When you see insurance company commercials on television, the general theme is they are going to be there for you, the policyholder, when things go wrong. In the city of New Orleans, violent storms are one of those things that can go wrong. They can wreck your home, and when they do, it’s time for the insurance company to step up. Unfortunately, that doesn’t always happen.
That’s when a New Orleans storm damage lawyer from our firm can step in and help. It’s not right that you pay policy premiums on time, only to end up with an insurance company that’s more interested in cutting costs than helping you put your life back together after a storm. If you find yourself in this situation, Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers is here to fight for you.
Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers Can Help After Storm Loss
After a storm, you expect your insurance company to help you with payments related to the damage. However, when this does not happen in a timely manner or when the insurer ignores your claim, you can retain our New Orleans storm damage lawyer to protect your interests.
Our team of storm damage attorneys in New Orleans understands the frustration you may be feeling when you do not believe your insurer is treating you fairly. We take pride in standing up for homeowners and small business owners struggling to receive the service they expect from an insurer.
Laborde Earles injury was great for me they took care of me very fast and professional. If for any reason I need legal help they will be who I use.
ClientWe Protect The Interests of Property Owners Filing Storm Damage Claims
Our team knows all about the havoc a severe storm can bring to your life. After suffering property destruction and damage in an Orleans Parish storm or the surrounding areas, you simply need help from your insurance company. The payment you expect to receive can give you a chance to put your life back on track.
You should not have to go through a second traumatic event when trying to receive the compensation you deserve from your insurance company. You paid your premiums on time, and you expect the insurer to reciprocate by paying your claim quickly. We empathize with our clients who are receiving unfair treatment from insurers.
I thank God for Digger & David. I don’t know what we would have done if it hadn’t have been for them.
Rick Smith | ClientNew Orleans Storm Damage Lawyers Who Can Fight And Win
Insurance companies are powerful. At a minimum, they have a team of adjusters on the payroll who get paid to “adjust” the value of claims downwards. In addition to that, they’ve got an in-house legal team or a high-powered law firm on retainer. Much like the claims adjuster, this legal team makes their money by protecting the interests of the insurance company and only the insurance company.
Over the years, insurance company lawyers and adjusters have become adept at their job. That’s why if you plan to take them on, it helps to have a lawyer who has proven they can fight insurance companies and win. The legal team at Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers has more than 350 years of experience going up against some of the biggest insurance companies in the state.
We’ve won millions of dollars for our clients because we’re not afraid to go to trial and we know how to win in court. Insurance companies often drag out storm loss cases in the hopes that you (or your lawyers) will just give up. We’re in this to get you the compensation you need to properly rebuild after a storm loss. So, we’re not going to give up, and our track record proves it.
The reassurance from Digger and his staff gave me that renewed hope that it’s going to be okay down the road.
ClientHow Much Is Your Storm Damage Case Worth?
Storm loss claims can cause a variety of damages. That’s why determining the potential value of a storm loss case in New Orleans can be difficult. The homes of policyholders can vary greatly in terms of value, and the degree of damage is different in every case. Other variables can include:
- Maximum height of water level (in flood cases)
- Value of fixtures and appliances inside the house
- How recently the appliances and fixtures were installed (the newer they are, the less time they’ve had to depreciate)
Considering this, it’s best to meet with one of our storm loss attorneys for a case evaluation. After we have a better grasp on the extent of your losses, we will be in a better position to make an informed estimate on the potential damages in your storm loss claim.
How Our Law Firm Can Help Your Case
Among the attorneys on our New Orleans storm damage team, there are more than 350 years of experience combined. Over the years, our team has helped clients receive awards totaling more than $200 million.
We regularly participate in lawsuits for homeowners seeking the basic payments they need to put their homes and lives back together. We also represent business owners who have seen a lifetime of work wiped out within a few hours by a massive storm.
No matter how large your insurance company is, we will stand up for your rights. Large insurers with a battery of lawyers do not intimidate us. We will represent you in negotiations, and we will stand by your side in court should the case go to trial.
