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 Florida lawmakers most notably repealed the one-way attorney’s fee provision that has long governed property insurance lawsuits within the state.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.   

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. 

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.    

Damage to your home or business from natural disasters can create hazardous living conditions that demand immediate attention and repairs or replacement.  Your home insurance policy will likely cover some natural disasters and weather events, including wind, hail, lightning, and wildfires.  However floods and sinkholes are often excluded from insurance coverage because they are considered “ground movements.” Flooding may require a completely separate flood insurance policy or upgrading a basic policy to give you protection.  

The value of your insurance claim will depend on the kind of policy you have, what exclusions are associated with your policy, what kind of property coverage you have purchased, and your deductible. Determining the value of your homeowner’s insurance claim involves understanding your policy in full, reading the fine print, knowing the kind of documentation and support you’ll need to provide, and getting estimates of the value of damages to your property.

Being prepared for natural disasters and taking the right steps following property damage can have an enormously positive impact on your ability to receive a fair settlement, especially when dealing with insurance companies.  To that end, insurance companies are usually more concerned with preserving their bottom line than providing their policyholders with the benefits they bargained for.  Insurers will attempt to delay, deny or underpay valid claims, which is why having a knowledgeable property damage attorney fighting for your rights is essential.

Corless Law Group serves clients throughout the Sunshine State, and we have a history of record-setting settlements and verdicts.  Our Large Loss trial law firm has a reputation for powerful advocacy, experience in high-stakes trial work, and managing a complex multi-million dollar civil litigation practice. We are here to protect your rights and help you recover the maximum compensation for damages to your home or business after a natural disaster.  To help take the confusion out of a property damage insurance dispute you may have, contact us at 813-258-4998.  

Florida’s property insurance catastrophe has led to companies leaving the state, others filing for bankruptcy, some choosing to nonrenew large swaths of insurance policies, and others drastically tightening their policy eligibility requirements. Insureds are stunned by the massive price hikes on premiums, policy cancellation notices, and companies shedding policies.

Insureds’ options in Florida have become limited, and consumers are facing dire consequences. The insurance industry in the Sunshine State is not sustainable. Insurers must pay legitimate property damage claims as doing so will save insurers money and help consumers.

Lawsuits are not the root cause of the insurance industry’s present problems. In fact, litigation is only incentivized when insurers fail to pay legitimate claims. Denying or delaying payment of valid claims cost insurers because that means property damage insurance lawyers like myself must litigate for what the insurance company legitimately owes my client. Then, when we look under the hood, we uncover bad faith insurance practices, which often leads to punitive damages that the insurer owes on top of the principal or cost of repairs. (Insurance bad faith exists when an insurer fails to honor the fair claim of the insured or unlawfully mishandles a claim.)

Governor Ron DeSantis says Florida fights around 100,000 insurance claims in court each year. Florida homeowners don’t want to be unjustly enriched; rather, they want roofs over their heads, sinkholes repaired, and water/mold removed after a storm strikes, to name just a few types of property damage claims we see here at Corless Law Group.

The governor agreed to a special legislative session – from May 23 through May 27 – to address the property insurance crisis of dropped coverage and higher costs. The special session should consider reforms, which will include insurance executives being questioned under oath in order to pave the way for consumer protections and relief that everyday Floridians so desperately need. We must protect Florida consumers. (The session, however, will not include condominium reforms, which is surprising given the deadly Surfside condo collapse.)

Corless Law Group counsels and advises residential and commercial policyholders whose valid claims have been delayed, denied or underpaid by their insurance companies. With over $500 million recovered for policyholders, allow us to show you how we successfully resolve property damage disputes. Call 813-258-4998 today.

Trial lawyers have a unique set of skills, knowledge and proficiency, and are at a tactical advantage against non-trial lawyers. At Corless Law Group, we don’t just anticipate a jury trial, we expect it from Day One. With valuable assets at stake like your home and business property, hiring an experienced trial lawyer shows you are ready to go the distance to protect your interests if an insurer attempts to delay, deny or underpay your claim. We have secured record-setting results in the most complex property disputes, and the reason is always the same: Like athletes, we win because we prepare, prepare again and then prepare some more.

Corless Law Group consistently demonstrates a high level of courtroom prowess and acumen. We have a special training in advocacy beyond the standard experience of every lawyer. The trial lawyers at Corless Law Group anticipate – from the filing of the case through the discovery phase – what challenges will be faced at the ultimate trial and we are equipped to minimize those challenges.

