Civil Fraud Claim Attorney in Miami, FL, Pursuing Fraud and Misrepresentation Claims with a Trial-Ready Strategy for Clients in South Florida and Nationwide
Fraud is a serious crime, but criminal consequences for the perpetrator aren’t enough to make you whole after you’ve been victimized. With a Miami civil fraud lawyer from Forge Litigation Group on your side, you can pursue compensation for all of your damages. I practice law at the intersection of civil and criminal issues, so I understand how an ongoing criminal case can impact civil litigation. I also know how to strategically leverage criminal accusations when seeking damages arising out of fraud.
Civil fraud claims are too complex to pursue without the guidance of experienced legal counsel dedicated to your best interests. Contact my law firm today for help developing a customized legal strategy and presenting the most compelling claim possible. I begin every case with a confidential consultation to ensure that you can understand your rights and options without any obligation.
Suing for Fraud in Miami and Throughout South Florida
Fraud is far from a victimless crime. When a person or organization uses deceptive acts for personal gain, whether to attain money, services, benefits, or access of some kind, the individual or organization targeted in the act can suffer significant losses. That’s not right, and it ’s the reason that Florida law gives victims recourse through the civil legal system.
Civil fraud claims can arise when the person or organization targeted in a deceptive act can demonstrate losses, most commonly financial ones, that resulted from the perpetrator's misrepresentation or concealment of facts. Generally, a single act of fraud can give rise to a civil fraud claim if the victim relied upon the misrepresentation of facts and then sustained damages because of it.
As a Miami civil fraud lawyer with 25 years of experience in legal practice, I stand up for individuals and small businesses throughout South Florida and beyond who have experienced significant losses due to another party’s deceptions.
Examples of situations in which you may have the right to pursue civil fraud litigation include:
- Deception of a homeowner by an unlicensed contractor who performed substandard work
- A sale based on a seller’s false description of the property, leaving a customer with a product or property that doesn’t meet the specified standards
- An investment based on falsified financial data
When an individual or a company intentionally misrepresents or conceals relevant facts for some sort of gain, you have the right under Florida law to hold that party accountable for losses you sustained as a result. In civil fraud claims, I pursue financial damages that make plaintiffs whole by addressing all of their losses.
I also go after punitive damages when appropriate. To succeed in pursuing awards of punitive damages, I gather evidence that shows the particularly heinous nature of the fraudulent conduct and present the strongest possible arguments for imposing additional damages to punish and deter the perpetrator.
What to Expect When Criminal Conduct Gives Rise to Civil Litigation
A civil fraud case is a separate legal action from a criminal case against the perpetrator of fraud. Civil litigation proceeds under a different court system and has different procedural rules and requirements, including deadlines and standards of proof.
Despite these important distinctions, civil fraud litigation can be impacted by ongoing criminal fraud charges. This situation is known as parallel proceedings, in which two or more legal actions arising out of the same circumstances are moving forward in different courts. When parallel proceedings involve both civil litigation and criminal charges, the civil court may pause discovery in the civil case until the criminal case is resolved.
The outcome of the criminal case, if favorable to your argument, can be used to support civil litigation. A conviction of the defendant in your civil claim for damages may establish that their conduct did, in fact, constitute fraud.
If the party from whom you’re seeking compensation managed to avoid a criminal fraud conviction through a plea deal, acquittal at trial, or dismissal of charges, you may still be able to pursue a civil claim against them. While criminal cases in Florida require the prosecution to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, the burden of proof is considerably lower in civil matters. You generally need to prove your claims through what the law considers “clear and convincing evidence.” As such, the evidence might support your claims of fraud and resulting damages in civil court, even if it was not enough to secure a criminal conviction.
You Need a Civil Fraud Claim Attorney in Miami, FL, Who Knows How to Win in Court
Due to the involvement of criminal activity, civil fraud litigation is a complicated area of law. You need to recognize the ways that a parallel criminal case against the defendant could affect your civil claim. You should also consider how the outcome of such a case should impact your legal strategy.
