Defendant Seeks Dismissal of Florida Company’s $30 Million Breach of Contract Lawsuit

According to a report from Juneau Empire, the defendant in a breach of contract lawsuit that was brought by a Florida company has filed a motion to dismiss. Goldbelt Inc—a Native American owned company in Alaska—argues that a supposed oral contract with the Martin County-based iRemedy Healthcare Inc. is unenforceable. Within this blog post, our Miami breach of contract lawyer provides a more comprehensive overview of the dispute in this case.

Breach of Contract Claim: Failure to Supply Needles During Height of COVID-19 Pandemic 

Goldbelt Inc. is currently defending a breach of contract lawsuit that was filed by the South Florida-based health care company, iRemedy Healthcare Inc. Notably, the case is being heard in a court in Virginia, as it involves a federal contract. The plaintiff (iRemedy Healthcare Inc.) is seeking $30 million in damages for breach of contract based on the defendant’s alleged failure to provide the proper needles that the federal government would accept for COVID-19 vaccinations.

Goldbelt Inc. has filed a motion to dismiss the breach of contract claim on the grounds that the needle specifications—which were part of a change order request—were only delivered orally. They contend that there was not an enforceable contract formed and that such a change needed to be communicated and agreed to by both parties in writing. For its part, the plaintiff (iRemedy Healthcare Inc) contends that it suffered major financial losses due to being provided with approximately $18 million worth of needles that it cannot use.

 Oral Contracts Can Be Legally Valid, but Enforcement is Often Challenging

 Similar to most other U.S. jurisdictions, Florida allows for the enforcement of (many) oral contracts. Indeed, unless there is a state statute that indicates otherwise, an oral contract can be legally binding in Florida. A company could potentially bear legal liability for the breach of an oral contract. With that being said, it can be very difficult to enforce oral contracts. Indeed, there are risks for both parties involved in a contract if the agreement is not in writing. The odds of misunderstandings, disputes, and a protracted legal battle all increase. For this reason, it is highly recommended that parties to a contract have an agreement that is drafted and reviewed by a lawyer. The goal is to avoid a contract dispute. Though, if one does arise, a properly drafted written contract can make it far easier to enforce your rights.

 Speak to Our Miami Breach of Contract Attorney Today

At Pike & Lustig, LLP, our Miami commercial litigation lawyers take on complex breach of contract claims. If you are locked in any type of commercial contract dispute, we are here to help. Contact us today to arrange a completely confidential, no obligation initial consultation. From our Miami office, our firm advises businesses and organizations all around South Florida, including in communities such as Miami Beach, Boca Raton, Parkland, Coral Springs, Fort Lauderdale, and West Palm Beach.

Source:

juneauempire.com/news/goldbelt-seeks-dismissal-of-30m-lawsuit-by-medical-company-argues-alleged-oral-agreement-unenforceable/