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Top Rated Local® Emerald Coast Construction Litigators

Matthews & Jones, LLP represents property owners, homeowners, contractors, subcontractors, design professionals, and developers in all aspects of construction law. With backgrounds in construction management and development, our lawyers are uniquely prepared to understand our clients’ construction law needs and the practicalities involved. Matthews & Jones, LLP’s attorneys represent the rights of our clients throughout the course of the construction dispute, including arbitration, mediation, trial, and appeals.

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The firm’s areas of practice include:

  • Construction Contract Drafting and Negotiations
  • Breaches
  • Construction Defects
  • Insurance Claims and Defenses
  • Lien Rights and Defenses

Areas of Practice

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Construction Contract Drafting and Negotiations

  • Breach of Contract
  • Breach of Express or Implied Warranties
  • Construction Delays
  • Negligence and Negligent or Fraudulent Misrepresentation
  • Construction Defects
  • Insurance Claims and Defenses
  • Lien Rights and Defenses
  • Deceptive Trade Practices
  • Code Violations
  • Arbitration and Mediation of Construction Claims
  • Construction Contracts and Negotiations

Construction disputes often arise due to unexpected delays, failure to disclose, financial issues, change orders, and other issues that were not anticipated at the time the owner and contractor entered into a contract. Our attorneys are experienced in the drafting of construction contracts which take into consideration all possible future disputes. We also assist our clients in negotiating fair and favorable project contracts and disputes.

Construction Delay Lawsuits

At Matthews & Jones, our attorneys understand that delays in construction projects can have a detrimental effect on the overall profitability of a project.
While many construction contracts contain “no damages for delay” clauses, such terms are generally unenforceable when the delay occurred as an effect of fraud, bad faith, or active interference. Moreover, under state law, the “willful concealment of foreseeable circumstances that impact timely performance” may also limit the applicability of a “no damages for delay” clause.

Our attorneys can review your situation and evaluate the legal options available to you in a construction delay lawsuit. If another party’s negligent or intentional actions caused unreasonable construction delays, you might be entitled to legal relief.

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Breaches

Contractors and owners alike are sometimes faced with construction disputes that could ultimately lead to litigation.

Breach Of Contract Disputes

Every construction contract outlines the expectations and obligations of each involved party. If a party does not complete their portion of the contract, a breach of contract transpires. Because a breach of contract can slow or halt a construction project, it’s crucial to contact the construction dispute lawyers of Matthews & Jones quickly. The acting party may be entitled to damages as a remedy of the breach.

Consequential Damages
Consequential damages are a sum of money that would put the acting party in the same financial position had the contract been upheld.

Liquidated Damages
Liquidated damages are outlined in the contract and agreed to by both parties; the amount is paid when a contract breach occurs.

Nominal Damages
If nominal damages are granted, a minimal financial amount is given to the acting party when the party is successful in their claim but did not suffer a great financial loss from the breach.

These disputes usually arise out of breaches of contacts, verbal or written, breaches of warranties, construction delays, and misrepresentations by the other party. Our attorneys have years of experience helping our clients in not only successfully prosecuting and defending such claims but also assisting in mitigating and resolving these disputes efficiently and effectively.

Construction Defects

Construction defect lawsuits are a common type of construction case in Florida and can consist anywhere from a minor design defect to a complete floor remodel. Our team of attorneys assists owners of new properties and remodels, as well as contractors, subcontractors, design professionals, and developers in a wide range of construction defect claims including defects in new construction and remodeling work, defective designs, defects in plans and engineering or architectural defects.

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Insurance Claims and Defenses

Our attorneys have notable experience with insurance-related issues in construction, commercial property, and private property. Various types of insurance are obtained during a construction project or to protect commercial or private property.

  • Liability Insurance
    Commercial General Liability, or CGL insurance, in some situations, provides coverage for liability acquired due to damage caused by construction defects, along with physical injury or additional property damage caused by accidents on a project. An insurance company’s obligations under the Commercial General Liability policy include providing defense and compensation to its insured.
  • Professional Liability
    Professional Liability policies are a different type of policy that provides coverage for liability damages a professional suffers due to its negligence. Although Professional Liability policies are somewhat similar to Commercial General Liability policies, they have their own complexities and subtleties of which one must be aware.

If you have an insurance-related issue involving the type and amount of coverage you should procure before commencing construction or insurance-related disputes mid-project or after completion, our attorneys are available to provide informed and experienced legal guidance and representation.

When one is faced with a construction claim it can be a difficult ordeal when it comes to insurance companies. The experienced attorneys at Matthews & Jones, LLP work with numerous insurance companies dealing with issues regarding construction defects, warranty issues, and negligent misrepresentations. Our attorneys work vigorously with your insurance company to bring you favorable results.

Lien Rights and Defenses

In Florida, contractors, subcontractors, sub-subcontractors, laborers, material-men and professional lienors have rights to place liens on property of owners who have refused to make payments for services provided. Florida lien laws are in place to ensure contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, and other construction-related service providers receive payment for material and labor provided during construction improvements to the privately-held property.

However, Lien laws come with particular filing procedures defined within Chapter 713 of the Florida Statutes. If each of these steps is not followed within certain guidelines, you could forfeit any opportunity to recover your losses.

If you have had a lien placed on your property, or if you are one of the individuals seeking to place a lien on the property for unpaid services, Matthews & Jones, LLP’s attorneys are here to assist you.

Our construction and real estate lawyers help contractors and suppliers receive payment for their services through construction liens. We also defend property owners against construction lien claims.

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Contact Matthews & Jones, LLP, For Construction Litigation

We have the necessary skill and experience to help our clients avoid many of the disputes often present in the construction process. We are residential and commercial construction attorneys, handling issues specific to large-scale and residential construction projects. However, such disputes are not uncommon and require a skilled attorney to ensure a dispute does not delay completion or increase a construction project’s costs. Construction contract litigation requires knowledge of both contract law and construction law.

We Are The Destin Construction Attorney

Matthews & Jones, LLP, has significant experience resolving construction disputes through negotiation, litigation, and alternative dispute resolution methods. Contact Matthews & Jones, LLP, for your construction law and construction litigation legal needs.

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