**Prospective clients may not obtain similar results. Amounts stated below are before deductions for fees, cost of attorneys and third party providers such as medical providers.**

 

Notable Cases

The firm’s extensive experience in the field of trial practice has resulted in the following noteworthy verdicts and settlements. Although the dollar amounts given are a matter of record, they should not be interpreted as an indication of likely results in any other cases. For commercial aviation, please see our list of aviation cases. For more cases of interest visit other unique cases.

WADLEIGH v. RHONE-POULENC RHORER

$600 Million - Settlement, AIDS Related Class Action Litigation

This class action lawsuit was brought against the pharmaceutical companies that manufactured the blood product. The case resulted in a global settlement of $600 million.

FLORIDA MICROSOFT ANTITRUST CLASS ACTION

$200 million Class Action lawsuit/settlement

Microsoft Corporation agreed to a $200 million settlement in the Florida Microsoft Antitrust litigation on behalf of the Florida settlement class. The class action suit claimed that Microsoft Corporation was in violation of Florida’s Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act (the Florida DTPA). Plaintiffs in the class action suit against Microsoft Corporation alleged that Microsoft established a monopoly in the market for operation systems software through various anticompetitive acts and has maintained this monopoly since the late 1980’s. Our firm served as co-counsel for the Florida Settlement Class.

PETERSON v. STA-RITE INDUSTRIES

$104 Million - Verdict, Products Liability / Pool pump entrapment.

A Miami boy who was trapped underwater by the suction of a pool pump and nearly drowned. The jury found that product defects in the P2R single-horse-power suction pump, manufactured and distributed by Sta-Rite Industries, Inc, was responsible for the accident causing the victim to suffer irreversible brain damage. It was found that the pump was unsafe and that Sta-Rite Industries made no effort to change its design to make it less dangerous or to warn distributors about risks it created for swimmers. This is the largest verdict in Florida's history.

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.

HINTON V. 2331 ADAMS STREET CORP

$100 million – Verdict, Premises Liability / Near-Drowning

A toddler sustained irreversible brain damage after nearly drowning in her apartment complex pool. The owners of the apartment complex were found negligent for not repairing the broken gate at the pool area and not securing the pool area with the proper pool fencing. The apartment complex manager admitted at trial that he knew the gate had been “destroyed” for some time. The $100 million verdict is the largest jury verdict awarded judgment in Florida’s history.

BAKER v. STA-RITE INDUSTRIES

Amount Confidential – Settlement Drowning/Suction Entrapment

While attending a family graduation party, the 7-year-old granddaughter of former Secretary of State James Baker drowned in the pool/spa in the backyard. The forceful suction of the spa pump at the bottom of the whirlpool, entrapped and held the girl underwater causing her to drown. This is one of several suction entrapment cases where the defendant was negligent in manufacturing an unsafe and defective pool/spa pump. This was the identical pump involved in the Peterson case listed above.

BUSTOS v. LEIVA et al.

$21 million - Verdict, Auto accident/negligence.

Plaintiff, a 78-year-old woman, was a seatbelted passenger in the rear of another car when struck at a Hialeah intersection by a driver talking on the cell phone while driving for a lumber company. The woman was a left with injuries requiring permanent bedside care, although neither driver was charged. The defendant had told attorneys he was not using his cell phone just before the impact, but the plaintiff's attorneys proved otherwise after subpoenaing cell phone records. This influenced the jury's decision, and the result was the largest personal injury verdict in Miami-Dade County's history.

JKS Co. v. PROVIDENT GENERAL LIFE INSURANCE

$17.6 million - Verdict

Breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty and libel Action was brought by a terminated exclusive insurance agent against an insurance company. The case was settled on appeal.

