330 Alhambra Circle

Coral Gables, FL 33134

633 S. Andrews Avenue Suite 400
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301

(305) 446-5700

(954) 323-4400

Speak with an Attorney

Result: $1.5 Million Settlement in Slip and Fall Wrongful Death Case

 

We are very proud to share that our Todd Michaels has secured a $1.5 Million dollar settlement in the slip and fall wrongful death case of Qurris Walker (pictured).

In August 2011, Walker, who suffered from Down’s Syndrome, slipped and fell on a wet floor at the Rosen Shingle Creek Hotel in Orlando. At the time of the incident, the floor was being cleaned by Rosen’s Cleaning service, Majic Cleaning Systems. As a result of the fall, Mr. Walker needed surgery to repair his leg and suffered respiratory arrest during recovery from the surgery. Nearly two years after the fall, Walker, who suffered from numerous pre-existing health issues, passed away. Both liability and causation were highly contested.

The defense argued that Majic had put down five cones in the lobby, adequately warning visitors that the floor was wet and that Mr. Walker’s death was a result of his other health issues, and was unrelated to the fall. Our thanks to the inspirational and brave Walker family for their passion to seek justice.

 

The Truth about Direct and Cross-Examinations

In this article, The Haggard Law Firm’s Jason Brenner discusses a variety of topics including why trial attorneys should always employ a philosophy that every case should be prepared to go to trial. He says it is a mindset that many trial attorneys don’t employ.

Brenner is part of the team that recently obtained a $12 million verdict in a wrongful death, negligent security case following a 5 day trial (click to learn more about the case). Click here to learn more about the case

To learn more about The Haggard Law Firm‘s Jason Brenner, click here

The Truth I Never Knew about Direct and Cross-Examinations

Entering the legal field with the desire to become a trial attorney is a daunting endeavor. There is only one place where a young lawyer can establish himself or herself as a trial attorney—in the courtroom. Trial practice has almost become a misnomer in today’s world. The firm where I have been privileged to practice is made up of an endangered species of the trial attorney. I revel in the “war stories” about them trying a case on Monday and preparing for the next one on Friday. Nowadays, the majority of time spent in court is in motion practice.

The current status of trial practice creates an interesting conflict for young, aspiring attorneys in their attempt to develop trial skills. In the almost six years I have been practicing, I have been trial support on two civil jury trials and second chair on an additional two. The first trial in which I participated as second chair was a stroke of fortune and an eye-opening experience. Once I was in the courtroom in this role, I understood the purpose and importance of direct and cross-examination, but, most important, I understood the difference between direct and cross-examination in discovery and at trial. The primary focus of this article is to illustrate the principles of direct and cross-examination that have been taught to me.

FOR A FREE CONSULTATION, CLICK HERE

Continue reading “The Truth about Direct and Cross-Examinations”

Holiday Shopping Safety Tips

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.

Continue reading “Holiday Shopping Safety Tips”

NCVBA National Conference – Civil Actions for Criminal Acts

Make your plans now to join The Haggard Law Firm‘s Michael Haggard from December 5th to the 7th in Portland, Oregon for the 2017 National Crime Victims Bar Association’s National Conference, Civil Actions for Criminal Acts. Haggard, the organization’s President-elect will be among the speakers during the conference.  The event offers attorneys a chance to network and learn from other attorneys in the field, and connect with victim advocates, counselors, program managers, attorneys, social workers, psychologists, researchers, nurses, volunteers, administrators, clergy, nonprofit managers, system-based service providers, and leaders from across the country.

Conference Training Highlights Include:

  • 15 workshops and four plenary sessions covering topics such as violence against women, campus crimes, elder abuse, victims with disabilities, underserved populations, children and youth, and many more;
  • Option to obtain Continuing Legal Education credits; and
  • Networking opportunities over lunch.

Don’t miss this opportunity to engage with other professionals in the field, or to attend Haggard’s workshop session!

Learn more about Michael Haggard by clicking here

 

To register, click here: http://victimsofcrime.org/our-programs/national-crime-victim-bar-association/conferences 

 

Miami Herald Write Up on Michael Haggard’s Recent Honors

The Miami Herald featured The Haggard Law Firm’s Managing Partner Michael Haggard in a recently published article. The write-up reported on Haggard recently receiving the 2017 Florida Justice Association’s Perry Nichols Lifetime Achievement Award and recognition as ‘Lawyer of the Year’ by Best Lawyers of America. The article detailed how the prestigious recognitions received by Haggard came within a year of his life-saving kidney transplant.

