TAMPA, FL – The Haggard Law Firm, a nationally recognized personal injury law firm, is proud to announce its expansion to the greater Tampa Bay area. This new office marks a significant milestone in the firm’s commitment to providing exceptional legal representation to victims of negligent security, drowning, sexual assault, trucking accidents, cruise line negligence, product liability and other complex cases.
Leading the firm’s Tampa-based office will be seasoned trial attorney Maegan Bridwell. Bridwell joins The Haggard Law Firm after more than a decade of litigation and trial experience as a defense attorney with Kubicki Draper. Her extensive background in high-stakes litigation, defending corporations and insurance companies, provides her with unique insight that will be invaluable in advocating for injured clients or those who have lost a loved one.
The Haggard Law Firm’s Michael Haggard and Adam Finkel secured a $6.75 million settlement on behalf of the estate of a young parent who was shot and killed at an apartment complex in Tampa, Florida.
Attorneys Haggard and Finkel filed a negligent security wrongful death lawsuit against the property owner and a major nationwide property management company, alleging that the complex was negligently secured despite a well-documented history of criminal activity on the premises.
The Haggard Law Firm’s Pedro Echarte along with co-counsel Nick Kassatly and Daniel Tighe of the Traction Law Group have secured a $3 Million settlement in a negligent security wrongful death case against the owners of Red Roof Inn motel in Jacksonville, Florida.
Case Overview: A Preventable Tragedy
The tragic case involved the murder of Kieron Singleton, who was fatally shot on September 18, 2021, inside a room at the Red Roof Inn, located at 6099 Youngerman Circle, Jacksonville, Florida. On the night of the incident, Andy Williams, a long-term guest at the motel and an alleged drug dealer, entered the room where Mr. Singleton was staying. An argument broke out, and Williams shot and killed Mr. Singleton. Mr. Singleton left behind one surviving son.
A History of Criminal Activity at Red Roof Inn
The wrongful death negligent security lawsuit alleged that the Red Roof Inn had a long-standing history of criminal activity, including drug dealing and other criminal incidents.
Negligent Security Failures
Despite these ongoing issues, the Plaintiff alleged that the property owner and motel operator, Sunstar Orangepark, Inc., failed to implement basic security measures, creating an environment where violent crime was foreseeable. The Plaintiff also alleged that the Red Roof Inn failed to take steps to remove problematic and dangerous guests, including Andy Williams, from the property. The Plaintiff argued that if the motel had enforced stricter security policies, removed Andy Williams due to his prior behavior at the motel, and taken proactive measures to prevent crime, this tragedy could have been avoided.
Trial lawyer Pedro Echarte
Legal Challenges & Key Arguments
One of the primary challenges in this case was that the fatal shooting occurred inside a motel room, rather than in a common area. However, the Plaintiff’s attorneys built a strong case that around the argument that Mr. Williams should have been removed from the property long before the night in question. The Plaintiff also was able to prove that some of the argument had spilled into the common area and if the Red Roof Inn had much needed security, they could have stopped the incident before it escalated to a shooting.
Justice for Victims of Negligent Security
At The Haggard Law Firm, we excel in premises liability and negligent security cases across the country, helping families seek justice after preventable tragedies. If you or a loved one has suffered due to a property owner’s negligence, contact our experienced legal team today. 📞 Call (305) 446.5700 or fill out our online form for a free consultation.
The Haggard Law Firm, led by attorneys Kimberly Wald and Michael Haggard, has secured a $1 million policy limit settlement in a personal injury negligent security case. This marks the second successful negligent security case litigated by the firm against the same defendant.
The recent case stems from a drive-by shooting incident that occurred on June 17, 2023, at the Fiesta Food Market on Sunrise Blvd in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. A 26-year-old man was an innocent bystander at the store when an unknown assailant drove by and opened fire in the parking lot. The victim, The Haggard Law Firm’s client, was shot multiple times, sustaining serious injuries, including gunshot wounds to his thigh, bowel, and bladder. While he has made significant progress in his recovery, he continues to live with the painful physical and emotional scars of the attack, including permanent scars on his legs and stomach.
