Florida Personal Injury and Criminal Defense Lawyers
Schackow, Mercadante & Edwards is a dedicated criminal defense and personal injury law practice in Gainesville, Florida. When you contact a lawyer at this firm, you will be represented by an experienced professional who focuses on your kind of case.
Our criminal defense attorneys include Thomas Edwards, who has more than 22 years of criminal defense experience, and Geoffrey Mason, who has been Thomas Edwards' partner for over 10 years. Our personal injury lawyers include Gerald Schackow, who has been practicing in the Gainesville area for more than 45 years.
We understand that people come to us because they need help during what may be the most stressful time of their life. We represent people who face all types of criminal investigations and charges ranging from DUI, to sex offenses, to federal conspiracy, to murder. We also represent people who have been injured in car accidents, truck accidents and other types of negligence.
Our Mission:
We take pride in our success and professional integrity. Our attorneys have significant trial experience and are assisted by a support staff of professionals. We are experienced professionals who fight for the rights of our clients.
Our lawyers use state-of-the-art technology to create persuasive presentations. We maintain ongoing relationships with nationally known jury consultants and experts to ensure that our cases are well founded and carefully supported.
Brands
Areas of Practice:
* Personal Injury
* Wrongful Death
* Nursing Home Negligence
* Automobile Accidents
* Civil Litigation
* Trial Practice
* Litigation
* Medical Malpractice
* Criminal Law
* Custody & Visitation
* Guardianships & Conservatorships
* Family Law
Payment method
check
Location
Located on NW 8th Avenue one block west of NW 43rd Street, 1.5 miles east of I-75.
Initially, Gerald was a Criminal Defense attorney, as well as, a Family Law attorney. In the early 1970s, he wrote the “Florida Family Law Practice Manual,†which was published by Matthew Bender & Company, Inc., and is still a current and well-used family law publication. Soon thereafter, he began to limit his practice to personal injury work and has done that exclusively for the past 40 years. He is currently an AV rated attorney, and because he lives in Gainesville, Florida, which has 50,000 students at the University of Florida and Interstate 75 running through it, Gerald has specialized in Interstate (I-75) accidents, wrongful death cases, truck accidents, and student bicycle, motorcycle, and scooter accidents.
DUI/DWI
Like every other state, Florida has laws that specifically ban the operation of a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or certain drugs. “Driving under the influence,†or DUI, is a criminal offense that comes with various criminal penalties, such as jail time and fines.
Wrongful Death
If someone you love tragically passed away due to the negligent or unlawful conduct of another, you have the right to file a wrongful death lawsuit against the liable party. This is true whether or not the person who caused your loved one’s death is charged with or convicted of a crime.
Traffic Violations
Drug Crimes
Assault
Murder
In many cases, wrongful death lawsuits occur alongside criminal homicide or murder charges. These are two separate legal proceedings, and the outcome of one does not necessarily affect the outcome of the other. In fact, it is not uncommon for someone to be found liable in a wrongful death claim even if they are not convicted of a crime. This is because the burden of proof is somewhat more lenient in civil claims than in criminal cases.
Homicide
Manslaughter
Hit and Run
In Florida, as in other states, it is a criminal offense to leave the scene of an accident without stopping to identify oneself and attempt to provide reasonable aid to others involved in the crash. Fleeing the scene of the accident, or committing a hit-and-run, is punishable by up to 60 days in jail and a $500 fine—but the penalties increase significantly when someone is injured or killed in the accident.
Employers with four or more employees and construction companies with only one employee must provide workers’ compensation insurance, as a mandatory requirement set forth by Florida statutes. The state's program is designed to help pay medical expenses and provide income for employees who have been injured on the job, regardless of fault. Although the claims are supposed to be self-executing, due to the complexity of the process, collecting fair compensation for injuries caused by a work-related accident or occupational illness can be difficult. At Schackow & Mercadante, our Gainesville workers' compensation attorneys can help determine which benefits apply in your case, as well as what a reasonable estimate of your bi-weekly benefit payments would be.
At Schackow & Mercadante, our Gainesville slip and fall lawyers have a long history of success in helping victims of serious property accidents fight for the fair compensation they were owed. We understand the ins and outs of Florida premises liability law, and we have the resources to efficiently pursue your case. We are here to protect your best interests and guide you through the legal process so that you can get back on your feet and move forward with your life.
Property Damage
Property damage: The at-fault driver’s insurance company should pay for damage to your vehicle, or any other items that were damaged by the crash. If the damage to your vehicle costs more to repair than the vehicle is worth, it will be deemed a total loss, and the insurance company should pay you the fair market value of the car.
Personal Injury Attorneys Serving Gainesville for 55+ Years. Offering a personalized, concierge level experience for every client. About Our Firm
Medical Malpractice
(352) 261-6767 today to speak with a lawyer who truly cares about those victimized by surgical errors, negligence, or medical malpractice. We help people understand negligence law.
Auto Accidents
Dog Bites
Under Florida law, if a dog bites or attacks another person, the owner may face civil liability. In turn, the dog may be designated as a "dangerous dog" for which the owner must make special arrangements for keeping the animal. If a dangerous dog is left uncontrolled and kills someone, the owner can be charged with manslaughter by culpable negligence. However, if the dog bit someone who was committing a crime or the dog was protecting a human who was under attack, the owner will not be guilty of any crime. Documenting a dog bite case can be a complex process.
Slip and Fall Injury
If you slipped and fell on someone else’s property, leading to a serious injury, medical bills, and other physical, emotional, and financial hardships, you could be entitled to financial compensation. If the property owner was negligent or otherwise contributed to the incident that caused your slip and fall injury, you may have grounds for a premises liability case.