The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have devised a new method of simulating storms using AI in an effort to create more adaptable and stronger buildings.  A recent study asserts that the simulations can accurately represent the trajectory and wind speeds of a collection of actual storms. The authors suggest that simulating numerous realistic hurricanes with the new approach can lead to improved guidelines for the design of buildings in hurricane-prone regions.

Scientists using real-life storm data with AI to improve building designs is groundbreaking.  Engineers and forecasters are increasingly reliant on the work that computers can do to streamline their efficiency.  The use of AI is most noteworthy in computer modeling for Florida in hurricane-prone areas.  Determining the level of wind that a building should be designed to withstand can be accomplished using AI.  Rather than attempting to mathematically build a storm from the ground up using bare data points, as current models do, machine-learning algorithms mimic actual hurricane data.  

With enough quality information to study, machine-learning algorithms can construct models based on patterns they uncover within datasets that other methods miss.  Those models can then simulate specific behaviors, such as the wind strength and movement of a hurricane.  Thereafter, developers, builders, and engineers can find the level of wind their proposed structure must handle based on its location and relative importance.

The sophistication of AI has dramatically improved and it continues to improve, and that’s critical to designing sounder, more durable structures.  Wind-resistant design can include things like concrete, steel frames, and impact-resistant glass.  Florida structures must be built stronger to withstand wind and water damage as evidenced by the tragic Surfside condo collapse.  

The property insurance market is going up in flames.  State Farm is the largest property insurance company in the nation. The climate crisis is becoming a financial crisis, especially for Californians and Floridians.  Numerous studies show climate change increases the frequency and severity of extreme weather events, including widespread wildfires and storms that reach major hurricane status of Category 3 or above.  Over the past five years, wildfires have destroyed 25,000 homes in the state; in 2018, the most devastating year on record, Californians filed $11.7 billion in wildfire-related claims. 

State Farm’s decision in California is the latest development in what has been a growing trend in the property insurance industry nationwide, namely, insurance companies dropping homeowners.  Major insurers are backing out of new home policies in California.  Citing rising costs from raging wildfires and skyrocketing repairs, both State Farm and Allstate insurance companies say they are no longer offering home or business property insurance for new customers in California.   

You’re in good hands with Allstate?  Maybe not.  Allstate quietly stopped issuing new policies in California months ago, but didn’t announce the move until last week.  Allstate joined State Farm in deciding to halt sales of property and casualty coverage to new customers in California, saying it’s too pricey to underwrite policies in the state because of natural disasters.  Allstate was the fourth-largest insurer in California, according to the most recent 2021 state data. It earned $4.3 billion in premiums that year and incurred $2.6 billion in losses. 

In Florida, the state continues to investigate insurance companies underpaying policyholders and doctoring reports.  Dozens of property insurance companies in Florida have either entered receivership in the last few years, meaning they don’t have enough funding to pay out claims, or pulled out of Florida altogether and stopped insuring Florida homes. 

What happened in Florida was a harbinger for the rest of the U.S. Florida was a trailblazer, waiting too long to regulate an insurance industry in which companies cut back on homeowner policies and engaged in fraudulent, bad faith practices.  From coast-to-coast, insurance companies plundered profits and shortchanged policyholders.  The homeowner’s insurance crisis in Florida is a regulatory failure.  Had the market been properly regulated by the government and lawmakers, bad faith practices would have been halted.

As the hurricane season starts, the shaky property insurance market continues to plague Florida homeowners.  This is why anytime you experience property damage to your home or business, you should speak with an experienced and knowledgeable property damage trial lawyer.  At Corless Law Group, we make sure the insurance company does not take advantage of your predicament and offer a low settlement or delay and then deny the claim.  

These climate change crises can be curbed and the collapsing home insurance markets can be saved.  The insurance industry must be regulated, and government oversight will contribute to more fairness for all. 

The insurance industry in Florida is poised for punishment – be it civil or criminal – as a result of the improper handling of countless Hurricane Ian claims.  Ian caused $115 billion in damage, the second-largest insured loss on record after Hurricane Katrina, according to a report from reinsurer Swiss Re.  Hurricane Ian had the most insurance claims of any hurricane in American History.  What’s more, 4,700 complaints (and counting) have been filed against insurers post-Hurricane Ian.  

What precipitated these complaints?  Some policyholders had their valid property damage claims cut by more than 80%, according to a blistering report by The Washington Post.  These homeowners say that they had received only a small portion of what was covered under their policy.  Other property owners reported seeing altered and manipulated estimates.  In the report, it was uncovered that desk adjusters or supervisors were gutting or rejecting reports of what they saw was credible damage.  There are allegations insurance companies falsely updated claims to reduce payments. 

All of this follows the decision by Governor Ron DeSantis to take away the right of policyholders to recover their attorney’s fees when they are forced to litigate their claims.  This is the case even in claims where the insurance company deliberately withheld benefits, and loses at trial. Florida lawmakers most notably repealed the one-way attorney’s fee provision that has long governed property insurance lawsuits within the state. This provision gave insureds the necessary leverage to fairly engage in disputes with their insurers.

Previously, the insurance company would be held responsible for paying attorney fees if the company wrongfully denied your claim. Under this new law, insurers will no longer be ordered to pay attorney fees even if they improperly denied the claim.

You Need a Property Damage Lawyer to Fight for Your Rights to Coverage

At Corless Law Group we relentlessly fight for the rights of property owners and successfully resolve storm damage insurance claims.  Increased scrutiny and oversight of insurance companies who engage in these duplicitous practices, which harm insurance consumers, is the right path forward.  Insurers who don’t properly handle policyholders’ claims should be slapped with civil or criminal penalties. 

An insurer slashing a valid claim estimate without a factual basis is potential fraud.  Denying, delaying or underpaying a valid claim is bad faith and if the insurance company engaged in this type of prohibited behavior on a consistent basis, it may be grounds for punitive damages and monetary fines.  Additionally, criminal charges could be filed against insurance companies’ officials.

Insurance companies are to blame for the property insurance crisis in Florida due to their failure to expeditiously pay valid claims.  The American Policyholder Association, a nonprofit insurance industry watchdog group, said in a statement that it has found “compelling evidence of what appears to be multiple instances of systematic criminal fraud perpetrated to cheat policyholders out of fair insurance claims.”

It is inappropriate and untenable for Florida lawmakers to continue to protect the insurance industry.  In 2022, Florida Republicans passed laws that insulate property insurers at the expense of homeowners.  If you give insurance companies enough rope, will they hang themselves?  That seems to be the case here as numerous complaints allege that insurance companies or their adjusters doctored claims to underpay property owners who experienced hurricane-related damage. 

Can Insurers Be Held Accountable? 

A bill (SPB 7052) titled “Insurer Accountability” is intended to impose penalties on any insurance companies committing fraud.  It would also prohibit altering insurance adjuster reports.  The bill aims to crack down on fraud and comes with large fine amounts to insurers. 

Accountability is a nice word but does it have teeth?  This bill would increase information-reporting requirements and increase maximum fines for violations by 250% generally and 500% for violations during state emergencies.  Insurance and adjuster licenses can also be suspended or revoked.

For policyholders who experience property damage or property loss stemming from a storm, the nationally recognized litigation law firm of Corless Law Group can assist you in achieving full and fair compensation.  Our clients include individual property owners, business owners, Community Managed Associations, Homeowners Associations, and Licensed Community Association Managers.  We represent residential and commercial property owners throughout the state of Florida.  

It is important to consider how a law firm has handled other cases that are similarly situated to yours, and the type of results their lawyers can deliver.  Corless Law Group has the experience, knowledge, and record-setting results you need to repair or replace damage to your home, business or property.  Call 813-258-4998 for a free consultation.   

Global warming is increasing the intensity and frequency of storms, and it’s capable of shifting wind patterns, which will further increase hurricane risk, steering hurricanes closer to the Gulf Coast and East Coast.  Climate change is creating stronger hurricanes that contain more moisture and rapidly intensify.  It only takes one storm for any region to have a record-breaking hurricane season. 

For example, Hurricane Ian left a path of destruction, from Naples and Fort Myers to Orlando and Daytona, leaving tens of thousands of residents with homes that are uninhabitable.  According to a NOAA report, the storm ranked as the costliest disaster in the U.S. for 2022 and racked up a total cost of $112.9 billion in damages.  Many insureds who were affected called Corless Law Group to receive adequate compensation.  We still have property owners reach out about Hurricane Ian claims and will continue to fight for their rights to coverage.

We work with numerous stakeholders, including engineers and claims adjusters, on Hurricane Ian cases.  We guide our clients through every step of the claims process.  You should be aware of your rights under your insurance policy because many policyholders who file claims may find that the compensation the insurance company proposes is less than adequate to cover replacement or repair costs.  

Victims of storms should consider seeking assistance from an experienced and knowledgeable property damage attorney.  Corless Law Group has successfully handled thousands of property damage cases involving hurricanes and severe storms.

Preparing for a hurricane or tropical storm before the season begins will ensure you have plenty of time to gather supplies and stock up on other resources while reviewing the details of your insurance policy.  If your home or business suffers damage, you will want to hire a seasoned Florida hurricane insurance claims attorney for assistance in recovering all of the money you are owed under your policy.

If you are a homeowner, business owner, Community Managed Association, or serve on the Board of your Homeowner’s Association, a property damage attorney can help you receive full and fair compensation in an insurance dispute.  We are your top storm damage attorneys serving insureds throughout the Sunshine State. 

Property owners may face resistance from insurance companies who are determined to deny or delay valid claims as well as minimize payments.  We have secured record-setting verdicts and settlements for Florida insureds who experienced property damage due to a hurricane or severe storm. 

Corless Law Group has a well-deserved reputation as dedicated advocates for policyholders. We offer free consultations and the sooner you contact our office, the sooner we can get started on your property damage claim.  Call us today at 813-258-4998. 

AI and ChatGPT are no longer just buzzwords.  This cutting-edge technology contributes to more economical firm management.  Not only does AI save time, but it produces more accurate, higher-quality legal research, eDiscovery, litigation strategies, document drafting and management, risk assessment and predictive analytics for legal outcomes.  

This paradigm shift in the legal industry allows for labor-intensive tasks to be accomplished by AI while adding tremendous value and amplifying efficiencies and client growth.  In many cases, AI augments what humans do and frees them up to take on higher-level tasks such as advising clients, negotiating deals and appearing in court, mediations and arbitrations. 

Law firms that fail to capitalize on the power of AI will be unable to remain cost-competitive, losing clients and undermining their ability to attract and retain talent. As a result, Corless Law Group has created tools and services to assist fellow attorneys and other law firms in the following AI-related areas: 

• Artificial Intelligence 
• ChatGPT
• Apps
• Matterport 3D technology
• Virtual Reality
• Storage to organize huge amounts of complex data that can be used to make vital decisions
• Tools that minimize risk using predictive coding and continuous active analysis in order to learn which documents matter most, and to mark the right time to act on a case

At Corless Law Group, we can provide leverageable technology to help you transform your legal practice, regardless of firm size, geographic location or practice area.  We will help you establish goals and maintain data quality, all while providing sound and savvy legal advice surrounding these new technologies.  

Call 813-258-4998 to see how our AI tools and services can assist you in streamlining your cases to lead to more success inside and outside the courtroom.  Used correctly, AI can generate both quantifiable and indirect benefits while maintaining a human touch.  From onboarding, tech support and best practices for implementation, Corless Law Group is your partner in this exciting new AI ecosystem to guide you through the intersection of law and technology.  

Our Florida wind damage law firm has successfully litigated and resolved property damage claims related to wind caused by hurricanes, tornadoes, thunderstorms, hail, and heavy rain events.  We are passionate about protecting property owners’ rights as wind may cause significant damage or total destruction, including blown-off roofs, damage from falling trees, water intrusion, broken doors/windows/screens, and other losses.  We work with a team of experts, including professional engineers, roofers, and contractors to ensure properties are repaired correctly and completely.  

An attorney from Corless Law Group can meet with you to discuss your legal options and the details of your wind damage claim, at no cost.  Put our 25+ years of experience to work for you.  To arrange a free consultation regarding your property damage case, call 813-258-4998.

Conveniently located in Tampa, Florida our wind damage law firm represents and counsels policyholder clients throughout the Sunshine State.  If you have suffered damage to your property and are not sure what your policy includes, our wind damage attorney can review your insurance policy and advise you of your next best steps for receiving full and fair compensation. 

Additionally, in cases where an insurance company does not act ethically when investigating and resolving your wind damage claim, we can file a bad faith action and successfully seek punitive damages on your behalf.  

Our Florida wind damage claims law firm knows how to analyze policy language and handle any disputes regarding coverage or exclusions.  When it comes to wind damage claims, acting quickly is vital in order to document the damages and help you get the full amount you need to repair or rebuild your property after a storm. 

Corless Law Group is the most powerful name in Large Loss property damage claims.  We provide legal solutions to large, complex losses which usually involve either multi-unit dwellings or massive, interconnected commercial spaces with several floors and buildings. These Large Losses tend to have compensation in the multi-million dollar range. 

For example, we secured a historic $12.7 million verdict against Citizens Property Insurance for sinkhole damage in Pinellas County on behalf of a condo association.  Built in the 1980s, Cloverplace is a duplex community in which 120 buildings (240 units) are home to about 500 people, including young families and retirees.  The figure of $12.7 million was the estimated amount it would take to stabilize 83 of the damaged units in Cloverplace.

Recognized as leaders in the field of property damage claims and high-stakes insurance disputes, Corless Law Group is a trial law firm committed to helping policyholders throughout Florida.  We are the go-to law firm representing large properties and Large Losses.  We utilize an aggressive, tenacious approach to help clients receive the compensation they deserve for various types of real estate damage and property loss. 

We represent owners of commercial and residential property, and we have a unique depth of resources and experience filing and litigating Large Loss claims.  Our legal services help insured’s address issues associated with Large Losses, including hurricane and storm claims, wind and tornado damage, fire damage, roof damage, water and mold damage, and sinkholes. 

If your commercial or residential property damage claim has been delayed, denied or underpaid, contact us at 813-258-4998 for a free, no-obligation consultation .  Our Large Loss law firm has helped individual homeowners, HOAs, Boards of Directors, and business owners secure more than $500 million in insurance coverage after property damage. Find out how our firsthand knowledge of Large Loss claims can significantly benefit you. 

Lloyd’s of London is at the center of the insurance world when it comes to coverage for property damage disputes, and Corless Law Group offers unparalleled, goal-oriented legal strategies and solutions for Lloyd’s of London arbitration.  Many Lloyd’s insurance policies today require the arbitration of disputes with the application of New York law in New York, and Corless Law Group has extensive experience with this arbitration paradigm.  The result is an ability for our firm to transform insurance-related disputes into fair and efficient resolutions.

Corless Law Group is a high-stakes insurance dispute and property damage law firm dedicated to providing the highest quality representation for our policyholder clients.  The firm is uniquely qualified to handle complex insurance disputes and arbitration matters, especially since this form of alternative dispute resolution has become increasingly cost-effective, private, flexible, and expeditious.  

Other law firms routinely retain us for our success and sophistication in addressing the nuances surrounding Lloyd’s arbitration claims.  In the area of property damage disputes, these cases often involve a coastal issue and Lloyd’s syndicates the risk as they put together a group of insurers.  Therefore, Florida policyholders must be prepared for the rarefied world of applying New York law in these arbitration proceedings. 

Corless Law Group serves as effective co-counsel every step of the way to evaluate these types of claims on their merits and then provide a roadmap to achieving full compensation. It is important to partner with a law firm that has experience resolving these claims through arbitration.  Lloyd’s arbitration requires personal attention, strong and specialized advocacy, skilled negotiation, and collaboration.  As a team, we work tirelessly towards a singular goal – maximizing compensation that clients rightfully and justly deserve.  

“On a daily basis we focus on ensuring that our clients receive individualized legal services of the highest caliber.  As a 25+ year veteran litigator, I am proud to offer our turnkey services in the successful resolution of Lloyd’s arbitration hearings.  We work with various stakeholders including other lawyers, law firms, and individual policyholders to achieve the best possible result,” says Ted Corless.  

The breadth and depth of Corless Law Group’s knowledge, experience, and integrity is evidenced by building a team of experts, conducting major investigations, utilizing AR/VR technology, and achieving record-setting results.  We have handled dozens of Lloyd’s arbitration insurance matters and high-stakes insurance disputes of all sizes including:

• $500+ Million in Total Case Results 
• $10+ Million Recovered in Lloyd’s of London Arbitration Cases
• Arbitrated Historic Loss Involving 20+ Condo Units

If you think that you could benefit from speaking with a legal professional at Corless Law Group about your Lloyd’s of London arbitration or insurance dispute, contact us at 813-258-4998. We look forward to assisting you.

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Our goal at Corless Law Group is to help property owners recover as quickly and as fully as possible after a storm strikes. If you have residential or commercial property damage after Hurricane Ian, allow us to get you the compensation you deserve from your insurance company.  Hurricane Ian has left catastrophic property damage across the Sunshine State, from Punta Gorda and Sarasota to Tampa, Orlando, and Daytona.  Homeowners and business owners who have sustained property damage should not have to struggle to get the money they deserve from their insurance policy. Corless Law Group insurance claims attorneys are fierce advocates for policyholders who have experienced storm damage to their property.  We have successfully represented thousands of homeowners and business owners in the State of Florida for the past 25 years. 

Remember to take photos or videos of the damage to your property.  Make a list of all the damaged items, including their make, model, and serial number.  Additionally, get your property inspected by a licensed professional because the effects of a hurricane may be subtle and sometimes they can only be uncovered by a professional. 

All homes and businesses should be carefully inspected for damage to roofs, siding, fences, and other structural elements.  Common types of property damage associated with hurricanes include:

• Flood/water damage
• Toxic mold
• Tornadoes/wind damage
• Flying debris-related damage
• Smoke/fire damage
• Temporary relocation expenses 
• Broken windows and doors
• Cleanup expenses 

If Hurricane Ian damages your property, let our experienced team of lawyers and engineers get you the legal protection you deserve and the maximum compensation possible.  We will carefully review your insurance policy and inspection reports as well as assess your property damage claims.  With over $500 million in jury verdicts and negotiated settlements, we have experience dealing with Large Loss, complex insurance claims.  

Contact us as soon as you can at 813-258-4998.  Our Tampa-based law firm counsels and represents insureds throughout Florida.  We will not allow insurance companies to undervalue, delay or deny valid property damage claims.  We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to help you in a crisis.