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Failing to Perform Contract Promise is Not Fraudulent Inducement

Florida Law is well settled that a contractual promise not performed is not tantamount to fraud. As a general rule, fraud cannot be predicated upon a mere promise not performed.  Alexander/Davis Properties, Inc. v. Graham, 397 So.2d 699, 706 (Fla. 4th DCA 1981), petition for review denied, 408 So.2d 1093 (Fla. 1981).  Moreover, to cross … Read more

Florida Civil Conspiracy Action – When does group action make legal conduct actionable?

florida civil conspiracy

The general rule is that “an act which constitutes no ground of action against one person cannot be made the basis of a civil action for conspiracy,” 105 So.2d at 165, Liappas v. Augoustis, 47 So.2d 582 (Fla. 1950). However, there is an exception when in certain circumstances of mere force of numbers acting in … Read more

Setting Default Interest Rates and Post-Judgment Interest Under Florida Law

florida judgment interest law

Fla. Stat. § 55.03 sets a statutory interest rate for post-judgment interest in Florida. The interest rate set by statute is compensatory, but lower than both average consumer debt, and prevailing credit card rates for creditworthy individuals. Certainly, a judgment should carry a higher interest rate to incentivize the payment of such judgment by the judgment debtor … Read more

Proving Damages for Substantially Completed Construction Projects

subcontractor unjust enrichment

Where a building contractor has substantially performed a contract between the parties, the contractor is entitled to be paid the full contract price diminished only by damages which the owner has suffered as the result of such breaches of the contract as may be established by competent evidence. See Fleming v. URDL’s Waterfall Creation, Inc., … Read more

Make a Serious Demand, Seriously, Attorney Demand Letter

Attorney Demand Letter

 Make a Serious Demand, Seriously, with an Attorney Demand Letter.  Attorney Demand Letters, Florida Attorney Demand Letters Litigation usually begins, and can easily end, with a well drafted demand letter from a Florida Attorney. An attorney demand letter is a pre-litigation tool when an attorney reviews your case and demands the appropriate the relief by … Read more

Temporary Injunctions Based on Trade Secret Violations

Trade Secret Florida Law

According to F.S. §688.002(4), the phrase “trade secret” means information, including a formula, pattern, compilation, program, device, method, technique, or process that: a) Derives independent economic value, actual or potential, from not being generally known to, and not being readily ascertainable by proper means by other persons who can obtain economic value from its disclosure … Read more

SLIP & FALL in Florida: How to prove a Slip & Fall Negligence case in Florida?

Workers Compensation

All premises owners owe a duty to their invitees to exercise reasonable care to maintain their premises in a safe condition. See, e.g., Everett v. Restaurant & Catering Corp., 738 So.2d 1015, 1016 (Fla. 2d DCA 1999). Despite this general proposition, when a person slips and falls on a transitory foreign substance, the rule has … Read more

Florida Construction Lien Law: Method of Serving Notices 713.18, Florida Statutes

Serving Construction Notices Florida

713.18 Manner of serving notices and other instruments.— (1) Service of notices, claims of lien, affidavits, assignments, and other instruments permitted or required under this part, or copies thereof when so permitted or required, unless otherwise specifically provided in this part, must be made by one of the following methods: (a) By actual delivery to the person to … Read more

Construction Law: Qualifier/Qualifying Agreement, Sample Provisions, Florida General Contractor

subcontractor unjust enrichment

(Need a Qualifier Agreement?, Go to our main qualifier agreement page for more information, Click Here!) For any contracting business to legally operate in the State of Florida, a qualifying agent must be certified or registered with the Department of Business and Professional Regulation in the category of contracting in which the qualifying agent is … Read more

Criminal Defense: State to Produce Witnesses (or Good Address) Prior to Trial

Florida Law Quick Answers

“The law requires that each defendant have sufficient time to prepare a defense, including the opportunity to utilize available procedural discovery rules provided for that purpose. Florida Rule of Criminal Procedure 3.220(a) (1)(i) requires the prosecution to disclose to defense counsel the “names and addresses of all persons known to the prosecutor to have information … Read more

Florida Bar/Florida Association of Realtors Form Contracts “As-Is” v. Inspection (Standard) Form Contracts

Florida Bar/Florida Association of Realtors Form Contracts “As-Is” v. Inspection (Standard) Form Contracts. What is the difference? What should you use? Commonalities Both forms give Buyer rights to inspect The different forms provide potentially equal (but different) benefits to Buyers and Sellers. Florida Law Still Requires that Seller disclose any known defects that materially effect … Read more

Criminal Defense: Confrontation Clause of Sixth Amendment Under Florida Law

The Sixth Amendment right of confrontation provides that “[i]n all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right . . . to be confronted with the witnesses against him.” U.S. Const. amend. VI. The United States Supreme Court has held that a hearsay statement offered against the defendant violates this constitutional right if (1) the … Read more

Residential Evictions

Andrew Douglas, P.A. now offers residential eviction services from all statutory notices through to obtaining possession and monetary damages. We offer a flat fixed rate for tenant evictions (to obtain a writ of possession), and a reasonable fixed hourly rate to recover unpaid rents and other money damages. Call now to discuss your eviction case.

