When a business contract is broken in Tampa – whether a vendor fails to deliver, a client refuses to pay or a partner walks away – you generally have several options for addressing it. The right approach depends on the contract terms, the nature of the breach and what your business has lost.
Steps to resolve a breach of contract
There are several ways to address a breach of contract. Depending on the circumstances, you may consider:
- Reviewing the contract and negotiating a solution: Read the contract carefully to understand what each party agreed to do, including how the parties must handle disputes. Then contact the other party to try to fix the problem, whether it be completing any outstanding work or resolving a payment issue.
- Using mediation or arbitration: Some contracts require the parties to attempt mediation or arbitration before filing a lawsuit. Even without a requirement, these options can often resolve a dispute faster and at lower cost than litigation.
- Filing a breach of contract lawsuit: If other methods have not resolved the issue and the breach is significant enough to support a legal claim, you may be able to sue for damages. In Florida, the deadline to file is generally five years for written contracts and four years for oral contracts from the date of the breach.
Keeping the contract, communications, invoices, payment and other records can help you understand the situation and support your case.
Taking the right steps after a contract dispute in Tampa
Florida law sets deadlines for filing lawsuits, and your documentation largely determines the strength of your position. This may include communications, invoices and the contract itself. If a negotiated solution or alternative dispute process has not resolved the issue and the losses to your business are significant, reviewing the situation with a Florida business attorney can help you understand whether a claim is worth pursuing and what it would require to succeed.