Jaime J. Baca

E25A8630 Edit

Jaime Baca
Office: Miami  
Direct: (305) 461-8725
jbaca@wickersmith.com

Practice Areas:
  • Transportation
  • Retail
  • Products Liability
  • General Liability

    • Admitted to Practice:
    • 1997, Florida
    • 2000, U.S. District Court Southern District of Florida
    • 2014, U.S. District Court Middle District of Florida
    Education:
    • Florida International University (B.A., 1992)
    • Florida International University (M.S.F., 1993)
    • St. Thomas University (J.D., cum laude, 1997)
    Born:  

    Managua, Nicaragua

    Jaime Baca

    Biography

    Jaime J. Baca is a Shareholder in the firm’s Miami office. He focuses his practice on the defense of personal injury claims, with extensive experience in the areas of premises liability, general liability, negligent security, and automobile and trucking negligence. He represents many of the firm’s largest clients in cases that arise from injuries in a variety of settings including condominiums, warehouses, construction sites, retail establishments, and parking garages. He also handles a significant number of car and trucking accidents.

    Jaime obtained his General Lines Insurance Agent license at the age of 18, and worked for several years as a commercial and personal lines insurance broker, underwriter and claims adjuster, before attending law school. He graduated cum laude from St. Thomas University School of Law in 1997, and upon admission to the bar, he spent 15 years at another insurance defense firm, where he was a senior partner managing a team of trial lawyers. He joined Wicker Smith in 2015.

    In addition to his insurance license, Jaime holds a Masters of Science in Finance and a Chartered Property and Casualty (CPCU) designation.

    Jaime is an extremely successful trial lawyer, having tried over 160 cases in South Florida for individuals, insurance companies and business clients throughout his career.  He has an exemplary record in Miami-Dade County, a venue that is historically not favorable to civil litigation defendants. His in-depth knowledge of the insurance industry makes Jaime particularly adept at understanding the medical billing practices that are commonly used in personal injury litigation, and he regularly prevails in cases with high potential damages, such as spinal and traumatic brain injuries. In late 2023, Jaime and his team secured a complete defense verdict in a $15 million admitted liability auto negligence trial, and in early 2024 they did the same in a car accident trial involving an alleged traumatic brain injury in a second grader wherein opposing counsel asked the jury for $26 million.

    Throughout all phases of litigation, from discovery to developing a trial strategy, Jaime’s thoughtful, measured approach and sharp eye for small details makes all the difference. He is respected by his peers and by the judiciary for his collegiality and professionalism, and his clients appreciate his confidence and thorough knowledge of the law.

    In addition to his trial work, Jaime also handles umbrella and excess coverage matters for a variety of clients. He  regularly provides continuing education lectures to his clients on topics such as ethics, rapid response, use of experts, and successfully defending cases involving Letters of Protection. He holds an AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbel, and is a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates.


    Professional & Civic Affiliations

    Jaime Baca - Partner

    E25A8630 Edit

    Jaime Baca

    Partner

    Email: jbaca@wickersmith.com

    Direct: (305) 461-8725

    Fax: None

    Office: Miami  

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    Profile

    Jaime J. Baca is a Shareholder in the firm’s Miami office. He focuses his practice on the defense of personal injury claims, with extensive experience in the areas of premises liability, general liability, negligent security, and automobile and trucking negligence. He represents many of the firm’s largest clients in cases that arise from injuries in a variety of settings including condominiums, warehouses, construction sites, retail establishments, and parking garages. He also handles a significant number of car and trucking accidents.

    Jaime obtained his General Lines Insurance Agent license at the age of 18, and worked for several years as a commercial and personal lines insurance broker, underwriter and claims adjuster, before attending law school. He graduated cum laude from St. Thomas University School of Law in 1997, and upon admission to the bar, he spent 15 years at another insurance defense firm, where he was a senior partner managing a team of trial lawyers. He joined Wicker Smith in 2015.

    In addition to his insurance license, Jaime holds a Masters of Science in Finance and a Chartered Property and Casualty (CPCU) designation.

