Coral Gables, FL 33134
633 S. Andrews Avenue Suite 400
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
(954) 323-4400
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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.
The Haggard Law Firm has been recognized by TopVerdict for notable results in 2017. TopVerdict recognizes U.S. law firms and attorneys who have obtained one of the highest jury verdicts, settlements, court or arbitration awards in the Nation or an individual State, in a particular area of law, and year
The $12 million verdict obtained by Haggard Law in Machado v Waves of Hialeah was named by TopVerdict as the number one inadequate security (negligent security) verdict and third highest premises liability verdict in Florida in 2017. The negligent security, wrongful death case was litigated by our Christopher Marlowe, Jason Brenner, James Blecke and co-counsel Alexis Izquierdo, ESQ.
The Machado case was also named one of the Top 50 Verdicts overall in Florida in 2017.
This is the second straight year Haggard Law has earned the #1 Inadequate Security verdict recognition. In 2016, Brenner and trial attorney Douglas McCarron were recognized for the $1.7 million verdict obtained in Navas V Regal Entertainment Group. That case involved injuries suffered by a Monica Navas after moviegoers trampled her while trying to frantically escape a theater after a suspicious person started a fight days after the Aurora Colorado movie theater mass shooting.
Christopher Marlowe and trial attorney Pedro Echarte were the litigators of the #3 ranked inadequate security case on the 2017 list. The pair delivered a $1 million result in Gilbert v. Cryptical Development LLC.
Continue reading “2017 Top Verdict in a Negligent Security Case – Haggard Law Firm”
Michael Haggard says he wanted to become a trial lawyer thanks to the example set by his father Andy Haggard and what he watched his father do to help clients effected by tragedy.
Haggard has established himself as a powerful force in the South Florida Legal Community as the Managing Partner for The Haggard Law Firm. After spending time as a Public Defender and working with a small personal injury firm before joining The Haggard Law Firm, Haggard was named a partner in 2001, secure in the belief that every case holds equal importance and could mean the opportunity to award a family resolution to a devastating incident.
TO CONTACT MICHAEL A. HAGGARD, CLICK HERE MAH@HAGGARDLAWFIRM.COM OR CALL 305.446.5700
He soon captured national headlines as the only plaintiff’s personal injury attorney to secure three separate $100 million dollar verdicts on behalf of individual clients. Haggard secured two consecutive $100 million verdicts on behalf of children involved in pool accidents. Several years later, a third $100 million verdict was awarded by a jury in a negligent security case, deemed the largest of its kind for that genre of case law.
to read his full bio click here: http://bit.ly/haggardbiopage
A recent issue of the VerdictSearch periodical named a $12 Million verdict earned by Haggard Law in a wrongful death, negligent security case as the “Featured Verdict” of the month.
Background of Case
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, their daughter, 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 . 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:
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.
To read the entire feature by VerdictSearch.com click here: http://verdictsearch.com/state/fl/
Media Coverage
The tragic and preventable crime and subsequent verdict was covered by media outlets across the area and internationally. The parents of Machado continue to hope the exposure of the case will help change motel and hotel security policies so no one else loses their loved one
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.”
Continue reading “January is Human Trafficking Prevention Month”
Surrounded by family, friends, members of the Haggard Law team and hundreds of the top attorneys in the State of Florida, Michael Haggard received the most prestigious honor given by the Florida Justice Association, the Perry Nichols Award. The FJA website says “The Perry Nichols Award is the highest honor the FJA bestows and gives recognition to an individual who has dedicated a lifetime to the pursuit of justice through extended and distinguished service to the cause of justice in Florida and in the nation.”
Haggard Addresses Founders’ Awards Luncheon Guests
The Florida Justice Association kicked off its annual Masters of Justice CLE Event today. This year’s theme is ‘Roads to Mastery’. The convention offers four specialized seminars on Auto Negligence, Technology, Medical Malpractice, Insurance & Bad Faith.
Tomorow, during the annual Founders’ Award Luncheon, The Haggard Law Firm’s Michael Haggard will the prestigious Perry Nichols Award. The Luncheon will begin at noon.
About the Perry J. Nichols Award
Continue reading “Masters of Justice Begins, Haggard to Receive Perry Nichols Award Thursday”
The South Florida Sun-Sentinel has posted the recent news that our Michael Haggard has been named the recipient of the Florida Justice Associations’ 2017 Perry Nichols award.
The FJA says the award is bestowed upon the attorney who sets the standard for the rest of us to aspire to achieve.
The Perry Nichols Award was created in 1977 in honor of the visionary who first brought Florida’s leading trial attorneys together to create the predecessor to today’s FJA. This Award is the most prestigious award given by our organization and is given to the attorney whose perseverance, commitment, and unmatched dedication to the civil justice system is at the forefront of their lives.
Haggard will receive the award during the Founder’s Day Luncheon during the FJA’s Master’s of Justice CLE Event October 4-6th in Sarasota Florida, more info
Continue reading “Sun Sentinel: Haggard to Receive Perry Nichols Award”
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”
The Haggard Law Firm, P.A. represents the rights of people seriously injured or killed through the fault of others. We are passionately committed to our clients and stress the highest level of personal service, professionalism and case preparation.
