Case ID: so2d_499/html/0874-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "PER CURIAM.", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

OLD GENERAL INSURANCE COMPANY, a Pennsylvania corporation, Appellant, v. E.R. BROWNELL & ASSOCIATES, INC., a Florida corporation, Cedars Associates, a limited partnership, and the Estate of Jacob Cobos, Appellees.
    No. 86-2109.
    District Court of Appeal of Florida, Third District.
    Dec. 9, 1986.
    Rehearing Denied Jan. 15, 1987.
    Hershoff and Levy and Jay M. Levy, for appellant.
    Clark, Dick & Lancaster and John C. Dick, for appellees.
    Before HUBBART, BASKIN and FERGUSON, JJ.
   PER CURIAM.

The narrow question presented by this appeal is whether a mechanic’s lien which is transferred to a bond pursuant to section 713.24 of the Mechanics’ Lien Statute may be increased by the court to provide for attorney’s fees in an amount to exceed $100.

We agree with the decisions of the Fourth District, strictly construing the statute, which hold that a mechanic’s lien transferred to a surety bond may be increased to include costs, which may include the prevailing party’s attorney’s fees, but that such costs may not exceed $100. The lienor, in such cases where the costs exceed $100, is left with an unsecured judgment for the balance. See Gesco, Inc. v. Edward L. Nezelek, Inc., 414 So.2d 535 (Fla. 4th DCA 1982), review denied, 426 So.2d 27 (Fla.1983); Symons Corp. v. Tartan-Lavers Delray Beach, Inc., 456 So.2d 1254 (Fla. 4th DCA 1984).

Reversed and remanded.