We offer innovative problem-solving for a wide range of insurance disputes, property damage claims and bad faith cases. We have tried more punitive damage cases than many other lawyers have tried slip-and-fall cases or rear-end collisions. Our familiarity with burdens of proof, evidentiary rules and judicial requirements sets us apart and gives the policyholder the best chance at a favorable outcome. After the claim is filed, if you look close enough you know what to hunt for, and it is in those early stages where the most important details are born before your very eyes.

A trial attorney is a specific breed of barrister. Trial work requires a specific set of skills, training and advanced education, which is learned in school and then polished over decades until the lawyer turns the rules of evidence into muscle memory.

While approximately 90% of cases settle outside of court, many non-trial attorneys fail to prepare adequately for trial under the expectation that their cases will resolve themselves. In fact, property damage claims are the most common types of cases tried to verdict, likely due to the amount of money involved. The bigger the dispute, the more money insurers can justify fighting their insureds over what they owe. Frequently, if the insurer can slow the litigation process, they think the property owner and their lawyers will lose steam. Not on my watch. Corless Law Group is always prepared to go to court.

As of this writing, Corless Law Group is preparing for not one, but two multi-million dollar trials, between now and June 1. I have a history of winning high-value, Large Loss insurance disputes in the courtroom. I handle most trials in the First Chair (lead attorney) position, which is not an experience or skill that many trial lawyers possess. I also surround myself with experts during trial preparation, such as professional engineers, forensic accountants, graphic designers, video editors, data analysts and technologists.

With 25+ years of trial experience under my belt in state and federal court throughout multiple jurisdictions, I am at home in a courtroom fighting for the rights of my clients. Many times, like a sports team, I am recruited by clients as well as other law firms to bring my perspective to the matter at hand.

My goal is to seek full and fair compensation while advocating for justice, which means holding insurance companies accountable. Contact Corless Law Group at 813-258-4998 if you’ve experienced property damage and your insurer is attempting to delay, deny or underpay your valid claim. Let’s get ‘em.

No one expects to become a victim of a residential or commercial business fire.  Investigators in Colorado continue to weigh the cause of the fires that, with the help of ferocious winds, swept east into Superior and Louisville.  If you have experienced property damage or property loss due to a fire, it is essential to consult a law firm that has experience litigating these types of disputes. 

Corless Law Group guides residential and commercial property owners through each step of the process to secure full compensation for their property damage insurance claims.  Call us today at 813-258-4998 for a free consultation.

Scientists say climate change is making weather more extreme and wildfires more frequent and destructive.  The fires charred numerous neighborhoods in a suburban area northwest of Denver and high winds pushed flames that fed on bone-dry grasses and vegetation on open spaces to suburban subdivisions.  Global warming increases the risk of the hot, dry weather that fuels wildfires.  About 90 percent of Boulder County was in severe or extreme drought last Dec.  Denver set a record for consecutive days without snow before it got a small storm on Dec. 10.  The fires, fueled by dry conditions and winds that gusted more than 100 mph, were blamed for destroying more than a thousand structures. 

Most homes affected by the raging wildfires in Colorado were completely destroyed.  The fires caused severe property damage to both structures and personal belongings.  A fire damage insurance claim could also include potential lost wages and business interruption losses.  Even partial property damage caused by a fire can make a house unlivable or require costly repairs.  Additionally, fires can damage heating and cooling systems as well as plumbing.

Unfortunately, rarely do insurance providers act swiftly and fairly to pay your fire, smoke, water, electrical or soot damage claim.  Many policyholders experience unfair delays, low-ball settlement offers or claim denials, which is why you need an experienced lawyer fighting for your rights.  

Our fire damage lawyers go to court and will fight for our clients’ rights.  We know how important it is for you to recover the full value of your claim and especially Large Loss insurance claims involving multi-unit buildings.  

Corless Law Group is an elite, boutique law firm focused on securing maximum compensation for clients involved in property damage disputes.  With more than $500 million achieved in case results, turn to a trial law firm that has the experience investigating and litigating property damage claims.  For a free consultation, get in touch with us today by calling 813-258-4998.  

There is no bigger sporting event in the U.S. than the Super Bowl.  On Sunday, Feb. 7, Super Bowl LV will take place in our own backyard.  Kickoff is slated for 6:30 p.m. ET at Raymond James Stadium, home of the Buccaneers, in Tampa, Florida.  

