Category Archives: Civil Litigation
INDISPENSABLE PARTIES IN FLORIDA LITIGATION
The terms” necessary” and “indispensable” parties are terms of art. Necessary parties are those who must be included in an action either as plaintiffs or defendants unless there is a valid excuse for their non-joinder. Undoubtedly it would be more appropriate to call such parties “conditionally necessary,” general modern usage preferred the shorter term…. Read More »
YOU COULDN’T CLOSE ON THE FLORIDA PROPERTY, CAN YOU GET YOUR DEPOSIT BACK?
If you’re buying or selling real estate in Florida, the transaction almost always will require an earnest money deposit. This is an arranged amount of cash the buyer puts down to show that their interest is strong while working out the closing details. The money is held in what is known as an escrow… Read More »
LOSS OF CONSORTIUM CLAIMS IN FLORIDA
In Florida and many other states, loss of consortium is a legal phrase connected to personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits. Loss of consortium is a cause of action that family members of a person who is permanently injured or killed as a result of another party’s negligence may pursue. A surviving spouse, parents, children… Read More »
INADVERTENT DISCLOSURES, ONE PARTY’S MISTAKE DOES NOT ALWAYS CREATE AN ADVANTAGE
PRIVILEGE AND CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This e-mail is covered by the Electronic Communications Privacy Act, 18 U.S.C. 2510-2521 and is legally privileged. The contents of this e-mail message and any attachments are intended solely for the party or parties addressed and named in this message. This communication and all attachments, if any, are intended to… Read More »
TRANSFORMING APARTMENT BUILDINGS INTO CONDOMINIUMS IN FLORIDA
Condominium conversions have and continue to be a popular segment of the housing market in Florida. Basically, a condo conversion is the process in which rental buildings are converted into condominiums. However, many prospective buyers are unaware of the unique peculiarities established by condo conversions. Florida Statutes – Chapter 718 Condominiums – Part IV Conversions… Read More »
JUST A LITTLE OFF THE TOP: THE EQUITY SKIMMING SCAM
Florida homeowners have had much to feel good about due to the real estate recovery that has taken place since the housing market collapsed in 2007-08. But homeowners aren’t the only ones taking advantage of rising equity. Scam artists also have dollar signs in their eyes. Although the economy has been improving and home… Read More »
FLORIDA’S TIPSY COACHMAN DOCTRINE
The “tipsy coachman” doctrine displays the “well-established rule that trial court decisions are presumptively valid and should be affirmed, if correct, regardless of whether the reasons advanced are erroneous.” Vandergriff v. Vandergriff, 456 So. 2d 464, 466 (Fla. 1984). Appellate courts can, “affirm a decision from a lower tribunal that reaches the right result… Read More »
Attorney Brendan Sweeney featured in the October edition of the Broward County Bar Barrister
After the most recent Florida Legislative session roughly 200 bills were passed to seek the Governor’s approval. Allow this to be a highlight for a few of particular significance. The House passed HB1253 to allow Attorney General Ashley Moody access to a database of patients’ opioid prescriptions so that she—on behalf of the State,… Read More »
THE APEX DOCTRINE THAT REALLY DOES NOT YET EXIST IN FLORIDA
Most large companies assume that their highest-ranking executives will not be required to comply with deposition subpoenas related to regular business matters. For instance, the Chairman of a large Japanese company should not need to worry about giving a deposition in a personal injury case involving basic allegations of product liability. This thought would… Read More »
EMPLOYEES VS. INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORS IN FLORIDA
Though there are many distinctions between employees and independent contractors, possibly the most apparent one is that an employer of an independent contractor does not have the right to control or direct the means or method of completing the work results, only the result of the work itself. Put differently, the right to control… Read More »
