Family Awarded $2 Million in Unsolved Negligent Security Case

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The family of former University of Miami football player, Bryan Pata, will receive a $2 million settlement from the apartment complex in which the shooting death occurred. Pata had returned to his Kendall apartment on November 7, parked in his designated space and began walking toward his door when he was shot and killed.

''It was totally dark,'' said Haggard, of Haggard Law Firm in Coral Gables. ``An overhead light was obscured by bushes and trees. He had to park in front of a dumpster. Anybody could hide behind the dumpster and not be detected.

``The gate next to his parking space was left open until 10 p.m., and no security guard was on duty until 10 p.m. They had advertised 24-hour security, and they didn't provide that. Of all the negligent security cases I've handled [during 30 years], that's as reckless and dangerous a situation as I've seen.''

The Haggard Law Firm has handled numerous cases involving negligent security in which establishments such as bars, restaurants, shopping centers, nursing homes, banks, hotels and apartment complexes have all failed to provide adequate security. By representing individuals permanently injured in these kind of cases, the firm believes that it is taking an active role in making the community safer for the general public.