Undo the Deal You Were Lied Into with an Orlando Fraud in the Inducement Attorney
Fraud in the inducement is when someone lies about a material fact to get you to sign a contract. As an Orlando, Florida fraud in the inducement attorney, Keough Law helps businesses rescinddeals built on deception or recover the damages they caused—and defends companies accused of it.
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You signed on facts that weren't true
The business you bought was “profitable.” The equipment was “fully operational.” The vendor had “all the licenses.” You signed because of what you were told—and after closing, the truth surfaced. A contract built on a lie isn't a deal you should be stuck with.
Fraud in the inducement lets you attack the deal at its source. It's one of the core claims in our business fraud practice.
- A seller inflated revenue or hid liabilities to close a sale.
- An investor pitch misrepresented the company’s position.
- A vendor lied about capabilities to win the contract.
- Key facts were concealed until after you signed.
What we have to prove
Fraud must be proven element by element and pleaded with particularity. The case is won by tying each statement to the decision it caused.
A false statement of material fact
They misrepresented or concealed a fact that mattered to the deal—revenue, condition, licenses, liabilities—not mere sales talk.
They knew it was false
The other side knew the statement was untrue, or made it recklessly without knowing whether it was true.
Intent to induce
The statement was made to get you to sign, invest, buy, or otherwise enter the agreement.
Reliance and injury
You entered the contract because of the lie and were harmed as a result—you would not have signed on the true facts.
What they'll say—and how we answer
Defendants in inducement cases lean on the contract itself: the merger clause, the “as-is” language, the claim that it was all just optimism. Those arguments work only when the record lets them.
And if you're the one accused, we use the same defenses to narrow or dismiss an overpleaded fraud claim.
Hide behind the paper
- "It was just puffery or opinion"
- "The merger clause bars it"
- "You could have checked yourself"
- "It was a promise about the future"
The facts they hid
- Specific, verifiable statements of fact
- No specific non-reliance disclaimer
- Facts only they could have known
- No intent to perform when promised
A deal built on a lie can be undone
Keough Law pursues the sellers, partners, and counterparties who misrepresented the facts to get a signature—seeking rescission or full damages—and defends businesses facing inflated fraud claims used for leverage. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
“They lied to get our money and thought we'd let it go. Shaun laid out a clear plan, kept the pressure on, and got us a result that mattered.”
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Fraud Matter
Unwind the deal—or make them pay for it
Fraud in the inducement gives you a choice a contract claim doesn't. The right remedy depends on whether the deal is worth keeping on the true facts.
Rescission
Cancel the contract and restore both sides to their pre-deal positions, including return of what you paid.
Benefit-of-the-bargain
Keep the deal and recover the difference between what you were promised and what you actually got.
Out-of-pocket losses
Money spent in reliance on the lie—due diligence, transition costs, and consequential losses.
Punitive damages
Available in egregious cases with the court’s permission, to punish intentional deception.
From deception to remedy
Reconstruct the pitch
We line up exactly what was said, written, and shown before signing against what turned out to be true.
Choose the remedy
Rescind and unwind the deal, or keep it and sue for damages—we pick the path that recovers the most for you.
Plead with particularity
Florida requires fraud to be pleaded in detail. We plead who said what, when, and why it was false—so it survives a motion to dismiss.
Recover & enforce
We press to judgment—seeking punitive damages where the conduct supports them—and then collect.
A clear read before you commit
Fraud litigation is billed hourly, so we start with a focused case assessment: what was said, what the contract says, and which remedy is realistic. Where it fits, a targeted demand can force rescission or settlement before suit.
You'll get an honest read on merits, timing, and cost during your free consultation.
A litigator who reads between the lines
You work directly with Shaun Keough, not a rotating cast of associates. Inducement claims often travel with fraudulent misrepresentation and breach of contract counts, and we plead them together inside our business litigation practice.
Fraud in the inducement questions
What is fraud in the inducement?
Fraud in the inducement happens when someone lies about a material fact to get you to enter a contract. The contract itself may look valid, but your agreement was obtained through deception—for example, a seller who inflates revenue to close a business sale. Florida treats it as a tort separate from breach of contract.
Can I cancel a contract I was tricked into signing?
Often, yes. Rescission lets you unwind the contract and return both sides to where they were before the deal, provided you act promptly after discovering the fraud and can return what you received. Alternatively, you can keep the contract and sue for the damages the lie caused. We help you choose the remedy that fits your goals.
Does a "no reliance" or merger clause kill my fraud claim?
Not automatically. A general merger clause usually won’t bar a fraud-in-the-inducement claim in Florida. A specific, clearly worded non-reliance clause—where you expressly disclaimed relying on particular representations—can be a serious obstacle. The exact contract language controls, so we review it closely before you decide how to proceed.
Isn’t this just a breach of contract?
No. Breach of contract is about failing to perform a promise in the agreement. Fraud in the inducement is about lies told before the agreement that caused you to sign. Because it is an independent tort, it can open remedies a contract claim can’t—like rescission and, in egregious cases, punitive damages.
How long do I have to sue for fraud in the inducement in Florida?
Generally four years, but Florida’s delayed-discovery rule starts the clock when you discovered the fraud or reasonably should have—subject to an outer limit. If you want to rescind, you also need to act promptly once you learn the truth. Waiting can cost you the remedy, so get advice early.
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what you've built?
Schedule a free, confidential consultation. We'll talk through your situation and figure out the right next step together.