One of the reasons that the state of Florida requires builders insurance for ongoing construction projects is that the risk of people or property damage through accident, theft, vandalism or natural disaster is so high. Statistically speaking, it’s pretty near impossible to get through an entire construction project without the occurrence of some kind of actionable mishap or damage requiring an insurance claim, and that’s why having an experienced and reputable South Florida construction litigation attorney on your side is so important. But construction law is pretty specialized- so how do you find a good construction law attorney?
How To Look
It’s Murphy’s Law: on a construction project, anything that can go wrong probably will, and when that happens you’ll want to have a good construction law attorney on hand, but like anything worth having, they can be hard to find. Here’s what you need to know to find a construction attorney who’ll protect your best interests:
• Stick with the locals: Construction laws and litigation procedures can vary dramatically by state, and at times, from county to county, so make sure your attorney is local or experienced in working within the region your case or claim pertains to. Attorney Joseph B. Heimovics, for example, is based out of Weston, but handles cases through Southern Florida.
• Ask the experts: So you know you want a local attorney, but now what- just do a Google search for South Florida construction lawyers? While that’s not a terrible idea, there are some more specific resources you can make use of. The Florida State Bar Association and trade associations such as the National Utility Contractors Association maintain comprehensive online sites that can supply you with a directory of attorneys and law firms in your area who deal in construction litigation.
• Get the lowdown: There are a few things you’ll want to confirm about a prospective attorney before you decide to work together. Make sure that they have successfully dealt with cases similar to yours in the past, and that they have plenty of both in court litigation and out of court negotiation experience. Check with the Florida State Bar, Consumer Affairs and Attorney General’s Office, and the Better Business Bureau to make sure they don’t have a litany of customer complaints. These organizations all maintain online access for such information, so a reputation check is easy to do.
