Introduction

Fifty-three years of consecutive service on Florida’s West Coast, 17 attorneys across six office locations, and over $115 million recovered for injured clients mark Carlson, Meissner and Hayslett P.A. as the largest and most established firm in this batch. Founded in 1971, the firm has operated through multiple generations of Florida law and built what it describes as the highest-rated law firm on the West Coast of Florida based on quantity of reviews and average star ratings across Tampa Bay.

Senior Partner J. Kevin Hayslett, Esq. previously served as an Assistant State Attorney, bringing prosecutorial experience to the firm’s criminal defense and DUI practice alongside the personal injury work that forms the largest portion of the caseload.

The firm is available 24/7 at (727) 306-0273.

Practice Areas

Carlson, Meissner and Hayslett P.A. handles an exceptionally broad range of civil and criminal matters across the Florida West Coast, organized into six primary categories.

Personal Injury – Transportation Accidents

• Car accidents
• Motorcycle accidents
• Truck accidents
• Bicycle accidents
• Boat and jet ski accidents
• Ridesharing accidents (Uber, Lyft)
• Bus and train accidents
• Pedestrian and hit-and-run accidents
• Cruise ship accidents
• Aviation accidents

Florida operates as a no-fault state requiring Personal Injury Protection coverage. For serious injuries, the firm pursues third-party claims against at-fault parties. The Bradenton and New Port Richey offices handle motorcycle and truck accident cases with documentation of the firm having recovered over $125 million across all matter types combined with over 125 years of attorney experience.

Medical Malpractice

• Dental malpractice
• Birth injuries
• Hospital malpractice
• Surgical malpractice
• Nursing home malpractice
• Defective medical devices

Other Personal Injury

• Product liability
• Burn injuries
• Brain injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Wrongful death

Criminal Defense

• Domestic violence
• Drug crimes
• Criminal appeals and expungements
• Violent crimes
• Weapons and firearms charges
• Sexual crimes
• Grand and petty theft, burglary
• Federal criminal defense
• Unlicensed contracting

DUI Defense

• First through third offense DUI
• Drug-related DUI
• Boat DUI
• Commercial vehicle DUI
• DUI accidents
• Administrative license suspension

Premises Liability, Social Security Disability, Workers Compensation

• Slip and fall, construction site injury, swimming pool accidents, negligent security, dog bites
• Social Security Disability eligibility, qualifying conditions, claims and denials
• Workers compensation: compensation denial, construction accidents, permanent disability, medical workers comp

Attorney Profiles

J. Kevin Hayslett, Esq. serves as Senior Partner. He previously served as an Assistant State Attorney, giving the firm’s criminal defense and DUI practice a foundation in prosecutorial knowledge and courtroom experience.

The full attorney roster includes 16 additional attorneys:

Daviana M. Braniff, Jennifer A. Burns, Casey K. Carlson, Edward D. Carlson, Ryan T. Cox, Paul A. Meissner, Jr., Rick Rivera, Kaitlyn B. Statile, Antonio L. Viera, Betty M. Whitman, Melodie B. Jaffe, Anne F. Borghetti, Thomas M. McLaughlin, John L. Evans, John N. Barnes, and Phil Di Spirito.

The combined legal experience across attorneys exceeds 125 years. Multiple attorneys on staff include former prosecutors and public defenders, providing the firm with dual-perspective experience across criminal and civil matters.

Location and Service Area

Carlson, Meissner and Hayslett P.A. maintains six office locations across Florida’s West Coast:

Tampa (primary)

Clearwater:
250 N Belcher Rd #102
Clearwater, FL 33765
Phone: (727) 219-2272

Bradenton area (Palmetto):
433 8th Ave W Suite 103
Palmetto, FL 34221
Phone: 941-289-0504

New Port Richey:
7614 Massachusetts Ave
New Port Richey, FL 34653
Phone: 727-223-1224

Spring Hill:
5323 Spring Hill Drive
Spring Hill, FL 34606
Phone: 352-585-9073

St. Petersburg:
3443 1st Ave N, St. Petersburg, FL 33713 (727-616-1210)
360 Central Avenue, Suite 1450, St. Petersburg, FL 33701 (727-616-1210)

Main line: (727) 306-0273, available 24/7

More information is available at carlsonmeissner.com

The firm serves clients throughout Pinellas County, Hillsborough County, Manatee County, Hernando County, Pasco County, and surrounding areas on Florida’s West Coast.

Client Focus

Carlson, Meissner and Hayslett P.A. serves West Coast Florida residents across a wider range of legal matters than most firms its size. The geographic distribution across six offices reduces travel for clients from Bradenton through St. Petersburg, Clearwater, New Port Richey, and Spring Hill.

Florida’s four-year statute of limitations for car accidents and the no-fault PIP system create specific procedural requirements for injury claims. The firm handles the full claims process from initial insurance contact through litigation when necessary. Workers compensation claims in Florida require navigating a distinct administrative system with specific deadlines and procedures. Social Security Disability claims require demonstrating qualifying medical conditions to federal standards.

The 24/7 availability at (727) 306-0273 ensures clients can reach the firm whenever an accident or criminal matter arises.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long has Carlson, Meissner and Hayslett P.A. been practicing?
The firm has served clients on Florida’s West Coast since 1971, representing over 50 years of continuous operation in the Tampa Bay area.

How much has the firm recovered for clients?
The firm has recovered over $115 million in compensation for injured clients across its history.

Does the firm handle criminal defense alongside personal injury?
Yes. The firm handles a full range of criminal defense matters including domestic violence, drug crimes, DUI, federal criminal defense, weapons charges, and violent crimes, in addition to its personal injury and workers compensation practices.

What is J. Kevin Hayslett’s background?
Senior Partner J. Kevin Hayslett previously served as an Assistant State Attorney, giving the firm prosecutorial experience that informs both the criminal defense and DUI defense practices.

Does the firm work on a contingency fee basis?
Yes, for personal injury cases. Clients pay no fees unless the firm recovers compensation. Workers compensation and Social Security cases are handled on contingency as well.

How do I reach the firm?
Call (727) 306-0273, available 24/7, or visit carlsonmeissner.com for office-specific contact numbers and more information.

Closing

Carlson, Meissner and Hayslett P.A. represents the full scope of legal needs for Florida West Coast residents, from car and motorcycle accidents through medical malpractice, criminal defense, DUI, workers compensation, and Social Security Disability. Founded in 1971 and now operating across six offices with 17 attorneys and over $115 million in client recoveries, the firm has the depth and geographic reach to serve clients across the Tampa Bay region.

Contact the firm at (727) 306-0273 (24/7) or visit carlsonmeissner.com