Hurricane Damage Lawyer in Louisiana

When a hurricane unleashes devastating winds, torrential rains, and catastrophic flooding, the aftermath can be overwhelming for residents and business owners. As the recovery process begins, having an experienced Louisiana hurricane damage lawyer advocating forcefully on your behalf becomes crucial.

At Laborde Earles, our Louisiana insurance claims lawyers know very well that dealing with insurance companies motivated to protect their profits is an uphill battle no victim should have to wage alone.

You’ve already endured immense hardships and losses due to these catastrophic weather events. Let our attorneys put our 350+ years of combined experience to fight for the funds you need to rebuild your home, business, and life. Contact us today for a free, confidential consultation.

When Is It Time to Get Help From a Hurricane Damage Attorney?

The aftermath of a hurricane is overwhelming. Between assessing damage, filing insurance claims, and rebuilding your property, the process is a lot to take on. Many people wonder when they should get a lawyer for hurricane damage.

While some claims may be resolved smoothly, there are specific situations where hiring a  Louisiana hurricane damage attorney is essential to protect your rights and secure the settlement you are truly owed.

1. Your Insurance Claim Is Denied or Underpaid

If your insurance provider denies your claim or offers a settlement that doesn’t fully cover the damage to your property, it’s time to consult an attorney. Insurers may use bad faith tactics, such as undervaluing roof damage, flood damage, or structural losses, to minimize payouts.

An experienced storm damage lawyer can challenge these practices and negotiate for fair compensation.

2. You’re Facing Delays in Receiving Compensation

Insurance companies may stall the claims process, delaying your ability to recover. If you’re waiting longer than expected for an insurance payout, a hurricane damage lawyer can help accelerate the process by holding insurers accountable.

3. Your Policy Is Confusing or Misinterpreted

Insurance policies often contain complex language and exclusions, leaving policyholders unsure about their coverage. An attorney can interpret your policy, identify what’s covered (e.g., wind damage, water damage), and fight for the benefits you’re entitled to under your property insurance.

4. You’re Overwhelmed by the Insurance Claims Process

Filing a hurricane insurance claim requires extensive documentation, including photos, videos, receipts, and repair estimates. If you’re struggling to manage these details, a hurricane lawyer can take over, ensuring your claim is complete and accurate.

5. You Want to Appeal a Claim Denial

If your claim has been denied, an experienced hurricane attorney can guide you through the appeals process. We will gather evidence, build a strong case, and pursue the compensation you deserve.

Getting legal help ensures your rights are protected, giving you peace of mind and the financial recovery necessary to rebuild after a hurricane.

Nothing Compares to Experienced Representation

While claims adjusters use underhanded tactics, such as lowballing, delaying, and denying legitimate claims, our hurricane insurance lawyers in Louisiana focus on maximizing the compensation our clients desperately need and deserve.

We wield our comprehensive knowledge of insurance laws and storm damage litigation to forcefully counter every dispute from these billion-dollar corporations. When they refuse to negotiate a fair settlement, we don’t hesitate to take them to trial.

Our attorneys bring decades of combined legal experience and a proven track record, including recovering $11.8 million in the largest verdict for a Louisiana storm claim in history. We have recovered over a billion dollars for our clients, leveling this uneven playing field decisively in your favor.

Hurricanes Wreak Havoc on Homes and Buildings

The most destructive aspects of a hurricane are the ferocious winds and heavy rains. Together, these two forces batter and uproot homes and other property.

Surface Damage

This refers to damage that is more or less superficial. It generally affects the exterior of the home and can expose the interior of your home to the elements. Broken windows, chipped-off paint, and shingles ripped from rooftops are some examples.

Structural Damage

This type of destruction compromises the integrity and livability of the building. It affects the structure or foundation of the home and, thus, its ability to remain standing. A structurally damaged home could collapse or result in illness.

For example, strong winds can weaken the load-bearing walls of your home, or torrential rain may leak through a hole in the roof and soak into the home’s woodwork, causing mold to grow within the walls.

