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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$2 Million Dram Shop Settlement in Case Involving Death of a Police Officer Who Was a Young Father

The Haggard Law Firm’s Michael Haggard and Adam Finkel together with Michael Davis of Boone & Davis, obtained a $2 Million total settlement in a dram shop case that involved the death of a police officer.

On February 16, 2019, Curtis Woolwine went out drinking in Broward County. He began the evening at Billy’s Tavern (Happy Hour, LLC) a bar that his wife’s family-owned. After leaving Billy’s, at around 11:40 p.m., Woolwine stumbled into Round Up Country, continued drinking, and was ultimately thrown out for acting inappropriately towards women. It is believed that Woolwine was trying to drive home when he ended up traveling in the wrong direction on Interstate 75. Tragically, he crashed his car into Steven Greco a Miccosukee police officer on his way home from work. They both died. Steven is survived by his wife, Phoebe, and their daughter, Gianna.

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PRESS CONFERENCE: Miramar Parkway Police Shootout

On Thursday, October 8th a press conference will be held to discuss new findings in the shooting deaths of Frank Ordonez, Rick Cutshaw, and the injuries suffered by Carlos Lara during the December 2019 police shootout on the Miramar Parkway following a two county high-speed chase.

The Haggard Law Firm’s Michael Haggard and Adam Finkel will discuss a new witness who says the police shot first. The lawyers will also announce the intention to file a lawsuit on behalf of victim Rick Cutshaw’s family

Background

On December 15, 2019 UPS driver Frank Ordonez, 27, was taken hostage by two men, who stole his truck after robbing a Coral Gables jewelry store. A high-speed, two-county chase with multiple police departments ensued.

It ended when the UPS truck encountered stopped traffic at an intersection of the Miramar Parkway just west of Flamingo Road. Law enforcement boxed-in the delivery truck and officers exited their vehicles.

As officers approached the truck with their weapons drawn, using bystanders’ vehicles as cover, they opened fire on the robbers and Mr. Ordonez. Through the course of the shootout the kidnappers, Ordonez, and 70-year-old bystander Rick Cutshaw were killed. Bystander Carlos Lara suffered significant injuries.

A lawsuit on behalf of Ordonez and Lara was filed against six law enforcement agencies on September 16, 2020.  

‘Miramar Parkway Police Shootout’ Press Conference

When: Thursday October 8, 2020 – 1 PM EST

Where: Hyatt Regency Coral Gables (Alcazabra Room)

50 Alhambra Plaza, Coral Gables, FL, 33134 USA

Speakers:

  • Jasmine Martinez – mother of Frank Ordonez’s two daughters
  • Luz Apolimario  – Frank Ordonez’s mother)
  • Michael Haggard, attorney, The Haggard Law Firm
  • Adam Finkel, attorney, The Haggard Law Firm

Livestream: The press conference will be live streamed on The Haggard Law Firm Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/HaggardLawFirm

NEWS MEDIA CONTACT: J.P. HERVIS 305.321.4293

*Only credentialed members of the media are invited to attend

*All CDC-guided COVID-19 safety protocols will be in place.

Settlement in Condo Assault Negligent Security Case

During the evening hours of February 26, 2017, Denis Duddy was inside his condo in a Boca Raton Florida high-rise condominium complex when someone broke in an attacked him. Through the litigation of this negligent security case, trial lawyers Pedro Echarte and Michael Haggard of The Haggard Law Firm, and co-counsel Michael J. Brevda learned that if proper security steps been taken at the complex, the attack could have been prevented.

The attacker was a young naked man, who was under the influence of LSD, who gained access to the condominium, proceeded to walk through the parking areas, lobby, and other common areas, until he gained access to Duddy’s unit.  The assailant proceeded to bang on the door until he broke it down and attacked the Plaintiff.  Duddy and assailant (who were previously unknown to each other) continued to fight until the assailant eventually calmed down.  The assailant was arrested shortly thereafter by responding law enforcement personnel.  Duddy suffered injuries to his neck and lower back resulting in two surgeries (including one fusion).

Click here to contact Michael Haggard

Click here to contact Pedro Echarte

Image of the assailant from condominium (Defendant’s) security video

The primary defense in this matter was that there was no prior crime at the condominium and that the area in which it was located (South Boca Raton) was safe.  However, the Haggard Law attorneys and co-counselor Brevda argued that the security guard on duty at the time of the incident (who was employed by Defendant D & D Professional Security) failed to timely detect the assailant and failed to properly respond to his presence at the condominium, which led to the Plaintiff’s attack. The case against D&D Professional Security settled for $825,000.

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