Significant Issues Test Applicable to Determine Attorney Fee Entitlement in Lien Foreclosure Actions

Significant Issues Test Applicable to Determine Attorney’s Fees Entitlement Under 713.29, Florida Statute for Lien Foreclosure Actions FRANK J. TRYTEK, et al., Petitioners, vs. GALE INDUSTRIES, INC., etc., Respondent. No. SC07-1641 SUPREME COURT OF FLORIDA 3 So. 3d 1194; 2009 Fla. LEXIS 257; 34 Fla. L. Weekly S 247 ” Trial courts are required to … Read more

Calculating Damages for a Partially Completed Construction Project

As a construction attorney the issue of how to calculate damages comes up often. Generally, a contractor has their own idea on how to calculate its damages, but generally they are not correct. In the case where a contract is substantially completed  , the contract price between the parties will likely govern the value of work … Read more

Clerk’s Satisfaction of Judgment

Want to satisfy a judgment but cannot find or get cooperation of the judgment-creditor? There are options. Fla. Stat. 55.141 provides a method to obtain a satisfaction of judgment by just dealing with the clerk. Judgment debtors may want to use this statute if: The cannot find the judgment holder, Judgment holder not-cooperating – will … Read more

Arrested for Unlicensed Contracting, We can help.

Arrested for Unlicensed Contracting Unlicensed Contracting Broward County and Dade County have been setting up stings and actively pursuing unlicensed contractors. If you have been arrested for the crime of unlicensed contracting, we can help. Andrew Douglas is a construction litigation attorney and former prosecutor, and can help you to achieve the best possible result … Read more

Florida Non-Compete Agreements, Non-Solicitation, Non-Disclosure, and Non-Disparagement Agreements

Florida Non-Compete Agreements, Non-Solicitation, Non-Disclosure, and Non-Disparagement Agreements Non-Compete Agreements are disfavored by the Courts, as against public policy, but are enforced by Courts when they comply with Florida Statute 542.335. Fla. Stat. 542.18 – General Rule Making Restraints Unlawful- Restraint of trade or commerce.—Every contract, combination, or conspiracy in restraint of trade or commerce in … Read more

Contingency Cases: Commercial Litigation, Florida Attorney

Contingency Cases Most attorneys only take commercial litigation cases on an hourly rate basis. We take contingency construction cases. Call us for a case evaluation to see if your case qualifies for contingency fee representation. Contingency Cases Contingency Cases  – a contingency fee structure is available for certain construction case.  We look at different factors in determining … Read more

Contingency Construction Cases – Florida Construction Attorney.

Contingency Construction Cases Most attorneys only take construction cases on an hourly rate basis. We take contingency construction cases. Call us for a case evaluation to see if your case qualifies for contingency fee representation. Contingency Construction Cases Contingency Construction Cases  – a contingency fee structure is available for certain construction case.  We look at … Read more

Civil Rights Violated, Falsely Arrested, Need to Sue Police/Government?

Andrew Douglas, P.A. can help you recover and find justice if your civil rights have been violated. In evaluating civil rights violation cases we look at the following factors to determine the likelihood of success: 1.  Does your case come from an interaction with a government official, police officer, or other government employee? 2. If … Read more

Small Business Attorney

Small Business Attorney: A Small Business Attorney For All Aspects of Your Small Business and Personal Life In this economy every dollar counts, you need to see a Small Business Attorney for your business and your personal matters. Small Business Attorney is for more than your just business it is your one stop attorney for … Read more

Construction Litigation: Getting Paid for Your Work

Construction Litigation: Collecting Amounts Due for Work on a Construction Project When Written Demands for Payment Fail, you may need to see a Construction Litigation Attorney Construction litigation is court proceedings that arise out of a construction project.  A construction litigation case can by or between any of the players in the construction process including … Read more

Separating Motive from Intent and Proving a Civil Theft Claim

A Discussion on Florida Civil Theft: Does Motive Matter, or Does Intent Only Matter? Motive is legally defined as motive n. in criminal investigation the probable reason a person committed a crime, such as jealousy, greed, revenge or part of a theft. While evidence of a motive may be admissible at trial, proof of motive … Read more

Preparing Your Construction Claim

While trolling the internet I came across an article that gives advice on how to prepare a construction claim, and preserve evidence and documentation. Here are a few tips. Keep written records.  Although conditionsat Projects may constantly change, make sure you have a process in place to reduce to writing all pertinent facts that affect … Read more

Does Corporation Need Attorney to Bring or Defend a Lawsuit?

Does a Florida Corporation Need to be Represented by an Attorney In Court? Yes, but with one exception. A corporation may not represent itself through non-lawyer employees, officers, or shareholders. Nicholson Supply Co. v. First Federal Savings & Loan Ass’n of Hardee County, 184 So.2d 438 (Fla. 2d DCA 1966); See also Szteinbaum v. Kaes … Read more

Clerk’s Default, Court Default, Final Default Judgment – Vacating Defaults in Florida State and Federal Courts.

Default Basics.  A default occurs in litigation when a party fails either to respond to a lawsuit, and less often can be entered against a party who fails to comply with a court order. In Florida, a party in most cases has 20 days to answer a lawsuit. If that party fails to file any … Read more