Question 1

What are business contract lawyers?

Accepted Answer

Business contract lawyers are professionals in the legal field whose role is to help draft, review, and interpret contractual agreements between two or more parties. They are particularly skilled at establishing grounds for business relationships, mediating, and negotiating.

Question 2

What does a contract lawyer do?

Accepted Answer

A contract lawyer will assist with:

 	drafting and reviewing contracts to ensure proper terminology, appropriate terms and conditions, and each party’s legally binding obligations.
 	negotiating contracts to gain favorable terms for their clients.
 	mediating the business relationship between two or more parties.
 	mitigating damages in the event of a contract breach, or enforcing the repercussions outlined in the contract for neglecting obligations.
 	helping clients understand new or existing laws and regulations as a means of protection.

Question 3

Can you sue for an unfair contract?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you can absolutely sue for an unfair contract. You would need to file a contract dispute because of terms and conditions that are either illegal or unconscionable. This means you can file a lawsuit against the entity that sought your agreement to unjust conditions or illegal activity.

Question 4

What are contract disputes?

Accepted Answer

Contract disputes occur when parties do not agree on the terms or obligations of a contract, either because they are unfair or are not being fulfilled according to the contract’s expectations or policies. These often come in the form of contract breaches, misinterpretation, lack of agreement or confidentiality, or failure to comply.

Question 5

What is an example of a contract dispute?

Accepted Answer

The most common example of a contract dispute is a breach of contract or violation of the contract’s terms and conditions. For instance, if a homeowner has legally hired a gardener to perform the obligations of upkeeping their garden and watering the plants, but the gardener only comes once a week and the plants die, the gardener is subject to a contract breach. They have violated the conditions of receiving financial compensation for not maintaining a strong and healthy garden, and they have neglected their responsibilities of performing the work since they only come over once a week.

Question 6

How are contract disputes resolved?

Accepted Answer

Contract disputes are resolved in multiple ways:

 	mediation: an unbiased, third-party representative helps to achieve resolution by prompting discussion of the issues at hand and helping the parties to arrive at a settlement.  
 	arbitration: similar to mediation, a neutral third party intervenes, but they make the call as to who is liable for the issues, not the individual parties. The arbitrator makes this decision based on concrete evidence. 
 	litigation: in the most formal method of resolution, the court of law settles the dispute based on concrete evidence, and they hold one or both parties liable. 

negotiation: this is the most informal method of resolution. The parties involved do not utilize a neutral third party to make decisions but rather come to a settlement themselves. They may, however, consult their contract lawyers.

Question 7

How do you prove a breach of contract?

Accepted Answer

Proving a breach of contract can be complex, as the following needs to be provided as evidence:

 	the presence of a contract, including an initial offer and outlining the terms, conditions, and responsibilities to which each party must adhere.  
 	the other party’s negligence in performing their responsibilities.
 	you upheld your end of the bargain.

the damages you suffered as a result of the other party’s negligence and failure to hold up their end of the bargain, whether financially, reputationally, or health-wise.

Question 8

How to deal with business fraud?

Accepted Answer

The primary way of dealing with business fraud is by taking preventative measures. This comes in the form of:

 	proper training to recognize fraud before it occurs;
 	keeping security tight by constantly changing passwords, keeping records, and monitoring transactions among business personnel and customers;

strong, trustworthy internal control that manages finances honestly and prioritizes fiduciary duty.

Question 9

What is the difference between fraudulent inducement and breach of contract?

Accepted Answer

The main difference between fraudulent inducement and breach of contract is how either agreement is violated. Fraudulent inducement occurs when one party is misled into signing a contract based on false information. 

Contract breaches, on the other hand, have less to do with what influences a party to sign and more to do with what the contract requires of the party that signs. They occur when one party acts against the contractual agreement, including its terms, conditions, policies, and codes of conduct.

Question 10

What do business litigation lawyers do?

Accepted Answer

Business litigation lawyers help to ensure that principles of business law are followed and executed, including but not limited to: 

 	accurate company contracts, 
 	fair profit distribution, 
 	corporate transactions, and
 	compliance with any other business regulations. 

Ultimately, business litigation lawyers will help with disputes and common legal issues that companies face.

Question 11

How to sue for fraud?

Accepted Answer

Suing for fraud is mostly ideal after consulting a business litigation attorney. They can help clients with gathering evidence, which is the most crucial step of the process. In fraud cases, this evidence must align with the following:

 	purposefully deceptive intentions and the defendant having full awareness of them;
 	the deceit opposes concrete fact or materiality;
 	reliance by the plaintiff on the misrepresentation due to the assumed trust between both parties; and 
 	a statute of limitations, specifically of four years to make a fraud claim in Florida.

Once this evidence is gathered, you are equipped to move forward in filing a lawsuit.

Question 12

What is the statute of limitations for fraud in the inducement in Florida?

Accepted Answer

While Florida’s general statute of limitations is four years from the date the fraud was discovered to make a claim, the state allows up to twelve years from the date if it is discovered late. This means individuals who have a legitimate fraud case have plenty of time to hire an attorney, gather evidence, and file a lawsuit.

Question 13

How can I claim fraud in Florida?

Accepted Answer

Generally, one resource you can go to is My Florida Legal, a website that can provide the necessary documentation to file a fraud claim. You should also research your local business litigation attorneys for further assistance on the matter.

Question 14

What do I have to prove in a fraud lawsuit?

Accepted Answer

Plaintiffs must prove:

 	a misrepresentation, being an inductive statement that is false and misleading;
 	knowledge by the violating party that the misrepresentation is indeed false;
 	purposeful inducement on the innocent party; and
 	reliance on the misrepresentation by the innocent party without knowledge of its falsity.

Question 15

Is misrepresentation a crime?

Accepted Answer

Yes, misrepresentation is considered business fraud as it violates corporate fraud law and goes against regulations. Any violator is subject to felony charges and additional penalties requiring the compensation of damages to the plaintiff (hefty fines).

Question 16

What are the consequences of business fraud?

Accepted Answer

As a felony charge, many prison sentences span the length of up to five years for committing business fraud. Other consequences include fines of up to $5,000 or an order of restitution to pay back any damages the plaintiff has suffered.

Category: Business Law

Category: Business Law