“JOHN TRAUMA” v. TIM-BAR CORPORATION

$14 million – Settlement, Train accident / negligence

Plaintiff suffered a severe and permanent brain injury when flying debris from the undercarriage of the defendant's tractor-trailer impaled him in the left temple. The trailer was stopped on a train track during gridlock rush-hour traffic when an oncoming train struck the trailer. The defendant was innocently waiting at the railroad crossing for the train to go by.

PIERARD v. AEROSPATIALE, et al.

$8.3 million - Verdict, Helicopter crash

Suit by pilot of helicopter against manufacturer for serious injuries sustained in crash caused by defect in fuel filter design. Verdict was reduced to $6 million and settled on appeal.

"JOHN DOE" v. "XYZ RESORT"

$7 million - Settlement, Wrongful death / pool drain entrapment.

A 12-year-old boy from Miami drowned in a pool at a Caribbean resort when he was sucked head first into an intake pipe at the bottom of the resort's giant lagoon-like pool. The company that owned the resort was negligent because they did not maintain the safety grid that was supposed to be covering the pipe.

PETERSON v. SEGAL

$7 million - Settlement Swimming pool drain/negligence

A 14-year-old boy was sucked into a pool drain while playing with friends in a North Miami apartment pool complex. The event left him with permanent brain damage. The family sued the pool company for negligence, and the pool company settled. The case was a signature case for the reform of pool laws.

OLIVARES v. ECUACAR RENTAL CORP & RUDNITZKY

$6.5 million settlement, Pedestrian/Car Accident (June 2004)

A 45-year-old employee of Brinks Co., was standing behind his opened armored truck (the trucks hazard lights were flashing) preparing a delivery when he was suddenly struck by tourist driving a rental car. The impact of the accident pinned Olivares to the back of the armored truck causing his left leg to be completely severed and amputated. This $6.5 million settlement is unusual in a case such as this one where the car rental company is found liable for an accident caused by one of its customers. In 1999, the Florida Legislature capped liability for auto rental companies as part of a package of tort law changes. Under that law,liability for auto rental companies on claims arising from accidents their customers get into is capped at $600,000.The plaintiff was able to obtain a settlement far exceeding the 1999 cap (and the policy's 100,000 limit) both because of bad faith allegations and because Ecuacar Rent Corp.'s insurer was covering both Ecuacar and Rudnitzky.

JOHN DOE VS. ABC Owner and XYZ Management Corp.

$5.3 million – Settlement, Negligent Security/Wrongful Death

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.

STEAD v. RIDDELL

$5.3 million - Verdict, Product liability

Action against football helmet manufacturer for injuries sustained by a 16-year-old high school football player during game. Plaintiff was rendered a quadriplegic.

Eugene vs. Latrun Realty, Inc.

$5.25 million – Settlement, Negligent Security

Plaintiff 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 on September 13, 2005. 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.

DOE v. ROE

$5 million - Settlement, Airplane crash

Plaintiff was a passenger in a small aircraft in North Carolina flying back from a job interview arranged by defendant company. Defendant pilot failed to lower landing gear and the plane skidded down a 60-foot embankment. Plaintiff was rendered a partial hemiplegic.

JOHN DOE v. XYZ COMPANY

AMOUNT CONFIDENTIAL, Auto/Truck Accident

Plaintiff's vehicle was struck from behind by a company-owned vehicle and forced to tumble and crash. Plaintiff was rushed for medical help and was left with multiple serious injuries.

COOPER v. OTTO GENER & BELLA AUTOMOTIVE GROUP

$4.25 million - Settlement, Wrongful death/auto

Plaintiff, a 45-year-old Bahamian woman and employee of the port of Freeport, was killed when struck head-on when defendant’s delivery truck lost control and crossed the median. She left a husband, two adult children and one minor child.

MORENOv. XYZ ELECTRIC CO.