The Haggard Law Firm’s investigation revealed there was a lack of adequate security at Fiesta Food Market. Wald and Haggard argued if necessary security measures to protect customers from such incidents were in place their client would have not suffered these injuries. Defense argued that this was a targeted shooting which occurred off of their property and thus they could not prevent this crime from occurring.
Unfortunately, this is not the first time the firm has taken action against Fiesta Food Market for negligent security. In a prior case, The Haggard Law Firm represented another gunshot victim who was also shot at the same store. That case resulted in a settlement of $1 million, paid from the defendant’s full policy limit.
Attorneys Kimberly Wald and Michael Haggard
“We have handled negligent security cases nationwide for decades,” says Michael Haggard. “Often, after we achieve a just settlement or verdict, defendants learn from the experience and make changes to improve safety. Unfortunately in this case, the necessary changes were not made, putting our client in the latest case at risk.”
If you or a loved one has been injured or killed due to negligent security, The Haggard Law Firm is here to help. With years of experience, we fight tirelessly for justice, change, and the compensation our clients deserve. Contact us today for a free consultation.
The Haggard Law Firm’s Douglas McCarron has secured a $2 Million policy limit settlement in a wrongful death negligent security case involving a shooting a gas station.
The Haggard Law Firm, led by trial lawyers Kimberly Wald and Michael Haggard, along with co-counsel Charlie Flynn and Paul Basil, have obtained a $7.65 million settlement in a negligent security wrongful death case.
The Haggard Law Firm’s Todd Michaelsand Joshua Padron , along with co-counsel David Scheiner and Stratton Shiner of the David Smiley of the Scheiner Law Firm, recently secured a **$7.35 million settlement** in a negligent security wrongful death case in Palm Beach County, Florida. This settlement underscores the firm’s continued commitment to advocating for victims and their families in the face of unimaginable and preventable loss.
Pedro Echarte of The Haggard Law Firm and Mark B. Stanley of The Stanley Law Group, have successfully resolved an $11 million settlement in a wrongful death case centered on negligent security. This case arose from a tragic shooting incident at an apartment complex in Duval County, Florida, in 2020. The victim was fatally shot while visiting the complex, leaving behind two grieving parents and a child who was born posthumously.
Echarte and Stanley argued that the apartment complex failed to provide adequate security, especially given its extensive history of criminal activity. In contrast, the defendants contended that the existing security measures were sufficient and that the victim bore responsibility for the incident.
The Haggard Law Firm’s Pedro Echarte, trial lawyer
The case was resolved shortly before trial, resulting in a settlement of $11 million. The identities of the parties involved and the specific date of the incident remain confidential as stipulated by the settlement agreement.
The Haggard Law Firm has a proven track record, having litigated hundreds of negligent security cases involving wrongful death and catastrophic injury. Recently, Echarte secured a $7 million settlement in a similar case involving a preventable homicide at an apartment complex. Over the past two decades, The Haggard Law Firm has secured over $1 Billion in verdicts and settlements in cases related to negligent or inadequate security.
The Haggard Law Firm is very proud to announce the promotion of trial attorneys Kimberly Wald and Adam Finkel to partner.
“Since each of their first moments with our law firm, Kim and Adam have individually shown their commitment, skill, and passion to fight for clients to the dominant standard The Haggard Law Firm expects. They have both delivered impressive results in a variety of case types while also assuming important leadership positions within the legal community locally and nationally.”
– Michael Haggard, Managing Partner, The Haggard Law Firm
The Haggard Law Firm’s Pedro Echarte has secured a $7 Million settlement in negligent security wrongful death case where the victim was tragically killed during an attempted armed robbery and carjacking.
