Defense Verdict for Condo Association

West Palm Beach partners, Jillian Sidisky and John Chiocca, obtained a complete defense verdict on behalf of their client, a condominium association in Tequesta, Florida. The lawsuit was brought by the Florida Attorney General’s office on behalf of an individual unit owner, wherein they alleged race discrimination, disability discrimination, and retaliation in violation of the Florida Fair Housing Act. Specifically, Plaintiffs claimed the association discriminated against the unit owner by denying her request to modify the exterior of her condominium unit. The unit owner alleged that the association denied the request because the unit owner suffered from a disability and because of her race. Plaintiffs also alleged that the association retaliated against the unit owner by enforcing a rule Plaintiffs alleged had not been properly adopted nor enforced against any other unit owner.

The unit owner testified that she was denied access to the property for multiple years because of the discrimination and retaliation, and that she suffered at least $500,000 in damages, including but not limited to emotional distress damages. Prior to trial, Plaintiffs’ lowest demand was $450,000. Mid-trial, Ms. Sidisky and Mr. Chiocca obtained a directed verdict on the claim of race discrimination, and the jury rejected all of the remaining claims asserted.

Jillian Sidisky
jillian.sidisky@csklegal.com
(561) 612-3426
Bio

John A. Chiocca
john.chiocca@csklegal.com
(561) 383-9220
Bio