Beacon4, LLC v. I & L Investments, LLC
This case involves a contract dispute between Beacon4, LLC, a contractor, and I & L Investments, LLC, an owner, over the construction of a retail store in Blountville, Tennessee. Beacon4 sued I & L for violating the Prompt Pay Act and breaching the site contract, seeking to enforce a mechanics' and materialmen's lien for unpaid retainage and disputed change orders. I & L counterclaimed, alleging Beacon4 violated the Tennessee Contractor’s Licensing Act by circumventing its monetary limit and willfully exaggerating its lien claim. The trial court sided with Beacon4, awarding damages, interest, and attorney's fees due to I & L's bad faith. The appellate court affirmed the trial court's findings in most respects, corrected a typographical error in the interest award, and remanded for a determination of Beacon4's appellate attorney's fees.