Wrongful Death

May 23, 2018

41.5M Travelers for Memorial Day Weekend, a 5% Hike

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

According to AAA travel club, more than 41.5 million people will travel for the 2018 Memorial Day weekend, which is 4.8% more than last year. This will be the most travelers since 2005 for the holiday period that runs from May 24 through May 28 this year.

AAA goes on to say that 7 out of 8 travelers will be driving despite the most expensive gas since 2014. Gas averaged $2.72 per gallon in April, which was 33 cents higher than last year.

These numbers mean that 2 million more people will be traveling this year, so travel delays could triple along major roads, according to INRIX, a transportation analytics company. The busiest days will be Thursday and Friday, May 24 and 25, according to INRIX. The worst delays will be in NYC, Washington, D.C. and Chicago.

Our Tampa Bay Auto Accident Attorneys at Whittel & Melton want you and your loved ones to be safe this Memorial Day Weekend. We have compiled a few safety tips to get you to and from your destinations safely:

Always obey the rules of the road. Slow down when weather conditions are bad or if you are unfamiliar with the road.
Pull over or switch drivers when you get sleepy.
Put your phone down to limit distractions. Ask a passenger to handle snacks, music, and directions to reduce any further distractions.
Roadside assistance memberships can be a real lifesaver should you have a breakdown. This can also save you time, so consider investing in one.

May 16, 2018

Man Killed in Wrong-Way Crash in Plant City

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A wrong-way driver was killed late Monday in a crash in Plant City.

According to Plant City police, A 2002 Volkswagen Passat traveling southbound in the northbound lanes of N. Alexander Street collided head-on with a semi truck just before midnight.

The man driving the Volkswagen was killed at the scene.

The driver of the semi was not harmed.

An investigation is ongoing but officials said there is no indication yet why the man was driving in the wrong direction.

There were no passengers inside either vehicle at the time of the crash.

According to data from the United States Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the number of people killed in motor vehicle accidents has decreased by a whopping 25 percent over the past 10 years. While those statistics are great, the number of deaths associated with wrong-way driving crashes has remained steady over that time, according to the NHTSA, with around 360 deaths associated with these types of collisions every year.

May 14, 2018

Motorcyclist Killed in Tarpon Springs Crash

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A motorcyclist was killed in a crash with a bus in Tarpon Springs on Thursday.

According to Tarpon Springs police, the crash occurred around 5 p.m. at the intersection of Tarpon Avenue and Huey Avenue.

The motorcyclist, an 18-year-old man, collided with a privately operated bus. No passengers were aboard the bus at the time of the collision.

Paramedics transported the biker to Florida Hospital North Pinellas, where he later died of his injuries.

No further information on the crash is available.

Intersections are dangerous places for bikers to be. If other motorists are distracted, running red lights or not implementing safe left-hand turns, they place motorcyclists and everyone else sharing the roadway at risk for suffering serious personal injuries or even wrongful death from potentially fatal accidents. If you or someone you love has been injured or killed in a motorcycle intersection accident, our Tampa Bay Motorcycle Accident Lawyers at Whittel & Melton can help you with your case.

Intersection accidents can happen for numerous reasons. Running red lights is a common cause for intersection accidents. Dangerous left-hand turns can also lead to serious intersection crashes. Motorcycles can easily get rear ended at intersections as well. Another common cause of intersection crashes is attributed to aggressive or distracted driving habits. Drivers travel in different directions at intersections, leaving very little to no margin for error. If motorists aren’t being safe, they’re putting other drivers at risk.

May 9, 2018

Two Killed in Personal Watercraft Collision in Tampa

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

Two people have died after two personal watercrafts collided in Tampa.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said a 42-year-old Tampa man was fatally injured when his watercraft collided Monday in the waters off Tampa with a watercraft driven by a 41-year-old Clearwater woman.

The man died at a hospital Monday.

The wildlife commission said the woman was critically injured in the crash and died Tuesday at a hospital.

Authorities are still investigating the crash.

Boats are not the only causes of water-related accidents in Tampa. Jet Skis and other personal watercraft vessels are often to blame. Many people view these pieces of equipment as toys, so they fail to take the necessary safety precautions, but the truth is, they can be quite dangerous when used incorrectly.

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.

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.

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.