Some common signs of structural damage after a hurricane in Louisiana are:

• Cracks in wood structures
• Cracks in ceilings
• Cracks in windows (pressure cracks)
• Hard-to-open doors and windows
• Broken wires, pipes, and gas lines
• Wet insulation and electrical circuits
• Rust coming out of cracks
• Cracks in the foundation
• Bouncy floors
• Slanted door frames or walls
• A home that appears to be slanted or leaning from the outside
• The smell of mold or mildew without a visible source

Structural and water damage can be complicated and should be addressed right away. Having your home inspected by a qualified professional is key to your safety and your storm damage insurance claim.

A Louisiana hurricane damage lawyer at our firm can help you determine the next steps following a hurricane and assist you with getting your property evaluated and repaired by experts in the field.

Additional Damage

Other losses from a hurricane can include:

• Loss of power or water
• Uprooted or toppled trees
• Roof damage
• Foundation damage

When a catastrophic event like a hurricane destroys your property, you could be entitled to more compensation than your insurance company initially offers. A hurricane damage attorney in Louisiana can fight to recover the fair compensation you deserve.

What Should I Do if My Home Has Been Impacted by a Hurricane?

If your property was damaged in a hurricane, you should:

• Contact your insurance provider as soon as possible; time is of the essence.
• Take pictures or videos of all property damage.
• Write down what happened while you still remember it clearly.
• Make sure you know what your insurance policy covers.
• Keep a file with documentation of all of your repair expenses, appraisals, inspections, and the cost of replacing your clothes or furniture.
• File a storm damage insurance claim, giving the insurance company any documentation they ask for.
• Insist on relocation if you need it.
• Contact a Louisiana hurricane damage attorney before you make any recorded statements, agree to anything, or sign anything. Do not accept a settlement offer without consulting your attorney.
• Watch out for “independent adjusters.” Over the next several weeks, many “independent adjusters” may start knocking on doors in a hurricane area. They work for the insurance companies and are not looking out for you.
• Watch out for other door knockers. Roofers and contractors knocking at your door to offer a free inspection are only looking to get money. It is illegal for a contractor to negotiate with an insurance company.

Does Homeowners’ Insurance Cover Hurricane Damage in Louisiana?

In general, homeowners’ insurance covers your home, including your personal property, in the event of a loss. What your insurance covers and the amount it reimburses you depend on your company and the policy.

Homeowners’ insurance usually covers damage from high winds, rain, and other consequences of a hurricane. However, homeowners’ insurance usually does not cover flooding and storm surges. You will most likely have to purchase extra insurance to cover rising water levels.

What Is a Hurricane Deductible?

A hurricane deductible is included in your homeowners’ insurance that only applies to damage caused by hurricanes. Some hurricane deductibles are quite high, usually between one and five percent.

In Louisiana, three types of deductibles could apply to storm damage to your home:

• Named storm deductibles: These come into effect when winds reach 39 mph, otherwise known as a tropical storm.
• Hurricane deductibles: These come into effect when winds reach 74 mph, known as hurricane strength.
• Wind and hail deductibles: These come into effect anytime wind from a hurricane, tropical storm, tornado, or other weather event harmed your property.

In August of 2021, Louisiana Statute § 22:1267.1 took effect. This new statute dictated that insurers could only charge commercial property owners one hurricane deductible per calendar year.

Does Flooding Count as Hurricane Damage?

In general, homeowners’ insurance does not cover flooding. Storm surges and rising water count as flood damage, not hurricane damage, and are usually covered by additional insurance coverage.

If rain “floods” your house because of damage to your roof or walls, that is under the umbrella of storm damage and is typically covered by homeowners’ insurance.

What Happens if My Claim Was Denied?

If your claim was denied or the insurance company only offered a fraction of what you need to recover from a natural disaster, you should contact an experienced hurricane damage lawyer in Louisiana. Our law firm has years of experience and knows how to deal with insurance providers who just want to save themselves money.

A lawyer can document all of your losses and ensure your files are in order for your claim. Sometimes, the problem is a simple mistake, or sometimes, the insurance adjuster is being fussy so they don’t have to pay you your entire claim.

Our Louisiana hurricane damage lawyers can help fight the denial and work to hold the insurance company responsible for paying what they agreed to in your policy.

What if My Business Was Damaged in the Storm?

If your business was damaged by a powerful storm, you may face significant financial challenges, including the cost of repairs and business interruption losses. Hurricanes can cause various types of damage, such as structural destruction, roof damage, or flooding.

While standard property insurance may cover certain types of damage, flood insurance is typically required for water-related damage.

