Archive:September 20, 2008

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Finding Surety Sufficiently Pled for Quia Timet, Court Denies Motion to Dismiss

Finding Surety Sufficiently Pled for Quia Timet, Court Denies Motion to Dismiss

Safeco Ins. Co. of America v. Tarragon Corp., 2008 WL 427969 (M.D. Fla. Sept. 16, 2008)

In Safeco, a third-party sued a general contractor and a surety in state court to recover against a Section 713.24 lien transfer bond.  Because the contractor refused to honor its obligations to the surety under their indemnity agreement, the surety then sued the contractor in federal court, asserting a claim quia timet, based on the future monies that the third-party was demanding on the bond.  Quia timet allows a person to seek equitable relief from future probable harm to a specific right.  Under Florida law, quia timet relief is not appropriate without proof that the surety realistically faces loss under the bond and is in jeopardy.

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