Florida Construction Law

Union Carbide Corporation v. William P. Aubin , 37 Fla. L. Weekly D2018c, Case No. 3D10-1982, filed August 22, 2012. While declining to certify a direct conflict with the 4 th DCA, reversed in part and remanded based on trial court’s error in denying the manufacturer’s Motion for Directed Verdict with respect to a product design defect by relying on the Second Restatement of Torts, rather than the “component parts” standard in Section 2 of the Third Restatement of Torts, as applied in Kohler Company v. Marcotte , 907 So. 2d 596 (Fla. 3d DCA 2005). This later standard of the governing law for products liability claims applies to the manufacturer’s duty to warn end-users of a finished product produced by another company but containing the manufacturer’s product; in this case, Union Carbide produced SG-210 Calidria, a grade of asbestos, for incorporation by others in joint compounds and texture sprays. (from RPPTL subcommittee). Trenton H. Cotney Florida Bar Certified Construc

Defense to failure to give proper notice:  "If the breach was so grave as to be irreparable and incurable, the giving of notice would be a useless gesture."   Leghorn v. Wieland , 289 So.2d 745, 748 (Fla. 2d DCA 1974). Trenton H. Cotney Florida Bar Certified Construction Lawyer Trent Cotney, P.A. 1211 N Franklin St Tampa, FL 33602 (813) 579-3278 www.trentcotney.com

C. C. Borden Construction, Inc. and Fidelity and Deposit Company of Maryland v. Walding Company , 37 Fla. L. Weekly D1991a, Case No. 1D12-1744, filed August 21, 2012. Even though contract arbitration provision was ambiguous, trial court’s denial of insurer’s Motion to Compel was reversed in part and remanded for entry of an order granting the motion. (from RPPTL Subcommittee). Trenton H. Cotney Florida Bar Certified Construction Lawyer Trent Cotney, P.A. 1211 N Franklin St Tampa, FL 33602 (813) 579-3278 www.trentcotney.com

Section 489.119, Florida Statutes states: If a vehicle bears the name of a contractor or business organization, or any text or artwork which would lead a reasonable person to believe that the vehicle is used for contracting, the registration or certification number of the contractor must be conspicuously and legibly displayed with the name, text, or artwork. Local governments may also require that locally licensed contractors must also display their certificate of competency or license numbers. Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to create a mandatory vehicle signage requirement. Trenton H. Cotney Florida Bar Certified Construction Lawyer Trent Cotney, P.A. 1211 N Franklin St Tampa, FL 33602 (813) 579-3278 www.trentcotney.com

Robert Petito v. Construction Industry Licensing Board , 37 Fla. L. Weekly D1980a, Case No. 1D11-5597, filed August 17, 2012. Appeal by contractor was dismissed for lack of standing since the licensee was not subject to any further discipline by the board to date. (from RPPTL Subcommittee). Trenton H. Cotney Florida Bar Certified Construction Lawyer Trent Cotney, P.A. 1211 N Franklin St Tampa, FL 33602 (813) 579-3278 www.trentcotney.com

Florida's Association of Roofing Professionals cautions that Florida residents could face property insurance rate hikes if existing building codes are replaced by a generic "International Building Code". Florida Building Commission committees are considering requests to preserve existing code this week. Florida Building Commission (FBC) committees begin meeting this week to consider requests to preserve Florida-specific building regulations for the 2013 code cycle. Without approval by the Commission, the codes will disappear in favor of a generic, international code that will likely result in less protection and higher property insurance rates for Florida residents. Mark Zehnal, CPRC, the Director of Technical Services for FRSA, submitted more than 200 requests this summer hoping to preserve the current code on behalf of Floridians. “FRSA is taking a stand, not just for the contractors but for the people of the State,” Zehnal says. Legislation introduced since th