We Take The Time To Understand Your Situation
Although we have a strategy that often works in storm damage cases, we know the importance of personalizing our plans to your specific needs. Count on our team taking the time to get to know you. This is the best way to ensure our team is fully committed to working in your best interests.
We need to understand both your immediate concerns and worries about the future. Armed with this information, we can verbalize what you want the insurer to do. Having this information also allows us to prepare for negotiations and a trial as fully as possible.
They treated us like no other people would. Whenever we needed something they were there for us. I put my trust in them and I don’t regret it.
ClientWe Can Interpret The Complicated Language Of Your Insurance Policy For You
It can be difficult for a homeowner or business owner to understand the language of an insurance policy, especially when they do not deal with these types of documents regularly.
When you believe your insurance company is not being truthful with you regarding the specific types of storm loss coverage you have, there are a few steps you can take to seek the claim payment you deserve.
Retaining A New Orleans Storm Loss Attorney
Understand that insurance companies typically are for-profit entities. One of the ways insurers can ramp up profits is through unethically limiting or denying claims from storm damage. This is not a fair practice, and you should not have to accept it.
Hiring our team to represent your interests can help you with trying to obtain a claim. Sometimes, insurance companies will not take your claim seriously until you hire an attorney. Other times, we may be able to show that the insurer is misinterpreting the language in your policy.
Understanding What Your Policy Covers
Property owners seeking coverage after a storm may struggle to understand what the policy covers. In the state of Louisiana, a wide range of storm types are possible. The National Weather Service lists some of the most damaging weather in the New Orleans area:
- Hurricanes
- Tornadoes
- Flooding
- Severe winds
- Heavy rain
- Lightning
Severe snowstorms even hit the New Orleans area on occasion.
Seeking Help From Governmental Entities For Storm Damage
Some policies do not cover all storm types in this area of Louisiana. You may need to purchase add-on insurance packages covering some of these other storms as a property owner. For example, homeowners may need to purchase flood insurance from FEMA, as private insurers do not always offer flood coverage.
Should you believe your insurance company is treating you unfairly based on the language in the policy, you have the option of hiring our team to represent you. You also can file a complaint against the insurer through the Louisiana Department of Insurance (LDI).
Louisiana Law Requires Timely Payment Of Property And Casualty Claims And Bad Faith Damages
If an insurance company is purposefully treating a customer unethically or unfairly, this is an example of the company operating in bad faith. Statutes in Louisiana require that insurers avoid bad faith operations.
For example, insurers must make a timely payment on property damage claims. According to the LDI, insurers must make a written offer to settle a claim within 30 days of receiving proof of the claim. Delaying a claim payout without cause is an example of bad faith.
Fight Back Against Insurers Who Bully Clients
Sometimes, an insurance company may try to intimidate a client into not filing a claim. For example, the insurer may tell you that if you make any errors on your claim form, this could result in insurance fraud and criminal charges. Our team can work to defend your rights if your insurer is treating you in this manner.
You Don’t Have To Fight Storm Loss Cases Alone
A single policyholder vs. an insurance company in a New Orleans storm damage claim case is the very definition of David vs. Goliath. The simple truth is, it’s not a fair fight. Insurance companies know every trick in the book when it comes to denying claims, delaying payment, or making payouts. Making matters worse, they’re not afraid to use all those tricks.
The New Orleans storm loss attorneys at Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers want to help you level the playing field. More importantly, we are as committed to our clients as the insurance company is to protecting their profits.
This isn’t a battle you have to fight alone. If your insurance carrier is giving you the run-around after storm loss, please give us a call. We would be honored to fight for you.
Contact Our Storm Loss Attorney In New Orleans For Help With Your Claim
Expecting your insurance company to treat you fairly after a claim is a reasonable assumption. But when this does not happen, give us a call for help. Contact Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers as soon as possible for a free consultation.
