Lake Charles Hurricane Damage Claim Lawyers

If your home or office suffered damage from a hurricane, do not hesitate to contact The Townsley Law Firm. We could help you file a property damage claim to recover the compensation you deserve for your repairs.

You’re no stranger to hurricanes if you live in Lake Charles. You might have experienced multiple hurricanes over the years without any serious consequences. Maybe a passing storm blew a few shingles off your roof, but no major damage occurred. Or a destructive hurricane might have crossed your path and demolished your house or office building. Either way, you deserve compensation from the insurance company to repair the damage.

At The Townsley Law Firm, we know how insurance companies can take advantage of claimants. Most insurers want to save money by avoiding settlement payouts. The insurance adjuster will likely look for evidence to prove you’re not covered by the policy and deny your claim. It’s not fair to receive a denied claim when you know you’re entitled to the coverage your premiums have paid for following a hurricane.

Our Lake Charles hurricane damage claim lawyers are ready to fight for your rights and seek the money you’re owed from your insurance company. We can investigate the damage, gather evidence, and aggressively pursue the maximum compensation you need to afford those costly repairs to your home or business. Call us today at (337) 377-0584 for a free consultation.

Common Types of Damage Hurricanes Cause in Lake Charles

Although you might be used to hurricane season and all the preparations you need to take, nothing can prepare you for the damage these powerful storms can cause. You can take all necessary measures to keep yourself and your family safe, but there isn’t much you can do to prevent damage to your home, office, or property.

Hurricanes are extreme forces of nature that nothing and no one can successfully fight. If you’re in the path of a hurricane, all you can do is hunker down and hope no one gets hurt. Once the storm passes, you can survey the damage and begin to rebuild. However, the insurance company could give you unnecessary trouble while you’re trying to recover compensation for your losses.

The most common types of hurricane damage include:

  • Flooding
  • Broken windows
  • Collapsed roof
  • Damage from flying debris
  • Fire damage from downed electrical wires
  • Damage to cars, boats, and other vehicles
  • Structural damage to the home or building
  • Mold growth
  • Damage to personal items, such as furniture and appliances
  • Foundation damage
  • Blown off shingles, shuttles, and roofs
  • Destroyed structures on the property, such as sheds and pools

If you suffered any of these or another type of damage following a hurricane, reach out to The Townsley Law Firm immediately to discuss your options. If you have insurance coverage, you could file a claim to compensate you for the cost of repairs and other expenses incurred because of the destructive hurricane.

What You Should Do if You Suffer Hurricane Damage

Even a category 1 hurricane can produce strong winds and heavy rains. It’s enough to uproot trees and rip the shingles off of roofs. Damage can occur during the most minor of storms. Whether you experienced a total loss or minimal structural damage, there are steps you should take immediately to protect your rights to compensation in a hurricane damage claim.

Photographic Evidence

Take pictures of everything. It’s crucial to document all the damage thoroughly. Take photos of every inch of your home or business so you can prove to the insurance company that there was damage to your property.

As you’re taking pictures of the exterior and interior of your house, you should also create a detailed list of every damaged item. Don’t leave anything off of your list. Even the smallest personal belonging that might not seem that valuable should be covered in the compensation from your insurance carrier.

Emergency Repairs

One of the most critical steps you need to take after a hurricane is mitigating the risk of additional damage. Damage already occurred, but you could prevent further problems from arising by making emergency repairs.

For example, flooding could occur if there’s a hole in your roof, allowing rainwater to come in. However, you could prevent further water damage by patching the hole yourself while waiting for a more permanent fix to take place.

Review Your Policy

Most people have a homeowner’s insurance policy, renter’s insurance policy, or another type of policy to cover the damage that occurs to their property and belongings in a hurricane. If you have a policy, obtain a copy, so you can review the coverage and how much money is available to compensate for your losses.

The policy should outline whether specific incidents qualify for a settlement payout, such as a hurricane, flooding, and wind damage. Some policies will cover the structure but won’t cover specific contents within the structure. Others will cover hurricanes but won’t cover damage caused by flooding.

Move Somewhere Safe

It might not be safe for you to stay in your home. You might need to book a hotel room or ask a friend or family member if you can stay with them. Insurance companies typically pay for lodging if you become displaced because of damage from a hurricane. As long as your home is uninhabitable, the insurance company should cover this expense. Check your insurance policy for details about this coverage.

Seek Treatment

Unfortunately, hurricanes don’t only cause property damage. They can cause injuries too. If you suffered injuries from the damage, such as a head injury from a collapsed roof or electrical shock from exposed electrical wires, go to the hospital. You should treat any injuries you sustained during the hurricane so you can focus next on repairing your home.

Hire a Lawyer

Before filing your claim, you should hire a hurricane damage claim lawyer in Lake Charles from The Townsley Law Firm. You might think it’s a straightforward process, but the insurance company could take advantage of you if you don’t seek legal representation. They might offer a lowball settlement and intimidate you into accepting or unfairly deny your claim altogether.

We can file your claim on your behalf and submit all available evidence to prove you deserve compensation for the damage you suffered. We will also communicate with the insurance carrier, so you don’t have to speak with the adjuster about your claim. We will negotiate for the full and fair settlement you deserve when the time comes. If the insurer refuses to provide an adequate settlement amount, we can proceed with a lawsuit.

Common Tactics Insurance Companies Use during Hurricane Damage Claims

Your insurance company might use certain tactics to deny your claim or justify offering a low settlement. It’s critical to understand your rights during this process, so you’re not backed into a corner and walk away from this situation with much less money than you deserve.

The most common tactics insurance companies use during hurricane damage claims include:

  • Denying the payment of repairs because they’re considered unnecessary
  • Denying a claim because the damage existed before the hurricane
  • Informing the policyholder of incorrect information in the policy
  • Underpaying the value of a claim
  • Unnecessarily delaying the process of moving the claim forward
  • Insisting the coverage period lapsed before the hurricane
  • Claiming the damage isn’t covered in the policy
  • Requiring unnecessary documentation to work on the claim
  • Purposely failing to meet specific deadlines
  • Trying to force the policyholder into a settlement
  • Requiring signed forms despite not reaching a settlement

This isn’t a comprehensive list of all the examples of insurance company tactics used during hurricane damage claims. Your insurance carrier might inform you that a lawyer isn’t necessary to help you with your claim. However, it would be in your best interest to hire The Townsley Law Firm. We’re familiar with state laws and the procedures involved in insurance claims. We’ll be by your side during each step to provide the guidance you need to deal with this complex situation.

Why Hire The Townsley Law Firm?

The Lake Charles hurricane damage claim lawyers of The Townsley Law Firm have represented clients since 1995. We have a strong reputation within the community for our hard work and dedication. We believe in fighting for individuals who are unfairly treated by the insurance companies they’ve paid premiums to. You can depend on us to provide the legal representation you deserve.

We’re proud of the level of service we provide to each person who hires us. From the second you walk into our offices, you will feel like a priority. We will provide personalized attention to meet your needs and try to reach your legal goals. Our team will remain in your corner until the end.

The Townsley Law Firm believes in making our community a safe place for everyone. We dedicate our time not only to legal services but also to charitable efforts. We participate in many charitable organizations, such as Wiley College Scholarship Fund, Holiday Helping Hands Project, The Salvation Army, and the American Cancer Society.

Contact Us

If you suffered damage to your home or business following a hurricane in Lake Charles, contact The Townsley Law Firm right now. One of our Lake Charles hurricane damage claim lawyers will be happy to meet you for a free consultation and start working on your claim immediately.

Call us at (337) 377-0584 or reach out to us online.