Flood Damage Lawyer

Flood Damage Lawyer

Flood Damage Lawyer

Floods can result in extensive damage to homes and property. The costs can often extend beyond just the monetary impact, as the damage can often mean the loss of sentimental items as well. This can add to the stress and difficulty of the situation. All of these factors can make it challenging to seek compensation for your losses.

At the Law Office of Daniel G. Shay, we know what it takes to help victims of flood damage pursue the full compensation their insurance companies are responsible for. Critically, we also understand how to identify and hold other liable parties accountable when the insurance policy may not cover the full costs. We help flood damage victims seek the compensation that they need to get back to their lives.

What Can a Flood Lawyer Do?

A flood lawyer can serve a variety of critical functions for their clients. However, their central focus is seeing that their clients are properly compensated for the damage and property loss that they’ve suffered as a result of a flood.

Often, those who’ve suffered damage from a flood will need to first file a claim seeking compensation from their insurance company. This can be a complicated process, and any potential issues or errors could lead to a claim being denied or unnecessarily delayed. It’s important, then, that the claim be handled properly, and a skilled flood lawyer can assist with that process.

They can also look at the terms of your policy and help you understand what you’re owed. Through their efforts, a flood damage lawyer can make sure that you are properly compensated under the terms of your agreement.

Do I Need a Flood Damage Attorney to File an Insurance Claim?

You don’t have to work with an attorney when filing a flood damage insurance claim, but it’s often a wise decision to do so. There are a few different ways that an attorney could help with the process.

One of the most important tasks that they can assist with is looking closely at your policy and giving you some idea of what should be covered. It’s important that you have a solid grasp of what to expect from your insurance provider, as you may need to take legal action if they refuse to cover what they are supposed to, according to your policy.

A lawyer can also be helpful from a procedural aspect when navigating the claims process. A considerable amount of paperwork needs to be completed and submitted before critical deadlines pass. Errors, filing late, or other issues could jeopardize your claim, but allowing a lawyer to oversee the process can ensure that you don’t face those kinds of concerns.

Who Could Be Held Liable for a Flood?

There are times when even a properly filed and paid-out insurance claim still won’t cover all the costs of the damage caused by a flood. If that’s the case, it’s possible to seek compensation from another party who could be held liable, as long as it can be shown that their failure to take necessary and reasonable precautions allowed the flood damage to occur or failed to mitigate its impact. There are a few different parties who could be liable for your damages.

Governments

Infrastructure is crucial to reducing the risks of flood damage. In most cases, it’s the responsibility of governments to design and maintain this infrastructure. Drainage systems, zoning, flood control measures, and other tools are just some of the steps that governments can take to reduce the potential impact of flooding.

Failure to do this could lead to the government being liable. For instance, some citizens of San Diego are suing their local government for failures to take appropriate measures that they believe could have prevented the January 2024 floods, which damaged many homes and businesses.

Contractors or Developers

Proper construction can often have a critical role in mitigating flood damage or even preventing it altogether. When developers and contractors fail to properly adhere to building codes and construction standards, they may be liable for the damage that a flood could potentially cause.

Utility Companies

Sometimes, it’s the failure of the utility companies that may be responsible for flood damage. If their negligence can be shown to have contributed to a flooding event, those who suffer damage could attempt to hold them liable.

Potential Damage From Floods

Flood damage can take a variety of forms, depending on the intensity of the flooding, how prepared a property is for the possibility of flooding, how long the water remains, and other factors. Some of the most common areas where flood damage occurs include:

• Plumbing systems
• The HVAC system
• Electrical wiring
• The building’s exterior
• Walls, support beams, and other structures inside the building
• The foundation
• Damage to property inside the home, such as personal belongings

Get Help From an Experienced Flood Attorney

Flood damage can result in a challenging and stressful time. Repairing the damage, recovering financially, and filing the necessary insurance claims can be difficult.. It can sometimes be an emotionally taxing experience, particularly when the damage is extensive or has caused the loss of sentimental items. There is often a path to compensation for the losses, but that process can often carry its own challenges.

Whether you seek compensation through insurance or by filing a lawsuit against parties that may be responsible for the flood, the process could be lengthy and complicated. In many cases, both types of claims may be necessary, which can be even more overwhelming.

However, when you work with a talented attorney, they can be a tremendous help in navigating such a complex situation. We understand how to maximize the recovery that you receive from your insurance company and how to look for compensation elsewhere when that isn’t enough.

At the Law Office of Daniel G. Shay, we’ve been helping consumers since 2008. We understand what it takes to stand up to insurance companies, governments, businesses, and other liable parties. We believe in the importance of ensuring that those who suffer losses at the hands of these institutions get a fair chance at recouping what they are owed. If you’ve suffered damage in a flood, contact our team to discuss your options.