help you understand your rights.

Every motorcycle accident claim is different. It takes an aggressive attorney to argue with insurance claims adjusters and fight for the fair compensation you deserve. An investigation of the crash and injuries or wrongful death, along with any eyewitness and expert testimonies, can help prove a case and determine just damages.

December 21, 2017

Tree Trimmer in Critical Condition after Being Shocked in Clearwater

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A tree trimmer was in critical condition after being shocked by a power line while working Monday morning.

Clearwater Fire & Rescue identified the 38-year-old victim and confirmed he is being treated at Tampa General Hospital.

Authorities said the man was trimming trees while on a ladder on Milton Street when the incident occurred.

It happened just before 11 a.m.

Work accidents involving electric shocks can be deadly. In most cases, workers who are exposed to electricity suffer catastrophic or fatal injuries, such as severe internal injuries and heart failure or cardiac arrest. Workers who are working at dangerous heights when they come into contact with electricity often suffer other serious injuries. Once they are shocked, the worker is likely to fall to the ground, and could easily suffer severe personal injuries including spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries and fractures.

Tree trimmers regularly work at heights, so they are especially at risk for being injured or killed in electric accidents. In fact, dozens of workers are injured or killed in work accidents involving contact with an overhead line every year. Tree trimmers, roof workers, and construction workers working on cranes are likely to come into contact with an electrical line.

December 14, 2017

Clearwater Patient Blames Doctor for Her Injuries

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A Tampa woman is suing a doctor, alleging negligence led to her medical injuries.

The woman filed a complaint Nov. 20 in Pinellas Circuit Court against the doctor, alleging failure to exercise standard care and skill required of a medical provider.

According to the complaint, on Feb. 26, 2016, the woman was at Safety Harbor Surgery Center for laparoscopic cholecystectomy performed by the doctor. The suit says she suffered bodily injury and resulting pain and suffering, disability, scarring, disfigurement, mental anguish, loss of capacity for the enjoyment of life, medical expenses, and loss of earnings, due to the doctor’s negligence in the laparoscopic cholecystectomy procedure.

The woman alleges the doctor failed in his duty to adequately and appropriately provide medical care and treatment, and departed from the acceptable standard of care for healthcare providers.

If you or a loved one has suffered from the negligence or mistakes of physicians, nurses, surgeons or other medical professionals, you need our Tampa Bay Medical Malpractice Lawyers at Whittel & Melton by your side. We are more than familiar with injury cases resulting from medical malpractice and we can put our knowledge and experience to work for you.

We handle cases involving:

Medical misdiagnosis
Medication errors
Hospital negligence
Physician errors
Birth injuries
Brain damage
Anesthesia mistakes
Retained foreign objects (objects left within bodies after surgery)
Surgical errors

November 28, 2017

Clearwater Widow Blames Medical Provider for Husband’s Suicide

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A widow, as representative of her deceased husband, is suing St. Petersburg medical providers, alleging wrongful death.

The woman filed a complaint Nov. 6 in Pinellas Circuit Court against St. Anthony’s Hospital, alleging the medical providers failed to exercise standard medical care and skill.

According to the complaint, on Jan. 15, the woman’s husband was transported to the emergency department of St. Anthony’s Hospital after an attempted suicide. The suit says he was not considered a danger to himself and was released. The lawsuit states the man died Jan. 18 by jumping off the Sunshine Skyway Bridge.

The lawsuit states woman was caused to suffer hospitalization and/or funeral expenses, loss of support and services, loss of companionship and protection, mental pain and suffering, as a result of the negligent medical and psychiatric care and treatment of the decedent.

The suit says the hospital inappropriately recommended discharge of the man, resulting in the wrongful death.

The woman alleges the hospital failed to timely and appropriately appreciate the severity of the man’s psychiatric condition and mental instability, and failed to timely and appropriately perform a suicide risk assessment.

Hospitals are supposed to be places that heal and protect our loved ones. That is why it’s so tragic when we lose family members to medical malpractice.

Filing a wrongful death lawsuit against a hospital can be a difficult thing, because of the fact that hospitals have a whole legal department dedicated to getting both doctors and hospitals out of situations in which they are liable. If you’ve lost somebody close to you due to a preventable medical error, you know that even that one mistake is one too many. As the surviving relative of a medical malpractice victim, you may be wondering what your legal rights are in Florida. A wrongful death lawsuit to recover monetary damages may be an option. Florida has specific laws that say who can file a wrongful death claim, as well as what types of damages may be available.

November 20, 2017

Thanksgiving Is One Of The Deadliest Days To Be On The Road

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

Many Americans look forward to Thanksgiving every year as it truly is one of the happiest days of the year. While endless families throughout the United States are enjoying the day with their family, eating turkey, and getting ready for the rest of the holidays, others are battling with dangerous and reckless drivers sharing the roadway. As with any other holiday, accidents and injuries run rampant during the Thanksgiving holiday period.

The reality is, holidays always make the roads a bit riskier. There is always an influx of traffic because everyone is heading to a destination on or around the same day. Sadly, more drivers on the roads means more accidents. Many people are driving in unfamiliar areas, so they are probably more likely to be distracted by their phone, texts, phone calls, or GPS navigation systems. More drivers also means more traffic, which can lead to high-stress situations and reckless driving. Lastly, more people consume alcohol on holidays, so there is an increase in the number of drunk drivers on the roadways. DUI accidents usually spike on Thanksgiving weekend.

Our Tampa Bay Auto Accident Injury Lawyers at Whittel & Melton want to advise anyone out on the road during Thanksgiving weekend to be safe and obey the rules of the roads. Keep an eye out for dangerous drivers, and make sure you are not one yourself.

If you or a loved one is injured this Thanksgiving holiday, we are here to help. We know how devastating car accidents can be, which is why we are dedicated to doing everything in our power to help you through this difficult time. Whether you are seeking legal counsel and care for your medical bills, emotional distress, or loss of work and wages, we are here for you in your time of need.