The Haggard Law Firm’s Adam Finkel and Michael Haggard secured a $15.5 Million settlement in a child fatal-drowning retention pond case.
During the early evening hours of January 12, 2024, tragedy struck at the Huntington Reserve Apartments in Seminole County, Florida. Three-and-a-half-year-old Kai Goodlander left his family’s apartment on a dark, rainy night—perhaps headed toward the nearby pool or playground. Minutes later, Kai was discovered in a retention pond adjacent to the property’s recreational area. Despite rescue efforts, Kai drowned.
Seeking answers and accountability, Kai’s mother turned to The Haggard Law Firm. Through an extensive investigation, attorneys Haggard and Finkel uncovered a shocking truth: the so-called “pond” was not meant to hold water at all.
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Negligence in Property Management and Maintenance
The area where Kai drowned was actually a dry detention pond—a stormwater management system designed to temporarily collect runoff and then drain completely. Like a colander, the floor of the pond should allow water to seep through, keeping the area dry and safe.
However, the investigation revealed that negligent property ownership and management allowed this pond to deteriorate into a dangerous and water-retaining pit. The failure to properly inspect, maintain, or repair the stormwater system directly led to the conditions that caused Kai’s death.
Shockingly, property management employees admitted under oath that they had no knowledge of how to maintain a dry detention pond, never hired qualified experts, and did nothing to ensure compliance with safety or environmental standards. The property owner likewise neglected their legal duty of care to maintain the pond safely and to hire competent management professionals.
Justice and Accountability
As trial approached, the mounting evidence of negligence led to two significant settlements:
- TPI Management Services, LLC settled for $6 million
- Huntington Reserve Associates, Ltd. settled for an additional $9.5 million
Together, these settlements totaled $15.5 million, bringing some measure of justice and accountability for Kai’s family.
A Call for Safer Stormwater Management in Florida
This case underscores the critical importance of proper stormwater system maintenance and drowning preventionacross Florida and the nation. Retention and detention ponds, while common, can pose hidden dangers if neglected.
As studies have shown, drowning prevention requires multiple layers of protection, including:
- Regular inspection and maintenance of water management systems
- Installation of protective barriers or fencing
- Compliance with all safety and environmental regulations
There was no reason this tragedy should have occurred. Proper maintenance and adherence to safety standards could have saved Kai’s life.
At The Haggard Law Firm, we remain committed to holding negligent property owners accountable and fighting for families impacted by preventable drownings and unsafe premises conditions. Contact US
