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.
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.
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.”
On Monday The Haggard Law Firm hosted a media conference to discuss the recent $12 million verdict earned in the negligent security wrongful death case of Yaimi Guevara Machado. Joined by our brave clients, Machado’s parents and sister, our collective goal was to drive the message home to motel owners to make sure they are taking every necessary step to meet the security needs of your property to ensure the safety of your guests.
In April 2016, Guevara was killed shortly after asking the staff at the Chesapeake Motel in Hialeah Florida to help her after she was locked out of her room wearing only jeans and a bra. No help was given. Security video shows that Ronald Lopezandrade was also on the property that night. He was not a guest of the hotel but he was able to purchase alcohol, requested a prostitute, and made sexual advances on a hotel employee. Despite those red flags, he was never removed from the property. Eventually, the suspect met the victim, gained her trust, gave her his shirt, and walked her to the parking lot. They would disappear from view of the security camera. Police say Ronald Lopezandrade sexually assaulted Machado and then beat her to death.
Media Coverage
Every major TV affiliate and the two major newspapers in South Florida were among the news filed stories along with media outlets that covered (as of the date of this posting).
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.
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.
Tis the season for the holiday shopping surge. Unfortunately with the increased traffic experienced by most stores, malls and gas stations comes a rise in crime at those commercial properties. While some malls take responsible steps to increase security measures, too many businesses are negligent in providing the adequate security needed to protect you and your family from harm.
The Haggard Law Firm has litigated hundreds of negligent security & premises liability cases. It’s with that vast experience of investigating what security measures some business owners or property managers fail to do that we bring you Holiday Shopping Safety Tips.
The Haggard Law Firm’s Michael Haggard discusses the first step of the investigation into a negligent security claim, nailing down the security history of the property. Haggard Law has litigated more than 200 negligent security / premises liability cases resulting in nearly $350 million in results in the last decade.
