Florida Floating Home Owner Loses Another Round in Damages Battle

December 24, 2014

A South Florida man who two years ago won a U.S. Supreme Court case over the difference between a floating home and a vessel has lost a legal battle against the city of Riviera Beach.

A federal jury last week sided with the city, rejecting Fane Lozman’s claims that the city seized and destroyed his floating home in retaliation for his frequent comments at city meetings in violation of free speech rights.

Lozman had hoped to be repaid for the value of his home.

Owner of Florida Floating Home Still Fighting City Over Compensation

The U.S. Supreme Court two years ago agreed with him that his floating home was a house, not a vessel covered by maritime law. Since then, he has been trying to secure compensation for the home.

A judge refused in March to give Lozman any of the $25,000 bond posted by the city of Riviera Beach to pay for Lozman’s home in case he won.

Lozman also sought compensation through a civil rights lawsuit claiming that city officials conspired to harass him and stifle his free speech rights because he vocally opposed a major private marina project pushed by the city. A federal judge has now denied this claim.

Lozman said he intends to appeal once again.

Topics Florida Homeowners

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