Archive for the ‘South Florida’ Category

Can Director of Condo Association be Held Personally Liable?

September 1st, 2010

By Mark Schecter | No Comments »

condodirector

Florida courts have allowed personal liability in only a few instances – usually in cases where a director has gained monetary or other benefits at the expense of the condo association.

The law that sets the standard for how directors of condo associations should perform is Florida Statute §617.0834.

According to this law, a director cannot be held personally liable for his actions unless one of three things happen:

1. He commits an act that violates a criminal law statute with reasonable knowledge that his actions are unlawful;

2. He acts in a way that is considered reckless, in bad faith or with malicious intent and disregard for safety, property and rights; and/or

3. The director engages in a transaction that is self-beneficial.

For the most part, the courts have made it clear that absent one of the elements mentioned above, condo directors are immune from personal liability.

One example of how the courts are applying the law can be seen in Munder v. Circle One Condominium, Inc. 596 So.2d 144 (Fla. 4th DCA 1992). The Munder case stems from a condo director’s failure to renew a fire insurance policy for the association’s clubhouse. He was sued for breach of fiduciary duty for this failure to act. The court decided that while the director may have been negligent, he cannot be held personally liable for damages caused by his errors.

Another example is Taylor v. Wellington Station Condominium Association, Inc., 633 So.2d 43 (Fla. 5th DCA 1994). In this case, the court stated that personal liability cannot be triggered unless fraud, self-dealing or unjust enrichment is involved.

In a nutshell, it is difficult to hold an association director liable for his actions absent bad faith or malicious intent.

If you are involved in a dispute with your condo association due to acts of bad faith, we want to hear from you. You can use this form to contact us or call (954) 779-7009.

d49UKiAj0j0P

Are your Claims Barred in Florida?

August 20th, 2010

By Mark Schecter | No Comments »

claims barred in floridaEvery business owner wants to get paid for services performed. Whether you are working with the public or involved in business-to-business relationships, you may have to take legal action for unpaid invoices and broken agreements.

In most instances, you can sue and recover your losses when you lose money at the hands of another person or business.

But here’s the deal… you must file the lawsuit in the time the law allows – the statute of limitations (SOL).

If you fail to commence your action before the SOL period expires, you can be barred from seeking legal remedies permanently. This includes the recovery of monetary and other damages.

The statute of limitations period varies, depending on the type of case you have, where the injury occurred and other factors. It’s in your best interest to know the amount of time you have to file a lawsuit to recover your losses.

Written and verbal contracts

Many civil actions stem from breach of contract issues involving business-to-business transactions. When a written contract is at issue, the SOL period is 5 years. If there is a verbal contract, the time limit is only 4 years.

Slander, defamation and libel

If you are trying to build a business, the last thing you need is for someone to slander you and your company. When your reputation has been damaged due to slander, libel or defamation, you have 2 years from the date of injury to file a suit in Florida against the slanderer.

Fraud

The statute of limitations for a lawsuit arising from fraudulent actions is 4 years.

There are many other factors that affect the SOL period. Contact Florida business attorney sooner rather than later to discuss which SOL period applies to your business matter.

Questions to Ask Before you Hire a Business Lawyer

August 11th, 2010

By Mark Schecter | No Comments »

QuestionsLawyers are essential for many successful businesses, from large corporations to small companies. They can represent a company at various stages and help resolve conflicts before they lead to lawsuits.

Choosing a lawyer can be a daunting task when you don’t know what to look for in potential candidates.

Our last article reviewed three ways a lawyer can help your business. Today, we are looking at questions you can ask before you hire a lawyer:

Does he/she have the experience my business needs?

This is one of the first questions to ask when you are looking to hire a lawyer. It is important to seek out someone that has the experience your business needs.
Inquire not only about the extent of experience but the type of law he/she has handled over the years.

If you are in the start-up phase of your business, you may prefer a lawyer that has assisted with organizing and incorporating new businesses. If you are established but require a lawyer to handle disputes or pending lawsuits, you will need someone that is good at resolving disputes and/or litigating cases involving business.

Is he/she an effective communicator?

Good communication is vital for any relationship, especially the attorney-client relationship. You will need to communicate your thoughts, concerns, and business needs to your lawyer.

You can assess a lawyer’s communication skills long before you retain his services. Choose someone that answers your telephone calls, responds to emails, and communicates effectively before you hire him.

Is he/she familiar with my business and industry?

Hiring a lawyer that is familiar with how your business operates and the industry in which it exists, can prove to be beneficial for your company’s overall success.

Search for someone that represents companies similar to yours, and provides legal assistance in matters that mirror your own.

