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The Haggard Law Letter

Florida Court Affirms $13 Million Verdict in Wrongful Death Product Liability Case

The Florida Third District Court of Appeals has upheld a $13 million verdict in a wrongful death product liability case litigated by The Haggard Law Firm, led by attorneys Pedro Echarte and Todd Michaels, along with co-counsel Ernesto Santos of HALPERN | SANTOS | PINKERT, and Haggard Law appellate attorney Jim Blecke. This decision, which stems from a verdict in Miami-Dade County Court in July 2023, involves the carbon monoxide poisoning death of Matthew Burns, a beloved father of two, resulting from his use of a piece of equipment he rented from Sunbelt Rentals, Inc.  Court’s Decision on Expert Testimony The court’s ruling addressed the defendant’s objections regarding the testimony of two plaintiff’s experts under the Daubert standard, as well as the claim that one of the Estate’s experts provided “surprise” testimony. Sunbelt Rentals, the defendant in the case, argued that excluding this expert testimony would have left the record insufficient to support the jury’s verdict and requested an entire dismissal of the case. The appellate court rejected these arguments and affirmed the jury’s decision, ensuring justice for the Burns family (click below to read the court opinion).  The Tragic Incident and Preventable Death On July 12, 2019, Matthew Burns tragically lost his life due to carbon monoxide poisoning while operating a “Shot Blaster” machine, which he had rented from Sunbelt Rentals. Attorneys Echarte, Michaels, and Santos argued that Sunbelt Rentals was negligent in renting out the equipment without the necessary safety equipment, including a carbon monoxide monitor, and failing to warn Mr. Burns of the need

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Child Dies in Michigan Hyperbaric Chamber Explosion

Friday a 5-year-old boy died in an explosion inside a hyperbaric chamber at The Oxford Center in Troy, Michigan. First responders found the boy dead inside the chamber, and his mother, who was standing next to it, suffered arm injuries. The incident occurred during hyperbaric oxygen therapy, which uses high-pressure oxygen to treat various conditions, though the exact cause of the explosion remains under investigation. The Oxford Center, which has been providing such therapy for 15 years, expressed sorrow and vowed to cooperate fully with the investigation. This tragic event has brought renewed attention to the risks of hyperbaric therapy, especially in non-FDA approved treatments. Hyperbaric chambers, which operate in a pressurized, oxygen-rich environment, are highly combustible, and the explosion is thought to have been fueled by the oxygen present. A Similar Tragedy: Francesco Martinisi’s Fatal Journey The recent tragedy in Troy echoes a devastating case from 2009 when 4-year-old Francesco Martinisi, who had cerebral palsy, died in a hyperbaric chamber explosion at a clinic in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, Florida. Francesco’s grandmother also perished in the fire. The Haggard Law Firm represented the family in the wrongful death product liability case. During the case The Haggard Law Firm’s Michael Haggard discovered that the clinic used outdated equipment, contributing to the explosion. Haggard’s efforts helped secure justice for the Martinisi family, but the case highlighted critical safety failures in hyperbaric treatment. A Call for Greater Accountability The Haggard Law Firm continues to fight for families affected by similar, preventable tragedies and is stressing

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$26 Million Policy Settlement in Non-Fatal Drowning Case in Las Vegas

The Haggard Law Firm, led by Michal Haggard and Kimberly Wald, along with co-counsel, Gregory Kraemer of Morgan & Morgan secured a $26 million policy limits settlement in a near-fatal drowning case involving a 2-year-old boy. Jasper Richard, suffered a catastrophic brain injury after gaining access to an apartment complex pool in Las Vegas, Nevada. The incident, which took place in May 2023 at the Summer Winds apartment complex, has brought attention to critical issues related to pool safety and property management.

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Orlando Jury Hands Down $310 Million Verdict in Trial Against Manufacturer of Deadly Amusement Park Ride

Sampson family hopes case result will send resounding message to thrill ride industry  Orlando, FL – Following the one-day trial of the Estate of Tyre Sampson vs “FunTimes”, the Austrian-based manufacturer of the FreeFall ride that once towered over Icon Park in Orlando, a jury has passed a $310 Million judgement against the defendants. The trial was argued by Michael Haggard and Kimberly Wald of The Haggard Law Firm, Michael Richardson of Hilliard Law, and attorney Ben Crump

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$7.35 Million Settlement in Negligent Security Wrongful Death Case in Palm Beach County

The Haggard Law Firm’s Todd Michaels and 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. 

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Landmark Settlement in Negligent Security Case: The Haggard Law Firm Secures $28.9 Million for Teen’s Life-Altering Injuries

In a significant victory for victims of preventable crime, The Haggard Law Firm, led by Managing Partner Michael Haggard and partner Douglas McCarron, has successfully secured a $28.9 Million settlement in a catastrophic injury negligent security case stemming from a shooting incident involving a teenager. This case not only highlights the need for adequate security measures in residential complexes but also raises critical questions about the implications of recent tort reform in Florida.

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$8 Million Negligent Security Wrongful Death Settlement in Central Florida Shooting

The Haggard Law Firm, led by attorneys Michael Haggard and Adam Finkel, and with Osbourne & Francis as co-counsel, secured a significant victory in a negligent security wrongful death case that underscores the importance of proper security measures in residential properties. The firm obtained an $8 million settlement for the family of a 19-year-old who was gunned down due to negligent security at Highgate Apartments in Orange County, Florida.

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$11 Million Negligent Security Wrongful Death Case Settlement

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 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.

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