$4 million - settlement, Wrongful death / auto accident

Action brought forth by the family of a man who was killed in an auto accident caused by an employee of the electric company. The employee, who was driving his own car but conducting company business at the time of the accident, ran a red light causing the fatal accident. Witnesses at the scene claim that the employee of the electric company was too distracted and made no attempt to break when he saw the light turn red. The victim spent most of his life caring for his daughter with special needs as his wife worked to support the family. The daughter was in the passenger seat when the accident occurred. After the death of her father, the daughter has to rely on her mother to take care of her.

MALDONADO v. PARK PLAZA HOTEL

$4 million - Settlement, Negligent security

Plaintiff was attacked and killed in the hotel parking lot after leaving the hotel bar early in the morning. An angry patron, who had confronted him in the bar, followed him out and beat him to death.

WEBER v. SLINGSBY AVIATION, LTD.

$4 million - verdict, Wrongful Death / Military Aircraft Crash

Action on behalf of the decedent, a United States Air Force Academy cadet who was killed crash during a pilot screening mission. The Slingsby T-3A Firefly aerobatic aircraft the cadet and his instructor were flying in experienced vapor lock at low altitude and caused it to crash into the ground. The parents of the cadet brought a wrongful death suit against the aircraft manufacturer for making a defective and poorly designed engine.

NAVARRO v. FLORIDA AUTO RENTAL, et al.

$3.6 million - Verdict, Wrongful death/auto accident

Action against rental car agency and defendant driver by deceased plaintiff passenger’s personal representative after hit-and-run automobile accident.

JOHN DOE v. LOPEZ

$3.5 Million – Settlement, Boating Accident

Plaintiff lost his life in a boating accident. His wife sued the owners of the boat that her husband was riding on because they allowed an inexperienced and unqualified person to drive the vessel. The unqualified driver of the boat was also sued for negligence in recklessly driving the boat in an unsafe manner and operating the vessel at night without operating lights.

PACHECO v. MACS CONSTRUCTION

$3.5 Million - Settlement, Construction Accident/Building Collapse

A building in a community under construction in Hobe Sound, Florida, collapsed onto a construction worker who was on the first floor of the building. The collapse occurred at the time when concrete was being poured on the third floor. The concrete slabs and walls above the first floor had not cured to such a point that the temporary post shores placed between the first and second floors could withstand the additional weight from above. The defendant company, who was the shell contractor on the job, did not order or install sufficient shoring to support the loads of the third floor.

JOHN DOE V. XYZ CORP.

Amount Confidential - Settlement, Bus/pedestrian accident

While directing traffic around a busy accident scene, a police officer was run over and killed by a bus that sped through an intersection without slowing down. The bus driver did not adhere to the police officers motion to stop and allow for an ambulance to go through the intersection to tend to the car accident victims.

BIGNALL v. XYZ CATAMARANS

Amount Confidential – Settlement, Boating Accident

While on a one-day catamaran snorkeling excursion, the plaintiff was violently thrown off the boat after she grabbed a broken railing to support herself due to rough seas. When she landed in the water the propeller of the boat had sliced open her leg from the thigh to the foot. The captain of the catamaran did not stop the boat immediately and continued on while the plaintiff was left to tread water in the ocean. When the boat finally turned around, no one from the crew jumped in to save her and there was no rescue equipment on board.

GOFF v. WALDEN POND and AUBURN MANAGEMENT

Amount Confidential – Settlement, Negligent Pool Gate Drowning

Just shy of his 3rd birthday, Jordan Goff, while leaving his grandmothers apartment, gained access to the apartment pool and jacuzzi and drowned. The apartment’s maintenance staff positioned a padlock on the gate’s latch that prevented the gate from closing allowing Jordan easy access. This case propelled local news stations to conduct a through investigation of South Florida apartment pools.

GOMEZ v. SUNSHINE ROCK

Amount Confidential – Settlement, Auto/Motorcycle Accident

A motorist, using a company car from the defendant company, was attempting to make a left turn at an intersection and went into the path of the plaintiff riding his motorcycle. The 20-year-old motorcyclist, whom had the right-or-way, was struck by the defendant, ejected off his motorcycle and was pinned underneath the tires of the car. He died on the scene despite valiant rescue efforts by bystanders and rescue personnel.

