Tampa Bay

August 26, 2014

Tips for Cruising Safely: Be Aware of Cruise Ship Crime

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

Any time a dangerous situation erupts or a catastrophe occurs onboard a cruise ship it makes headline news. However, when a crime happens aboard a cruise line, we do not always hear about it despite the fact that cruise lines are obligated to report all allegations of serious crimes to the FBI.

Major cruise lines even post criminal data online for the general public to view. There are some limitations, though. Cruise lines are only required to report theft of items totaling more than $10,000, and assault causing serious bodily injury.

While more than 22 million people travel via cruise ship every year, crime figures are actually quite low. Trips aboard cruise ships are not inherently dangerous.

Due to the fact that these ships sail internationally, the laws can be somewhat cloudy. Criminal investigations are usually handled by the FBI, but this also depends on where the ship is located at the time as well as where it is registered.

The main thing to be concerned with is how crimes are reported, investigated and tracked.

Should you find yourself the victim of a crime, make sure to report it right away to onboard security and demand that the crime scene be secured until law enforcement can gain access to the ship.

The other thing you want to make sure to do is write down the names of everyone involved in the incident – this includes witnesses. If a criminal act occurs while you are at a foreign port, contact the closest embassy or consulate.

Keep your eyes and ears open when taking a cruise. Trust your gut – if something appears odd or suspicious to you, it probably is. Should something appear out of the norm to you, take a trip to the Purser’s Office and let the staff know. They will appreciate the heads up, and you might just keep a criminal act from occurring.

Taking a cruise is a fabulous experience, so don’t think they are all bad. As long as you are prepared and watch out for your own safety, it will be smooth sailing all the way.

August 11, 2014

Man Struck by Truck and Killed in Tampa Intersection

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A man was killed early Monday after he walked into the path of an oncoming pickup truck in Tampa, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

The man was struck along 50th Street just north of Palm River Road at 4:27 a.m.

Troopers believe a 54-year-old Ruskin man was driving his Ford F-150 pickup northbound on 50th Street when the man attempted to cross the street.

The man died at the scene. The driver of the F-150 was not harmed.

Parts of Palm River Road and 50th Street were closed Monday morning while authorities investigated the crash site.

Intersections can create dangerous conditions for pedestrians, bicyclists and other motorists. Even though there are guidelines that detail how to proceed at intersections as well as who has the right of way, it is common for these rules to be ignored. In many cases, negligent driving practices such as speeding, drunk driving or distracted driving create life-threatening situations when cars and pedestrians enter an intersection at the same time.

The most common intersection accidents entail:

– Running a stop sign or a red light

– Making a right or left turn without checking to make sure the intersection is clear of other vehicles or pedestrians

– Failing to adhere to stop signs or traffic lights

When pedestrians are involved in intersection collisions, the potential for serious injury is increased due to the fact that they lack the protection that a vehicle provides for drivers and passengers. Unfortunately, many drivers do not always keep an eye out for pedestrians in the roadway that are entering an intersection with them, and they often fail to yield the right of way. Intersection car accident claims are usually highly complex. Insurance companies often use this to their advantage and will try and reduce your financial compensation.

August 4, 2014

Adult, Baby Killed in I-4 Minivan Crash in Tampa

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

An adult and an infant were killed and two children were critically injured after a minivan travelling on Interstate 4 exited the roadway and crashed.

A 2008 Hyundai Entourage was heading west on the highway, west of County Road 579, around 1:10 a.m. when it left the road, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

The van crossed a concrete culvert, rode up a grass embankment and crashed through a chain link fence. The Florida Highway Patrol claims the vehicle flipped several times before stopping on its left side in the parking lot of Camping World of Tampa.

The driver, a 29-year-old Wesley Chapel man, suffered only minor injuries. However, the right-front passenger, a 30-year-old adult from Tampa, was ejected from the van and died at the scene. A 5-month-old infant was taken to a hospital and died a short time later.

