330 Alhambra Circle

Coral Gables, FL 33134

633 S. Andrews Avenue Suite 400
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301

(305) 446-5700

(954) 323-4400

Speak with an Attorney

$1.5 Million Settlement in Wrongful Death, Slip and Fall Case

We are very proud to share that our Todd Michaels has secured a $1.5 Million dollar settlement in the slip and fall wrongful death case of Qurris Walker (pictured) .

In August 2011, Walker, who suffered from Down’s Syndrome, slipped and fell on a wet floor at the Rosen Shingle Creek Hotel in Orlando. At the time of the incident, the floor was being cleaned by Rosen’s Cleaning service, Majic Cleaning Systems. As a result of the fall, Mr. Walker needed surgery to repair his leg and suffered respiratory arrest during recovery from the surgery.

Nearly two years after the fall, Walker, who suffered from numerous pre-existing health issues, passed away. Both liability and causation were highly contested. The defense argued that Majic had put down five cones in the lobby, adequately warning visitors that the floor was wet, and that Mr. Walker’s death was a result of his other health issues, and was unrelated to the fall.

 

Our thanks to the inspirational and brave Walker family for their passion to seek justice.

click here to read other notable premises liability case results

About Todd Michaels

Todd Michaels Esq, a lifelong Miami-Dade resident, joined The Haggard Law Firm in 2009. In May 2014, he was named partner at the firm. Todd handles a wide array of the firm’s cases Todd-J.-Michaels- Best Lawyers in 2018 promoinvolving wrongful death and catastrophic personal injury, representing clients who were injured through the negligence of others. His practice primarily involves negligent security throughout the State of Florida and nationwide.

Todd has been a frequent speaker on various aspects of negligent security law to different Legal and Security industry groups throughout the country, and has had articles relating to negligent security cases published.  In addition to his negligent security work, Todd also handles Uber liability, premises liability, aviation, pool drowning, auto accident and other injury cases. Michaels has been named to the Best Lawyers in America and Super Lawyers list several times, among several other annual honors. In 2016 he was named ‘Most Effective Lawyer’ by the Daily Business Review for the handling of a negligent security wrongful death case.

To read Todd’s full bio, click here

CLICK HERE TO EMAIL TODD MICHAELS: tjm@haggardlawfirm.com

DBR Features $1.57 Million Verdict Earned in Car Crash Case

Today the Daily Business Review published a feature (in the online edition) on the recent $1.57 Million verdict in a personal injury car crash case. Haggard Law trial attorneys Douglas McCarron and Pedro Echarte litigated the case involving the injuries suffered by clients John Paul Souza and Anh Pham Souza that stemmed from a car crash on Miami Beach in 2014.

The article dives into the primary obstacle McCarron and Echarte managed during the trial to come to the very successful result.

The DBR article reads, in part:

Attorneys from The Haggard Law Firm secured a nearly $1.57 million verdict for a tourist involved in a car crash, despite medical scans that failed to corroborate an injury and a slew of social media photos showing the plaintiff’s extensive travel after the crash.

(the article continued)

The Souzas are avid travelers who posted photographs on social media of luxury trips to the Hamptons, Bahamas, Necker Island and other destinations. That pastime would complicate the litigation, as defense attorneys pointed to the posts as proof John Souza was unscathed after the Miami accident.

“There were a lot of pictures. [The defendants] were trying to make a big deal out of it,” McCarron said. “A lot of times in these kinds of cases, there’s a lot on social media. It’s not something to be afraid of, as long as your clients are being honest.”

Continue reading “DBR Features $1.57 Million Verdict Earned in Car Crash Case”

$12 Million Negligent Security Wrongful Death Verdict,Press Conf. Today

MEDIA CONFERENCE MONDAY 1:30PM- Security Video Provided

Local Family of Woman Beaten to Death During Sexual Assault Say Hotel Could Have Prevented Her Murder.

 Machado pleading for help from hotel staff of Yaimi Guevara Machado with father of Yaimi Guevara Machado

 

A Miami-Dade County Jury Agreed, Just Ordered Hotel to Pay Parents $12 Million.

 Hialeah, FL – Late Friday a Miami Dade County jury awarded the parents of Yaimi Guevara Machado $12 million following a five day trial that originated from a wrongful death negligent security lawsuit filed against the Chesapeake Motel.

On April 10, 2016, the 30-year-old Machado was locked out of her hotel room only wearing a bra and jeans when she asked the staff of the Hialeah motel for help (video/audio available). They refused. Moments later, police say, she was beaten to death by Ronald Lopez Andrade who has been charged with first degree murder.

Machado’s family filed the lawsuit against the owners of the Chesapeake Motel because they believe its staff had several opportunities to prevent the tragedy. Along with not assisting Machado when she approached them, the hotel’s staff:

  • Allowed Andrade, who was not a hotel guest,  to linger on the property
  • sold Andrade alcohol (video/audio available)
  • fielded a request from the inebriated Andrade for help to find a prostitute (video/audio available)
  • did not kick Andrade off property when he sought sexual favors from a housekeeper

Machado’s parents, Julia Machado and Rafael Guevara, hope their successful lawsuit sends a message to budget motels to follow the best practices in the lodging industry to provide the security that will help prevent tragedies like these from destroying another family.