WILDRICK v. COBB

$2.3 Million Premises, Liability/Dog Attack

Plaintiff was house sitting for the defendant when the defendant’s two dogs knocked him into the pool causing him to strike his head and rendering him a quadriplegic.

GARCIA v. DANNY CONSTRUCTION

$2.3 million - Settlement, Auto accident

Action against truck driver and owner for leg injuries sustained by plaintiff garage owner when he was pinned against garage wall by defendant’s vehicle.

NEWMAN v. "SEVERAL LOCAL DOCTORS" & "ABC PHARMACEUTICALS"

$2.25 Million - Settlement, Medical Malpractice/Drug Error

While being treated for a heart condition and high cholesterol, the plaintiff's drug regimen was modified, by his treating physician, to include two drugs which were specifically contraindicated by the drug manufacturer. Soon after he began taking both medications, the plaintiff, 76, was seen by one of his physicians and complained of the classic symptoms associated with the combined use of the drugs and was ultimately hospitalized. None of the plaintiff's physicians recognized this drug error and therefore failed to discontinue use of the medications or order the necessary diagnostic tests to make the correct diagnosis. The plaintiff suffered multiple organ failure and died.

CAMPOS v. OPA-LOCKA-HIALEAH FLEA MARKET

$2.2 Million - Settlement, Negligent Security / Wrongful Death

Action brought forth by the surviving children of a husband and wife who were shot to death during a robbery at the jewelry store they owned and ran out of the flea market. The flea market did not provide adequate security for its tenants and patrons, though tenants had to pay a monthly fee for security at the flea market. The day of the robbery and murder, the lone security guard hired by the flea market failed to show up for work that day. The jewelry store owned by the Campos family, as well as other stores in the flea market, had been robbed before.

CARSON v. McDONNELL DOUGLAS HELICOPTER CORPORATION

$2.15 million Settlement, Product Liability / Helicopter Crash

A 1969 Hughes OH-6A Army surplus helicopter sold to the Lee County Sheriff's Department crashed into the roof of a building in Ft. Myers on December 20, 1999 seriously injuring its pilot, Lt. Lonnie Carson. The pilot lost control the helicopter when the lateral control rod, a flight critical component, separated from its rod end due to fretting of the rod's aluminum threads. In 1996 the helicopter and its control rods had been refurbished by a third party and modified pursuant to a Service Notice published by McDonnell Douglas in 1989. Plaintiffs alleged that the nature of the modification exacerbated the tendency of the threads in the joint to fret (wear away). Plaintiffs alleged that this defective modification caused the component separation and resulting crash. The ability to relate the cause of the crash to the modification was vital in order to defeat both the Government Contractor Defense and the General Aviation Revitalization Act. The application of either of these defenses would have resulted in zero liability as a matter of law regardless of whether or not a defect was present.

VASQUEZ v. SUPER DOLLAR DISCOUNT

$2 Million – Settlement, Negligent Security

Action brought forth by the family of a man who was shot and killed just outside of the Super Dollar Discount store in Homestead, Florida. The altercation began inside of the store and continued outside into the common area of the shopping center. The shooting was unprovoked and the defendant did not provide any security for its patrons, even though the area surrounding the shopping center was known to have a high volume of criminal activity. The store and the strip mall owner paid their full insurance policy limits.

