Burn Injury

July 1, 2022

Be Safe this Fourth of July Holiday Weekend | Citrus County Injury Lawyers Whittel & Melton

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

The Fourth of July is quickly approaching, and fun activities are in store for those in Crystal River and the surrounding areas such as fireworks, boating, swimming, grilling, and more. As the long weekend nears, it is extremely important for people to be aware of the dangers that could arise and how they can potentially be on the hook for any liability when injuries happen. Our Citrus County Injury Lawyers at Whittel & Melton encourage everyone to prepare themselves for the dangers that could arise this holiday weekend so that everyone can stay safe this Fourth of July.

Fireworks Safety in Crystal River

Fireworks can be dangerous, and even deadly. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reported fireworks were involved in about 15,600 injuries treated in hospital emergency rooms in 2020. Accidents involving fireworks that happen on your property could mean that you are liable for any mishaps. Do not allow anyone to come on your property and shoot off fireworks or sparklers in an unsafe way as you (the homeowner) could be held accountable for any property damage or injuries, like serious eye injuries, burns, and hearing loss.

Drinking and Driving in Crystal River

The Fourth of July holiday usually goes hand in hand with drinking with friends and family. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported that from 2015 to 2019, 1,339 drivers were killed in car accidents over the Fourth of July holiday weekend. Of those, 38% of the drivers that were killed were found to be driving drunk.

Remember, that when you choose to drink and get behind the wheel of a car, you can be liable for a crash that you cause. If you plan to consume alcohol over the Fourth of July, then plan a sober ride home. If you host a party where a guest is overserved, then you can be held liable if someone happens to them, so make sure that you take away car keys from someone who is inebriated and that you have alternative transportation planned for guests or a place where they can sleep it off.

Boating Safety in Crystal River

Boating accidents over the Fourth of July holiday weekend increase substantially. The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary reports that the Fourth of July, Memorial Day and Labor Day, account for over one-third of all boating accidents and deaths annually.

If you take people out on your boat this holiday weekend and an accident result from negligence, then you can be held liable. This is why you must take all necessary precautions when heading out on the water:

Always wear a life jacket and have enough life jackets that fit all of your guests
Never drink and operate a boat
Make sure your radio is properly working
Make sure your boat is in proper working condition
Always be on the lookout for other boats and any debris in the water

November 21, 2018

Citrus County Injury Attorneys Whittel & Melton :: How to Avoid Turkey Troubles on Thanksgiving

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

Thanksgiving is almost here and millions of Americans will sit down for a festive and hearty meal. Americans consume billions of dollars of turkey every holiday season, with 88% of Thanksgiving meals including turkey on the menu. While turkeys are one of the most anticipated aspects of Thanksgiving, they can lead to serious problems in the kitchen!

Fire Hazards

The No. 1 turkey-related tragedy is fires. With so many dishes to prepare, many cooks find themselves easily distracted. If a turkey, or any other dish, is left unattended, it can overheat and catch fire, leading to danger. In order to prevent a meal mishap, the turkey and other dishes should be carefully monitored while they cook.

You should have a fire extinguisher on hand and know how to deal with different types of fires. Keep children and pets out of the kitchen while you cook, and stay focused on your tasks and timers.

Don’t Leave Out the Leftovers

Food poisoning can be a huge issue over the holidays. Most people want to relax and watch football after their large turkey dinner, but it is very important to put away the leftover food. If food is left out and uncovered, it can quickly pick up bacteria, which can lead to unpleasant illness after consumption. To prevent foodborne illnesses, all leftovers should be promptly refrigerated, and food that has been sitting out for more than two hours should be tossed.

For a successful Thanksgiving, take kitchen safety precautions, watch out for any recalled products, from contaminated meats to faulty ovens, and of course, remember to be thankful and enjoy your day with loved ones!

July 2, 2018

Citrus County Injury Attorneys :: Stay Safe On The Fourth

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

Even though it falls on a Wednesday this year, AAA projects nearly 47 million Americans will travel somewhere for the holiday. If this forecast does in fact happen, it will set a new travel record. The Fourth of July is one of the most dangerous holidays to be on the road, and you can bet that state troopers will be responding to hundreds of accidents over this holiday week.

We know that not all accidents on the Fourth are related to motor vehicle incidents, so our Citrus County Injury Lawyers have compiled a list of the most common accidents and a few safety tips to remember.

Car Accidents

Our Citrus County Auto Accident Attorneys at Whittel & Melton have helped numerous car accident victims recover compensation for their injuries. Some of the most common accidents stem from one of the following mistakes:

Distractions
Drunk driving
Tailgating or following too closely

Holiday weekends only increase these kinds of accidents. If you or someone you love has been injured in a car accident, we urge you to first seek medical attention and then contact us right away. If you’re unsure if you have a valid case, we can walk you through the process and help you determine what to do next.

Firework Injuries

Fireworks and the Fourth go hand in hand. Our Citrus County Injury Lawyers want you to have fun over the holiday – but encourage you to do it safely!

