Need an Attorney? You Need The Villages Injury Law Firm

Whittel & Melton, LLC is a full service central Florida law practice with an emphasis on representing clients from The Villages in all Personal Injury cases, Wrongful Death tragedies, and serious State and Federal Criminal matters. The firm was formed when Gainesville and Ocala Attorney Robert G. Whittel and Hernando and Sumter County Lawyer Jason M. Melton joined their respective practices to better accommodate their clients in The Villages.

The two founding members of the firm are former State Prosecutors and nominees for State and Federal office. At our Villages injury law firm, our lawyers and staff are committed to meeting and exceeding our clients' needs.

The Villages is a unique and growing area of Florida. No place in Florida is quite like it. We work very hard to accommodate all of our Villages clients.

Whittel & Melton's success and reputation has always been based on high quality legal work, performed by well-prepared lawyers who are devoted to their clients. The firm's growth is due in large part to the wide range of services and varied interests of our clients. Our attorneys are proud to deliver a personalized and focused counsel to our many clients in Florida. Whittel & Melton remains dedicated to developing and maintaining long-term relationships in the different communities where we practice.

Our firm routinely represents clients from The Villages in the courthouses of Ocala, Bushnell, Tavares, Gainesville, Inverness, Brooksville, New Port Richey, Dade City, Tampa, Orlando and throughout the State of Florida.

Whittel & Melton specializes in handling personal injury claims for legal issues arising within The Villages community, located between Ocala and Orlando. The Villages injury law firm uniquely understands the complex issues that drive favorable outcomes in personal injury cases. With decades of experience, and the results to back it up, you can be confident that our attorneys will handle your case efficiently and effectively, offering sound judgement throughout the process so you can feel confident with your decision to pursue a claim.

Whittel & Melton clients for instance have resolved cases for $5.0 million, $4.9 million, $2.6 million, $1.85 million, $1.5 million - these results, although uniquely specific to the cases, individuals and damages involved, are proof positive of our firm’s commitment to getting the full value of claims and not simply settling for some cheap quick insurance pay out.  We know nobody wants to have a personal injury, but if they do, they want to be treated with respect and have their claim evaluated and compensated properly.

Common Questions Regarding Personal Injury Cases in Florida

What can I expect to recover from a personal injury lawsuit?

Under Florida law, personal injury claimants are entitled to a broad range of damages, designed to reimburse injured parties for their medical expenses, lost wages, and any pain and suffering they may have endured. These damages can also cover any future expenses, lost wages, or suffering you may incur due to the severity of your injuries. Florida also makes allocation for related economic damages that may be not obvious to the casual observer.  An example might be if an injury will cut the future work life expectancy of an individual or perhaps reduce the ability to play golf after a certain age.  Damages are unique to the individual and can relate to all types of things as long as the proper predicate can be shown.

Are there any time limitations on when I can pursue a lawsuit for personal injury-related claims?

The state of Florida requires that personal injury claimants adhere to the statute of limitations for when a personal injury lawsuit can be brought forth. In Florida, claimants must present their case within four years from the date of the injury in question. Although the limitation for personal injury cases is 4 years, a Wrongful Death action in Florida has a shorter limitation of only 2 years.  We recommend that you get in touch with a personal injury and wrongful death lawyer at our The Villages injury law firm immediately after your accident. 

How long does it take to resolve a personal injury case in Florida?

Every personal injury case is unique, and some cases take longer to resolve than others. However, there are some markers that allow your attorney to identify whether a case will be settled quickly or whether you can expect to be stuck in court for months. Oftentimes, factors such as the severity of the injuries and the caliber of the insurance company insuring the liable driver will play a significant role in the case’s outcomes. 

How much will it cost to pursue a personal injury claim?

Though every case is unique and can have a number of complexities that would influence the cost of your legal fees, you have a constitutional right of access to the courts to file a lawsuit and seek claims for compensation when you have been injured due to the fault of another party. Most of the personal injury work completed at Whittel & Melton is done on what is called a contingency fee contract.  Meaning, the legal fees associated with the case in The Villages are contingent upon making a recovery.  A personal injury client from The Villages will generally never write our firm a check as we only recover fees from the damages we recover for the client. 

Will my injury claim be handled differently if it is in Sumter County, Marion County or Lake County?

No matter which of the three counties that make up The Villages, All three counties are in the same Judicial Circuit and essentially run very similarly.  Because we have been practicing in this part of the state for so long, we can comfortably tell you the jury pool in Marion County and Sumter County are very similar. The Lake County jury pool is probably the most unique in the 5th Judicial Circuit (Marion, Lake, Sumter, Citrus and Hernando) and will include some folks from the Orlando suburbs which creates some different perspectives when trying a case. We have not seen a substantial change in the evaluations by either a sworn jury or an insurance adjuster on a car accident claim, pedestrian injury, slip and fall, nursing home abuse or any other kind of personal injury or wrongful death case from The Villages.

Speak to The Villages Injury Law Firm As Soon As Possible

Whether you’ve been the victim of a serious injury, lost a family member in a wrongful death or are facing issues related to criminal activity, traffic offenses, or employment issues, our firm can help. Contact The Villages injury law firm today to schedule your first consultation.