    Jaime is an extremely successful trial lawyer, having tried over 160 cases in South Florida for individuals, insurance companies and business clients throughout his career.  He has an exemplary record in Miami-Dade County, a venue that is historically not favorable to civil litigation defendants. His in-depth knowledge of the insurance industry makes Jaime particularly adept at understanding the medical billing practices that are commonly used in personal injury litigation, and he regularly prevails in cases with high potential damages, such as spinal and traumatic brain injuries. In late 2023, Jaime and his team secured a complete defense verdict in a $15 million admitted liability auto negligence trial, and in early 2024 they did the same in a car accident trial involving an alleged traumatic brain injury in a second grader wherein opposing counsel asked the jury for $26 million.

    Throughout all phases of litigation, from discovery to developing a trial strategy, Jaime’s thoughtful, measured approach and sharp eye for small details makes all the difference. He is respected by his peers and by the judiciary for his collegiality and professionalism, and his clients appreciate his confidence and thorough knowledge of the law.

    In addition to his trial work, Jaime also handles umbrella and excess coverage matters for a variety of clients. He  regularly provides continuing education lectures to his clients on topics such as ethics, rapid response, use of experts, and successfully defending cases involving Letters of Protection. He holds an AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbel, and is a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates.

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    Credentials

    Education

    • Florida International University (B.A., 1992)
    • Florida International University (M.S.F., 1993)
    • St. Thomas University (J.D., cum laude, 1997)

    Representative Matters

    Defense Verdict in Federal Court

    Plaintiff alleged that she slipped and fall on water inside a national warehouse grocery chain, causing her to undergo injections, facet blocks and a low back Rizotomy. Plaintiff asked for $400k in damages, but the jury returned a defense verdict. The case was tried in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida. 

    Directed Verdict Granted After Trial

    We represented a national warehouse grocery chain in this case, that was tried in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida. Initially, the Plaintiff received a jury award in the amount of $155,000. Post-trial, we filed a Renewed Motion for Directed Verdict on causation. The Judge agreed, granting the motion entering a judgment in favor of our client, resulting in a defense verdict.

    $1.175 Million Defense Verdict on Behalf of a Retail Grocery Chain

    Plaintiff alleged to have incurred five different herniated disks from a forward fall on her knee and arm, ultimately undergoing a 2-level lumbar fusion, several injections, and a right shoulder arthroscopy. Plaintiff had $280,000 in past medical bills. Both liability and causation were contested. Plaintiff demanded $1.175 million, but the jury returned a complete defense verdict.

    Excellent Outcome in a Case With Admitted Causation and Liability

    This was a rear-end collision case where liability and causation were both admitted. Plaintiff was 36 years old with a confirmed pars fracture of his L4-5, a lumbar herniation and multiple cervical herniations, with no prior complaints or injuries. He underwent a lumbar fusion and was recommended a cervical fusion at two levels. The medical bills were over $300,000 with another $150,000 in future medicals. Plaintiff asked the jury for $1.9 million dollars. The jury returned a verdict of $25,000, which was further reduced after set-offs. 

    Nuclear Verdict Avoided in Slip and Fall Case at Grocery Store

    Plaintiff fell in the restroom inside a well-known regional grocery chain. Plaintiff was 56 years old at the time and had a prosthetic leg. He claimed there was water and paper at the entrance of the stall. He also claimed a store employee had just come out of the stall, arguing that the store had actual notice of the dangerous condition. He went on to have a 3-level cervical disc replacement and a 2-level lumbar fusion. His medical bills exceeded $800k. At trial, Plaintiff asked for over $20 million in damages, but the jury returned a verdict of no liability.

    Jury Returns a Verdict of No Liability After Plaintiff Asks for $4.4 Million

    This was a case that was aggressively pursued by Plaintiff’s counsel and a demand below the $1 million policy limits was never made. The carrier offered $250k prior to trial and was willing to offer up to $500k to resolve the case. Plaintiff had $198k in past medicals and a life care plan for future damages. Plaintiff asked the jury for $4.4 million. The defense argued that our driver did nothing wrong and that the Plaintiff’s injuries were pre-existing, and that they should only award $11k if they thought our driver was liable. The jury returned a verdict of no liability.