Haggard told the paper “The Perry Nichols Award and the Best Lawyer Award are the greatest professional awards I have been honored to receive. Each is specifically gratifying proving someone with PKD is never limited in achieving their dreams and I hope that inspires others.”

miami herald article on haggard winning pery nichols and lawyer of the year

to read the full article:

Continue reading “Miami Herald Write Up on Michael Haggard’s Recent Honors”

Haggard Receives Perry Nichols Award

 

Surrounded by family, friends, members of the Haggard Law team and hundreds of the top attorneys in the State of Florida, Michael Haggard received the most prestigious honor given by the Florida Justice Association, the Perry Nichols Award. The FJA website says “The Perry Nichols Award is the highest honor the FJA bestows and gives recognition to an individual who has dedicated a lifetime to the pursuit of justice through extended and distinguished service to the cause of justice in Florida and in the nation.”

Haggard speaks to the audience after receiving Perry Nichols Award Michael Haggard with his wife Bekki Andy Haggard looks on as his son, Michael Speaks to the audience

Haggard Addresses Founders’ Awards Luncheon Guests

Continue reading “Haggard Receives Perry Nichols Award”

Michaels Delivers Seminar to International Security Organization

The Haggard Law Firm’s Todd Michaels was a featured speaker yesterday at the ASIS International’s 2017 63rd Annual Seminar and Exhibits in Dallas. ASIS is a global community of security practitioners that represent every security-based industry in the public and private sectors.

 

Michaels seminar, “How to Avoid a $100,000,000 Verdict Against Your Business”, was focused on helping security professionals understand how a security plan will not only prevent incidents but also provide a framework for defending a business’s reasonable actions.  Michaels shared his insight on how to avoid a catastrophic lawsuit and used a variety of real-world examples of some of the many notable negligent security case results successfully litigated by The Haggard Law Firm.

 

CLICK to read Daily Business Review article on Haggard Law Firm’s negligent security case history

 

Continue reading “Michaels Delivers Seminar to International Security Organization”

Sun Sentinel: Haggard to Receive Perry Nichols Award

The South Florida Sun-Sentinel has posted the recent news that our Michael Haggard has been named the recipient of the Florida Justice Associations’ 2017 Perry Nichols award.

The FJA says the award is bestowed upon the attorney who sets the standard for the rest of us to aspire to achieve.

The Perry Nichols Award was created in 1977 in honor of the visionary who first brought Florida’s leading trial attorneys together to create the predecessor to today’s FJA. This Award is the most prestigious award given by our organization and is given to the attorney whose perseverance, commitment, and unmatched dedication to the civil justice system is at the forefront of their lives.

Haggard will receive the award during the Founder’s Day Luncheon during the FJA’s Master’s of Justice CLE Event October 4-6th in Sarasota Florida, more info

Continue reading “Sun Sentinel: Haggard to Receive Perry Nichols Award”

Magazine Names Haggard 2017 ‘Super Star’ Lawyer

Congratulations to our Michael Haggard. He was among 10 local lawyers included in Attorney at Law Magazine‘s ‘Super Stars of 2017’ edition.

The Magazine writes “These attorneys have been nominated by their peers to be recognized for their accomplishments both inside and outside the courtroom.”

To read the full article, click on the following link and scroll to page 12-13.

http://bit.ly/2gw0VKl      

This most recent recognition follows news that Haggard will receive the Florida Justice Association’s 2017 Perry Nichols Award, that organization’s highest honor. Click here to learn more

Michael Haggard Bio

Haggard Named Recipient of Nichols Award by FJA

Congratulations to The Haggard Law Firm’s Managing Partner Michael Haggard who was named the recipient of the 2017 Perry Nichols Award.

The Perry Nichols Award was created in 1977 in honor of the visionary who first brought Florida’s leading trial attorneys together to create the Negligence and Compensation Lawyers of Florida, the predecessor to today’s Florida Justice Association. It is the most prestigious award given by our organization and is given to the attorney whose perseverance, commitment, and unmatched dedication to the civil justice system is at the forefront of their lives. The FJA says the award is bestowed upon the attorney who sets the standard for the rest of us to aspire to achieve.

Continue reading “Haggard Named Recipient of Nichols Award by FJA”