what type of lawyer handles flood damage?

How can a real estate lawyer help with water damage?

If your home or business has been damaged by flood waters, our dedicated intake team and flood attorneys can help. Over the last 30 years, we have helped tens of thousands of policyholders in insurance claims, recovering 100’s of millions of dollars for policyholders. Retaining us is easy. And, we are only paid if we make a recovery for you.

How can an attorney help with a home insurance claim?

Merlin Law Group has represented many policyholders with water damage claims to their homes and businesses. As The Policyholder’s Advocate ™, we are committed to helping you obtain justice so that you can get back on the path toward recovery. Get a free case review Free Case Review Water Damage FAQs

What kind of lawyer do I need to solve my legal problem?

Whether you have suffered water damage due to the actions of a neighbor or are accused of causing water damage, a real estate lawyer can help you. Sorting out causes can become complicated and probably require the services of an experienced lawyer.

How often does a house have a water damage claim?

Oct 21, 2020 · Standard attorney’s fees are usually 33% of the recovered amount if it’s resolved before a lawsuit is filed and 40% once litigation begins. For a …

What types of damages are expected from a flood?

HOW CAN A FLOOD DAMAGE MY HOME?Structural and Electrical Damage. Floods can cause structural damage, such as loose or buckling floors and roof or foundation cracks, says Ready.gov. ... Appliance Damage. ... Mold and Mildew. ... Damage to Septic and Well Water Systems.

What are the most common damages from floods?

According to the FEMA, water damage from floods is one of the most common and costly hazards in the U.S. How common?...Health and safety risks.Defunct drainage and sewage systems.Cut off communications.Road and bridge destruction.Landslides.Damaged crops.And so much more…More items...

How do floods damage property?

Immediate Property Damage In addition to the force of the water, flash floods can carry large debris such as boulders. This combination can cause heavy structural damage to homes making them uninhabitable and can carry away large pieces of property such as vehicles.

Who is responsible for flood damage?

Your landlord is responsible for repairs if your rented home is affected by flooding, from rain or an issue with a neighbouring property. Your landlord is unlikely to be responsible if you caused the flooding yourself. This responsibility includes: fixing damage to the structure of your home.

Who is responsible for flood?

Severe flooding is caused by atmospheric conditions that lead to heavy rain or the rapid melting of snow and ice. Geography can also make an area more likely to flood. For example, areas near rivers and cities are often at risk for flash floods.

How floods can be controlled?

Floods can be controlled by redirecting excess water to purpose-built canals or floodways, which in turn divert the water to temporary holding ponds or other bodies of water where there is a lower risk or impact to flooding. Channelisation is a deliberate attempt to alter the natural geometry of the river.Aug 21, 2020

How much damage is caused by floods?

Impacts of flooding Floods cause more than $40 billion in damage worldwide annually, according to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. In the U.S., losses average close to $8 billion a year. Death tolls have increased in recent decades to more than 100 people a year.Apr 4, 2019

What are solutions for floods?

Flood control infrastructure, such as levees, seawalls, and tide gates, work as physical barriers to prevent areas from flooding. Other measures, such as pump stations and channels, help reduce flooding.

What is the purpose of the National Flood Insurance Program?

Congress’ goal was to provide relief for those specific locales subject to continuous flooding, run-off or lake flooding. Over the years, the program has had difficulty covering loss claims from its premium income. In response, various policy restrictions and conditions have been instituted. These limitations make it more difficult for policyholders to obtain fair compensation.

What percentage of natural disasters involve flooding?

Floods are the most common and most destructive natural disaster in the United States. Ninety percent of all natural disasters involve flooding, and all 50 states have experienced floods or flash floods in the past five years, according to Floodsmart.gov. A standard homeowner’s policy does not cover damage from a flood.

What is proof of loss?

A Proof of Loss is a policyholder’s statement of the amount of money requested, signed to and sworn to by the policyholder. Insurance company’s require documentation to support the amount requested.

Does homeowner's insurance cover flood damage?

Will my homeowner’s policy cover flood damage? No. A homeowner’s policy only covers wind-blown rain damage not caused by flooding. Without flood insurance, your flood losses won’t be reimbursed and you won’t get money to help you rebuild. If you are in a high-risk area and if the federal government regulates or insures your mortgage, carrying flood insurance is a federal requirement. “High risk” means your home as has at least a 1 in 4 chance of flooding during a 30-year mortgage.

What happens if your house becomes uninhabitable?

Medical bills or hospital bills if the damage also caused you physical injury. Punitive damages, if you can prove that your neighbor acted with malicious or criminal intent.

Can neighbors be held responsible for water damage?

Usually a neighbor cannot be held responsible for property damage caused by runoff from naturally occurring rain and land conditions. However, if the water damage is caused by a neighbor’s actions or non-actions, this can present some difficulties. Since the flow of water is somewhat unpredictable, it can be difficult to determine ...

