Doing Business in Florida Blog

A Primer on Florida’s Construction Lien Law

September 22, 2021
William O. Diab  |  Construction Litigation, Construction Law

For those construction industry players who need a refresher on an evolving area of law, or for those new to the Sunshine State, the following article serves as a primer on some of the commonly faced issues by property owners and lienors, as well as best practices to maximize your compliance with the statute.

Harsh Weather Defies Construction Industry in Florida

June 23, 2021
Adam E. Richards  |  Insurance, Construction Delays , Construction Litigation

Given the amount of unprecedented ‘disasters’ we have had this past year and the COVID-19 pandemic directly affecting the construction industry with supply shortages and delays, there is simply no better time to be ready for severe storms than yesterday. Hurricanes have caused damage to all kinds of construction and infrastructure in the US, most recently in Florida, Texas and Puerto Rico. With supplies so scarce, industry-wide delays and contractors already weary, what legal measures can businesses and homeowners alike take to assure they are not left out to dry?

Balancing the Need for Emergency Repairs against the Risk of Destroying Evidence

May 7, 2019
Stephanie M. Chaissan  |  Construction Litigation

What do you do when the need for emergency repairs arises when commencing or complying with Chapter 558 pre-suit requirements?  For example, say you are a residential property owner and have water coming through your roof and/or skylights, along with other roof construction defects.

Legislation to Significantly Refurbish Florida’s Construction Defect Law Moving Through the Legislature

March 19, 2019
Jeffrey S. Wertman  |  Construction Litigation

Florida SB 1246 (related HB 911) seeks major changes to Florida’s construction defect law, Chapter 558, Florida Statutes, including repealing the pre-suit notice and opportunity to repair requirements (notice of claim, reasonable inspection of the property, and settlement offers) and requiring

Turning Off the Spigot of Damages in Construction Cases: The Doctrine of “Avoidable Consequences"

February 14, 2018
Jeffrey S. Wertman  |  Construction Litigation, Dispute Resolution

“Damage control” is often associated with measures taken to offset or minimize damage to reputation, credibility, or public image caused by a controversial act, remark, or revelation. However, the concept of damage control has been and continues to be prevalent in construction cases. The doctrine of “avoidable consequences”, also sometimes

It's Time to Batten Down the Construction Site in Anticipation of Severe Weather

June 4, 2017
Jeffrey S. Wertman  |  Condominiums, Construction Litigation, Dispute Resolution, Hurricane Preparedness, Real Estate Litigation

Hurricane season begins on June 1. Construction companies have a legal obligation to exercise reasonable care to protect and secure their job sites in anticipation of severe weather. Unsecured construction debris, tools, equipment or materials can be blown from the site and strike other property or persons. Taking reasonable precautions can help prevent

Legislation to Overhaul Florida's Construction: Defect Law Moving Through the Legislature

April 16, 2017
Jeffrey S. Wertman  |  Condominiums, Construction Litigation, Dispute Resolution, Real Estate, Real Estate Litigation, Residential Real Estate

In my March 1, 2017 blog, I discussed how Florida SB 1164 seeks major changes in Florida's construction defect law, including requiring contractors to notify subcontractors of an owner’s notice of defects, requiring notice to and acknowledgment from owners of the risks and benefits of accepting or rejecting repair offers, requiring the claimant or agent

Florida's Construction Defect Statute: Renovation Begins Again

February 28, 2017
Jeffrey S. Wertman  |  Condominiums, Construction Litigation, Litigation, Real Estate, Real Estate Litigation, Residential Real Estate

Renovation is underway again on Florida’s construction defect law, Chapter 558 of the Florida Statutes. Florida’s construction defect law requires the owner of real property in Florida to provide contractors, developers and other construction parties with a formal written notice of potential construction defects and the reasonable opportunity to fix the defects before a construction defect lawsuit is filed.

"Frustration" in the Florida Appellate Court: A Commercial Landlord's Battle to Defeat a Tenant's Excuse for Non-Performance

February 19, 2017
Jeffrey S. Wertman  |  Appellate Litigation, Commercial Real Estate, Condominiums, Construction & Design, Construction Litigation, Litigation, Real Estate, Real Estate Development

A recent Florida appellate opinion is likely to have a material impact on how future commercial real estate leases are drafted. Florida landlords wishing to avoid tenants’ defenses for nonperformance based on the doctrines of frustration of purposes, impracticality, or impossibility of performance should now more carefully assess how particular future events can affect a tenant’s performance and assign that risk to tenants in a lease.

Forever Barred? Does Sending a Pre-Suit Notice of Construction Defects Prevent Dismissal of a Lawsuit Based on the Statute of Repose

February 12, 2017
Jeffrey S. Wertman  |  Construction & Design, Construction Litigation, florida construction, Florida Construction Litigation Lawyer, Real Estate

The Fifth District Court of Appeal will soon decide whether sending a pre-suit notice of construction defects under Florida’s Construction Defect Statute, Section 558, Florida Statutes, commences a construction defect action and simultaneously tolls the 10-year statute of repose.