Tampa Bay Wrongful Death Lawyer

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.

November 13, 2017

Motorcyclist Killed in Treasure Island Crash

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A motorcyclist was killed Monday morning in a crash at a Treasure Island intersection.

According to Treasure Island police, the crash happened at 104th Avenue and Gulf Boulevard just before 9 a.m.

Police did not release details of the crash as of yet.

The crash remains under investigation.

Riding a motorcycle in a bustling city like Tampa Bay can be dangerous, especially when it comes to intersections. Even though every driver on the road has an obligation to drive safely, some do not. Sadly, there are drivers who do not pay attention to motorcyclists as they should, while others do not like having to share the road with motorcyclists and even go as far as intimidating them while driving. This type of behavior can quickly turn into an intersection accident. If a motorcycle accident at an intersection in the Tampa Bay area has left you injured or taken a loved one from you, our Tampa Bay Motorcycle Accident Lawyers at Whittel & Melton can help.

November 8, 2017

Roy Halladay, Former MLB Star Pitcher, Killed in Pasco County Plane Crash

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

Pitcher Roy Halladay, who won two Cy Young Awards and more than 200 Major League Baseball games during a stellar career, was killed Tuesday in a plane crash in Pasco County.

Halladay, 40, was the only person on the two-seater plane that crashed just off New Port Richey on the Gulf coast north of the Tampa Bay area.

The single-engine plane, an Icon A5, crashed in very shallow water and was found upside down.

A 911 call came in at 12:06 p.m. saying that a small plane had crashed.

Icon A5s are considered light, amphibious airplanes. They can land on water or land, have folding wings and can be transported by trailers.

Halladay pitched parts of 16 seasons in the major leagues, the first 12 with the Toronto Blue Jays. He won the Cy Young for the Jays in 2003, when he went 22-7 with a 3.25 ERA and led the American League with nine complete games.

He was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies before the 2010 season and won another Cy Young in his first year with the team. That season he went 21-10 with a 2.44 ERA and threw a perfect game in the regular season and a no-hitter in his first postseason start. The no-hitter is the only one in National League postseason history.

Halladay will be eligible for the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2019.

The National Transportation Safety Board will investigate the crash.

According to the website of the Federal Aviation Administration, the certification for the plane was issued Monday, meaning the aircraft was brand new.

In May there was a crash of an A5 in California that killed both people on board. The NTSB ruled pilot error was the cause.

Plane crash tragedies, like this one, often leave surviving family members wondering why this happened. Our Tampa Bay Wrongful Death Lawyers at Whittel & Melton try to get families the answers to the questions they have to gain a sense of closure. Sometimes just being able to know what happened can help to start the healing process. We will investigate every shred of evidence and hold the responsible party accountable by demanding financial compensation for the pain, suffering and loss that surviving family members have experienced after losing a loved one in a fatal crash.

October 18, 2017

Bicyclist Struck and Killed on I-4 Ramp in East Tampa Hit-And-Run Crash

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating a fatal hit-and-run in east Tampa.

According to Troopers, a man on a bike was hit by vehicle on the ramp that takes drivers from eastbound Interstate 4 to US Highway 301. The area is adjacent to the Hard Rock Casino. The driver of the vehicle then left the scene.

Investigators said the vehicle involved in the crash is a silver Mercedes sedan. The vehicle has front end damage on the passenger side and will be missing the passenger side mirror.

Troopers temporarily closed the roadway as part of their investigation. The exit ramp from I-4 to US 301 reopened around 9:20 a.m.

Bicycle and pedestrian accidents commonly cause massive harm due to the fact that victims are unprotected. Our Tampa Bay Pedestrian/Bicycle Accident Lawyers at Whittel & Melton have represented victims of head trauma, spinal cord injury, broken bones, amputation and other severe and permanent injuries, as well as surviving family members of fatal accidents resulting in wrongful death. We work with doctors, rehab specialists, economists and other experts to calculate full and fair compensation for hospital bills, ongoing and future care, future earnings and pain and suffering.

October 9, 2017

Clearwater Dog Owners Sued After Dog Attack

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

The victim of a dog attack in Clearwater is is suing the dog’s owners for alleged negligence and liability.

The male victim filed a complaint on Aug. 16 in the Pinellas Circuit Court, alleging that the dog owners failed to provide their guests with a safe environment.

According to the complaint, the man alleges that he was invited by the dog owners to enter their home on April 17 when he allegedly was attacked by their dog and suffered bodily injury, pain, disfigurement, mental anguish and medical expenses.

The man hold the dog owners responsible for allegedly failing to warn him of the potential risks of serious injury and for allegedly failing to properly supervise the dog.

Every 75 seconds, someone in the U.S. is bitten by a dog. Last year, more than 830,000 dog attack victims required emergency medical care. Under Florida law, the dog’s owner can be held legally responsible for bite injuries even if the dog has never bitten before or exhibited dangerous behavior.

If you or someone you know was hurt in a dog attack, there is a good chance that the dog’s owner will be held liable for the harm incurred. This means that they will likely be required to pay for medical bills, future treatments, lost income, plus monetary damages for your pain and emotional suffering as a result of the dog attack.

Our Clearwater Dog Bite Lawyers at Whittel & Melton have seen the types of life-changing wounds suffered by dog bite victims, including permanent scarring and disfigurement and loss of limbs. We understand the trauma associated with these injuries, which is why we work attentively to help dog bite victims recover full and fair compensation for their suffering.