BYRD v. TRUJILLO & SONS

$2 million - Settlement, Construction Accident

Plaintiff was assisting with the removal of some scrap metal from the warehouse at a construction site that was undergoing substantial renovation and owned by the defendant. A pole nearby, with a beam attached to the top of it, was being cut in order to be hauled away. The plaintiff walked about fifteen feet away from where the pole was being cut to gather scrap metal that was laying about the area. When the pole that was being cut fell, the steel beam attached to the top of the pole landed on the Plaintiff’s head, knocking him to the ground, permanently injuring him and causing brain damage. Plaintiff will need round-the-clock care for the rest of his life. The defendant did not provide a safe work place for all of its workers and violated several the Florida Building Code Standards for Demolition. The defendant paid its full insurance policy limits.

GREEN V. GREAT SOUTHEAST, et.al

$2 million - Settlement, Construction Accident

Plaintiff, recovering from serious back surgery, was severely injured at the construction site of a restaurant he managed when a work crew hoisted, moved and dropped a trailer in which he was holding a staff meeting. The workers had failed to confirm that the trailer was empty.

RODRIGUEZ v. GONZALEZ-ABREU. M.D.. C.A.C. CLINIC. WESTCHESTER HOSPITAL

$2 million - Settlement, Medical malpractice

Hospital pathologist failed to properly diagnose urethral penile cancer from a biopsy specimen submitted from a meatotomy procedure. Ten months later, Plaintiff had to undergo a total penectomy and due to the cancer’s metastasis, became terminal.

MORGAN v. USA et al

$1.9 million – settlement, Wrongful death/Airplane crash

Action on behalf of surviving spouse of a pilot killed in a single engine general aviation aircraft in Tallahassee, Florida. The crash was an alleged result of the negligent administrator of air traffic control services and a failed engine.

EAFORD v. DUNHAM

$1.9 million - Verdict, Auto accident

Plaintiff, a 21-year-old Florida State University football player, was nearly killed when struck head-on by a drunk driver. Plaintiff sustained a shattered leg and was in a coma for four days. Plaintiff’s football career was immediately ended.

JOHN DOE v. X CORP., et al.

$1.875 million - Settlement, Construction Accident

While working in construction area, plaintiff tripped over exposed anchor bolts on the pavement and fell off concrete barrier, shattering hands and wrists and sustaining severe head injury with mild brain damage.

Alzate v. Doctor XYZ

$ 1.85 million – Settlement, Medical malpractice / Eye Surgery

The defendant doctor recommended that the plaintiff undergo invasive cataract surgery when her vision could have been corrected by a new eyeglass or contact prescription. The results of her mistake resulted in the plaintiff undergoing a procedure she never should have undergone from which she has been rendered permanently and irreversibly blind in her left eye.

WALKER v.WEDGE HOTEL MANAGEMENT (Bahamas) LTD.

$1.8 million - Verdict, Wrongful death/parasailing accident

A North Carolina woman filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the owner and management company of the Sheraton Grand Hotel in Paradise Island, Bahamas, after her daughter was killed in a parasailing accident. The jury found that Sea & Ski Ocean Sports, the Bahamian water sports vendor operating the parasail, was negligent and with respect to the provision of parasailing, that it was the agent of the Sheraton Grand which advertises parasailing as one of its amenities. The verdict has the potential to change the manner in which water sports are licensed and regulated in this and other countries and hence, greatly improve the safety of the traveling public.

RODRIGUEZ v. PHOENIX MARINE

$1.75 million - Settlement, Fall from roof

Plaintiff was a 27-year-old tool repair man who sustained a severe head injury when he fell 32 feet from the Defendant’s roof. Plaintiff, who was repairing exterior lights at the time of the fall, alleged that the Defendant failed to provide adequate safety devices.

TIGER v. SHAFEY

$1.7 million - Settlement, Medical malpractice

Failure to diagnose Arterial Venous Malfunction (AVM) rendering the 20-year-old plaintiff paraplegic.

ANGOLA CASES

$1.6 million - Settlement, Insurance coverage

Suit was brought against life insurance company for insurance benefits for four crew members killed in plane crash in Angola. The $1.6 million-plus recovery included prejudgment interest. The case involved significant insurance issues, including one of first impression.