    Defense Verdict: Osceola County, Florida (General Liability)

    Fort Lauderdale partners Jason Glusman, Jonathon Miller, and James Foster, and Miami partner Jaime Baca obtained a defense verdict in a catastrophic injury case on behalf of a large Florida-based grocery store in Osceola County, Florida, earlier this month. Plaintiff in this case was employed by an independent contractor that the grocery store used for maintenance jobs at their dairy processing plant. While performing his job duties under the instruction and supervision of his employer, Plaintiff was involved in a workplace accident that resulted in him incurring significant burns on his stomach and genitals. He was airlifted from the scene and spent several days in the hospital undergoing burn treatment protocols. In addition to the medical bills, the lawsuit included a claim for PTSD and a loss of consortium claim from Plaintiff’s wife, to whom he had been married just six months prior to the subject incident. At the end of a six-day trial, Plaintiff asked for $17 million in closing arguments. The jury found no liability on the part of our client, and returned a complete defense verdict. Due to the rejection of a Proposal for Settlement, our client will be entitled to seeks fees and costs; they also intend to pursue a separate action for indemnity from Plaintiff’s employer. Congratulations to everyone who worked on this difficult case.

    Defense Verdict: Miami-Dade County, Florida (Automobile Negligence)

    Miami Partner, Jaime Baca, and Associates, Alina Gonzalez and Claudia Aravena, recently obtained a defense verdict on behalf of a defendant driver in an automobile negligence case in Miami-Dade County, Florida. The team was assisted at trial by co-counsel Anita Figueroa. This case arose from an accident that occurred after our driver, who was operating a commercial vehicle, rear-ended the Plaintiff, pushing her into another vehicle. Plaintiff was a world renowned Martial Artist with no records of any prior neck injury, back injury, or treatment. She claimed wage loss and ongoing pain, and underwent an ACDF neck surgery. The Court initially allowed punitive damages against our driver, but Fort Lauderdale Partner, Alyssa Reiter, assisted in getting that count dismissed via Summary Judgment. We admitted liability and tried the case on damages, arguing the injury was minor and Plaintiff’s symptoms did not correlate with an acute herniation since her MRI imaging showed pre-existing degeneration, consistent with 40 years of martial arts. After a five day trial, Plaintiff asked the jury for $3.1 million. The jury found that the accident was not the legal cause of the injury, and returned a defense verdict. Congratulations to Jaime and his entire team on this great work and excellent outcome for our client.

    Favorable Verdict: Miami-Dade County, Florida (Auto Negligence)

    Miami Partner, Jaime Baca, and Associate, Lester Rodriguez, recently obtained a favorable verdict in an auto negligence case in Miami-Dade County. This was an admitted liability case in which the Plaintiff was a passenger of a car that collided with our defendant driver at low speed. She claimed a rotator cuff and labral tear as well as bulging discs in the neck, for which she underwent surgery to her shoulder and multiple injections. Plaintiff was a Registered Nurse, and her counsel leaned heavily on sympathy in their arguments. The defense of the case was further complicated by the striking of our radiology expert, who was deemed cumulative in combination with an orthopedic expert who performed an IME. Despite these challenges, the jury returned a verdict awarding the amount of Plaintiff’s ER bill only. After set-offs, the award will be reduced to zero. Due to the rejection of a Proposal for Settlement, our client will be entitled to seek fees and costs.

    Practices


    Education

    • Florida International University (B.A., 1992)
    • Florida International University (M.S.F., 1993)
    • St. Thomas University (J.D., cum laude, 1997)

    Honors

    • Preeminent AV Rating from Martindale Hubbell
    • Florida Super Lawyers, 2023-2024
    • Chartered Property and Casualty designation (CPCU)

    Credentials

    Admitted to Bar

    • 1997, Florida
    • 2000, U.S. District Court Southern District of Florida
    • 2014, U.S. District Court Middle District of Florida

    Languages

    Spanish

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