How To Prove A Florida Promissory Estoppel Claim

 

 

In Florida, a claim of Promissory Estoppel is defined as:

Promissory Estoppel prevents a person from going back on their promise if the other party has reasonably relied on that promise to their detriment. In other words, it serves to protect individuals from unfairness or injustice that may result from one party reneging on a promise.

It simply means:

A promise may be enforced if it was clearly made, and the other party relied on it to their detriment.

There are 3 elements of the claim:

• Element 1. The plaintiff detrimentally relied on a promise made by the defendant. The plaintiff took action based on a promise from the defendant, believing it would be fulfilled, and this reliance led to negative consequences for the plaintiff when the promise was not kept.
  

  Facts that might support this element look like:

  * The plaintiff was assured by the defendant that they would receive a job offer contingent upon completing a specific training program.
  * Relying on the defendant’s promise, the plaintiff enrolled in an expensive training course, incurring significant financial costs.
  * The plaintiff turned down other job opportunities based on the defendant’s assurance of employment after the training.
  * After completing the training, the plaintiff was informed that the job offer was no longer available, leaving them without employment.
  * The plaintiff’s reliance on the defendant’s promise caused them to suffer financial hardship and emotional distress.

• Element 2. The defendant reasonably should have expected the promise to induce reliance in the form of action or forbearance on the part of the plaintiff or a third person. The defendant should have known that their promise would lead the plaintiff or someone else to take action or hold back from acting, based on the belief that the promise would be kept.
  

  Facts that might support this element look like:

  * The defendant made a clear and specific promise to the plaintiff, indicating that the plaintiff could rely on that promise for their future actions.
  * The defendant was aware that the plaintiff was planning to take significant steps based on the promise made, demonstrating an expectation of reliance.
  * The plaintiff communicated their intention to act based on the defendant’s promise, reinforcing the reasonableness of the defendant’s expectation of reliance.
  * The defendant had a history of making similar promises that induced reliance in others, establishing a pattern of behavior that supports the expectation of reliance.
  * The promise made by the defendant was of such a nature that it would naturally lead the plaintiff to take action, making reliance foreseeable.

• Element 3. Injustice can be avoided only by enforcement of the promise against the defendant. In a promissory estoppel claim, preventing unfairness requires making sure the person who made a promise is held to it, so that the person who relied on that promise is not left at a disadvantage or harmed by the other party’s failure to follow through.
  

  Facts that might support this element look like:

  * The defendant made a clear promise to the plaintiff, which the plaintiff relied upon to their detriment.
  * The plaintiff incurred significant expenses based on the defendant’s promise, believing it would be fulfilled.
  * The defendant’s failure to honor the promise has caused the plaintiff substantial financial harm.
  * The promise was made in a context where the plaintiff had no reasonable alternative but to rely on it.
  * Enforcing the promise would prevent the unjust enrichment of the defendant at the plaintiff’s expense.

^{(See W.R. Townsend Contracting, 728 So. 2d at 302 (Fla. 2nd DCA 1999).)}
If you’re in court without a lawyer and plan to assert a Claim of Promissory Estoppel, having a Personal Practice of Law at Courtroom5 is essential. You’ll need to make informed decisions about what to file at each phase of your case and prepare legal documents that are supported by thorough legal research and a strong analysis of the facts. Don’t navigate this complex process alone—equip yourself with the tools and knowledge to effectively present your Claim of Promissory Estoppel.

Prove Your FL Promissory Estoppel Claim

U.S. Civil Cases Only