In California. Small Claims court will allow Judgements up to $10,000.00 with conditions. If Florida is similar, it would cost $15-30.00 dollars to file a claim and another $70.00 to have a deputy serve.
Once you go to court and get a judgement, there are people out there in the buisness of following thru with the courts to get you paid.
Nothing is easy, but the guy should be held accountable in court.