October 4, 2017

Pedestrian Accidents On The Rise: Pedestrian struck, killed early Monday in Tampa

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A pedestrian was killed early Monday after being struck by two vehicles on a major Tampa street.

According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the crash happened on Hillsborough Avenue near 50th Street.

Troopers said the pedestrian was struck in the eastbound lanes just before 3 a.m.

Both eastbound and westbound Hillsborough Avenue were closed for several hours after the crash.

Authorities have not released any further information as of yet.

The Governors Highway Safety Association shows that the number of pedestrians killed in traffic accidents increased 11 percent last year, to nearly 6,000. That’s the biggest single-year increase in pedestrian fatalities ever. It is also the highest number in more than two decades. The National Safety Council reported that traffic deaths overall went up 6 percent nationwide in 2016.

In Florida alone, we saw 301 pedestrian deaths from January 2016-June 2016, an 8.7 percent jump from 2015, which yielded 277 pedestrian deaths.

After speeding and the failure to yield, distractions are the number three cause of pedestrian fatalities, particularly due to electronic devices. Drivers distracted by their devices are a well-documented, rising cause of traffic fatalities.

Vehicle speeds are also a factor. According to reports, if a pedestrian is struck at 20 miles an hour, they have a 10 percent chance of dying. If they are struck at 40 miles an hour, they have an 80 percent chance of dying. According to the GHSA, 74 percent of pedestrian fatalities happen at night, and 72 percent of those killed were not crossing at intersections. Another significant factor is alcohol. The GHSA reports that 15 percent of pedestrians killed each year are hit by a drunk driver.

September 27, 2017

Pedestrian Struck, Killed by Truck Tuesday in Tampa

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A pedestrian who was struck by a truck Tuesday afternoon has died from her injuries.

Tampa police believe the 26-year-old Tampa woman was hit as she attempted to cross Nebraska Avenue just south of Hillsborough Avenue around 4:15 p.m. Tuesday.

Police said the truck was traveling eastbound on Hillsborough Ave. and was turning right on Nebraska when Hufford reportedly walked into the side of the truck.

The driver of the truck has yet to be charged.

Pedestrian crashes are on the rise throughout the United States. In fact, according to the Governors Highway Safety Association, 6,000 pedestrians were killed nationwide in 2016, which is a vast increase from the 5,400 fatalities that occurred in 2015.

In many Tampa Bay area pedestrian crashes, the negligent actions of drivers are to blame for pedestrian fatalities, including driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, speeding, making illegal turns, and failing to obey all traffic laws and signals. Our Tampa Bay Pedestrian Accident Lawyers at Whittel & Melton would like to remind everyone that in order to pedestrians to stay safe on our roadways, you must be vigilant, especially at busy intersections or during night time when accidents are more likely to take place.

September 21, 2017

Pedestrian Struck By Semi In Clearwater

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A 35-year-old Dunedin woman was killed early Wednesday when she was struck by a semi-truck.

According to Clearwater police, the crash happened on U.S. 19 around 1 a.m. The woman was struck by a tractor-trailer headed south on U.S. 19 just north of Sunset Point Road.

Police said the woman walked into the southbound lanes of traffic on U.S. 19 and the 50-year-old driver of the semi was unable to avoid striking her.

The U.S. 19 lanes were closed for several hours.

The crash remains under investigation.

The injuries suffered after being hit by a semi can be life-changing. They usually result in catastrophic injuries or death. If you do survive this type of crash, hospital bills, physical therapy, and time missed from work to heal can severely impact your physical, emotional and financial well-being.

In most cases, insurance companies will be eager to settle your claim, but may not offer you the full and fair amount you are entitled to. For your own protection, never sign anything from an insurance company until you have spoken with an attorney, who can make sure your best interests are protected.

August 29, 2017

Motorcyclist Critically Injured in St. Petersburg Overnight Crash

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

St. Petersburg police are investigating an early morning traffic crash that sent one person to the hospital with serious injuries.

The crash occurred around 12:41 a.m. at Central Avenue and 45th Street in St. Pete.

Police said a Volkswagen, driven by a 22-year-old woman was driving northbound on 45th St. and stopped at a stop sign at Central Ave. The Volkswagen began to make a left hand turn and drove into the path of a Yamaha traveling eastbound on Central Avenue.

Police said the Yamaha, driven by a 25-year-old man, crashed into the rear driver side of the Volkswagen.

The man was thrown from his bike and was transported to Bayfront Health St. Petersburg with life-threatening injuries. Officials said he is considered to be in critical condition.

The driver of the Volkswagen was transported to Bayfront with minor injuries. A passenger in her vehicle was treated and released at the scene.

Officials claim both drivers were found to have signs of impairment by alcohol. Criminal charges are pending the results of blood tests, officials said.

When a drunk driver is on the road, they place everyone sharing the roadway with them in danger. Motorcyclists are exceptionally vulnerable to drunk drivers. They have less protection than other motorists and they are harder to identify by intoxicated drivers.

Motorcyclists are 35 times more likely to be involved in a fatal accident than those utilizing a passenger car, which means that roughly 11 percent of all traffic accidents in the US involve a motorcycle.

Drunk driving accidents can result in serious injuries and even wrongful death. If you or someone you care for was the victim of a drunk driving accident while on a motorcycle, you need to seek the legal counsel that you deserve to recover damages from the at-fault party. Our St. Petersburg Motorcycle Accident Lawyers at Whittel & Melton can help you through your case and assist you with determining what your options are.