Offering a personalized, concierge level experience for every client.
Gainesville Personal Injury Attorneys
Fighting for Our Clients Since 1965
When you have been injured or have tragically lost a loved one due to the negligence of another, you need an experienced attorney who will have your back. At Schackow & Mercadante, our Gainesville personal injury lawyers have dedicated our practice to helping victims of negligence fight for the fair compensation they are owed.
With more than 126 years of combined experience, our Gainesville personal injury attorneys have what it takes to aggressively advocate for you, even when that means taking your case to trial.
Our injury attorneys in Gainesville truly care about the people and communities we serve. As your legal team, we will do everything possible to make the process easier for you. In addition to providing highly personalized attention and support, we work hard behind the scenes for our clients.
In many cases, we are able to help reduce our clients’ medical bills, assist them in finding the right medical care, and work to achieve fast and favorable settlements on their behalf. We want to help you get back on your feet so that you can move forward with your life.
If you or someone you love has been affected by the negligent or wrongful conduct of another, call (352) 261-6767 or contact us online for a free consultation.
Our Attorneys Meet Your Legal Team
Our legal team is led by Gerald Schackow, who has served the Gainesville area for over 55 years. He is joined by his long-time partner, Stephen Mercadante, along with his son, Brian Schackow, and fellow partner, Marie Banks. Lynn Schackow also contributes her expertise as of counsel. Each member of our team provides highly personalized and compassionate client service. We truly care about the people we serve and want to ensure that your experience with our firm is a positive one, from the moment you call until the moment your case is resolved.
Our Practice Areas How We Can Help
- Animal Attacks
- Auto Accidents
- Aviation Accidents
- Bicycle Accidents
- Boating Accidents
- Catastrophic Injuries
- Defective Drug Cases
- Medical Negligence
- Medical Product Liability
- Motorcycle Accidents
- Nursing Home Abuse
- Pedestrian Accidents
- Pool & Water Accidents
- Scooter Accidents
- Slip And Fall Accidents
- Truck Accidents
- Workers' Compensation
- Wrongful Death
Here to Guide You Through the Legal Process
Florida personal injury laws can be confusing, especially if you have never had to navigate the legal system before. At Schackow & Mercadante, we are here to guide you through every stage of the process, providing answers to your questions and addressing your unique concerns every step of the way.
Our Gainesville personal injury law firm wants to make sure that you always feel confident in the direction of your case, as well as our various strategies for maximizing your recovery. We will keep you updated and informed, providing consistent and reliable communication throughout the process.
When it comes to effectively pursuing complex personal injury litigation, we firmly believe that there is no substitute for experience. Throughout more than 55 years in practice, our injury law firm has earned a reputation for taking on tough legal challenges—and winning.
Our Gainesville personal injury attorneys are dedicated to doing everything possible to achieve the results their clients need, including aggressively negotiating, litigating, and trying cases.
Why Clients Trust Us
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Personalized Advice & Concierge Level Experience
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Direct Communication With Your Attorney
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Over 125 Years of Combined Experience
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Practicing in The Gainesville Area 55+ Years
Our Settlements & Verdicts
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$2.3 MILLION Auto Accident/Pedestrian, Policy Limits
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$860,000 Auto Accident/Pedestrian Accident
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$810,000 Wrongful Death
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$650,000 Mediation
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$650,000 Lawsuit
Frequently Asked Questions
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How do I know if I have a case?
Under Florida personal injury laws, you likely have a personal injury case if you can prove that you were injured due to negligence, misconduct, or intentional infliction of injury. In other words, if someone else was responsible for the incident that caused your injury, even if it was not intentional, you likely have a case. The best way to know for sure is to schedule a free case evaluation with an attorney at our firm. During this initial consultation, we can review the details of your situation and determine whether you have grounds for a case.
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I’ve been injured. What should I do next?
If you have not yet sought medical attention, do so immediately. Once you have received the proper medical care, you should contact an attorney who can review your situation and determine whether you have grounds for a personal injury claim or another method of receiving compensation (such as filing a personal injury protection, or PIP, claim). During your initial consultation with an attorney, try to provide as much detail as possible about the injury-causing event, including information about the other person or people involved, how the incident occurred, the nature of your injuries, and more.
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How much is my case worth?
Although many people understandably wish to know how much their personal injury claims are worth, the fact is that it is not possible to accurately estimate the value of your case without first reviewing the specific details involved. Some of the many factors that affect the potential value of your claim include the severity of your injuries, whether or not you are now disabled, the amount of time you had to take off work (if any), your degree of fault (if any), the liable party’s available insurance coverage, the value of your pain and suffering, and more. We encourage you to schedule a complimentary consultation with our attorneys to learn more about how much your personal injury claim might be worth.
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How long will my case take to resolve?
Several factors influence the amount of time it will take to resolve your personal injury case. These include the overall nature and severity of your injuries and damages, the liable party’s willingness to settle, and whether or not your case goes to litigation and trial. While some claims are resolved within a matter of months, others may take years. Our lawyers can review your unique case and provide information specific to your situation during a free initial consultation.
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How much does it cost to hire a Gainesville personal injury attorney?
Personal injury lawyers, including ours at Schackow & Mercadante, provide their legal services on a contingency fee basis. This means that you do not pay any attorney retainers or upfront legal fees when you hire our firm. Instead, we only collect attorney fees and other litigation-related costs if and when we recover compensation for you. At the successful conclusion of your case, our fees are paid via a percentage of your total settlement or verdict (typically about 33 1/3%, though this may differ somewhat depending on various factors). We will discuss the exact percentage with you before you officially hire our firm. And, because our fees are contingent upon us winning your case, you do not pay anything if we do not recover a settlement or verdict for you.
Awarded & Recognized What Our Clients Are Saying
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I met with Marie Banks to go over Car Accident Preparedness. She was awesome and so full of knowledge. Patient with all my questions and I left her office feeling good about the insurance I had and felt prepared if an accident were to happen. She treated me like family. Thank you! 10 out of 10 would definitely recommend.- Pranish Sharma
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“Marie was able to explain my coverage in a way that made it digestible and understandable. With Marie's help I was able to fix my insurance coverage to a policy that included the best protection and I now also rest easier knowing I'm in good hands if I eve”- Josh Talmore
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I'm a UF student who got injured on campus. Schackow & Mercadante handled my case extremely well. Everything was settled in about a year. I highly recommend them for any personal injury case.- Jenny Haber
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“The lawyers and staff at Schackow & Mercadante are professional, courteous and above all treat you like the person you are. You are not a number, you are not just a paycheck, but you are a friend, a guest, dare I even say, a family member.”- Ashley Wilson
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I would absolutely trust Schackow & Mercadante to handle any injury claim. After several meetings with their staff, I'm 100% comfortable with their positive outlook and trust they want what's best for their clients.- Rob Matthews
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They treated me with great respect and negotiated a settlement for me far beyond my expectations. They answered my calls promptly and were available each time I needed them throughout my case. I have recommended this law firm to others I know because I trust the attorneys and staff here immensely.- T Harrison
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I highly recommend Schackow & Mercadante, P.A.!!! The office staff is very polite and professional. Attorneys were great and treated me like a family member.- Kevin Drye
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