Every year, there are news stories about someone who has seriously been injured by fireworks. Whether you were at a fireworks show or at someone else’s home, the property owner has a responsibility to keep everyone safe from harm.

Keep in mind Florida’s laws on fireworks: Under Florida law, only sparklers, approved by the Florida Division of State Fire Marshal, are legal for consumer usage. It is illegal to use exploding and/or flying fireworks in Florida, which include: shells and mortars, multiple tube devices, Roman candles, rockets and firecrackers.

If you’ve been injured in a fireworks accident, the first thing you need to do is get medical attention. After that, call us and we can look into your injury case and see if you are able to recover financial compensation for medical bills, rehabilitation costs, and lost wages.

Pool Injuries

It’s Florida, so it would not be summer without a trip to the pool. Maybe, you have one in your backyard. It’s important to adhere to all posted pool rules for your own safety. It’s also important to always have adult supervision, because accidents do happen.

If you or a family member has been injured in a swimming or slip and fall accident at a swimming pool, give us a call as we may be able to help you file a personal injury claim.

November 21, 2017

Citrus County Injury Lawyer – Thanksgiving Safety Tips

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

Tens of millions of Americans travel over the long Thanksgiving weekend to spend time with family and friends – nearly 51 million are expected to travel 50 or miles from home this year, AAA estimates.

All of the extra traveling and other activities at Thanksgiving lead to a higher number of cooking and car accidents. According to The American Red Cross, the additional cooking duties over Thanksgiving leads to a higher number of house fires. On a similar note, a higher number of travelers on the highways cause more traffic accidents. The National Safety Council estimates that 407 fatal traffic accidents occurred around the Thanksgiving holiday from 2008-2013.

Our Citrus County Injury Lawyers at Whittel & Melton want you to have a very happy and safe Thanksgiving. To ensure that you and your loved ones stay safe over this holiday weekend, please consider the following simple tips.

FOR TRAVELING SAFELY

Anyone travelling in a vehicle should wear their seat belts.
Never drink and drive.
Do not drive tired.
Do not use your cell phone when driving for any period of time.
Do not speed.
Drive slowly in work zones and use extra caution.
On long trips, make sure that you rotate drivers every two or three hours.
Do not tailgate. It will not get you to your destination any faster, and it may cause a serious accident.
Turn on headlights when it starts to get dark and when you have to use your windshield wipers.

FOR COOKING SAFELY

Thanksgiving Day is the annual peak for home cooking fires. There were 1,760 home cooking fires in 2015 reported to U.S. fire departments.
Cooks should not wear loose clothing around the stove.
Use a timer to remind you that the stove is on.
Keep your pets and small children away from cooking areas.
Check that all smoke alarms are functioning.
Have a fire extinguisher in the kitchen for an emergency.

October 6, 2016

One Person Killed In Dunnellon Mobile Home Fire

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

One person was killed Wednesday in a mobile home fire in Dunnellon.

According to the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office and Crystal River Fire Department, the fire broke out just after 11 a.m.

Fire officials believe a man was sleeping in the home when the fire broke out, but he managed to escape through a window. Another person became trapped in the home and could not escape.

The man who escaped told officials he tried to help the other person, but could not save that person due to the flames.

The survivor was taken to an area hospital as a precaution.

By the time firefighters arrived, the home was almost completely engulfed in flames.

The mobile home has been declared a total loss. The state fire marshal’s office is investigating the fire.

Around 22,000 fires occur in mobile homes annually, killing 500 people and injuring 1,000. Sadly, fire death rates for mobile homes are two times higher than those in other types of dwellings. The leading cause of mobile home fires are faulty electrical and heating equipment.

October 5, 2016

Replacement Samsung Galaxy Note Explodes During Boarding Of Southwest Flight

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A Samsung Galaxy Note 7 phone, issued as a replacement for the recalled version of the device, exploded this morning during boarding of Southwest Airlines Flight 994 in Louisville, according to reports.

While no injuries were reported, the incident generated enough smoke to force the evacuation of the plane and cancel the flight to Baltimore.

The phone was apparently a replacement for the Galaxy Note 7 phones Samsung recalled in mid-September.

Samsung issued the following statement:

“There is no evidence that this incident is related to the new Note7. We are working with the authorities and Southwest now to recover the device and confirm the cause.”

The Galaxy Note 7 caused minor damage to the plane’s carpet, where the phone was dropped. The incident comes in the wake of the US Consumer Product Safety Commission formally recalling 1 million Galaxy Note 7 smartphones last month. According to the CPSC, Samsung received 92 reports of batteries overheating in the US, resulting in 26 instances of property damage.

Companies have an obligation to consumers to put out safe products for use. Fortunately, no one was harmed in this incident. However, serious burn injuries could have easily occurred. When a product is defective, like the Galaxy Note 7, there can be multiple responsible parties, including the manufacturer, the wholesaler or distributor, and often the retailer of the product.