$5.3 Million Settlement in Negligent Security Case

Coral Gables, FL (February 17, 2009) – Attorneys Michael A. Haggard and Douglas J. McCarron have settled a negligent security case for $5.3 million. Details of the case settlement are confidential. The plaintiff was murdered by a gunman who stole a necklace without resistance at an apartment complex in Orlando. The companies in charge of the building failed to provide adequate security even though the area is known for being high in crime.

Attorney Michael A. Haggard Featured on The Law Business Insider

Coral Gables, FL (January 31, 2009) – Michael Haggard, partner at the Haggard Law Firm, was recently on The Lawyer Business Insider, for a show titled "America’s Premier Lawyers Series." Haggard was interviewed about his record-setting negligent security case, Barrak vs. Report Investment Corporation. Mr. Barrak was robbed at gunpoint in a strip mall parking lot, shot and left a ventilator-dependant quadriplegic from the incident. The $102.7 million verdict is the highest award received in a negligent security. This is the third $100 million dollar verdict for the Haggard Law Firm.

Three Partners from The Haggard Law Firm Named to 2009 Florida Super Lawyers Magazine

Coral Gables, FL (January 14, 2009) – William Andrew "Andy" Haggard, Michael A. Haggard, and Jeannette C. Lewis, all partners with The Haggard Law Firm, have been named Super Lawyers in the 2009 Super Lawyers magazine published by Law & Politics. Michael Haggard was also noted as a Top 100 Lawyer, receiving the highest point totals in the nomination, research and blue ribbon review process.

The rigorous selection process executes a system of balloting, peer recognition and internal research to select the most qualified candidates. Only 5 percent of the total lawyers in Florida are listed in Super Lawyers.

The Haggard Law Firm is a plaintiff's trial firm based in Coral Gables, Florida. The firm handles serious injury, death and tort cases in the United States, the Caribbean, the Americas, and other international jurisdictions. The firm's work has earned them recognition among its peers and the judiciary as one of the most highly regarded personal injury law firms nationwide. The partners have won both national and international recognition for their achievements in some of the most challenging cases of our time, including those dealing with major airline disasters, swimming pool drowning negligence and most recently negligent security.

Security Guard Shot at Holiday Inn Receives $5.25 Million Settlement

Coral Gables, FL (December 16, 2008) – Haggard Law Firm attorneys Michael A. Haggard and Douglas J. McCarron successfully settled a negligent security case for $5.25 million. Our client, Donald Eugene, was working as a security guard at a Holiday Inn in North Miami Beach when a man attempted to take his gun around 3:00 AM the day of the incident. He was shot three times. Despite his injuries, Mr. Eugene chased the unidentified man outside the lobby and through the parking hotel, but the suspect got away on foot. The shooting left Mr. Eugene with his left leg amputated below the knee along with other debilitating injuries.

Attorneys Haggard and McCarron argued that property owners Latrun Realty, Inc. knew this incident was foreseeable and preventable. No security audits of any kind had been performed and the company failed to follow protocol for reporting incidents that took place on the property. The owners were also aware of violent crime had happened in the past without taking further measures to protect guests of the hotel.

Coral Gables Attorney Michael A. Haggard Named Most Effective Personal Injury Lawyer by Daily Business Review

Coral Gables, FL (December 5, 2008) – Michael Haggard, partner at the Coral Gables based Haggard Law Firm, was recently named the Most Effective Lawyer in the Personal Injury Category by the Daily Business Review. He received the award at the publication’s fourth annual luncheon held at the Four Seasons Hotel in Miami.

Michael received the award for his work on Barrak vs. Report Investment Corporation. Sami Barrak was shot in the neck at a shopping center in North Miami Beach and rendered a ventilator-dependant quadriplegic. The jury found that Report Investment Corporation, Inc., was negligent in the security of its patrons and had the duty to maintain it in a reasonable safe condition commensurate with the activities conducted on the property. The $102 million verdict awarded to Mr. Barrak 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.

Most Effective Lawyers is a look at South Florida attorneys who performed the most impressive work this year and cases where they made their mark. Over 220 nominations were received in about two dozen practice areas. In each category, editors selected the once case that featured attorneys worthy of being recognized as South Florida’s Most Effective Lawyers.

Haggard concentrates his trial practice in personal injury litigation specializing in pool drownings, premises liability, negligent security, wrongful death and medical malpractice. Currently, Michael Haggard serves as President-Elect of the Florida Justice Association. Haggard’s other achievements include serving as past president of the Miami-Dade Justice Association as well as serving as a member of the American Association for Justice (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.