JOHN DOE v. X AIRLINES

$1.6 million - Settlement, Wrongful death

Action on behalf of decedent who was killed in fatal plane crash. Decedent’s survivors included her husband, her infant daughter and her parents, who alleged pain and suffering, loss of support and loss of parental guidance.

SADOWSKI v. STATE OF FLORIDA

$1.6 million - Verdict, Claims Bill Aviation/wrongful death

Suit was filed for the wrongful death of Secretary of the Florida Department of Community Affairs, who was killed in a state-owned-and-operated plane on his way to a speech. The case involved winning significant workers’ compensation and liability issues against the state. Jury verdict of $1 million was increased to $1.6 million in a claims bill with legislation.

THOMAS v. GENERAL MOTORS, et al.

$1.6 million - Verdict, Product liability

Action by a plaintiff bus passenger for neck injuries sustained when he was flung from his seat and struck a metal support pole in the bus.

MILLIAN v. GOLDMAN

$1.425 million, Car Accident

While driving, a husband and wife were struck by the defendant's car after the defendant made an abrupt left turn into oncoming traffic without yielding the right-of-way. Just before the accident the plaintiff saw a car safely make a left turn across his path from the eastbound left turn lane. Then suddenly, behind that vehicle, the SUV driven by the defendant began making his left turn, accelerating directly into the path of the plaintiffs oncoming vehicle. The two cars collided violently. Plaintiffs sustained serious injuries.

WOODS v. NOVA COMPANIES BELIZE, Ltd.

$1.4 million - Settlement, Aviation

Plaintiff, a passenger when Defendant's aircraft crashed in Costa Rica, sustained multiple injuries and was badly burned over most of his body, leaving disfiguring scars.

GALIN v. ALLIED BUILDING SPECIALTIES, INC. and PALM BEACH COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD

$1.36 million - Settlement, Verdict on coverage Knockdown

Pedestrian knocked down due to negligent parking. Plaintiff, a 16-year-old high school student, was left in a permanent catatonic state when his head struck the “California Mirror” of a truck negligently parked on the sidewalk next to his school. Case settled for all available policy limits plus interest accrued on appeal.

GINTHER v. ST. PETER’S CATHOLIC CHURCH

$1.36 million - Verdict, Wrongful death

Action by Decedent killed at flea market held on church grounds. Runaway truck crushed decedent. Plaintiff’s spouse alleged lack of crowd and traffic control on part of church.

LEYER v. FLEMING

$1.2 Million - Settlement, Auto/Pedestrian Accident

The plaintiff, an active 63-year-old from Canada vacationing in Tampa, Florida, was struck by the defendant while he and his wife were crossing the street at a Tampa intersection. Defendant, an 82 year old man, admitted at the scene of the accident that he had not seen the couple crossing the street. The plaintiff sustained numerous bodily injuries including paralysis after suffering a spinal cord injury as well as being permanently brain damaged. The plaintiff now needs round-the-clock care.

KNOTT v. STACK et al.

$1.2 million - Settlement, Dog bite statute

Nine-year-old boy on bicycle suffered brain damage as a result of impact with defendant’s truck. Suit brought against truck driver and owner as well as homeowner whose dog ran after the child, which forced him into the path of an oncoming truck.

MINTZ v. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$1.1 million – settlement, Wrongful death/Airplane crash

Action brought by surviving four adult children who lost their mother in the crash of an Aero Commander, general aviation aircraft near Delray Beach, Florida. Plaintiff’s sued the United States of America alleging air traffic control was negligent for failing to advise of adverse weather along the route of flight.

NEWMAN v. DETORE

$1.1 million - Settlement, Auto accident

Minor Plaintiff was thrown from back of pickup truck and sustained life-threatening injuries. Defendant driver was intoxicated at time of accident. Plaintiff sustained multiple fractures of cervical vertebrae resulting in minimal neurological deficit. Settled for policy limits.