Two children, ages 7 and 9, were taken to Tampa General Hospital in critical condition.

Another female passenger was taken to the hospital with minor injuries.

Investigators are still looking into the cause of the crash. Witnesses to the accident are asked to contact the FHP at 813-631-4020.

Losing someone you love unexpectedly in a car accident is devastating. The grieving process can be an extremely difficult time period, and on top of that, you must deal with securing the financial future of your family. It is critical to speak to an auto accident attorney who can take care of all matters related to your loss, so that you can focus on taking care of yourself and your family’s wellbeing. A Tampa Bay Auto Accident Lawyer at Whittel & Melton can help you recover financial compensation for medical expenses, lost wages that your loved one would have earned, pain and suffering and all other damages related to the collision.

July 29, 2014

9-Year-Old Girl Critically Injured in Beach Plane Crash Dies

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A 9-year-old girl that was critically injured Sunday when a plane hit her and her father during a beach landing near Venice Beach has died.

The girl died of critical injuries suffered when a plane hit her and her father on Caspersen Beach, according to the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office.

She was transported to All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg immediately following the crash.

Her 36-year-old father was killed Sunday in the crash.

According to officials, the 57-year-old pilot of the 1972 Piper Cherokee reported that the plane was in distress around 2:45 p.m. and could not make it back to the airport. He attempted to land the plane on the beach.

The pilot and his 60-year-old passenger were not injured.

The Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the crash.

Airplane crashes are rarely heard about in the news, but when they do occur they often cause catastrophic injuries to passengers, and in many cases death. If you have lost a loved one in an airplane crash that was caused by the negligent actions of the pilot, airline employees, the airplane manufacturers, air traffic controllers or even weather service operators, a Tampa Bay Wrongful Death Lawyer can assist you in filing a wrongful death claim and pursue financial compensation from all parties who were responsible.

July 21, 2014

Tampa, Florida 4-Year-Old Killed by Uncle’s Pit Bulls

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A 4-year-old boy was mauled Saturday night by two pit bulls that had been crated at his uncle’s house in Riverview.

Authorities are still trying to determine how the attack occurred.

According to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, two deputies were conducting a traffic stop near the home when they heard a child’s screams.

They ran to the scene and found the child in the front yard with the pit bulls standing over home. The child was pronounced dead at the scene around 10:30 p.m.

Investigators claim that the boy and his mother had walked from their home to their aunt and uncle’s residence.

The uncle had crated the two dogs before their arrival.

The boy was apparently eating ice cream in the living room of the house while the adults were in the master bedroom talking.

When they heard the screams, they realized the boy was not in the house. The deputies arrived moments later.

Animal Services responded to the home and took possession of the dogs. According to authorities, this was the first call to the home for a problem with the dogs.

No charges have been filed, but authorities are still investigating.

Animal attacks are actually more common than you may realize. The American Humane Association estimates that 4.7 million dog bites happen in the U.S. every year, with nearly 800,000 of them requiring medical care. Sadly, most dog attacks involve young children.

Nearly half of all dog bites involve children under the age 12, and more than 80 percent of dog bites are treated in hospital emergency rooms and involve children under age 15.

The ASPCA predicts that half of all children in the United States will be bitten by a dog before they turn 12. Most of these bites will be from the family dog or the dog of a neighbor or friend.

If you or your child has been injured in an animal attack, it is important to speak with an attorney as soon as possible to protect your rights. A Tampa Bay Wrongful Death Lawyer will conduct a thorough investigation into the attack, collect any evidence and deal with the responsible parties directly. We can handle the insurance companies involved with the claim so that you can focus on the grieving process and moving forward from this difficult time.

July 16, 2014

Contractor Dies in Slip and Fall Accident at TECO Power Plant

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A Tampa contractor died Monday after officials believe he slipped and fell while working at a TECO power plant in Tampa.

