$5.0 MillionBrain Injury
$4.9 MillionMedical Malpractice
$4.72 MillionCar Accident
$4.6 MillionTruck Accident
$2.6 MillionCar Accident Death
$1.85 MillionSUV Rollover
$1.5 MillionWorkplace Accident
$1.5 MillionPremises Liability
$772,000Car Accident
$625,000Car Accident
$550,000Slip & Fall
$520,000Nursing Home Negligence
$505,000Truck Accident
$500,000Truck Accident
$500,000Nursing Home Death
$480,000Pedestrian Injury
$450,000Car Accident
$450,000Car Accident
$400,000Car Accident
$400,000Highway Crash

Florida Personal Injury & Criminal Attorneys

Skilled in Injury, Wrongful Death, Criminal & Employment Cases

At Whittel & Melton, we represent clients in a wide range of personal injury cases, wrongful death, criminal defense, and employment matters across Florida. 

Our team includes former Florida prosecutors, former State defenders, a former Assistant Attorney General, a retired military, and a Board Certified Specialist recognized by the Florida Bar. 

The founding members of our firm have been nominated for federal and state offices. Whether you need a Florida personal injury attorney in Spring Hill, Brooksville, New Port Richey, Inverness, The Villages Ocala, Gainesville, a criminal defense attorney, or an advocate for your workplace rights, we are committed to exceeding your expectations.

Our attorneys and staff are available 24 hours a day to help our clients navigate the difficulties of the Florida legal system.

Whittel & Melton’s success and reputation are built on high-quality legal work performed by well-prepared lawyers devoted to their clients. Our attorneys have been recognized as outstanding litigators in publications such as U.S. News and World Report Best Lawyers and Best Law Firms, Super Lawyers, and Florida Trend’s Legal Elite.

Lawyers in the firm have also been recognized by Martindale-Hubbell with an “AV” rating, the highest rating in that journal. 

Partner Jason Melton is a Life Member in the exclusive Multi-Million and Million Dollar Advocates Forums.

Personal Injury Lawyer

A personal injury case can arise from any careless, reckless, or intentional act that causes harm to a victim. Various theories underlie personal injury claims, the most common being negligence. 

In such cases, an injury attorney in Hernando County can help a victim argue that the defendant failed to use reasonable care, causing harm. Defendants may also be held liable under strict liability in some cases.

Our firm handles personal injury claims in Spring Hill, Citrus Country, and all Florida, arising from car, truck, and motorcycle accidents, as well as slip and fall accidents and other incidents.

Car Accidents

Florida is a no-fault insurance state, requiring you to first turn to your personal injury protection (PIP) coverage for compensation for medical costs and other economic losses, regardless of fault.

However, you can file a car accident claim against an at-fault driver if you meet certain criteria. You, generally, have four years from the date of a crash to commence a car accident lawsuit in Florida.

The state follows the rule of pure comparative negligence. This means it allows you to recover compensation even if you were partly at fault. Our Hernando County injury attorneys will pursue the full scope of damages to which you may be entitled.

Truck Accidents

Injuries from truck accidents are often devastating because of the size and weight of commercial trucks. Truck drivers must adhere to multiple laws and regulations regarding operation times, logbooks, cargo loading, and vehicle inspections. 

Multiple accident victims, all with catastrophic injuries, may bring claims against the truck driver’s insurance policy after a truck accident. 

Your attorney should investigate the accident’s causes and include any party that may have contributed to it in the lawsuit. For instance, a trucking company may be vicariously liable for its employee driver’s negligence and have direct liability for negligent training, hiring, or supervision.

Motorcycle Accidents

With all its beautiful roads and beach landscapes, Florida is a popular state with motorcyclists. But it also has a high rate of motorcycle accidents. 

Motorcyclists deserve the same respect on the road as other drivers, but they rarely receive it. 

Our Hernando County injury lawyers help victims fight back against allegations of fault to maximize their damages awards.

Premises Liability

Florida property owners must ensure their properties are safe for visitors. This includes repairing dangerous conditions or issuing warnings.

If injured because of a dangerous condition on someone else’s property, you can file a premises liability lawsuit against the property owner. 

These lawsuits can arise from dangerous conditions at grocery stores, gyms, malls, hotels, restaurants, and bars. 

You must show that the property owner knew or should have known about the dangerous condition, failed to repair or warn of it, and that you were injured.

Wrongful Death

A wrongful death lawsuit can be filed when someone’s death is caused by another party’s wrongful act, negligence, default, or breach of contract.