Choosing a lawyer is not a decision to make lightly. Take time to research prospects before you hire. Hopefully, these questions will get you started.

If you are looking for effective and tenacious business lawyers, contact us to see if we have what you need.

Photo via Oberazzi

Statute of Limitations in Florida Breach of Contract Cases

July 19th, 2010

By Mark Schecter | No Comments »

Florida statute of limitationsIf you have incurred losses due to a broken contract, you can recover monetary or other damages you sustained. However, there is a legal time limit that is placed on your pursuit of recovery. It’s known as the statute of limitations.

If you fail to file a civil action within the time allowed, you may be permanently barred from seeking legal remedies.

The length of the statute of limitations varies from state to state. It can also be extended when all parties reach a mutual agreement to toll the time period.

In Florida, the statute of limitations can range from 2 to 5 years, depending on the type of civil action you wish to pursue. In breach of contract cases, the time period is 5 years when a written contract is involved. See 95.11(2)(b), Florida Statutes.

In Beck vs. Lazard Freres & Co, LLC, the Florida court barred an action that was filed 8 years after a contract breach occurred.

The action was initiated by Beck, a trustee for Southeast Banking Corporation, against Lazard Freres & Co., an investment firm. Lazard was accused of writing a letter endorsing another banking institution, First Federal Savings and Loan, which later proved to be detrimental to Southeast.

Beck alleged that Lazard breached its contract with Southeast, failed to honor its duty of good faith, and failed to perform services with reasonable care.

Lazard wrote the letter in September of 1988. The purchase was approved by Southeast in December of 1988. However, the suit for breach of contract was filed 8 years later, in December of 1996.

Because Beck wasn’t aware of the breach for years, he believed that the SOL did not begin to run until the breach was brought to his attention, and not when the actual letter was written and delivered.

The Florida court disagreed, and held that:

“Actions for breach of contract are barred five years after the cause of action accrued regardless of whether the plaintiff knew that it had a claim.”

Beck’s lawsuit was dismissed and his claim for breach of contract was barred by Florida’s five year statute of limitations.

If you have been injured due to a breached contract or broken agreement, contact our contract law attorneys before it’s too late. You can use this form to email or call us at (954) 779-7009.

Florida Condo Association Sues for Breach of Contract

June 19th, 2010

By Mark Schecter | No Comments »

Tiara Condominium Association is involved in a lawsuit filed against its insurance broker, Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc.

The association which manages the Tiara condominium tower in Palm Beach County is suing Marsh alleging that the broker failed to secure an adequate insurance policy to cover damage to the condo tower.

Background

Tiara retained Marsh to obtain an insurance policy to cover its entire building. In 2004, a policy was purchased from Citizens Insurance Company that offered a coverage limit of $50 million.

In September 2004, the condo tower sustained substantial damage as a result of two hurricanes – Frances and Jeanne. The damage from both hurricanes exceeded the $50 million limits, but the association claims it was verbally assured by Marsh that its insurance policy would cover $50 million for each hurricane disaster – a total of $100 million.

Tiara moved forward with repairs. It decided not to merely dry the tower out but eventually renovated the damaged areas. When done, the repair work exceeded $100 million.

Upon completion of the renovations, Tiara sought reimbursement of $100 million – $50 million per hurricane occurrence – to cover the repairs. Citizens denied Tiara’s request holding that the policy it purchased in 2004 provided an aggregate limit of $50 million, and nothing more.

Tiara filed a lawsuit against Citizens for its damages, and eventually reached a settlement of $89 million – a portion of the renovations costs.

The association, under the contention that Marsh’s negligence caused the insufficient recovery from Citizens, next filed a lawsuit against Marsh for: (1) breach of contract, (2) negligent misrepresentation, (3) breach of the implied convenient of good faith and fair dealing, (4) negligence and (5) breach of fiduciary duty.

After discovery, Marsh moved for summary judgment which was granted by the District Court on all claims. Tiara appealed the court’s decision. Let’s review the breach of contract claims:

Breach of Contract – Standard of Review

Tiara contends Marsh breached its contract with the association in two ways. First, it failed to procure a policy with adequate insurance coverage. And second, Marsh breached an oral agreement to take responsibility for any damages incurred as a result of insufficient coverage.

Upon review of the insurance policy (contract), the District Court found the language ambiguous as to aggregate versus per-occurrence limits. Thus, the terms of the contract was construed in favor of the insured (or broker) and against the insurer (Citizens) that prepared the contract. First Specialty Ins. Co. vs. Caliber One Indem. Co., 988 So. 2d. 708, 712 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 2008).

