As a coastal town, Panama City Beach is vulnerable to extreme storm damage, especially from big wind gusts and heavy rainfall. Given that, insurance companies should be quick to cover the losses property owners suffer following a natural disaster. However, there is sometimes resistance on their part, so receiving the necessary compensation can be difficult.
If you are in such a situation, the Panama City Beach storm damage lawyers at our firm can lead your case, pursuing fair damages. Since 1995, GED Lawyers has provided exceptional legal service and recovered over $26 million for our clients. Our Panama City Beach property damage lawyers are always there when you call. We are even available for night and weekend appointments. Call today for a free consultation.
What Our Panama City Beach Storm Damage Lawyers Can Do for You
We believe that everyone deserves access to legal representation. Our Panama City Beach personal injury lawyers have staff members fluent in multiple languages, such as:
- Arabic
- Creole
- Greek
- Portuguese
- Russian
- Spanish
- Turkish
We strive to make navigating the system easier for our diverse community. It doesn’t stop there, though. Our Panama City Beach lawyers offer various services, including:
- Investigating your claim
- Collecting different forms of evidence
- Filing your property damage claim before the given deadline
- Hiring experts to evaluate the storm damage your property incurred
- Protecting you from questionable insurance tactics
- Negotiating a settlement that covers your losses
- Interpreting the language in your insurance policies
- Managing correspondence with the insurance company
If you are concerned about the high potential costs of hiring a lawyer, do not worry: that’s not an issue with us. Our Panama City Beach storm damage attorneys take cases on a contingency–fee basis. That way, you won’t pay anything up front or out of pocket, as we take a portion of your settlement as our payment.
Contact us today for more information.
Our Firm Handles Various Storm Damage Claims in Panama City Beach
We represent clients who have endured different types of storm damage, such as:
Wind Damage
The National Severe Storms Laboratory (NSSL) states that severe thunderstorm winds make up about 50 percent of all severe weather reports in the continental United States. The damage is more common than that of tornadoes.
Wind damage ranges from minor to severe, but when wind speeds are high, reaching up to 100 mph, the effects can take roof shingles off, knock down power lines, or even uproot trees. Our legal representatives can assess the damage and seek the compensation you need to repair it.
Water and Flood Damage
Combined with strong winds, heavy rains can result in serious water damage, such as flooding. Furniture, vehicles, carpeting, and personal belongings may be ruined.
Since flood insurance isn’t mandatory, homeowners’ insurance doesn’t cover flooding, even if it’s from a hurricane. As such, you would have had to purchase that coverage separately. The Panama City Beach flood damage attorneys at our firm can review your insurance policies and see what sort of compensation you may qualify for.
Roof Damage
If the rain and wind were powerful enough, they could have compromised your roof, leading to a leak or a complete collapse.
Whether your wind, water, or roof damage was caused by a hurricane, thunderstorm, or tropical storm, our Panama City Beach lawyers can consider your options with you.
Damages You May Recover in Your Panama City Beach Storm Damage Claim
Your insurance policy (or policies) will detail which damages you are entitled to recover after storm damage. Depending on if it’s your homeowners’, flood, commercial, or another insurance, you could receive compensation for:
- Structural damage to the roof, floor, walls, doors, or windows
- Relocation expenses, if you have to live in an Airbnb or hotel because your home is uninhabitable or being repaired
- Cleanup costs, if you need to remove any debris, mold, or water from the property
- Your valuables, like appliances, electronics, or other personal belongings that were damaged, lost, or ruined from the effects the storm
Keep in mind that this list isn’t exhaustive, and we could get more money for you than you realize.
How Long Do You Have to File a Claim After Storm Damage in Florida?
The amount of time you have to submit a claim following storm damage varies based on the nature of your case, as well as the terms in your insurance policy. However, in most cases, you have up to three years to file your claim, per Florida Statutes § 627.70132.
We urge you to begin working on your claim sooner rather than later. Attempting to file past the deadline could result in a denial, and you might not have any other way to obtain compensation for your storm damage.
GED Lawyers is a law firm with a history of winning. Part of our job includes working under tight deadlines. Involve us in your case before the deadline, and our Panama City Beach attorneys can help ensure we file your claim before the three-year period is up.
Questionable Tactics Insurance Companies May Use in Your Storm Damage Claim
At times, the insurance companies use different tactics to get out of paying a claim. For example, we’ve seen adjusters:
- Deny the claim without giving a valid reason or explanation
- Claim that the client doesn’t have the appropriate coverage for their losses
- Misrepresent the language in the policy
- Delay the claim
- Offer an insufficient settlement
Our legal team has been in this business for nearly three decades, so we are very familiar with the insurance companies’ ways. Fortunately, GED Lawyers knows how to combat them and fight for the compensation our clients deserve after suffering the impacts of all types of storms.
Hire the Panama City Beach Storm Damage Lawyers From Our Firm Today
The aftermath of a storm can be overwhelming, and you may not know what your next steps should be. Turn to the Panama City Beach storm damage lawyers with GED Lawyers. You can rely on us to go after what you need to rebuild your home and life. Get in touch with us for free now.