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Coral Gables, FL 33134

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

(305) 446-5700

(954) 323-4400

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$907K Verdict in Waffle House Parking Lot Beating Case

Late Friday, a Ft. Myers jury awarded long haul trucker Steve Long $907, 211 for the injuries he sustained from a 2014 beating by several people in the parking lot of a Waffle House.

The Haggard Law Firm’s Todd Michaels co-counseled the negligent security case along with Dave Mishael of the Law Offices of David B. Mishael and Steven N. Kassner  of Steven N. Kassner, PA.

The team of attorneys explained to the jury that for the 3 years before Long was attacked on April 19, 2014, , there were 24 significant crimes committed on the property. Those crimes included multiple fights (one involving nearly 100 people) and three incidents involving gun shots.

Haggard Law’s Todd Michaels explains “all of the crime and danger occurred in the 3rd shift, nonetheless, there was nothing done about it, IE: no security in the parking lot, no outside security cameras, poor lighting and no manned security.” 

 

 (Scroll down to watch video RE: importance of Foreseeability in Negligent Security Cases)

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Haggards Part of Legal Organization Supporting Assault Weapons Ban

 

The International Academy of Trial Lawyers has announced it is supporting assault weapons. The Haggard Law Firm’s Managing Partner Michael Haggard and Senior Partner Andy Haggard are both members of this renowned legal organization. Michael is currently on the Board of Directors and Admissions Committee Board Member.

IATL is an international legal association both in spirit and membership. The Academy limits Fellowship to 500 active trial lawyers from the United States and includes over 150 Fellows from nearly 40 countries across the globe.

Fellowship in the Academy is by invitation only, and trial lawyers become Fellows only after an extremely rigorous vetting process, which includes both peer and judicial review. The Academy seeks out Fellows who have achieved a career of excellence as shown by their skills in trial, and as demonstrated by their integrity and professionalism. Members are often heavily involved in pro bono efforts and contribute generously of their time and resources to their local communities.

The organization sent out the following news release on the day of the March for our Lives protests around the country:

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Janel Fick, Executive Director
info@iatl.net

Elite legal organization backs assault weapon ban, student protests

Austin, Texas, March 24, 2018 –  The International Academy of Trial Lawyers this week adopted a resolution supporting an assault weapons ban and endorsing protests aimed at ending gun violence in communities and schools.

The Academy’s board unanimously approved the resolution March 21, citing its interest in maintaining a civil society. The resolution said:

We, as an Academy, believe all assault weapons and high capacity magazines should be banned. The Academy also gives its undisputed support for the protests going on around the United States, including the March for Our Lives events, which demand that safety become a priority and that we end gun violence in our schools and communities.

The Academy, chartered in 1954, is an organization of elite lawyers nominated and selected based on their demonstrated skill and ability in jury trials and other court proceedings. The organization promotes professional excellence, legal reforms, and integrity in the legal profession.

 

$12 Million Haggard Law Verdict Featured in VerdictSearch Periodical

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:

  • Allowed Andrade, who was not a hotel guest,  to linger on the property
  • sold Andrade alcohol
  • fielded a request from the inebriated Andrade for help to find a prostitute
  • did not kick Andrade off property when he sought sexual favors from a housekeeper

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 Role Crime Statistics Play In a Negligent Security Case

 

by Jason Brenner, Associate at The Haggard Law Firm

Although each negligent security case may bring about different facts or require ingenuity with your strategy, there are certain elements of your case that remain constant.  One of those elements is crime statistics.  The importance of crime statistics in your case cannot be stated enough.  Not only do these statistics help establish notice and foreseeability to the defendants, they are also a treasure trove of information.

With respect to notice and foreseeability, your crime statistics establish what the defendants “knew or should have known” prior to and at the time of subject incident.  So what should you request?  You begin by requesting the calls for service and all police reports for the subject property.  This needs to be done in one request.  From there, depending on your jurisdiction, you will order up to a mile radius for the calls for service.  Once you receive each respective request, you must synthesize the data.  For example, you will detail the violent and non-violent crimes and their frequency on the property.  This provides a picture of what type of crime was going on at the property.  It provides you with the ability to illustrate to the jury the level of crime occurring and can be used effectively to show that it is an improbability for a defendant to be unaware of the police being called to the property.

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$12 Million Negligent Security Wrongful Death Verdict,Press Conf. Today

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.

 Machado pleading for help from hotel staff of Yaimi Guevara Machado with father of Yaimi Guevara Machado

 

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.

Media Conference Details

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NCVBA National Conference – Civil Actions for Criminal Acts

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!

Learn more about Michael Haggard by clicking here

 

To register, click here: http://victimsofcrime.org/our-programs/national-crime-victim-bar-association/conferences 

 

BREAKING NEWS: Haggard Law Included in 2018 “Best Law Firms” List

The Haggard Law Firm has been named to The Us News & World Report’s 2018 Best Lawyers®  2018 “Best Law Firms” List.

Firms included in the 2018 “Best Law Firms” list are recognized for professional excellence with persistently impressive ratings from clients and peers. Achieving a tiered ranking signals a unique combination of quality law practice and breadth of legal expertise.

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Masters of Justice Event Begins Next Week

The Florida Justice Association’s Masters of Justice CLE Event begins next week. This fall convention offers four specialized seminars on auto negligence, technology, medical malpractice, insurance & bad faith.

Haggard to Receive Perry Nichols Award

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Michaels Delivers Seminar to International Security Organization

The Haggard Law Firm’s Todd Michaels was a featured speaker yesterday at the ASIS International’s 2017 63rd Annual Seminar and Exhibits in Dallas. ASIS is a global community of security practitioners that represent every security-based industry in the public and private sectors.

 

Michaels seminar, “How to Avoid a $100,000,000 Verdict Against Your Business”, was focused on helping security professionals understand how a security plan will not only prevent incidents but also provide a framework for defending a business’s reasonable actions.  Michaels shared his insight on how to avoid a catastrophic lawsuit and used a variety of real-world examples of some of the many notable negligent security case results successfully litigated by The Haggard Law Firm.

 

CLICK to read Daily Business Review article on Haggard Law Firm’s negligent security case history

 

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Haggard Authors Article for SourceSecurity.com

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:

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