Andy Yaffa is an aggressive and committed attorney who concentrates his efforts in personal injury, wrongful death, products liability and medical malpractice litigation. His passion for his clients extends far beyond the realm of the cases he tries—he takes each case personally and ensures that his clients are provided for in every way possible.
Andy is considered one of Florida’s most accomplished attorneys and has recovered more than $250 million for his clients in his 21-year legal career. He has been intimately involved in some of South Florida’s most recognizable cases that not only impacted the families involved, but also impacted legislation, policy and society.
One of the most pivotal cases of his career includes Francisca Herrera and Abraham Candelario v. Ag-Mart Produce, Inc., which dealt with a young boy, Carlito Candelario-Herrera, who was born without arms or legs as a result of his mother being sprayed with pesticides while working in various tomato fields. Discovery in the case uncovered numerous violations by Ag-Mart, the company employing Carlitos’ mother, including sub-par work conditions. During the course of this case, Andy traveled to Washington D.C. to testify before a Congressional Subcommittee on the treatment of workers in these situations and as a result, Ag-Mart has implemented new policies to ensure its employees are safe and protected. In addition, his work on this case was featured in the book Tomatoland, an expose into the inappropriate mass production of tomatoes in America.
Another case which Andy spearheaded represented the family of the late Deputy Todd Fatta, who was was shot and killed while serving a warrant on a registered sex offender suspected of being involved with child pornography. Andy filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Broward Sherriff’s Office (BSO) and as a result of the case, BSO changed its protocol for Officer’s serving warrants, which will save lives.
In one of the firm’s saddest cases, Andy represented the family of two-year-old Haile Brockington, who died after being left in a sweltering day care center van unnoticed for almost seven hours. This case not only prompted the day care center, Katie’s Kids, to lose funding and ultimately close, but it also created a legislative effort spearheaded by Florida State Senator Maria Sachs requiring all day care vans to install an alarm that forces a driver to walk through the van to turn off the alarm and ensure no child is left behind. The bill, called the Haile Brockington Act, will be reintroduced to the Florida Legislature in 2012.
An active member of the community, Andy serves on the Board of Directors of Margaux’s Miracle Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to publishing the results of research seeking to test and improve upon complementary treatment for cancer patients, with a focus on Ewing’s sarcoma and other childhood cancers. He is also an active member of Temple B’nai Aviv in Weston, Florida and a supporter of the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America.
He provided pro bono legal care to victim families of the September 11th attacks through Trial Lawyers Care, the largest pro bono legal services program in history. His actions prompted the Association of Trial Lawyers of America to honor Andy with a Certificate of Appreciation.
Additionally, Andy regularly shares his experience and knowledge lecturing to those in the health care industry, including doctors, nurses and interns on the anatomy and physiology of malpractice lawsuits. He also regularly lectures to legal professionals.
Selected Memberships
The Florida Bar
American Bar Association
American Board of Trial Advocates
American Association for Justice
The Florida Justice Association, Member of Board of Directors
Broward County Trial Lawyers Association
Coral Gables Bar Association
Dade County Bar Association
Miami-Dade Justice Association
Palm Beach County Trial Lawyers Association
South Palm Beach County Bar Association
Cuban-American Bar Association
Awards and Honors
Florida Super Lawyers, Personal Injury Plaintiff, Medical Malpractice, Products Liability
South Florida Legal Guide, Medical Malpractice, Personal Injury (Plaintiff)
Best Lawyers in America, Personal Injury Litigation (Defendants and Plaintiffs), Medical Malpractice Law
Florida Trend Legal Elite, Civil Trial Law
AV Preeminent Rated by Martindale-Hubbell
Education
University of Richmond (B.A., 1988)
University of Miami School of Law (J.D., 1991)