SHEPHERD v. POMPANO AIR CENTER

$1.1 million - Settlement, Air crash

Pilot died in Louisiana crash of Russian-made aerobatic Sukhoi aircraft after elevator control system disconnected in flight, causing plane to plummet several thousand feet. Defendant assembled, equipped and sold the aircraft.

COLLIER v. CHARLESTON COURT INVESTMENT

$1 Million – Settlement, Negligent Security

In early September 2008, Jacksonville Jaguars offensive tackle Richard Collier was sitting in a car outside of an apartment complex on Riverside Drive in Jacksonville. An assailant approached the vehicle and shot Mr. Collier 14 times rendering him paralyzed from the waist down and unable to continue pursuing his dream of playing in the NFL.

Attorneys Michael Haggard and Christopher Marlowe successfully settled this negligent security case for the maximum insurance policy limit of $1 Million. The apartment complex where Mr. Collier was shot was clearly negligent as it provided no security on its premises, lighting was grossly inadequate and the complex owners failed to provide any sort of perimeter system for its tenants.

GARCON v. TRIPODI

$ 1 Million – Settlement, Negligent Security

Attorneys for now three-year-old Joshua Robinson are happy to share that he is the recipient of a $1 Million settlement in his case against a negligent apartment complex in Little Haiti.

The toddler and his mother, Nadia Garcon, were caught in the middle of a shooting in April 2008. Joshua was shot in the stomach and to date remains paralyzed from the waist down.

RICHARDSON v. SHELL OIL COMPANY

$1 Million – Settlement, Negligent Security

Attorneys Douglas McCarron and Christopher Marlowe successfully settled a well-publicized negligent security case for the maximum insurance policy limit of $1 million on behalf of Henry Lee Richardson.

Moments after he left the Miami-Dade County Youth Fair in March 2008, 17-year-old Henry was shot in the head while sitting in a car at a Shell station located across from Florida International University. His severe injuries landed him in critical condition at the Ryder Trauma Center and an extended stay at Jackson Memorial Hospital. Mr. Richardson still suffers from blindness and partial deafness as a result of his injuries, but is thankful to be alive.

BARRERA v. CAMEJO

$1 million - Settlement, Auto

Action by plaintiff driver against defendant driver as well as rental car agency for leg and internal injuries.

KOSA v. COMREAL et al.

$1 million - Settlement, Drowning

Plaintiff represented an 18-month-old girl who drowned in water retention pond after the defendant had promised and failed to erect a fence. Parents filed a wrongful death action against the apartment owner and management company.

MARSON v. DADELAND RENT-A-CAR, et al.

$1 million - Verdict, Wrongful death/auto

Nine-year-old boy (pedestrian) was struck and killed by 17-year-old driver of a school van. Action brought against rental car agency as well as private school.

NUNEZ v THE REDLAND COMPANY

Amount Confidential – Settlement, Wrongful death/Auto Accident

After getting off the bus and walking to work early in the morning, Pedro Nunez was violently struck by a tractor-trailer that was traveling at an excessive rate of speed. Pedro Nunez was 74. This case was settled for the total insurance limits prior to filing suit.

PEREZ v. VILLA GLADYS APARTMENT COMPLEX

$275,000 – Settlement, Negligent Security

Jose Perez, a 67-year-old elderly man, was brutally attacked and killed at the Villa Gladys apartment complex in September 2006. After being approached by four young men, Mr. Perez ran to the complex lobby and locked himself inside. The assailants threw a metal chair through the doors and proceeded to systematically beat Mr. Perez with any weapon available to them.

Attorneys Douglas McCarron and Jeannete Lewis with The Haggard Law Firm argued that the apartment complex failed to provide security that would deter such violent activity on its property. Property owners also failed to address previous warnings from tenants and employees about crime occurring on the property. The family of Mr. Perez received a $275,000 settlement from the property owners.