A lightning strike claim attorney can advise you on how to prove damage caused by lightning. They may take photographs of visible damage (like burn marks or a hole in a roof), contract electricians and other experts to testify about lightning-related damage, and take other measures to document the property damage.
Your Boca Raton property damage lawyer can help you determine the cost of cleaning up debris, replacing damaged property, and ensuring your property is safe following the lightning bolt strike.
Proving a Lightning Strike as Part of an Insurance Claim
Whether lightning struck your home, your business, or other property, chances are you are entitled to compensation through insurance. However, you should never expect an insurance company to simply hand over the money you deserve—you must prove the harm resulting from the strike.
Your attorney may prove that lightning caused specific property damage by:
- Getting your account of the lightning strike: Your lawyer will gather accounts from you or anyone else present at the property when the lightning strike occurred. Your description of lightning striking the building may help substantiate your claim.
- Photographing visible damage: Your Florida property damage claim attorney will photograph any visible signs of a lightning strike. This could include one or more holes in the structure hit by lightning, burn marks, displaced shingles, and other indications of storm damage.
- Obtaining photographs of the property before the strike: Photographs of visible damage may be particularly telling when compared with photographs from before the lightning strike. This before-and-after comparison may help prove exactly how the lightning strike affected the property.
- Hiring experts to explain the extent of the damage: Photographs alone are rarely enough to capture the toll of a lightning strike. A property damage attorney from our team may hire electricians, plumbers, contractors, and other qualified professionals to explain the visible and unseen damage resulting from the lightning strike.
As a law firm that has represented clients in Florida for many years, we know how devastating a lightning strike can be. We understand the trauma and financial cost you may be facing. We will document your losses and pursue the compensation you deserve.
Steps to Take After a Lightning Strike
Your goal should be to secure all the compensation you deserve for lightning-related property damage, and you can work towards this goal by:
Retaining a Property Damage Claim Attorney as Soon as Possible
You should not wait to hire a lightning damage claim lawyer for your lightning strike claim because:
- An attorney may provide time-sensitive advice you should not wait to hear.
- A lawyer will immediately help you document lightning-related damage.
- Insurance companies will have to go through your lawyer (sparing you from preventable rights violations).
- Your lawyer will work to resolve the claims process as soon as possible.
- You can better focus on personal matters because a lawyer is handling your claim.
Every insurance claim has time-sensitive elements. Don’t wait to retain a lawyer who will fight for all the compensation you deserve.
Filing a Claim
Naturally, you will need to file a claim with your insurance carrier. If you have yet to do so, an attorney can ensure the accurate and prompt filing of the claim.
Documenting All Lightning-Related Damage
Document lightning-related damage before cleanup begins by:
- Photographing visible damage
- Recording a video of damaged property, particularly if it better captures the full extent of the damage
- Keeping copies of bills for property cleanup, repairs, and other damage-related services
- Writing down details of the lightning strike before your memory fades
While your attorney will document the lightning-related damage, you may be able to document the damage more immediately than your lawyer can.
How a Lightning Strike Claim Lawyer Will Assist You
An attorney will oversee every detail of your claim. Your lawyer’s role may depend on how soon you hire them after the strike, but your attorney can:
Document the Property Damage Caused by the Lightning Strike
Whether or not you have already documented any damage from the lightning strike, your attorney can:
- Photograph visible damage
- Bring in accident remediation experts to document and diagnose the recovery process
- Present your lightning-related property damage in as much detail as possible
Your lawyer will present all evidence of lightning damage to your insurance provider.
Interview Witnesses
Your attorney will interview anyone with insight into the lightning strike. This may include you, family members, neighbors, and anyone else who witnessed the strike or related events.
Hire Experts to Explain the Cost of the Strike
Your attorney will hire any qualified expert whose testimony or services benefit your claim. These experts may include electricians, remediation professionals, plumbers, contractors, and insurance experts.
Negotiate with Your Insurance Provider
Our legal team will represent you in settlement negotiations with your insurance company. We will demand complete compensation for your lightning-related losses. Our reputation as serious, results-focused negotiators should reassure you.
Take Any Necessary Legal Action
Filing a lawsuit can be necessary when insurance companies do not operate in good faith. While our law firm often secures fair settlements for clients, we don’t rule out any options when seeking fair compensation for a lightning strike.
We encourage you to contact us as soon as possible after you experience property damage, as Florida Statutes § 95.11 places a strict deadline for filing property damage lawsuits.
Covered Losses Resulting from Lightning Strikes
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that the effects of a lightning strike can extend indoors. Our team will not be surprised if we find that your property has:
- Significant electrical damage
- Roof damage
- Holes in parts of the property other than the roof
- Plumbing damage
- Structural damage affecting the safety of the property
- Unsightly burns
You may also face cleanup costs, expensive repair costs, and the cost of temporary housing. Our team will account for all your losses as we calculate your case value.
Call Ged Lawyers Today for a Free Consultation About a Lightning Strike Claim
Our lightning strike claim attorneys waste no time in documenting losses, filing claims, and initiating settlement talks. We bring a can’t-lose attitude to each claim we handle and take pride in our clients’ financial recoveries.
Contact Ged Lawyers today for a free consultation about hiring a property damage claim lawyer. With locations throughout Florida, we will serve you in the manner you deserve.
