Florida Construction Law

Section 713.31(1), Florida Statutes, provides a cause of action for a claimant when the owner or any other lienor such as the prime contractor deprives the claimant of its lien rights by fraud or collusion.  Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. v. AAA Asphalt, Inc ., 677 So.2d 93 (Fla. 1st DCA 1996). Trenton H. Cotney Florida Bar Certified in Construction Law Glenn Rasmussen Fogarty & Hooker, P.A. 100 S. Ashley Dr., Suite 1300 Tampa, FL 33602 (813) 229-3333 www.glennrasmussen.com

No damages for delay clauses are generally upheld in court.  However, Florida case law provides that there are certain circumstances that may allow a contractor or subcontractor to pursue delay damages despite the existence of a no damages for delay clause in the construction contract.  See Triple R. Paving v. Broward County , 774 So.2d 50 ( Fla. 4th DCA 2000); Southern Gulf Utilities, Inc. v. Boca Ciega Sanitary District , 238 So.2d 458 (Fla. 2d DCA 1970).  For example, if an owner has acted in bad faith, defrauded the contractor, or actively interfered with the contractor’s ability to construct a project, then a no damages for delay provision will be deemed ineffective.  Newberry Square Dev. Corp. v. Southern Landmark, Inc., 578 So.2d 750 (Fla. 1 st DCA 1991).   Trenton H. Cotney Board Certified in Construction Law Trent Cotney, P.A. 1207 N Franklin St, Ste 222 Tampa, FL 33602 (813) 579-3278 www.trentcotney.com