Florida Litigation Records Index
(Florida Availability)

Records are accessed on a county-by-county basis. The period of time covered is typically ten years. Information returned includes: case number, nature of involvement, type of case, (dissolution of marriage, negligence, contracts, etc.), the name of the other party or parties involved, and where available, the disposition.

Litigation records might be the most valuable
source of information you’ll ever find, and can provide leads to important records that you won’t get anywhere else!

If you investigate casualty claims you’ll want to know about previous accidents, injuries, and medical history. Checks of traffic accident records, workers comp records, and driving records only tell part of the story.

 Consider these case types. All are covered in a search of county litigation records.

  • Assault – If the subject was the plaintiff the case could be a source of information on other injuries. If the defendant in the case it might be of interest to know the subject was capable of assault?
  • Auto Negligence – If the subject was the plaintiff you’ll definitely want to review the file. Even if your subject was the defendant, if the accident was serious enough he or she could have been injured.  Interrogatories, depositions and other documents filed in the case can also provide important information.
  • Breach of Insurance Policy – Has the subject sued other carriers? If payment was withheld you’ll want to know why.
  • Change of Name –  If a person changes his or her name it must be done in Circuit Court. Finding another name can lead to previously unknown information.
  • Damages – Suits can involve allegations of various physical injuries.
  • Declaratory Actions – Has another carrier made a Motion for Declaratory Judgment?
  • Fraud – If there is any basis whatsoever for this allegation, you definitely need to know about it.
  • Medical Malpractice – Has the subject sued a doctor or hospital?
  • Other Negligence – These cases usually involve alleged physical injuries.
  • Restraining Orders – If the subject was the plaintiff the case could provide information on other injuries. If the subject was an already allegedly injured defendant these cases can shed light on their activities.

If you investigate suspicious property claims and motive becomes an issue, you’ll probably be interested in the subjects’ financial status. In addition to all of the above case types, a search of litigation records will reveal the following kinds of lawsuits, any of which can shed light on financial condition.

  • Alimony – Is the subject being pressed for unfulfilled obligations to a former spouse?
  • Breach of Contract – Has the subject reneged on an agreement due to financial problems?
  • Dissolution of Marriage – Parties are sometimes required to divulge detailed financial and asset information that can be extremely valuable in claims investigations. Former spouses can also be excellent sources of background information.
  • Evictions – Has the subject been thrown out due to an inability to pay rent?
  • Money Owed – Is the subject in arrears on other financial obligations?
  • Mortgage Foreclosures – Some foreclosure files contain revealing documentary evidence such as original mortgage applications containing detailed financial information.
  • Paternity – Does the subject have hidden responsibilities?
  • Support – Is the subject on record as having failed to fulfill basic obligations?

Because of the potential for revealing critically important information that could turn a claim completely around, a check of litigation records should be mandatory in any serious claims investigation. This is especially true if the subject denies any previous injuries or ever having financial problems, because information contained in litigation records can remain available for decades.

Which means if the claim demands a thorough background investigation, you should not hesitate to have litigation record searches conducted any place the subject has resided for as far back into the past as is reasonable.