330 Alhambra Circle

Coral Gables, FL 33134

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

(305) 446-5700

(954) 323-4400

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Wrongful death boating crash case settled for $3.75 Million

The Haggard Law Firm’s Pedro Echarte and Michael Haggard have settled a wrongful death boating crash case for a total of $3.75 million. Per terms of the confidential settlement, the names of the parties involved are confidential

The victim was swimming off of a public beach when he was hit by a passing boater. The catastrophically injured swimmer was airlifted to a hospital but died a few hours after his arrival.

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$1.6 Million Settlement in Wrongful Death Case Where Victim Was Shot By Friend

The Haggard Law Firm’s Todd Michaels has obtained a $1.6 million settlement in a confidential wrongful death negligent security case.

The decedent was a talented and good-natured 19-year-old who enjoyed an exceptionally close relationship with his mother. Michaels says this case was a peculiar, difficult, and incredibly tragic case. “What made this case uniquely challenging is that the victim was shot accidentally by a childhood friend.”

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$1 Million Pre-Suit Settlement in Gas Station Murder Case

The Haggard Law Firm’s Michael Haggard and Adam Finkel have obtained a $1 Million pre-suit settlement in a negligent security wrongful death case against a gas station operator.

On July 15, 2020, just before midnight 20-year-old Zion Lamar was shot and killed at a Solo gas station in Pompano Beach. Zion lived nearby with his girlfriend and was sent to purchase snacks but never returned home.

Precisely what transpired is unknown as the owner of the gas station did not install functioning surveillance cameras, nor did the clerk respond to audible commotion occurring on the property. Although there is a cell phone video of Zion writhing on the ground, he died shortly thereafter and there is no known eyewitness testimony. It is believed that an altercation occurred outside involving several people, during which Zion was shot.

This settlement was reached after The Haggard Law Firm presented its position regarding the clear liability in this case and the damages associated with the death of a young man. While the defense could not contest the staggering history of daily drug dealing, public intoxication, and violence at the gas station, the defense contested the Plaintiff’s description of the damages in the case.

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$5 Million Pre-Suit Settlement Obtained for Father of 4 Paralyzed in Shooting

Miami, FL – The Haggard Law Firm’s Michael Haggard and Adam Finkel have obtained a $5 Million pre-suit settlement in a negligent security case involving the catastrophic injury suffered by a father of four who was with his children when he was shot outside his home.

On December 20, 2019, 33-year old Paul Barry-Austin returned home from a long day of work. It was a nice day so his wife was enjoying the weather outside with their children. The day drastically turned when she noticed a few unknown men roaming the Alhambra Cove Apartment complex’s parking lot. She noticed the men more than once, roaming suspiciously, and expressed concern to Paul. Worried for the safety of his family and aware that the property owners and managers did nothing to prevent or curtail the many burglaries, car thefts, and assaults on the property, Paul walked through the parking lot to make sure the men were not near his home. Soon after, Paul’s wife heard gunshots, and Paul was found lying in the parking lot in a puddle of blood. He had been shot in the back—likely by the very criminals that roamed the property.

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$5.5 Million Settlement in Wrongful Death/Automobile Crash Case

The Haggard Law Firm’s Adam Finkel and Michael Haggard held a press conference to announce the $5.5 Million settlement with Spitzer Autoworld in the wrongful death case of 3-year-old Anthony Rojo De Leon.

The child was killed on Valentine’s Day when the General Manager of the dealership recklessly drove a vehicle off the road.

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Job Opening: Legal Assistant/Paralegal

The Haggard Law Law Firm seeks an experienced legal assistant/paralegal for the Managing Partner of a plaintiff personal injury law firm in Miami, Florida. Candidate must have at least 3 years of experience in a law firm.
Must be able to work in a fast-paced environment and without supervision.
Excellent organizational skills, time management, and professional etiquette required. The ideal candidate must be meticulous with the attorney’s calendar and be able to handle demanding deadlines.
Seeking bilingual candidates — fluent in both English and Spanish.
Job duties include but are not limited to:
1. Communicating with clients
2. Electronic filing of Court documents
3. Handling discovery matters
4. Scheduling hearings, depositions, meetings, etc.
5. Assisting with trial preparation.
6. General office duties
Compensation based on experience.
Job Type: Full-time

RESULT: $1.45 Million in Settlements For 3 Victims Shot at the Same Apt. Complex

The Haggard Law Firm’s Adam Finkel and Michael Haggard have obtained settlements totaling $1,450,000.00 in three negligent security cases involving three victims who were seriously injured in two separate shootings.  Both incidents occurred at the same Duval County (FL) apartment complex.

Attorney Michael Haggard Photo
Managing Partner Michael Haggard

On April 15, 2018, a nineteen-year-old man left his apartment in the early morning to pick up his basketball sneakers from his cousin. When walking back to his apartment, an unknown male shot him from behind. The shooting victim (Plaintiff) was rushed to the hospital and underwent immediate surgery.

Attorney Adam Finkel Photo

Trial lawyer Adam Finkel

December 15, 2018, at the same complex, John Doe (Plaintiff) was returning to the apartment complex to drop off his minor son and nephew at his mother’s home when a vehicle entered the complex, undeterred, and unchecked. Someone exited the vehicle and shot John Doe in the chest as he approached his mother’s front door. His niece (Plaintiff), a minor, was standing at the door and was also struck by a bullet.

Per the terms of the settlements, the names of the victims and the defendant are confidential.

JUST IN: $10 Million Settlement in Negligent Security Case

The Haggard Law Firm’s Douglas McCarron has secured a $10 Million settlement in a negligent security case. Several details of the case are confidential per terms of the settlement.


The Haggard Law Firm’s client was driving through the apartment complex on his way to meet a friend. As John Doe drove he heard shots, a bullet pierced through the trunk of his car and struck him in his lower back. Doe immediately lost sensation in his lower extremities, and he was unable to control or stop his vehicle before it crashed into parked cars in the parking lot.

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Apartment Complex Agrees to $1 Million Policy Limit Settlement in Handyman Murder Case

Opa-Locka, FL –  Palmer Properties has agreed to a  $1 Million pre-suit policy limits settlement with the Estate of Wayne Mitchell who was killed by a neighbor at a Palmer Property-owned apartment complex.

Mitchell was shot and killed two days after his 50th birthday on the grounds of an apartment complex located at 2170 Washington Avenue in Opa-Locka, Florida. On January 7, 2019, Carlos Flores ambushed Mitchell in a hallway of the apartment complex both men lived in. Flores shot Mitchell as he exited his own unit.  An investigation revealed that Flores, who had a violent and lengthy criminal history, was jealous that the building had hired Mitchell instead of him as a handyman.

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Settlement in Naomi Jones Negligent Security Wrongful Death Case

Pensacola, FL – Michael Haggard and Christopher Marlowe have settled the negligent security wrongful death lawsuits involving the abduction and murder of 12-year-old Naomi Jones.

Claims against the principal defendant, the management company of the Pensacola apartment complex where she was abducted, were resolved under confidential terms.

The lawsuit against the owner of the apartment complex was resolved for policy limits of $2,000,000.  

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