As for the second breach of contract claim, the court has previously established that “a breach of oral contract arises when the parties mutually assented to a certain and definite proposition and left no essential terms open.” Rubenstein vs. Primedica Healthcare, Inc., 755 So. 2d. 746, 748 (Fla. Dist. Crt. App. 2000).

In this case, the court did not find any evidence that the oral agreement between the parties extended beyond the written policy agreement. In fact, the parties could not agree on the nature of the oral agreement.

Decision

The US Court of Appeals concluded that the District Court did not err in granting summary judgment as to three claims: (1) breach of contract, (2) breach of implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing, and (3) negligent misrepresentation.

As for the other claims, the court indicated they’re questions that are more suitable for the Supreme Court of Florida.

Are you dealing with a similar breach of contract issue? Contact us! Our firm is highly skilled in handling breach of contract cases for businesses and corporations of all sizes. You can use this form to email us or give us a call at (954) 779-7009.

BP Agrees to Create a Fund for Oil Spill Victims

June 19th, 2010

By Mark Schecter | No Comments »

In April, BP caused the worst oil spill in America’s history. Florida, Louisiana and other states affected by the disaster are still dealing with the aftermath of the crisis.

While BP assures us that oil is no longer gushing into the Gulf of Mexico, experts estimate that cleaning up and rebuilding can take months or years to complete.

Days ago, President Obama and VP, Joe Biden, met with BP officials at the White House to discuss ongoing cleanup efforts and damages caused by the oil spill.

The meeting concluded with BP agreeing to create a fund to cover the numerous claims the company face.

“BP PLC said Wednesday it will create a $20 billion fund over the next three years to satisfy “legitimate claims” for damages caused by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.

The payments will be broken out in installments of $3 billion in the third quarter and $2 billion in the fourth quarter. They will be followed by a payment of $1.25 billion per quarter until a total of $20 billion is reached.”

Investigation of BP’s Claims Process

Since the April 20 spill, an estimated $600 million in claims have been filed by businesses and individuals that have been affected by the disaster.

However, according to a report released by the House Judiciary Committee, in the two months since the spill BP has paid only $70 million – which is approximately 12% of all claims.

No payments were made on claims submitted during the first two weeks of the crisis. More than 700 bodily injury claims have been filed and are still pending payment.

The Committee is investigating BP’s claims process and its effectiveness in issuing payouts to folks and business that have been damaged by the spill.

You can monitor the claims process on the House Judiciary Committee’s website here.

While many remain skeptical of BP’s intentions (and rightfully so), the agreement to create a $20 billion fund is a step in the right direction for those affected most by the disaster.

Has your Florida small business or corporation been hurt by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill? Contact our business law attorneys to get help handling the claims process. You can use this form to email or call us at (954) 779-7009.

Banner Supply Company Sued in Chinese Drywall Scandal

June 3rd, 2010

By Mark Schecter | No Comments »

The Chinese drywall scandal has led to multiple lawsuits, including one involving Banner Supply Company of Miami, Florida. A Florida couple, the Seifarts, purchased a $1.67 million home in 2008. One year later, they were forced to move out due to foul, metallic odors and sulfuric gases coming from the drywall installed throughout their home.

This trial is one of the first to start in the drywall scandal, and is being heard by Judge Joseph Farina of Miami-Dade Circuit Court.

In his opening argument, the attorney for the Seifarts alleges that Banner Supply were aware of the problems with the drywall long before the company publicly acknowledged it. Instead of coming clean and attempting to rectify the problems, Banner attempted to cover the issue up.

The Seifarts are seeking to recover damages relating to their home as well as injuries to their children.

“The Seifarts have spent $492,000 to have their home gutted. They are seeking a total award of $705,000 plus jury-designated amounts for loss of enjoyment of the house and diminution in value.”

The Seifarts believe the defective material caused their children to become ill after living in the home and inhaling the fumes over the course of a year.

The attorney for Banner Supply contends the company had no early knowledge of the defective drywall and that it never attempted to cover anything up. Instead, he believes the responsibility lies with Knaup Plasterboard, the Chinese-based manufacturer that supplied Banner Supply with the defective drywall.

Read more…

An Overview of Florida Breach of Contract Law

May 19th, 2010

By Mark Schecter | 1 Comment »

breach-of-contractBreach of contract issues are something that many Florida businesses will face as contracts are a key component to doing business anywhere in the United States.

Like most other states, Florida has laws that govern all types of contracts into which two or more people or companies enter.  To understand the breach of contract defenses that are available to your Florida business, it’s important to first understand what a valid contract is and what it is not.

What is a Contract?

For a contract to be valid in the Sunshine state, three elements must be present: an offer, acceptance and consideration.