A knowledgeable legal team will assess your policy, document your losses, and negotiate with insurers to cover repair costs and loss of income. Our hurricane damage lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you owe nothing unless we recover compensation for you.

What Can I Do to Prepare for a Hurricane?

While hurricanes can cause unstoppable destruction, there are certain things you can do to protect your home as much as possible and be fully prepared for a future insurance claim. 

Before a hurricane strikes, you should:

1. Never underestimate what you cannot control—don’t be complacent.
2. Photograph the exterior of your home to document pre-storm conditions.
3. Make a comprehensive video showing the outside and inside of your home and its contents before the hurricane as reference and proof in an insurance claim.
4. Keep an updated list of your belongings, or at the very least, the most valuable ones. Your insurance company will want to know what possessions were damaged or destroyed in the hurricane.
5. Locate important bills, receipts, invoices, or other proofs of purchase for expensive items and keep them in a file that you can take with you if you evacuate.
6. Tape your windows at a minimum and board your windows if the storm becomes a category one or greater.
7. Locate and make a copy of your insurance policy and declaration page.
8. Above all, stay safe and cooperate with local and state guidelines.
9. When the storm is over, make temporary repairs to your home, such as boarding up windows or putting tarps over holes in the roof. Do not discard any of your damaged belongings.
10. Track any additional living expenses you incur as a result of the hurricane: gasoline, hotels, food receipts, etc.

Taking these steps can make the job easier for you and your Louisiana hurricane claim attorney. Before the hurricane hits your area, make sure you know how to contact an experienced lawyer if anything happens.

What to Do in the Event of a Hurricane

If you know a hurricane is predicted to land at or near where you live, the most important thing to do is follow the advice and directions of your local or state government. If authorities tell you to evacuate or take certain safety measures, you should follow those directions.

Past that, there are certain things you should do for each category of a hurricane that can help ensure your safety and the safety of your property:

• Category one: Board up your windows and prepare for minor power outages. This is the lowest hurricane level, but it is still a strong storm that you should take seriously.
• Category two: Reinforce your roof, secure all garage doors, and be prepared to evacuate if need be. If you live in a mobile home, consider cutting all utilities off and evacuating.
• Category three: Have an evacuation plan in place. Cut all utilities, seal up your house, and ensure your possessions are secure. Pack for the potential of weeks away from home and consider buying a generator.
• Category four: The best thing to do in the case of a category four hurricane is to evacuate as soon as you can. If you do decide to stay, have a safe room in your house to retreat to.
• Category five: Evacuate immediately. Monitor conditions and only return to your home once you know it is completely safe. Have lots of bottled water prepared, as tap water will likely be contaminated.

In the event of any hurricane, we advise that you take pictures of your property before the storm hits. That way, you have a record of what your property looked like beforehand to prove the full scope of destruction to your insurance company.

How a Hurricane Damage Lawyer in Louisiana Can Help

After a hurricane, you might wonder what to do. You deserve to work with someone who can help you through the insurance claims process and recover money from your insurance company. Our Louisiana hurricane damage claim attorneys can help by:

• Proving the losses you suffered
• Getting your documents in order
• Preparing your insurance claim for you
• Monitoring the claim process
• Answering any questions your insurance company might have
• Appealing an unfair denial or low payout
• Taking your case to court if your insurer won’t cooperate

Our lawyers have been working for years to get accident victims the compensation they deserve. Don’t hesitate to reach out if you need help with your hurricane damage claim or if you think your insurer is taking advantage of you.

Our hurricane damage claim lawyers can review your insurance policy and help ensure you are claiming the full amount of benefits you are entitled to and pinpoint the necessary evidence to receive them.

Talk to Our Louisiana Hurricane Damage Lawyers Today

After a natural disaster, you shouldn’t have to pick up the pieces alone. A Louisiana hurricane damage lawyer can walk you through the steps of your claim and protect you from any tricks the insurance company might pull to reduce your compensation.

We’ve helped families and individuals across Louisiana claim over $1 billion in compensation for personal injury, hurricane damage, and other claims. We are devoted to helping clients like you rebuild their lives after suffering extensive damages, devastating injuries, and losses.

Laborde Earles wants you to be able to go back to normal after a hurricane. We are here to help you through the entire process. Contact us today to get a free consultation with a member of our team.