When something goes wrong on a construction project, or one party is left unsatisfied with payment or performance, a construction attorney often needs to get involved. Vernon Litigation Group represents both sides of these disputes – property owners, contractors, subcontractors, developers, lenders, and insurance companies – whether they’re filing claims or defending against them.

No matter what you’re facing, Vernon Litigation Group is ready to step in. We’ve served Naples clients since 2008, bringing strategic litigation skills and a forward-thinking approach to every construction case we handle. Our trial-ready advocates work to resolve matters through negotiation and settlement when possible and are prepared to take your case to court when necessary.

Experience the Vernon Litigation Group difference – call (239) 319-4434 to schedule your consultation.

Understanding Construction Litigation in Florida

Construction litigation covers disputes that arise during and after construction projects and may be resolved through negotiation, mediation, arbitration, or trial. Although many construction disputes involve lawsuits, relatively few make it all the way to a courtroom.

Florida adds a layer of procedural complexity that any construction lawyer handling local disputes must understand. Under Florida Chapter 558, known as the Notice and Right to Cure law, a property owner must serve a written Notice of Claim on the contractor, subcontractor, supplier, or design professional before filing a lawsuit for construction defects. In most residential cases, this notice must be served at least 60 days before suit is filed. For associations with more than 20 parcels, that window extends to 120 days. The notice must describe each alleged defect in reasonable detail, identify its location, and state any known damage or loss. Courts may stay a lawsuit filed without complying with Chapter 558, adding delay and legal costs to an already difficult situation.

Chapter 558 is designed to encourage resolution before litigation reaches the courthouse, but it’s a technically demanding process. Missteps in the notice language or timing can affect a case. We guide clients through this process from the moment a dispute surfaces.

Our Naples construction litigation lawyers are responsive to your needs and work to resolve your claim in the way that best protects your interests.

Top Construction Claims We Handle in Naples

Our construction attorneys prosecute and defend a wide range of claims involving contracts, negligence, liens, and more. The most common construction claims include:

• Breach of contract – when one or more parties break a written agreement
• Professional negligence – when architects, engineers, and other professionals fail to do their jobs correctly
• Defective design or workmanship – problems with finished or in-progress construction (i.e., building collapse, defective materials, poor workmanship, etc.)
• Delays – when a project isn’t finished as quickly as expected and causes costly losses
• Supply chain problems – when a supplier doesn’t meet their end of an agreement
• Payment disputes and change orders – when a contractor goes unpaid or parties disagree on compensation owed for scope changes
• Mechanic’s liens – efforts to recover unpaid construction bills under Florida Chapter 713, which gives contractors, subcontractors, laborers, and material suppliers a statutory right to lien property where work was performed but payment wasn’t received
• Surety bond claims – when a contractor or subcontractor fails to perform and the surety is called on to fulfill the bonded obligation
• Design-build disputes – claims where a single entity is responsible for both design and construction, creating overlapping liability for defects and workmanship failures
• Post-completion warranty claims – defects discovered after a project is formally accepted, raising questions about the applicable warranty period and the responsible party
• Construction accidents – safety violations, injuries, and accidental deaths
• Lender and insurance disputes – claims from project financiers and issues of liability when something goes wrong

If you need help with any of the construction claims listed above, don’t hesitate to discuss your case with our Naples construction attorneys. Even if your issue doesn’t appear on this list, call us to find out how our construction lawyers can assist you.

How Our Construction Lawyers Can Assist You

The sooner you get a construction attorney involved with your claim, the more we can do for you. When a dispute arises or something goes wrong, we investigate what happened, review all relevant legal documents, prepare a case strategy, and gather information from the other party. We prepare for trial from day one and negotiate to protect your best interests.

Like other legal claims, construction disputes require an immense amount of paperwork, and our firm handles all of it for you. We also interact with lenders, insurance companies, and other adverse parties that may not have your best interests in mind.

Vernon Litigation Group has handled complex disputes on behalf of hundreds of businesses, clients, and investors since 2008. We represent clients in federal court, state court, FINRA arbitration, AAA arbitration, JAMS arbitration, and other forums throughout the United States. Our attorneys have earned AV Preeminent Ratings by Martindale-Hubbell and have been selected for inclusion in the Super Lawyers list, Best Lawyers in America, and the National Trial Lawyers Top 100. The firm carries a 10.0 rating on Avvo and was named among the Best Law Firms from 2011 to 2023.

We offer same-day appointments and serve clients in both English and Spanish. Whether you need an in-person or phone consultation to discuss a Collier County construction dispute or a matter across state lines, we’re available to help.

Call (239) 319-4434 or contact us online to learn how we can guide you through each step of the construction litigation process.