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will be the first NFL team to play the big game in their home stadium.  The Bucs will face-off against the reigning champion Kansas City Chiefs.  Full disclosure:  CBTG Founder and Partner Ted Corless is a longtime, proud member of #ChiefsKingdom.  

Bucs quarterback Tom Brady looks to capture a seventh ring in his NFL-record 10th Super Bowl appearance while Chiefs’ quarterback Patrick Mahomes looks to go back to back as the youngest QB to appear in consecutive Super Bowls.

While the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will be the first team in league history to host the Super Bowl, they won’t have a home-field advantage.  Raymond James Stadium, where the Bucs play, features a large pirate ship which fires off multiple rounds from cannons when the team scores a touchdown. However, in an effort to make the site as neutral as possible, the NFL has informed Tampa Bay that the team will not be allowed to fire cannons during the game. 

The Face Mask Rule

The big game is set against the backdrop of a raging pandemic with new strains emerging every day.  Tampa, a city of 388,000, has had more than 55,000 coronavirus cases. To stop the spread of COVID-19, Tampa Mayor Jane Castor (D) issued an executive order making masks required outside Super Bowl event areas such as downtown, the Riverwalk, Ybor City, Channel District, and neighborhoods around Raymond James Stadium.  Face masks will also be required to attend the game, as well as for all those who pass through Tampa International Airport. 

Touchdown 

Corless Barfield Trial Group is a high-stakes insurance dispute and property damage law firm located in Tampa.  We advocate on behalf of insureds throughout Florida, and aggressively represent policyholders whose insurance claims have been underpaid, delayed or denied.  

We work as one team from the office and remotely in order to offer clients the best of both worlds in the age of coronavirus. With safety measures firmly in place, our office at 6812 W. Linebaugh Ave. remains a vibrant and vital space for collaboration, client meetings, Continuing Education classes, hearings, as well as mediation, arbitration, and trials.  Our goal is always the same:  Help solve your toughest and most complex legal issues …. wherever you are.

You can’t play today’s game with yesterday’s rules.  We are devoting the full breadth of our combined capabilities, skills, and experience to help clients through their insurance claims and lawsuits.  CBTG continues to adapt to a virtual courtroom.  If you believe you could benefit from speaking to a lawyer about your insurance dispute or property damage claim, please call us at 813-258-4998.   We’re open and available 365 days a year. 

Game Plan 

We want you to have a safe game plan for the Super Bowl.  The Super Bowl is the No. 1 at-home party event of the year but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has consistently warned against hosting large, indoor gatherings with people you don’t live with.  Remember to wear masks; stay 6 feet apart; use hand sanitizer; avoid crowds and poorly ventilated places; and wash your hands.  Taking precautions today can significantly help you tomorrow.  

As a nationally recognized insurance dispute and property damage trial law firm, we are known for securing record-breaking results for our clients.  Nevertheless,  the coronavirus crisis continues to impact Florida courts.  Most courts have not been allowed to move forward in their plans to reopen for in-person trials due to a rise in COVID-19 cases and more contagious strains of the virus.

Recently, some criminal trials have begun to take place but criminal cases take priority over civil lawsuits.  In fact, the Florida court system has asked civil trial judges to step in to assist with the backlog of criminal trials.  As a result, many civil cases must wait until courts have cleared the logjam of criminal cases.

Corless Barfield Trial Group is proud to participate in Florida’s first federal civil jury trial to take place entirely via Zoom in a case styled Cheryl Staple v. Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company.  However, trials in the era of COVID are the exception rather than the rule. 

Judges state they do not expect civil trials to start back up in earnest until June 2021 at the earliest.  Courts are adapting their operations to establish a new normal, which includes very limited in-person hearings and remote jury trials.  As such, patience and perseverance must be practiced. 

If you have an insurance dispute or property damage claim, you should speak with a lawyer.  Any delay in seeking representation can lead to a loss of evidence and fewer opportunities to successfully resolve your claim.  If you are engaged in a dispute over the following, call 813-258-4998:

• Sinkhole Damage
• Flood Damage
• Fire Damage
• Wind Damage
• Hurricane/Storm Damage
• Life Insurance
• Construction Defects
• Mold Damage

Our goal is for your case to move forward in a timely manner.  Please be assured that we have a plan in place and that our firm will always work hard to ensure success.  We will make every effort to exceed client expectations during the coronavirus crisis. 

Above all, be safe and take care of yourselves and your families.  If you have any questions or concerns, please contact our office.