Was Your Florida Business Affected By a Breach of Contract? Four Mistakes to Avoid
A breach of contract can cause significant financial harm to the affected business. If your company was the victim of a contract breach in Florida, it is imperative that you take immediate action to protect your rights and interests. Contact disputes are complicated and too many non-breaching parties make avoidable errors. In this article, our West Palm Beach business litigation attorney highlights four all-too-common mistakes that you need to avoid if your company was affected by a breach of contract in Florida.
- Assuming that You Have No Real Legal Resource
It is not uncommon for businesses—especially mid-sized businesses and small businesses—to assume that they do not have real or accessible legal options if they have been wronged by a breach of contract. They might consider legal proceedings to be expensive and time-consuming. It is an assumption that can be a costly mistake. Every business, regardless of its size, has rights. Contracts, when executed, are legally binding, and when the other party breaches them, the non-breaching party often has several avenues for legal recourse.
- Failing to Mitigate Your Damages
One fundamental principle of contract law is that the injured party has a duty to mitigate or reduce the damages resulting from the breach. How does this work in practice? If your business in Florida suffers a loss due to a contract breach, you should not just sit and let the damages accumulate. For instance, if a supplier fails to deliver goods, rather than waiting indefinitely, you might need to find an alternative solution. If you fail to do so, the additional (avoidable) losses may not be recoverable.
- Not Preserving and Organizing Documents, Records, and Other Evidence
Proactively preserve and organize all of the evidence that establishes 1) That a breach of contract actually occurred, and 2) The extent of your damages. When a breach of contract arises, email correspondence, order forms, digital invoices, and other electronic records can be pivotal evidence. Maintaining a paper trail of interactions, decisions, and negotiations related to the contract can significantly strengthen your position should the need for legal action arise.
- Waiting Too Long to Consult With a Lawyer
Breach of contract claims are complicated. You do not have to go through the legal process alone. Whether your company is preparing for litigation or you are looking to find an out-of-court resolution, an experienced Florida commercial dispute lawyer can review your case and help you determine the best course of action.
Contact Our Business Litigation Attorney in West Palm Beach Today
At Pike & Lustig, LLP, our Florida business litigation attorneys provide solutions-forward legal guidance and support across a wide range of disputes. If your company was damaged by a breach of contract, we are here as a professional resource. Give us a phone call now or connect with us online to set up your confidential initial appointment. We provide business litigation representation in West Palm Beach, Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and all across the region in Southeast Florida.
