[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by tophcfa

Be thankful you aren’t a County Commissioner, you would be looking at significant legal fees in an effort to stay out of jail for supposedly doing way less.

Like lying……

[davem4616]

Originally Posted by mtdjed

Is it likely that the prior owner or real estate agency that sold the home were aware of the damage and did not reveal or disclose the problem? Or perhaps tried to hide the issue? Your problem may not be with The Villages.

exactly

The Villages doesn't care who pays...as long as someone does...you're the easiest target

get a lawyer

[Garywt]

Depending on the cost, I would let the insurance lawyers work on it.

[Stu from NYC]

Get legal advise.

[bimmertl]

If The Villages sues you they will allege your negligence caused the damage. They will have to state a date you allegedly caused the damage. They would be stupid to state a date that occurred before you owned the property. So any complaint would show a date after you owned the property.

Your HO policy liability coverage covers such damages. The insurer will defend you and hire the lawyers.

Report this to your HO carrier. Don't accept a denial from your agent or broker. Any disclaimer of coverage has to come from the claim department of the insurance carrier. If you can report it directly to your HO coverage carrier use that option. Most carriers have an option to make a direct report.

While creating the above, I wondered what the FL statute of limitations was for property claims in FL. Here's a link. It's 4 years! So any lawsuit file after 4 years of the date of loss, would be invalid due to the statute. December 2017 loss is over 4 years ago and no suit has been filed.

What is the Property Damage Statute of Limitations in Florida? | Nolo.

Bet the Villages knows this and is hoping you cough up some money. Next time you hear from them, clue them in on the statute.

I would still report it to your HO carrier.

[JP]

I haven't seen the damages but it seems like just fixing the problem would be a lot cheaper and less hassle than hiring an attorney and honestly it sounds like TV would win.

[TNLAKEPANDA]

Morgan and Morgan

[bimmertl]

Originally Posted by JP

I haven't seen the damages but it seems like just fixing the problem would be a lot cheaper and less hassle than hiring an attorney and honestly it sounds like TV would win.

They didn't file suit in time. The statute of limitations ran. Their claim for damages is barred by the statute.

[mgkw1]

Originally Posted by Papa_lecki

An attorney will give you a free consultation. Take his/her legal advice, not ours

Bogan munns & munns charges you for a consultation. Only personal inury do not charge

[kkingston57]

Originally Posted by mikreb

Get a lawyer or pay the bill. Whichever is the least expensive would be my choice.

I was in the insurance adjusting business. This does appear to be a liability claim and should be reported to the insurance agent and/or insurance company who provided liability coverage at time of the incident.

[Aces4]

You may want to see if an Orlando newspaper or TV station would be interested in covering your claim.

[Koapaka]

Am I the only one wondering how many golf-front, private pool property owner exist that doen't know an attorney that is either friend/family member/or already listed on my cell phone speed dial? Get a consultation from a professional, it appears the safest course of action.

[spinner1001]

Originally Posted by Tomptomp

Prior to purchasing my golf front home, damage to golf course property did occur when the overflow from my pool created a rut on golf corse property. I can prove the damage was there before I bought the home.
The Villages refuses to accept my video proof. The video was created by the real estate when the home went up for sale. A drone view from atop my house clearly shows the damage.
The video was created in November of 2017. I closed on the house in December of 2017.
Does The Villages need to win a court decision before the bill they sent me is enforceable?
Although I feel that I have no liability in this matter, I tried to offer a settlement but they told me to get a lawyer. What should I do?

If you take it to a court of law, they have the burden of proof that you caused the damage. Outside of a court of law without formal rules, they try to shift the burden of proof to you to disprove their claim (you have tried that). Unfortunately, you may need to spend money on a lawyer to take it to court. There is a tradeoff for you between the size of their claim against you compared to what you may pay an attorney. (Talk with an attorney about their opinion of your tradeoff considerations and chance of success.)

An alternative is that you attempt to negotiate a lower amount to resolve the matter using the premise that you are otherwise going to take them to court where they must pay their lawyer, they have the burden of proof that you did the damage, and when you win the case they pay your legal fees.

Edit: Legally, it may get tricky whether they had a duty to timely file a claim against your property (before the sale) and failed to do so. Talk to a lawyer about this point.

[Rwirish]

Advice from a lawyer not a social media site.

[thevillages2013]

What is the amount of money they are suing you for?