If your Boynton Beach home or business sustained damage, our fire damage claims lawyer can help you recover your losses. However, getting full and fair compensation is often easier said than done.
When you work with a Boynton Beach property damage lawyer with Ged Lawyers, we look out for you and your best interests, not the insurance company’s. Our experienced legal team can prove your covered losses, prepare and file your claim, and negotiate with your insurer for the appropriate settlement so that you can begin rebuilding your home and life.
Our Boynton Beach Attorneys Can Help You Recover Fire Damage Compensation
Most residential and commercial property insurance policies protect against fire damage. However, policies can be complex and filled with confusing legalese that can make it hard to know how to proceed and what is and is not covered. Insurers, even those who supposedly work for you, will look out for their company’s bottom line, which often means finding reasons to keep claims payouts low.
At Ged Lawyers, we work for you, not the insurance companies. Our fire damage lawyers in Boynton Beach can help you navigate the property claims process, protect your rights, and fight for fair compensation for your losses. Our firm can:
- Review your insurance policy
- Identify and calculate your compensable damages
- Prepare and file your insurance claims according to the deadlines established by your policy and Florida law
- Document your damages
- Collect evidence to support your claim
- Aggressively negotiate with your insurance company to achieve an advantageous property damage settlement
- Ensure the insurance company remits owed payments in a timely fashion
- Prepare and pursue a property damage lawsuit in civil court if necessary
- Answer your questions, respond to your concerns, and provide frequent and timely updates about your claim
Our team is not afraid to take on insurance adjusters and prove you have a valid insurance claim. We will explain the legal action you can take to pursue the compensation you deserve.
Our Services Will Not Add to Your Financial Stress After a Fire Damages Your Property
We want to ease your burden during this difficult time, not add to your worries with more bills and expenses. Therefore, our team can take your case on a contingency-fee basis, meaning we will not charge upfront our out-of-pocket fees. Instead, we collect payment only when we recover compensation for you.
In addition to fire damage claims, our attorneys serving Boynton Beach, FL, can also help with claims involving:
- Hurricane damage
- Windstorms, severe rain, and hail
- Mold
- Roof damage
- Lightening
- Explosions
- Theft/vandalism
- Falling objects
- Defective construction
What Fire Damages does Your Property Insurance Cover?
According to the Insurance Information Institute (III), most standard homeowner’s insurance policies include coverage for the following:
- Structural damage. Your policy should pay for damage to your building’s roof, walls, floors, windows, or other structural components. In a fire damage claim, coverage would also apply to harm caused by soot and smoke, including the related clean-up and removal costs. Your policy usually applies to your home and other structures on the covered property, such as garages and sheds.
- Personal belongings. Fires can be devastating because damages often extend to the home’s contents. Even items that do not burn may need replacing or cleaning because of smoke damage. Your property insurance policy should pay to repair/replace personal items, including clothing, furniture, appliances, electronics, carpeting, and decor.
- Additional living expenses (ALEs). You may need to vacate your home if the damages and necessary repairs make it temporarily uninhabitable. If so, your policy should provide compensation for ALEs, which may include hotel fees, restaurant meals, laundry services, storage fees, pet boarding fees, and more, depending on your policy.
If another person suffered bodily injuries in a fire on your property, liability insurance will cover any claims made against you for personal injury.
Our Boynton Beach fire damage claims lawyers can also help with commercial property damage cases. In addition to the above, the Florida Department of Financial Services states that commercial policies may include compensation for damaged merchandise/spoiled stock, loss of business, and interruptions to computer/utility services.
Florida Law Allows a Limited Window to Pursue a Fire Damage Claim
Recent reforms to Florida’s insurance system under Florida SB-2A have reduced the time you have to pursue damages from your property insurer. Previously, the law allowed two years from the date your damage occurred to file a new or reopened claim. Now, according to Florida Statutes § 627.70132, you generally have one year. For a supplemental claim, you have 18 months, down from three years.
Another important deadline is Florida’s statute of limitations for filing a property damage lawsuit. If we must take the insurance company to court, you generally have four years to pursue your case under Florida Statutes § 95.11.
If you do not file your claims or lawsuit within these time limits, you could get left with little or no compensation and no options for legal recourse. Our lawyers can help you get started on your case as soon as you reach out, including going to work immediately to begin documenting and proving your damages while the evidence is still fresh.
Steps You Should Take If Your Home or Business Suffered Fire Damage
Once you ensure the safety of yourself, your loved ones, and your pets, you should take the following steps to protect your property and support your fire damage claim:
- Contact your insurance agent as soon as possible to notify them of the damage and start the claims process. Our Boynton Beach lawyers can do this for you.
- Protect your home or business from further damage. Examples include covering holes or openings, turning off the water, electricity, and other utilities, and protecting against unlawful entry.
- Take photographs and itemize your losses. Take pictures of structural damage and photograph damaged personal items before cleaning or throwing them away. Keep a detailed list of things that need repairing or replacing.
- Record repairs. Record any immediate/emergency repairs and keep all related bills, receipts, estimates, and invoices.
Contact Ged Lawyers About Your Fire Damage Claim in Boynton Beach
Contact Ged Lawyers today for a free consultation and learn more about how our Boynton Beach property damage attorneys can help you seek compensation for your fire damage.
A team member is available 24/7 to answer your questions and connect you with a lawyer from our firm. We can help clients in Boynton Beach and throughout South Florida. Call today to learn your legal options.
