330 Alhambra Circle

Coral Gables, FL 33134

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

(305) 446-5700

(954) 323-4400

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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.

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Pregnant Woman Runs Over Suspected Purse Thief in Walmart Parking Lot

A pregnant woman was caught on video running down on alleged purse snatcher with her SUV in a Walmart parking lot in North Carolina. Christine Braswell, 26, told local media that she found the man rummaging through her SUV  before he took off running with her purse. The suspect, Robert Raines, who was taken to a hospital with minor injuries, was charged with felony breaking and entering, larceny and misdemeanor damage to property.

Watch Video of Ashville North Carolina Incident: https://youtu.be/v4umzNJIqMk  

Haggard Law Attorney Christopher Marlowe says this incident is another reminder that Walmart is yet to truly commit to addressing its well-reported security issues. “Walmart parking lots remain hot spots for violence and mayhem.  This most recent event caught on camera in Asheville, North Carolina demonstrates how quickly a “nonviolent” crime can become a matter of life or death” says Marlowe, who was quoted in a Bloomberg Businessweek investigation earlier this year on Walmart’s consistent security issues (click to read).

He adds, “When auto burglary, theft and other ‘petty’ crimes are allowed to flourish in the vast concrete expanses that Walmart uses everywhere as its parking lots, more of the same will follow.  Either meaningful security is there to protect customers, or dangerous encounters like this will remain the status quo.”

For her part, Braswell was charged with misdemeanor assault with a deadly weapon.

Click to read article by Christopher Marlowe and Published in the Daily Business Review on WalMart Security Concerns as Published

 

Haggard, Michaels Named to 2017 Legal Elite List

The Haggard Law Firm’s Michael Haggard and Todd Michaels have been named winners of Florida Trend’s 2017 Legal Elite Recognition. Both attorneys were given the honor in the Civil Trial category. The list of honorees represents fewer than 1.5% of the active Florida Bar members who practice in Florida.

Now in its 14th year, Florida Legal Elite presents a prestigious roster of attorneys chosen for recognition by their peers. The 1,080 lawyers listed here exemplify a standard of excellence in their profession and by so doing, have garnered the respect and esteem of their colleagues.
  
Voting for this year’s Legal Elite attorneys began in October 2016 when Florida Trend invited all in-state members of the Florida Bar to participate. Multiple announcements publicized the ballot deadline and voting guidelines.

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Each Haggard Law Attorney Named 2017 Super Lawyer

Each Haggard Law Firm attorney was named to the 2017 Super Lawyer list.

“Andy” Haggard, Michael Haggard, Douglas McCarron, Todd Michaels and Christopher Marlowe were named Super Lawyers in the Personal Injury General: Plaintiff category. Attorney James Blecke was recognized in the Appellate category. While, attorneys Pedro Echarte and Jason Brenner were selected as 2017 Super Lawyers Rising Stars in the Personal Injury General: Plaintiff category.

This distinction is an honor reserved for those lawyers who exhibit excellence in practice. Only 5% of attorneys in Florida receive this recognition and only 2.5% are named Rising Stars. Super Lawyers selects attorneys using a patented multiphase selection process. Peer nominations and evaluations are combined with independent research. Each candidate is evaluated on 12 indicators of peer recognition and professional achievement. Selections are made on an annual, state-by-state basis.

 

To learn more about each Haggard Law Attorney, visit our bio page here

 

 

State Supreme Court Strikes Down Malpractice Caps

The Florida Supreme Court on Thursday ruled that a law limiting pain-and-suffering damages in medical malpractice cases is unconstitutional, rejecting a controversial change that the Legislature and then-Gov. Jeb Bush approved in 2003.

Justices were divided, with the four-member majority finding that the caps on “non-economic” damages violated equal-protection rights.

The Haggard Law Firm’s Todd Michaels reacted to the decision by saying  “the Supreme Court decision was an important victory for justice and for Florida’s citizens. For too long, doctors and medical professionals received special protections which allowed them to avoid responsibility for their errors.”

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Michaels’ Seminar on Opening Statements

The Florida Justice Association’s Annual Convention and Expo will begin on June 14. The Haggard Law Firm’s Todd Michaels will be a guest speaker at this year’s Convention in St Pete Beach.

Michaels says ”  It is an honor to speak at the FJA convention.  There is no organization that does more for consumers, citizens, and victims in the State of Florida.  The annual convention is a place to meet with great lawyers from around the state, and more importantly, to learn and share knowledge.”

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10 People Shot, 4 Killed in Jacksonville Over the Weekend

The Memorial Day Weekend was marred by violence in Jacksonville. 14 people were shot, 4 of those died in 9 separate incidents of violence during the 3-day span.

Several of the shootings occurred at apartment complexes in the area. Todd Michaels of The Haggard Law Firm, which represents several victims of previous violence at the Eureka Gardens Apartments (click for more details), says many of the weekend shootings are a result of irresponsible property ownership.

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Pool Pump/Drain Safety – Drowning Cases

The Haggard Law Firm has extensive experience litigating drowning and near drowning cases. This video discusses the dangers of Pool Pump Drains and our commitment to making pools more safe by turning tragedy into a new federal law to protect swimmers. But there is still more to do. This story features important tips on what to look for when it comes to safety and pool pumps and drains.

 

LEARN MORE ABOUT MICHAEL HAGGARD

CLICK HERE TO WATCH VIDEO ON POOL GATE SAFETY

 

Michael Haggard Featured Expert in Pool Gate/Toddler Drowning Tragedy Story

Michael Haggard, the Managing Partner of The Haggard Law Firm, was the featured expert in a recent story aired by WINK-TV (CBS station) which covers southwestern Florida. The story was a follow-up to the tragic drowning of a 1 and 3-year-old in an apartment complex pool that had no pool safety gate.

 

 

Haggard is on the National Drowning Prevention Board and has worked with former Secretary of State James Baker on VIRGINIA GRAEME BAKER POOL AND SPA SAFETY ACT which was a law passed in the United States Congress (in 2008) to set new pool pump safety standards. 

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Pool Fence Removed, 1 & 3 Year Old Drown

A family and entire community remains devastated days after a 1 and 3-year-old drowned in a Cape Coral (FL.) Apartment Complex pool. It was last Sunday night when rescue crews were called to the Aurora Townhouse Condos. The local news media reports that they father of the young children went to the second floor of their two story townhouse to use the restroom. When he returned downstairs he found the two young children floating in the pool.

Adding to the tragedy are reports that the pool’s perimeter fence had been moved earlier in the year and never replaced. A woman who identified herself to the NBC Affiliate covering the story says she had asked the homeowners association to replace the pool fence quickly. But no action was taken by the board. (Watch NBC 2 Report).

The Haggard Law Firm has advocated for improving pool safety measures nationally and has successfully litigated several cases involving missing or broken pool fences including the Loren Hinton case (Click to watch video on Pool Gate Safety and Hinton Case) . Michael Haggard, the Firm’s Managing Partner said of the recent drownings, “this is another tragedy that is heart-wrenching and should have never occurred. Layers of protection such as pool fences are critical in the prevention of child drowning. ”

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