Barrak v. Report Investment Corporation, $102 Million – Verdict, November 28, 2007, Negligent Security

On July 31, 2002, Sami Barrak was a patron at Tootsie's Cabaret, which was a tenant at the Sierra Shopping Center owned by Report Investment Corporation. Mr. Barrak and a friend were leaving the establishment when the friend returned to retrieve an item left inside. As Mr. Barrak sat waiting in his car for his friend to return he was approached by an unknown person who attempted to rob him at gunpoint. After a brief exchange of unknown words, the assailant shot Mr. Barrak in the neck and left, rendering Mr. Barrak a ventilator-dependant quadriplegic.

The jury found that Report Investment Corporation, Inc., owned and managed the property and therefore had the duty to maintain it in a reasonable safe condition commensurate with the activities conducted on the property in order to prevent harm to its business invitees. At the time of the shooting, there was only one guard on duty to observe and report any crimes that might occur in and around Tootsie's Cabaret. Report Investment Corporation provided no security and admitted they had never spent one dollar on security or safety. There had been a reported 26 violent crimes on the same property during the seven years prior to Mr. Barrak’s incident.

The $102 million verdict is the largest jury verdict awarded judgment in history for a negligent security case. This is the third $100 million verdict for the Haggard Law Firm.

Michael A. Haggard, 37, was lead attorney on this case and also recorded his third $100 million verdict, all within the last five years. His previous $100 million verdicts were record-setting cases involving pool drowning and pool negligence. Haggard concentrates his trial practice in personal injury litigation specializing in pool drowning accident negligence, premises liability, negligent security, wrongful death and medical malpractice. His other achievements include serving as past president of the Miami-Dade Justice Association as well as serving as a member of the Florida Justice Association (Inadequate Security Section) and the Million Dollar Advocates Forum. Haggard earned his bachelors degree from Florida State University and his law degree from the University of Miami.