What to do if you have a claim denied?

However, if you’ve already had a claim denied, an attorney can help. An experienced lawyer can see the claim from all sides and know if there is any chance of getting the insurance company to reverse its position.

Who is Tina Willis?

Tina Willis, a personal injury lawyer in Orlando, Florida, says determining the value of an attorney is a simple numbers game. Often, insurance companies agree to settle a claim without being specific about the settlement amount. And that is—often literally—the million-dollar question.

Can insurance companies deny a claim?

Insurance companies are far less likely to try to deny a valid claim when an attorney is involved,” he says. Appealing a denial isn’t a matter of filling out a few forms or writing a lawyer letter to the insurance company.

How to avoid paying claims?

To avoid paying claims, the insurance company may try to categorize the. damage as exceeding the scope of the policy. They may blame the damage on factors other than those covered by the policy, or offer a low-ball settlement should they determine it is a valid, unavoidable claim.

What happens if your home insurance is denied?

If a home has been damaged, the insurance company may offer a low-ball settlement or deny the claim altogether to avoid depleting their cash reserves.

What does homeowner's insurance cover?

Typically, homeowner’s insurance covers property damage (including residential premises, unattached structures, and personal property) as a result of unexpected events such as fire, wind, hail, vandalism, and theft; however, coverage will be determined by the policyholder’s specific insurance policy coverages.

What do lawyers do?

Different types of lawyers specialize in different areas of law. Some lawyers mostly do the work outside of the courtroom, such as drafting contracts and wills, preparing documents to comply with a process, negotiating deals, and advising clients on a legal problem. There are also lawyers who present cases in court or litigations ...

What is a criminal defense lawyer?

Last but not least, a criminal defense lawyer is skilled in handling all stages of a criminal lawsuit. They provide valuable counsel to their clients from the time they are arrested, through the investigation, charging, arraignment and sentencing. Their work isn't quite done if their clients wish to appeal their case. A good criminal defense attorney knows how to navigate the nuances of the law, which allows them to keep their clients out of prison.

Why do we need malpractice lawyers?

Since these are professions that ascribe to a set of standards , they have greater professional responsibilities that may be challenged in the courtroom or in litigation.

What is IP law?

1. Intellectual Property (IP) Lawyers. Any original creative, scientific, or technical invention which may benefit the public has to be protected ...

What is an intellectual property lawyer?

Any original creative, scientific, or technical invention which may benefit the public has to be protected from copycats and duplicates. If you've created an art design, a unique product, a novel, a song or a computer program, you can consult with an intellectual property lawyer for securing copyright, patents, trademarks, and licensing agreements.

What is a family lawyer?

Family Lawyers. These are lawyers who handle all kinds of domestic cases, such as divorce, legal separation, child custody, adoption, paternity, alimony, prenuptial or postnuptial agreements, and emancipation. But family attorneys may also handle reproductive rights cases, and their work may intersect with other areas of the law.

What is a personal injury lawyer?

This lawyer is an expert in tort law, which deals with civil legal liabilities and damages.

What is a worker's compensation lawyer?

If you’ve been injured while on the job, or have had to face the death of a loved one as a result of a workplace accident or occupational disease, a lawyer who specializes in workers compensation law can help you navigate the issues you face, such as the extent of the employer’s fault and the amount of benefits to which you are entitled.

What is an IP lawyer?

Also known as an IP attorney, an intellectual property lawyer can advise you with regard to issues relating to intellectual property, such as copyrights, trademarks, patents, industrial design and trade secrets.

What is an estate planning lawyer?

The estate planning lawyer specializes in wills and trusts, and can help you to draw up a will to pass on your assets. Among other estate planning legal services, this type of lawyer can help you set up a trust which will help take care of your children’s financial needs.

What is an employment lawyer?

Employment Lawyer. Whether you’re a company that’s having a problem with an employee, or an individual who’s having problems with the company you work for, an employment lawyer can generally provide advice about legal issues which arise from an employment contract or within an employment relationship.

What can a corporate lawyer do for you?

A corporate lawyer will be able to help you with issues related to the formation of your corporation, general corporate governance issues and corporate compliance issues.

What is general practice law?

Unlike lawyers who specialize in a particular area of law, a general practice lawyer has a practice that handles a wide range of legal issues. Different general practice attorneys will have different areas of law with which they are most comfortable, so if you consult with a general practice lawyer, it’s always prudent to discuss his or her experience in handling the type of legal issue you’re facing.

What is a disability attorney?

The Social Security Disability system can be a particularly complex system in which to navigate. An attorney who specializes in Social Security Disability issues can help you with any step in the Social Security Disability process, including assisting you with eligibility issues, launching an appeal of a decision to deny you benefits and dealing with the reduction or termination of your benefits.