Economic Damages Must be Based on Competent Substantial Evidence

Economic damages must be supported by substantial competent evidence. Stated differently, economic damages cannot be speculative and the amount of the damages must be quantifiable. Putting on speculative, unquantifiable damages at trial can be fatal to a claim because damages should be the most important part of a claim. If damages cannot be proven, there is no claim, so making sure damages can be supported with competent substantial evidence is beyond important. The recent decision of Alvarez v. All Star Boxing, Inc., 43 Fla.L.Weekly D2102a (Fla. 3d DCA 2018) establishes what can happen if a party puts on speculative damages. This...