Getting served with a lawsuit is disruptive—but the first 10 days often decide whether the case becomes manageable or spirals into unnecessary risk and cost. The biggest early danger isn’t “losing at trial.” It’s missing deadlines, making avoidable admissions, and failing to preserve the evidence and coverage that could reduce exposure. This is a practical triage … Read more
When the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) or a professional licensing board issues a Final Order against a licensed contractor, real estate agent, or other professional, the consequences can be severe—suspension, revocation, or monetary penalties. Fortunately, Florida law provides a formal process to challenge these actions through judicial review. At Douglas Firm, we … Read more
The First Step Toward Recovering Unpaid Invoices—Without Filing a Lawsuit When a client or customer won’t pay, your first instinct may be frustration—or writing it off as a loss. But often, a properly crafted demand letter from a Florida business attorney can resolve the issue quickly, professionally, and without the cost of going to court. Whether you’re … Read more
Not every broken promise is fraud — and not every breach of contract is just a business mistake. In Florida, the line between a breach of contract and business fraud can determine whether you can recover punitive damages, rescind a deal, or hold someone personally liable. If your company has been misled, shortchanged, or outright lied to, it’s important … Read more
(Need a Qualifier Agreement?, Go to our main qualifier agreement page for more infomation, Click Here!) What is a Financially Responsible Officer (FRO)? Generally, when a licensed contractor qualifies a construction business entity that qualifier is responsible for both the construction activities of that business and the financial aspects of the business. However, the use … Read more
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
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
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
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
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
Oral Modifications to Construction Contracts, Florida Construction Law Many written contracts between contractors and owners contain provisions to the effect of “all modifications to this contract must be made in writing.” And when litigation invariably arises from non-payment for modifications that are performed without being reduced to a written change order, or other writing, a … Read more
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
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
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
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
DUI (Driving Under the Influence of Alcoholic Beverages, Chemical Substances or Controlled Substances). s. 316.193, F.S. Under Florida law, DUI is one offense, proved by impairment of normal faculties or unlawful blood alcohol or breath alcohol level of .08 or above. The penalties upon conviction are the same, regardless of the manner in which the … Read more
This is a quick guide as to the meaning and benefits of the Florida Homestead Exemption. While many states have some sort of Homestead benefits, Florida’s Homestead laws provide the Country’s most generous set of benefits to its homeowners. The term Homestead exemption in Florida may refer to four different types of homestead exemptions/benefits under Florida law: … Read more
Joint accounts are common but most people do not understand the rights of each named account owner. While the titling of joint accounts will determine who may access such accounts from the bank’s perspective (with the use of an “and” or “or” designation, requiring both or just one owner to access, respectively), ownership is not … Read more
A common question I encounter at social gatherings is whether one should submit to a breath test or refuse? Or, more generally, what do I do if I get pulled over and I have been drinking? Unfortunately, there is no simple answer to this question. Now I am not writing this article to delve into … Read more
Overview The Miller Act requires that prime contractors for the construction, alteration, or repair of Federal buildings furnish a payment bond for contracts in excess of $100,000. Other payment protections may be provided for contracts between $30,000 and $100,000. The payment bond is required as security for the protection of those supplying labor and/or materials … Read more
Florida’s Civil Theft Statute is a powerful tool to recover damages for theft and theft related civil actions which enables the Plaintiffs to seek attorney’s fees and treble (triple) damages. However, there are some nuances in Florida Law which should be reviewed before filing an action for Civil Theft. First, the economic loss doctrine is generally a … Read more