A wrongful death lawsuit in civil court is distinct from any criminal proceedings and may succeed even without a criminal conviction because of the lower burden of proof in civil court. 

In this case, a personal representative of the victim’s estate can file a wrongful death claim with assistance from an injury lawyer in Hernando County. Damages recovered can benefit the decedent’s estate and survivors.

Criminal Defense

We handle both felony and misdemeanor charges in state and federal courts. This includes DUI, drug crimes, violent crimes, sex crimes, theft crimes, white-collar crimes, juvenile offenses, probation violations, and traffic offenses. 

The defense strategy will depend on the charge and circumstances. For instance, in drug crime cases, we investigate how law enforcement collected evidence and may get it suppressed if constitutional requirements were not met.

DUI Defense

We handle all types of DUI charges in Circuit Court and County Court. Even if your blood alcohol concentration was measured at .08 or greater, a conviction is not assured. 

We examine the circumstances of your arrest to determine if your constitutional rights were violated. If the police lacked reasonable suspicion to pull you over, we may get evidence from the stop suppressed.

We might also expose errors in testing procedures.

Criminal Appeals

Our attorneys are often hired to file an appeal after a conviction, sentencing, or final hearing. We review evidence, transcripts, witness testimony, and facts to identify errors that could form the basis for an appeal.

Appeals may be based on errors made during pre-trial motions, plea negotiations, sentencing, trail, or jury selection. 

In Florida State Court, a notice of appeal must be filled within 30 days of the final order.

Employment Law

Employees have substantial protections under federal, state, and local laws. Unfortunately, employers do not always honor their obligations under these laws.

Employment law may involve disputes related to wage, discrimination, harassment, retaliation, or whistleblowing. 

It is important to choose an attorney who can help you craft a claim that maximizes your remedies.

Wage and Hour Law

Wage and hour violations can involve wage theft, a failure to pay the minimum wage, a failure to pay overtime, and more. Whether you are paid hourly or on a salary does not affect whether you are entitled to be paid overtime under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

Your overtime eligibility is dictated by whether you are an exempt or non-exempt employee based on the legal criteria for these categories and your job duties, occupation, and wages. 

There are harsh penalties for employers who fail to pay overtime or retaliate against employees seeking unpaid wages.

Employment Discrimination

Federal and State laws prohibit discrimination based on certain protected characteristics. 

Adverse employment decisions that would be prohibited if based on an employee’s protected characteristic include termination, failure to hire, failure to promote, disparate pay, harassment, and more.

The Florida Civil Rights Act prohibits discrimination based on color, race, sex, religion, national origin, disabilities, age, or marital status. 

Sometimes an employer uses a pretext to cloak a discriminatory action, but a careful investigation can reveal the true motive.

Retain a Skillful Attorney to Fight for Your Rights

Whether you were injured in a car accident, arrested for DUI, or denied your proper wages, you should consult a skillful trial attorney. At Whittel & Melton, our success and reputation are recognized by colleagues and judges alike. We are dedicated to developing and maintaining long-term relationships in communities in which we practice. Call us at 866-516-5575 or contact us via our online form for a free consultation with an injury attorney in Hernando County or guidance in a criminal case or employment dispute.

Who We Are & How We're Different: The Whittel & Melton Client Experience

Justia 10
Multi Million Dollar
Super Lawyers
American Association for Justice
Florida Legal Elite
Avvo Rating 10
Preeminent Badge 2018
Floride Justice Association
Best Lawyers 2015
Accredited Business
Best Lawyers
Namil Law
Motorcycle Injury Attorney
Top 100 2020

Client Reviews

This firm was extremely helpful and courteous to deal with. I did not expect to need their services, but was fortunate to find such a great firm. Thank you for your services.

E.S.

Great customer service. I was always kept updated on every new detail throughout my whole case. The staff made me feel very comfortable and confident in choosing their services. Highly recommend.

C.B.

I have been to this office three different times and have not one complaint ! Always prompt and on point. I wouldn't pick any other office!

R.S.

The staff was very attentive and answered all my questions regarding my criminal case. I was very pleased with the outcome and professionalism.

C.V.

Could never see myself using any other law firm. My case was a difficult one it was handled with perfection and extreme professionalism.

R.B.

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Main Office
11020 Northcliffe Blvd

Spring Hill, FL 34608

Phone: 352-666-2121 Fax: 352-556-4839 Toll Free: 1-866-608-5LAW