Reports indicate that the 31-year-old was dismantling an old unit at the Bayside TECO power plant when he slipped and fell through a grate located on the catwalk.

According to officials, the man fell about 50 feet to the ground. The Hillsborough County Fire Rescue pronounced the man dead at the scene.

July 8, 2014

Tampa Bay Traumatic Brain Injury Lawyer :: Possible Link Between Brain Injury and Dementia

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A new report shows a possible connection between traumatic brain injuries and dementia. According to an article by US News and World Report, veterans who have suffered a traumatic brain injury are more likely to develop dementia later in life.

The study reports that former soldiers are 60 times more likely to develop dementia earlier in life than their counterparts who have never been diagnosed with any brain injury.

The study examined 190,000 veterans, who were all around 68-years-old and dementia-free. According to the report, 1,299 of these vets had at some point received a traumatic brain injury diagnosis.

The study followed the vets over the course of nine years. During that time, researchers observed that 16 percent of the veterans with brain injuries developed dementia, while only 10 percent of those without a brain injury developed dementia.

While the study does indicate a strong link between TBIs and dementia, there are numerous other factors that could influence the equation, including the possible presence of high blood pressure, post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and diabetes.

The author of the study was quoted as saying, “Our results suggest that [brain injury] may increase the risk of developing dementia in older veterans, with an age of onset about two years earlier. So clinicians may want to keep an eye out for signs of cognitive impairment in older veterans with a history of [brain injury].”

Dementia is a term that covers a range of medical symptoms, such as extreme memory loss and the lack of ability to accomplish basic daily care responsibilities. There are many different types of dementia conditions, including:

Alzheimer’s Disease. This is reportedly the most common type of dementia, accounting for about 70 percent of cases. Early warning signs of this disease include memory problems, excessive lethargy and depression.

Vascular Dementia. This disorder is also known as post-stroke dementia because it

usually occurs in patients that have recently suffered a stroke. This disease generally arises from blood vessel blockage in the brain and affects the brain’s ability to make decisions.

Huntington’s Disease. This is a progressive disorder that is caused by a single defective gene. Common side effects include involuntary muscle movements, irritability and a decrease in cognitive skills.

Parkinson’s Disease. As this condition progresses, dementia can set in. The most common symptoms of this disorder include movement complications, sleep conflicts and visual hallucinations.

June 30, 2014

Tampa Bay Injury Lawyer :: Fourth of July Fireworks Safety Tips

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

According to the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission, 11,400 fireworks injuries were treated in hospital emergency rooms during the month surrounding July 4th last year. A good amount of these injuries were reportedly from people misusing fireworks. The most common injuries happened from lighting fireworks too close to someone, lighting fireworks incorrectly and playing with lit or used fireworks.

Fireworks normally undergo arduous testing before they are sold to the American public, according to the National Council on Fireworks Safety. However, this does not mean that fireworks cannot be defective. Most fireworks-related injuries are not from defective products, though. Rather, most of these accidents are entirely preventable, and occur due to misusing these explosive devices.

Fireworks can be fun, but it is also very important to use them safely. Follow these guidelines to decrease your chance of experiencing a fireworks-related accident:

Adhere to all fireworks laws in your area and avoid behaving recklessly. In Florida, consumer fireworks are illegal. Nonetheless, state lawmakers passed an exception to this rule allowing fireworks to be purchased by farms and fish hatcheries. In order for vendors to sell fireworks to the general public, all they have to do is have buyers sign forms saying they are actually purchasing under an agricultural exemption.
Follow all instructions on the label and do not try and alter the firework in any way.
If children are going to be around, always have adult supervision and never allow a small child to handle fireworks.
Have a source of water handy in case something goes wrong.
Alcohol and fireworks should not be combined. If you are going to be drinking, leave the fireworks displays to the professionals.
Ignite fireworks in a clear outdoor space. Check and make sure the area is not conducive to fires.
Soak all used fireworks with water before throwing them away.

