BackerReport |
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BackerReport is a periodical addressing topics of interest to community associations in South Florida and is provided as a service to the clients and friends of Backer Law Firm, P.A. All articles are written by attorneys of Backer Law Firm, P.A. (unless otherwise indicated) and are protected by copyright. It is important to note that court decisions discussed in this newsletter are sometimes subject to change as the parties pursue further appeals or other remedies. The articles that discuss court cases in this newsletter are based upon the courts' decisions that are released when the newsletter was written.
It probably fair to say that residents in
community associations have reputations for
watching over contractors while they render
services in communities' property. Contractors
have been known to complain that "commandos"
interfere with their ability to perform and,
in some instances insist on participating to
"help" the contractors. Whether an
individual resident's motivation is to simply
lend a hand to a fellow member of the human
race or whether his motivation is to cure
what he perceives to be inadequate work
varies from situation to situation. A recent
case decided by the Third District Court of
Appeal (the appellate court that considers
appeals for Miami-Dade and Monroe Counties)
recently decided a case that might cause a
homeowner to think twice about getting
involved with a contractor while he is
working on the property. The court ruled that
a trial court's decision to deny relief to an
individual who was injured while lending some
assistance to a contractor who was working on
his property was correct.
According to the court's opinion, Jose
Barrocas had hired DirecTV to install a
satellite dish system in Mr. Barrocas' house.
While the DirecTV serviceman was in the
attic, the serviceman asked Mr. Barrocas for
a glass of water. Mr. Barrocas returned with
the water, climbed up the ladder and, while
reaching to give the serviceman the water,
slipped and fell from the ladder. Mr.
Barrocas sued the serviceman and DirecTV
alleging negligence and seeking compensation
for the injuries he sustained when he fell
from the ladder.
For those of you who use Backer Law Firm, P.A. as your registered agent, please be sure that our current address (400 S. Dixie Highway, Ste 420) is indicated on your Annual Report before it is filed with the Secretary of State. A failure to make this change can have serious consequences if the Association is ever sued. |
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