Andrew Yaffa is an aggressive and committed attorney who concentrates his efforts on 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 individually, has recovered more than $500 million for his clients since his legal career started in 1991. 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 to the inappropriate mass production of tomatoes in America.
Another case that Andy spearheaded, he represented the family of the late Deputy Todd Fatta, who 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 Officers 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 daycare center van unnoticed for almost seven hours. This case not only prompted the daycare 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 daycare 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. Andy has since represented numerous other families who have lost children in the same fashion where these alarms were not installed.
Andy also tried a wrongful death case in federal court in Chicago in April 2014. The deceased contracted legionnaires' disease while staying at a JW Marriott. After nearly a week long trial, the federal jury awarded the 83-year-old widow nearly $2.3 million for the loss of her 80-year-old husband.
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 supporter of the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America.
He has provided pro bono legal representation 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.
Andy has also been inducted to the International Academy of Trial Lawyers (IATL)
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 and students as well.
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 International Academy of Trial Lawyers Awards and Honors Florida Super Lawyers : 2007 - 2022Super Lawyers : Top 100 Miami South Florida Legal Guide , Medical Malpractice, Personal Injury (Plaintiff)Best Lawyers in America , Personal Injury Litigation (Defendants and Plaintiffs), Medical Malpractice Law: 2009 - PresentBest Lawyers, Lawyer of the Year 2021, Medical Malpractice Law – Plaintiffs – Fort Lauderdale Florida Trend Legal Elite , Civil Trial LawAV Preeminent Rated by Martindale-Hubbell Education University of Richmond (B.A., 1988) University of Miami School of Law (J.D., 1991)