June 23, 2014

Polk County Pedestrian Injury Lawyer :: Auburndale Man Hit, Killed by Polk Sheriff’s Patrol Car

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A 56-year-old man was killed early Friday morning in Auburndale after he was struck by a Polk County Sheriff’s patrol car, deputies said.

The crash occurred at 6 a.m. at the intersection of 42nd Street and Havendale Boulevard.

According to investigators, a 21-year-old deputy had just completed his shift and was driving home in the eastbound lanes of Havendale Boulevard in his patrol car. As he approached the intersection of 42nd Street, the 56-year-old man apparently stepped into the path of his patrol car.

The man died at the scene from his injuries.

Investigators claim that the preliminary information shows that the traffic light was green and that the deputy had the right of way.

Officials believe the deceased had a history of routinely wandering into parking lots and onto Havendale Boulevard to ask drivers for money. Earlier this month, deputies said they received two separate reports of the man walking into traffic at Havendale and 42nd Street, once at 11 a.m. and another at 5 p.m.

The Polk County Sheriff’s Office Traffic Homicide Unit will conduct the initial investigation into the crash. Following this, their findings will be reviewed by the PCSO Administrative Investigation’s Section. The State Attorney’s Office will also review any reports.

The deputy has been placed on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.

The intersection was closed briefly while deputies investigated the scene. The intersection reopened just after 11 a.m.

No additional details have been released.

Government officials, just like all other people, are very capable of making mistakes. With that said, the law does in fact recognize that government officials can sometimes be liable for accidents, and allows the accident victim to recover just the same as if the accident involved a private citizen. For this case, the fact that the driver was a police officer should not decrease the accident victim family’s chances of obtaining a full recovery for the death of their loved one should the accident have been caused by the officer’s negligence or carelessness.

When an accident is caused by a government employee, the accident victim or the accident victim’s family may be able to hold the city, state, or local government office responsible for their injuries or loss. For the most part, government officials have immunity from personal injury or wrongful death suits. But, if it is found that the official acted negligently or recklessly and harmed another human being, that immunity is waived.

June 5, 2014

Sarasota County Injury Lawyer :: Dancer with the Sarasota Ballet Killed in Bicycling Accident

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A 20-year-old dancer with the Sarasota Ballet died in a bicycling accident on Wednesday after he collided with a delivery truck, according to reports.

The dancer, from Brazil, was transported to Blake Medical Center in Bradenton where he died from his injuries Wednesday evening.

The accident occurred in the 5400 block of North Tamiami Trail in Sarasota around 2 p.m.

According to Sarasota Police, the delivery truck, driven by a 58-year-old Tampa man, was making a right turn onto a service entrance road leading into the Ringling Museum.

Police believe the delivery truck pulled in front of the dancer as he was approaching the road. Reports indicate that the driver may have failed to see the man or the bicycle.

The man’s bicycle hit the side of the delivery truck, causing significant injuries.

The driver of the delivery truck has been charged with violation of right-of-way to a bicyclist.

The accident is currently still under investigation.

Bicycle riders suffer an astounding number of serious injuries and fatalities every year in accidents involving motor vehicles. Many of these accidents are the fault of the motor vehicle drivers. In 2012 alone, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration noted that 49,000 bicyclists were injured in traffic accidents in the United States and another 726 were killed.

As many bicyclists are aware, drivers of cars, trucks and SUVs can easily fail to notice cyclists, and many choose to ignore their rights. When motorists do not pay attention to their surroundings, they can make moves that threaten the lives of bicycle riders and others sharing the roadways. Bike riders can suffer severe injuries or even death when motorists fail to check their blind spot before changing lanes, execute right turns directly in front of bikers, sideswipe cyclists travelling on the shoulder, drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs, open car doors in front of them, fail to stop at stop signs or even back out from driveways without looking. Even worse, many motor vehicle drivers do not respect the fact that Florida laws protect bicyclists and award them the same rights to use the streets as motorists.