Simply put, an offer is a written or spoken statement that commits to a course of action upon acceptance; acceptance is agreement with the offer and consideration is the value (usually money) that is given as a result of the offer and acceptance.

Breach of Contract

When a breach of contract occurs in Florida, several defenses are automatically considered that may render the original contract unenforceable or even allow other legal options for your business.  These six defenses are as follows:

1.   Duress, Fraud or Mistake – if someone is forced into signing a contract or if an element of the contract is intentionally fraudulent or if both parties make a major mistake in the construction of the contract, then the contract can be voided by the party who was forced or duped. If one party makes a mistake, then the contract will not necessarily be voidable; however, if a mutual mistake is made, the contract is rendered unenforceable.

2.   Legality – even if the three elements discussed earlier are present in a contract, it will not be legally valid or enforceable if the subject matter the contract governs is illegal. For example, a contract regarding money paid to a person to kill another person is a void contract.

3.    Mental Capacity of Signers – the parties who enter the contract must have the mental capacity to do so.  In Florida, a person cannot enter into a legal contract if they are intoxicated, mentally ill or underage.

4.    Agency – if the person signing the contract on behalf of an agency or company did not have the authority to do so, then the contract is unenforceable. (Agency can be a complex issue to determine.)

5.    Florida Statute of Fraud Rule – this rule provides that certain types of contracts need to be in writing.

6.    Florida Patrol Evidence Rule – this rule can effect some contracts and how they are enforced.

If your Florida business has suffered damage due to a breached contract, contact our firm to see how we can help. You can use this form to email or call us at (954) 779-7009.

Breach of Contract Lawsuit against a Local University

May 12th, 2010

By Mark Schecter | No Comments »

The University of South Florida is being sued by former football coach, Jim Leavitt, for breach of contract. Leavitt was fired in January 2010. The breach of contract lawsuit was filed with the Florida court in March 2010.

The allegations that led to the firing of Leavitt were that he choked and slapped a football player while in the locker room. He alleges that the university did not have cause to fire him and in doing so, broke the law. He also contends the university has refused to comply with his requests for copies of public records.

According to the lawsuit, Leavitt was set to earn approximately $800,000 in 2010 as head coach of USF. Since his firing, he claims he has received approximately $66,000 in severance pay and believes he is entitled to significantly more as per the original contract.

The university, in response to the lawsuit, issued a statement indicating it stands behind its decision as well as the witnesses that provided statements of what they witnessed in the locker room.

Are you dealing with a similar issue? Our firm is highly skilled in handling breach of contract cases for individuals and businesses of all sizes. If your company is struggling with such an issue, contact us. You can use this form to email or call us at (954) 779-7009.

Florida City Wins Breach of Contract Arbitration

May 5th, 2010

By Mark Schecter | No Comments »

tug-a-warThe Daily Business News website recently reported on the arbitration of a breach of contract case involving the City of Hallandale Beach and Reuter Recycling of Florida, Inc. The action was filed in 2003 and initially involved three other cities alongside Hallandale Beach. Those cities settled out of the case, which was tried in the arbitration proceedings with the two remaining parties.

Hallandale Beach claimed that Reuter Recycling had breached a Solid Waste Disposal Agreement in four ways: by failing to compost; by failing to pay a yearly gate charge; by overcharging the fee for each ton of garbage delivered to it and by allowing the other three Florida cities involved in the contract to exit early.

Reuter countersued Hallandale Beach, claiming that the city was in breach of contract for diverting some of its waste to other companies, a claim that Reuter said resulted in damages to their company in the amount of $2 million. Additionally, prior to arbitration, the Defendant had filed a motion for summary judgment asking that the city’s entire case be dismissed.

Florida courts denied the bulk of the relief Reuters asked for in the motion for summary judgment, though one of the Hallandale’s claims concerning reimbursement for tipping fee charges was dismissed. From this state, the breach of contract lawsuit proceeded to arbitration regarding the four remaining claims.

The American Arbitration Association panel was presided by Lawrence Kellogg, Esq. The panel found that Reuter Recycling had indeed breached the contract on all counts. After dismissing the Defendant’s counterclaim in its entirety, the panel awarded the city of Hallandale the two types of relief that it has sought – damages in the amount of $525,000 as well as a portion of its litigation expenses and a ruling that the contract was terminated, due to Reuter’s acts and omissions.

Florida business owners can suffer devastating economic and professional damages when a contract is breached. Our firm is highly skilled in handling breach of contract cases for businesses of all sizes. If your company is struggling with such an issue, contact us. You can use this form to email or call us at (954) 779-7009.