Retaining an experienced Miami civil fraud lawyer is essential to ensure you’re aware of every potential challenge and poised to take advantage of every opportunity. For civil fraud claims, you need more than a litigator. You need a trial attorney who diligently builds your case for success and relentlessly advocates for your interests.
At Forge Litigation Group, I never shy away from fighting my clients’ battles in the courtroom. While many litigators only go to trial once every several years, I consistently take multiple cases to trial every year. I recognize the value that going to court can have for my clients, and I draw on the trial skills and courtroom presence I developed as a former Assistant Public Defender in Miami-Dade County to present strong, compelling cases before judges and juries.
I prepare every case I take on for the possibility of a trial. This careful, strategic preparation means that you’re never caught off guard if taking your case to court does become the best option for you. Even if you never set foot in a courtroom, this approach facilitates more favorable settlement outcomes. When the opposing side recognizes how prepared you are for trial and how risky going to court would be for them, they are often more amenable to providing a fair settlement offer.
How Forge Litigation Group Can Help
As your civil fraud claim attorney in Miami, FL, my goal isn’t only to secure you the compensation that makes you whole. It’s also to manage the litigation process for you, reducing the stress of taking legal action. I recognize what a turbulent time you’re going through, and I’m committed to providing peace of mind by handling all aspects of the case, including:
- Conducting in-depth investigations and gathering evidence to support claims of fraud
- Identifying and documenting all of your damages and demonstrating how they resulted from the defendant’s fraudulent conduct
- Submitting all claims paperwork and filing all legal documents
- Developing a strategy tailored to your unique situation
- Preparing your claim for the possibility of going to trial
- Pursuing maximum compensation through negotiations or litigation
- Representing you in all legal proceedings
- Advocating for punitive damages, if appropriate
- Presenting your case at trial, if going to court offers the best opportunity to recover full compensation
From start to finish, I stand with victims of fraud, pursuing justice, accountability, and fair compensation in civil court.
Why Choose Forge Litigation Group as Your Miami Civil Fraud Lawyer?
With Forge Litigation Group as your Miami civil fraud lawyer, you gain an advocate who is willing to fight for you, diligently prepare your claim, and draw on decades of experience.
Dedication to Advocating for the Less Powerful
In many cases, civil fraud litigation involves a victim going up against an individual or a company with considerable resources. When you’re facing off against a defendant with an army of lawyers at their disposal, you need an attorney whose dedication is unwavering. I’ve built my practice around fighting for the “little guy” and empowering individuals and small businesses to take on influential and well-resourced defendants.
An Approach That’s Consistently Trial-Ready
With my law firm on your side, you’ll never encounter a situation where you’re unprepared for the next step. Building every case for the possibility of a trial is a key part of my practice. As a trial attorney with extensive experience in the courtroom, I prepare every case to proceed all the way to trial if needed. These proactive measures not only put clients on the path to winning in the courtroom but also support favorable settlement negotiations.
Experience Practicing Florida Law and Handling International Issues
Having spent more than 25 years practicing law, I know the ins and outs of court procedures in South Florida and beyond. Fraud can cross state and even international borders, but my experience handling cross-border disputes equips me with the skills to intervene in these complex situations. I have worked for international law firms and addressed legal issues that involve parties as far away as Latin America, the Caribbean, China, and the Middle East.
Contact a Miami Civil Fraud Lawyer at Forge Litigation Group Today for a Case Review
Individuals and small businesses impacted by fraud often have questions about their legal rights and whether they have grounds for recourse. I’m here to provide the answers. The consultation offers you a chance to discuss your unique situation with an experienced attorney who will listen, consider the full facts of your circumstances, and give you an objective assessment of your potential case.
For help from a civil fraud claim attorney in Miami, FL, contact Forge Litigation Group online or call 786-933-8794 today.