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 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. 

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.  

At Corless Law Group, we help storm victims maximize recovery for their insurance claims due to property damage.  Our hurricane insurance attorneys protect policyholders’ rights in complex, “Large Loss” residential and commercial property insurance claim disputes.  Call us anytime at 813-258-4998 for a free consultation either before or after your claim is made.    

We understand the havoc caused by a hurricane.  Before a storm strikes, it is important to read your insurance policy language and regulations that may affect your coverage and payout in the event of property damage or loss.  Take photos and videos of your home and possessions before a storm hits.  Gather all important documents, records, and receipts. 

We’ll work hard to achieve the best possible outcome for you through mediation, arbitration, negotiation or court, and ensure that the contractual agreements of your policy are upheld in full by your insurance company.

Insurance companies will interpret policies as they see fit in order to delay, deny or underpay valid claims to save money.  Corless Law Group has a unique ability to handle complex residential and commercial insurance dispute cases as we work with a variety of experts to maximize the value of insureds’ claims. 

We represent a broad base of clients, ranging from individual homeowners and business owners to condominium associations, boards of directors, property managers, LCAMs, and multi-unit dwelling owners that have experienced property damage due to hurricanes or other severe storm events.

Our team is a vital resource that provides peace of mind, counsel, and representation.  We’ll work to ensure that your insurance company properly applies the provisions in your policy and complies with the laws surrounding your claim.  Our dedicated legal team is ready to litigate on your behalf should an insurer wrongly delay, deny or underpay a valid claim.  Our goal is to make sure insurance claims are processed justly. 

If you are involved in a coverage dispute with an insurance company involving residential or commercial property insurance anywhere in Florida, our law firm can provide the successful support and guidance you need.  The experienced attorneys of Corless Law Group will work diligently to help you obtain the compensation you deserve following a natural disaster.  Call our firm today 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.

During Hurricane Preparedness Week, everyone who lives in a hurricane-prone community should take time to ensure they have adequate legal and financial protection for their property and possessions while also taking steps to make their home or business more resilient to the impacts of storm damage.  The 2022 Atlantic hurricane season begins on June 1 and ends on Nov. 30.  

Predictions from scientists at Colorado State University say there will be at least 19 named storms and nine hurricanes in 2022. An average season normally has 14 named storms.  This year’s storm season is expected to bring above-normal activity.  Storm damage can include wind, flood, fires, mold, lightning, hail, and tornadoes.  

Corless Law Group takes a results-oriented approach to litigating storm damage claims while passionately protecting the rights of residential and commercial property owners.  During Hurricane Preparedness Week, it is important to complete the following: 

• Determine your risk
• Develop an evacuation plan
• Assemble disaster supplies/emergency kit, including food and water to get you through seven days plus a first aid kit and a weather radio with batteries in case the power goes out
• Collect important documents related to your house, car, and medications
• Start your insurance review process by reading the declarations page of your policy for details on how much coverage you have, your deductibles, and how a claim will be paid
• Strengthen and secure your home
• Keep cash on hand if ATMs and credit card readers are not working or accessible due to hurricanes or related outages

Property owners who pay insurance premiums to make sure they are covered for storm damage are often disappointed when they discover that the process of filing a claim, collecting what they think is owed to them, and getting repairs made satisfactorily is frustrating because their insurance company attempts to delay, deny or underpay valid claims and repairs.  Corless Law Group doesn’t want to see this happen to you so call us at 813-258-4998 for a free, no-obligation consultation.  

The destructive path of hurricanes can reach far beyond the initial storm damage.  Storms can be financially devastating for someone whose home or business has been severely damaged or even completely destroyed.  It is important to understand the elements that might affect your insurance payout after a hurricane, so speak to our experienced property damage claim lawyers.   

We leave no stone unturned and try to provide you with the best possible outcome for your case.  While some property damage claim lawyers focus their practice on specific geographic areas of Florida, Corless Law Group has a track record of successfully litigating insurance disputes throughout the Sunshine State, from the Florida Keys to Daytona and Fort Myers to Tampa.   Florida’s coastal exposure means that when hurricanes hit, a lot of people are negatively impacted, which is why you need a property damage claims attorney fighting for your rights.  If your insurance company refuses to cover the extent of your hurricane damage, talk with an experienced hurricane and property damage attorney at Corless Law Group. 

For each case, I bring 25+ years of litigation experience handling insurance dispute cases.  Our team provides free consultations to review the details of your property damage claim to determine the best path forward.  Contact us at 813-258-4998.  We help Florida policyholders secure full and fair compensation to fix their property and get their lives back on track after hurricanes and other devastating storms. 

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.