The Haggard Law Firm’s Christopher Marlowe and Jason Brenner were joined by co-counsel, Alexis Izquierdo , in litigating this case.

Over the last decade The Haggard law Firm has handled hundreds of premises liability / negligent security cases, delivering more than $300 million in verdicts and settlement in that time.

Media Conference Details

Continue reading “$12 Million Negligent Security Wrongful Death Verdict,Press Conf. Today”

Haggard Law Earns $1.57 Million Verdict in Car Crash Case

 

Miami, FL (October 30, 2017) – Late Friday night, following a 5-day civil court trial, a Miami-Dade jury awarded John Souza nearly $1.57 million. The trial stemmed from a lawsuit Souza, an Atlanta resident, filed after suffering injuries to his spine following a car  Pictures of Souza Crash 2accident on October 20, 2014. Souza and his wife, Anh, were traveling north on Biscayne Boulevard when another driver violated the right-of-way and collided into their car just off NW 35th Street.

The defendants, CH Global Construction who owned the vehicle, admitted the crash was their fault but also said the Souza was traveling too fast for the conditions. Souza, who was in town for a fitness competition, did not seek medical attention until he went back home to Atlanta the next day.

(Click to see other case results)

Haggard Client Injuries, Trial Challenges

Continue reading “Haggard Law Earns $1.57 Million Verdict in Car Crash Case”

Magazine Names Haggard 2017 ‘Super Star’ Lawyer

Congratulations to our Michael Haggard. He was among 10 local lawyers included in Attorney at Law Magazine‘s ‘Super Stars of 2017’ edition.

The Magazine writes “These attorneys have been nominated by their peers to be recognized for their accomplishments both inside and outside the courtroom.”

To read the full article, click on the following link and scroll to page 12-13.

http://bit.ly/2gw0VKl      

This most recent recognition follows news that Haggard will receive the Florida Justice Association’s 2017 Perry Nichols Award, that organization’s highest honor. Click here to learn more

Michael Haggard Bio

Haggard Authors Article for SourceSecurity.com

When the market-leading information resource serving the security industry needs insight on how property owners and managers can avoid million dollar negligent security verdicts, it asks The Haggard Law Firm.

Haggard Law Firm Managing Partner Michael Haggard wrote an article for SourceSecurity.com titled: Securing Premises To Avoid Million Dollar Verdicts. In it, Haggard kays out the elements of negligence elaborate on risk-management practices and the importance of security as a responsibility.

Haggard Law has litigated more than 250 negligent security cases that have resulted in more than $300 million in verdicts and settlements for our clients.

Here is the article as it appeared on SourceSecurity.com:

Continue reading “Haggard Authors Article for SourceSecurity.com”

All Haggard Law Attorneys Included on 2018 Best Lawyers List

Each Haggard Law Firm has been recognized in the 2018 Best Lawyers in America List.  Recognition by Best Lawyers is based entirely on peer review. Its methodology is designed to capture, as accurately as possible, the consensus opinion of leading lawyers about the professional abilities of their colleagues within the same geographical area and legal practice area.

Congratulations to (listed with practice area category):

Our Managing Partner, Michael Haggard, was also named the Miami area’s 2018 Lawyer of The Year in the Personal Injury Litigation- Plaintiff category. Only one attorney in each category and the geographical area receive this honor.

     E

If you know of or are a victim of serious crime or have been injured in through no fault of your own, contact the Haggard Law Firm for a free consultation by clicking here or dialing 3054465700

BREAKING: Young Father Killed Outside Strip Club

According to local media outlets in Miami, the Broward Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a man shot around 4:15 a.m. Wednesday, near the 2800 block of W. Broward Blvd. at Club Pink South. 21-year-old Wendell Soliphar, who recently moved to the United States from the Bahamas, was leaving the club when he was shot and killed. A family member told CBS Miami that he believes Wendell was in the wrong place at the wrong time. The victim leaves behind an 8-year-old daughter.

Initial reports lay out some similarities between this case and a negligent security case litigated by The Haggard Law Firm a decade ago.

Continue reading “BREAKING: Young Father Killed Outside Strip Club”

Swim Safety: Broken Pool Gates

May is National Swim Safety Month. The Haggard Law Firm wants to take this opportunity to share swimming safety tips, including those we have unfortunately have become experts on because of catastrophic injury cases we have litigated over the years. One example is the 2001 case of Loren Hinton. A 2-year old that suffered a significant brain injury when she fell into a residential complex pool after pushing over a broken safety gate.

This video details that case and includes safety factors to consider to make sure a tragedy like this does not happen again.

Click for more on Haggard Law Firm Pool Drowning Accidents

VIDEO: 2016 Notable Case Results

This video is a review of three cases resolved by The Haggard Law Firm in 2016: