The greater the complexity of the loss, the more frequent collaboration and sharing of resources is essential.  Lawyers who seek expertise in cases that compel punitive damages stemming from property insurance disputes should not hesitate to contact us at 813-258-4998.  Our seasoned, skillful insurance lawyers will show you why you need a trial lawyer who can successfully litigate these unique claims.  

A lot of firms can’t produce the same type of quality results when it comes to securing the permission required by the courts to sue insurers for punitive damages when they engage in bad faith practices.  As a result, these firms outsource or co-source the niche work related to litigating bad faith insurance disputes.  It is the best of both worlds.  Our goal is to provide seamless and efficient legal support services so other law firms can focus on their core legal activities.

Trials are fundamental to the administration of justice.  But not every lawyer is a trial lawyer, and not every trial lawyer has experience litigating bad faith cases or getting permission from the courts to sue insurers for lucrative punitive damages.  Repetitive conduct of forcing insureds into discounting or delaying claims by insureds can be challenging to collect and understand.  Examining the conduct of an insurer in multiple jurisdictions over years or even decades requires a strategy.  Many times, a case justifies hiring a data analyst who can gain access to behind-the-scenes activity by an insurer in the public record or through appropriately targeted Freedom of Information Act (“FOIA”) requests.  Only then can you demonstrate the necessary foundation to permit the court to allow you to seek punitive damages against an insurer, under Section 624.155, Florida Statutes, better known as the Florida’s Bad Faith Statute.

This synergistic model allows attorneys to outsource their work to external vendors like us who have subject matter expertise in a particular area of law.  It has become a popular concept for lawyers who are constantly trying to minimize their operating cost and maximize outside counsel’s competencies, putting their track record of success to the best use. 

Think of outsourcing as co-sourcing your legal services.  It is a collaborative process to increase profitability and maximize compensation and damages for the client. When other law firms hire us, they get more experience, better service, better quality, and their bad faith and punitive damage case’s value increases exponentially.  

With more than $500 million achieved in case results, Corless Barfield Trial Group can walk you through successes involving bad faith claims, insurance disputes, and punitive damages.  Turn to a trial lawyer who has the experience investigating and litigating these types of cases.  If you’re ready to speak to a member of our team, we encourage you to call us at 813-258-4998.  We look forward to assisting you. 

Peak hurricane season in the Atlantic Basin has begun.  Hurricane season lasts through the end of November, with its peak running from mid-August to mid-October.  NOAA has doubled down on its initial seasonal forecast issued in May by announcing that the season will continue to be above-average.  In fact, you are probably well-aware that Hurricane Ida pummeled the Gulf Coast, leaving major destruction in Louisiana.  Search and rescue efforts have begun.  

If you’re on the Gulf Coast or the Atlantic Ocean, maintain your vigilance and storm preparation plans as August through October are our peak months for tropical cyclone development.  Nearly 90% of hurricanes occur after August 1st, and the statistics also say that nearly 95% of our major hurricanes occur after August 1st.  

August is historically the month the tropical Atlantic begins kicking into high gear.  Sea surface temperatures continue to climb across the Atlantic, and wind shear begins to decrease, which results in August seeing the biggest increase in tropical activity of the entire hurricane season. 

Strong winds, heavy rains, and storm surge can wreak havoc on a property (residential and commercial), causing roof damage, structural damage, water damage, broken glass, fire damage, business losses, and landscape damage, to name a few.  The property damage lawyers at Corless Barfield Trial Group maximize insurance recovery after a severe storm or hurricane loss for our policyholder clients.  We’ve secured half a billion dollars worth of case results for insureds.  

Corless Barfield Trial Group assists clients in all phases of their storm damage claim, from initial damage evaluation through litigation and appeal, if necessary.  Call 813-258-4998 as we’re available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. 

We provide free consultations, employ a team of experts, and will travel to you anywhere in Florida.  We can help you with an ongoing storm damage dispute or with filing a new claim against your homeowner’s insurance company.

As a Large Loss law firm, we have the expertise to handle multi-unit dwelling property damage claims associated with tropical storms and hurricanes, and help policyholders get the coverage they are entitled to under their insurance policy.  Put our 25+ years of exceptional negotiation and litigation experience and results to good use for you.  

The hurricane property damage claim attorneys at Corless Barfield Trial Group have extensive experience helping clients obtain full compensation from their insurers.  We will fight for your rights to receive costs associated with structural damage, property damage, and relocation as well as other business expenses associated with a tropical storm or hurricane loss.  If you have suffered damage from a storm and are unsure of the extent of your damages, the cost to repair, or the value of your insurance claim, call us at 813-258-4998 or email service@corlessbarfield.com.  

The winter of 2021 is already historic, with the majority of the U.S. seeing the coldest (and iciest) weather in memory, including in areas not accustomed to extreme cold conditions.  Winter and ice storm advisories stretch from the Gulf Coast up to New England, across the Midwest and impact the Pacific Northwest.  Deep freezes and dangerously low temperatures have triggered rotating blackouts, leaving four million people without power at a time.

One of the hallmarks of climate change and global warming is these wild swings in temperature, precipitation, and the number of severe storms.  Judge Lina Hidalgo of Harris County, Texas said, “We’re seeing, basically, the winter version of Hurricane Harvey.” 

Global Warming’s Impact on Storms

Devastating hurricanes, torrential floods, crippling tornadoes, and even severe winter storms are extreme weather phenomena that result from global warming, and they can cause untold, deadly damage along with major property destruction.  

Planet Earth’s climate is changing and ocean water temperature is warming.  This change is leading to increased intensity of tropical storms and property damage.  The latest research shows the trend is likely to continue as long as the climate continues to warm.  

Hurricanes will continue to be one of the most destructive weather events on the planet.  In particular, hurricanes are retaining far more of their strength when they hit land because of global warming.  The warmer the water temperatures, the more heat energy is available and the higher the potential for tropical cyclones to develop.  The warmer the air is, the more moisture it can hold and the more rain it produces.  It’s a recipe for property damage disasters. 

2020 had a record-breaking hurricane season. The first predictions for the 2021 hurricane season courtesy of Colorado State University reveal that 2021 is likely to be another active year. The rationale?  The Pacific Ocean’s phase is currently in a moderate La Niña pattern, which typically allows for more favorable conditions for tropical storms and hurricanes. 

Benefits of Hiring a Hurricane Insurance Claims Lawyer

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) has released the final 2020 update to its Billion-dollar disaster report, officially confirming that there were 22 separate billion-dollar weather and climate disasters across the U.S., shattering previous annual records.  The 22 events – including tropical cyclones and other severe storms – cost the nation a combined $95 billion in damages. 

The danger to property when we’re talking about hurricanes and tornadoes is serious.  With a combination of stronger storms, sea levels rising, increased coastal populations, and infrastructure exposure, damages and disruptions will continue to mount.

Florida property owners rely on insurance to protect them and cover losses caused by hurricanes and other storms. But it is necessary to hire a hurricane insurance lawyer to maximize coverage and help process insurance claims, especially Large Loss ones involving multi-unit dwellings.  

After suffering hurricane or storm damage, property owners may choose to file a claim with their insurance to seek coverage for damage. However, insurance companies’ first line of defense is to delay, deny or offer an amount that is insufficient to compensate a property owner for damage.  That is why you need the help of a knowledgeable hurricane insurance claims lawyer.

Our lawyers have extensive experience interpreting the language within property insurance policies and fighting for claims payouts that are fair for property owners who have sustained property damage in the aftermath of a hurricane or storm.  Speak to a member of our law firm today.  Call 813-258-4998 or email service@corlessbarfield.com.

EYE OF THE STORM.  Washington is thousands of miles away from Florida but even the governor of the Evergreen State understands the precipitous times Floridians are living in when it comes to hurricanes. How do you maximize recovery after a hurricane or other type of severe storm to ensure your family, property, and business is taken care of?  Policyholders have a right to receive the full benefits under their insurance policy. 

Hurricanes cause tremendous damage to residential and commercial properties. Property owners face resistance by insurance companies that are determined to deny or delay claims as well as minimize payments.  Corless Barfield Trial Group’s goal is to provide quality legal services for Florida homeowners, business owners, Board of Directors for Community Managed Associations, Homeowners Associations, and other kinds of multi-unit dwellings that have experienced property damage due to a storm. 

LEGAL EAGLES.  Our attorneys successfully handle property damage claims, and they are happy to speak with you for free and answer your questions.  Contact us now at 813-258-4998. Do not wait to retain an aggressive, strategically-focused attorney to represent you and your rights.

Our compassionate and knowledgeable Florida property damage attorneys have helped residents secure the full and fair compensation they need to fix their homes and get their lives back on track after hurricanes and other devastating storms.  The attorneys at the firm of Corless Barfield Trial Group can help you solve your hurricane or storm property damage crisis. 

SUNSHINE STATE SOLUTIONS. Florida is no stranger to hurricanes, and countless times our residents have seen their homes, businesses, and properties ravaged by these forceful storms. Our Tampa-based law firm prides itself on the ability to provide clients throughout the state of Florida with unsurpassed legal representation and responsiveness.  

Insurance companies make a profit for their investors when they receive more in premiums than they pay out in claims. Insurers have an incentive to pay as little as possible to Florida policyholders when they file claims for property damage. 

MONEYBALL. You’ve got to be a baller lawyer in this industry to aggressively and triumphantly fight insurance companies on behalf of policyholder clients.  Our Florida property insurance claims lawyers have extensive experience helping clients demand full and fair compensation for hurricane and severe storm damage.

“Yes, a dark time passed over this land, but now there is something like light,” observed award-winning author Dave Eggers after Hurricane Katrina.  Corless Barfield Trial Group seeks to be that light for clients in times of darkness. Corless Barfield Trial Group has handled hundreds of property damage cases and collected hundreds of millions of dollars for policyholders. 

Contact us today at 813-258-4998 for a free consultation from one of our experienced hurricane and storm damage attorneys. 

Stay informed

The most important thing you can do to protect your home is to know when the damage may occur. Be aware of your surroundings, keep up with the weather, and pay attention to storm alerts. Be aware that even if the storm has followed a certain path at a certain strength, the weather is unpredictable, and one should expect the unexpected. Therefore, if a strong storm will be making its way near you, prepare yourself as if it were expected to fall on your home, as there’s no reason why a storm can’t “change its mind”.

Protect outdoor items

Even something as innocuous as a solar light can cause damage to your home in high winds. In order to protect your outdoor items and your home, remove lawn furniture, outdoor decor, and other outdoor items.  Store them in an outbuilding, or beneath your home. If you cannot move them inside or to any other safe storage area, group them together and close to a wall, as they’re less likely to be picked up by wind that way. Do not move them near windows, no matter how lightweight the items are or how strong your shutters are.

Maintenance is important as well. Ensuring that your trees are trimmed and dead limbs are removed is vital to the safety of your home during a storm. If you know that storm season is approaching, this is especially important. You also want to make sure that your roof is in top condition, and repair any damages as soon as they occur. This is especially important if you live in a storm prone area. Loose branches, tiles, or any other debris can do a lot of damage to your home in strong winds.

Flooding

If there is a chance that your home will flood, you should shut off your main electric breaker. This will protect you and your home from fires or otherwise destroyed wiring and electrics. You should also roll up any throw rugs and remove furniture that could be damaged by water, and store them on a higher floor or on top of other furniture. Do not leave any items on the floor, especially items that you don’t want to see destroyed.

Flooding can affect your home from the outside as well. Make sure your gutters are clear, and be aware of any cracks or weaknesses in your foundation. These repairs will ensure that heavy waters do not overwhelm and destroy your home, which can lead to mold and insect infestation (besides the obvious water damage).

Indoor items

When you know a severe storm is coming that could do damage to your home, be sure to secure the items within your home. If you are in danger of experiencing high winds, secure the windows and clear the windowsills. In case water does get into your home, close all doors and secure all openings such as mantles and fireplaces. This way, any inevitable flooding may be somewhat contained.

You may also be interested in:

Florida Hurricane Insurance: Be Prepared
What Causes Water Damage?
How to Avoid Home Insurance Disputes