The Haggard Law Firm recognizes National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month throughout January. The Department of Defense defines Human Trafficking as” a crime in which force, fraud or coercion is used to compel a person to perform labor, services or commercial sex. It affects all populations: adults, children, men, women, foreign nationals and U.S. citizens, and all economic classes.”
Studies show that a large percentage of locations where sex trafficking takes place are commercial businesses like hotels, truck stops and massage parlors.. One survey found hotels and motels are the single-most common venue for sex trafficking in Florida during the first half of 2017. Experts say it is because the traffickers want to remain transient to avoid suspicion and arrest.”
The Haggard Law Firm’s Michael Haggard has been invited to once again speak at the Florida Justice Association’s Workhorse Seminar. Set to be held at the Orlando World Center Marriott, this Seminar is one of FJA’s most popular learning events among attorneys throughout the state.
Haggard is scheduled to speak on Wednesday, March 21, 2018 between 8:30 am – 9:00 am. His topic for his Seminar is “Escaping Defense-created Liability Traps in the Handling of Negligent Security Injury and Death Cases.”
Haggard is a longtime member of the FJA and has served in multiple leadership positions over the years. Several months ago, he was recognized with the FJA’s most prestigious honor, the Perry Nichols Award.
About the Workhorse Seminar
The Workhorse Seminar ensures attorneys receive the strategies and techniques needed to enhance the work done every day in civil litigation cases. The FJA guarantees attendees will take away valuable information and innovative ideas that can immediately aid personal injury attorneys’ efforts to assist clients in their cases.
About the Florida Justice Association
The Florida Justice Association (FJA), formerly the Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers (AFTL), is dedicated to strengthening and upholding Florida’s civil justice system and protecting the rights of Florida’s citizens and consumers.
We passionately believe that all Floridians benefit when deserving individuals have a fair chance to seek justice in our state’s courts and that Florida’s consumers are made safer when large corporations and industries are held to a high ethical standard and accept fair responsibility for their actions.
FJA works in the legislative, political and public arenas to ensure that Floridians know and understand the importance of their rights to justice and to make certain that these rights, which are at the very core of what it means to be American, are safeguarded and protected.
On Monday The Haggard Law Firm hosted a media conference to discuss the recent $12 million verdict earned in the negligent security wrongful death case of Yaimi Guevara Machado. Joined by our brave clients, Machado’s parents and sister, our collective goal was to drive the message home to motel owners to make sure they are taking every necessary step to meet the security needs of your property to ensure the safety of your guests.
In April 2016, Guevara was killed shortly after asking the staff at the Chesapeake Motel in Hialeah Florida to help her after she was locked out of her room wearing only jeans and a bra. No help was given. Security video shows that Ronald Lopezandrade was also on the property that night. He was not a guest of the hotel but he was able to purchase alcohol, requested a prostitute, and made sexual advances on a hotel employee. Despite those red flags, he was never removed from the property. Eventually, the suspect met the victim, gained her trust, gave her his shirt, and walked her to the parking lot. They would disappear from view of the security camera. Police say Ronald Lopezandrade sexually assaulted Machado and then beat her to death.
Media Coverage
Every major TV affiliate and the two major newspapers in South Florida were among the news filed stories along with media outlets that covered (as of the date of this posting).
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.
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.
Next week our Pedro Echarte will be one of the featured speakers during the 2017 National Crime Victim Bar Association’s National Conference in Portland, Oregon. The event, Civil Actions for Criminal Acts, offers attorneys a chance to network and learn from other attorneys in the field, and connect with victim advocates, counselors, program managers, attorneys, social workers, psychologists, researchers, nurses, volunteers, administrators, clergy, nonprofit managers, system-based service providers, and leaders from across the country.
Tis the season for the holiday shopping surge. Unfortunately with the increased traffic experienced by most stores, malls and gas stations comes a rise in crime at those commercial properties. While some malls take responsible steps to increase security measures, too many businesses are negligent in providing the adequate security needed to protect you and your family from harm.
The Haggard Law Firm has litigated hundreds of negligent security & premises liability cases. It’s with that vast experience of investigating what security measures some business owners or property managers fail to do that we bring you Holiday Shopping Safety Tips.
Make your plans now to join The Haggard Law Firm‘s Michael Haggard from December 5th to the 7th in Portland, Oregon for the 2017 National Crime Victims Bar Association’s National Conference, Civil Actions for Criminal Acts. Haggard, the organization’s President-elect will be among the speakers during the conference. The event offers attorneys a chance to network and learn from other attorneys in the field, and connect with victim advocates, counselors, program managers, attorneys, social workers, psychologists, researchers, nurses, volunteers, administrators, clergy, nonprofit managers, system-based service providers, and leaders from across the country.
Conference Training Highlights Include:
15 workshops and four plenary sessions covering topics such as violence against women, campus crimes, elder abuse, victims with disabilities, underserved populations, children and youth, and many more;
Option to obtain Continuing Legal Education credits; and
Networking opportunities over lunch.
Don’t miss this opportunity to engage with other professionals in the field, or to attend Haggard’s workshop session!
The Federal Bureau of Investigation is reporting that between October 12th and October 15th its agents saved 84 children who were involved in child sex trafficking operations. 120 alleged sex traffickers were arrested in “Operation Cross Country XI” which was conducted across the country.
A 3-month-old girl, the youngest of the victims, was rescued along with a 5-year-old girl, the FBI said. Their suspected trafficker, authorities say, was a friend of the family who had offered an undercover officer sex with the girls for $600. The average age of the rescued victims was 15 years old, according to the FBI.
As part of Operation Cross Country XI, FBI agents and task force officers staged operations in hotels, casinos, and truck stops, as well as on street corners and Internet websites.
“In order to stop this Human Trafficking growing problem, we need commercial businesses where victims are maliciously stored and housed to step up their efforts” says Michael Haggard, Managing Partner of The Haggard Law Firm. Haggard’s Firm has successfully litigated hundreds of cases against apartment complexes, hotels and other commercial business owners for negligent security and/or general premises liability matters that include wrongful death, catastrophic injury and even rape. Haggard believes businesses owners are an important line of defense in fighting the increasing number of human/sex trafficking victims. The numbers prove that to be true.
It was just announced that The Haggard Law Firm’s Managing Partner, Michael Haggard, will be the Keynote Speaker at the Miami Dade Trial Lawyers Association’s Judge Manny Crespo Award Luncheon tomorrow (Thursday, October 12). Judge Marcia Cooke is the recipient of this year’s Judge Manny Crespo Award which is honors a champion of the legal profession and selfless mentor.
The MDTLA released a statement saying about Haggard’s role as keynote speaker that read in part, “Among the many accolades that Mike has received from the community, clients and peers, he was recently honored by the Florida Justice Association with the Perry Nichols Award for his perseverance, commitment, and unmatched dedication to the civil justice system. Michael truly sets the standard for the rest of his colleagues and many others to aspire AND achieve. The buzz is that he is a great and inspiring orator; that he is! We are grateful that he will be our Keynote speaker at tomorrow’s event.”
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.
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
