When a hurricane unleashes devastating winds, torrential rains, and catastrophic flooding, the aftermath can be absolutely overwhelming for Louisiana 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 Injury Lawyers, 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 experienced attorneys fight for the funds you need to rebuild your home, business, and life. Contact Laborde Earles today for a free, confidential consultation.
Nothing Compares to Experienced Representation
While claims adjusters use underhanded tactics, such as lowballing, delaying, and denying legitimate claims, our Louisiana hurricane damage lawyers 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 hundreds of millions for our clients, leveling this uneven playing field decisively in your favor.
Learn how we can put our experience to work for you.
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.
ClientDamage Caused by Hurricanes
Hurricane damage can happen many ways and can be devastatingly destructive. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), there were 56 weather disasters in the U.S. from 2019 to 2021 that each resulted in over $1 billion in damages. From 1980 to 2021, the estimated total from weather-related disasters is $2.155 trillion.
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 | ClientHurricanes Wreak Havoc on Homes and Buildings
The most destructive aspects of a hurricane are the aggressive-force 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 hurricane waters 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 hurricane 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 causes destruction to 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.
The reassurance from Digger and his staff gave me that renewed hope that it’s going to be okay down the road.
ClientFrequently Asked Questions About Hurricane Damage in Louisiana
What Should I Do if My Home Has Been Impacted By a Hurricane?
If your home has been harmed in a storm or natural disaster, you should do the following:
- Contact your insurance provider. Do this as soon as possible, even before the hurricane hits if possible, as 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 an 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 agree to 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 depends 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 any time wind from a hurricane, tropical storm, tornado, or other weather event impacts that 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 a 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 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:
- Never underestimate what you cannot control—don’t be complacent.
- Photograph the exterior of your home to document pre-storm conditions.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Tape your windows at a minimum and board your windows if the storm becomes a category one or greater.
- Locate and make a copy of your insurance policy and declaration page.
- Above all, stay safe and cooperate with local and state guidelines.
- 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.
- 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.
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.
ClientWhat 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.
Recent Destructive Hurricanes in Louisiana
Louisiana has a very long history of hurricanes and has been witness to billions of dollars in damage to our state. Residents know just how much damage a storm can cause. The most recent hurricanes that have touched down in Louisiana include:
- August 26-September 5, 2021 – Hurricane Ida – category four – $75.25 billion dollars in damage
- October 24-30, 2020: Hurricane Zeta – category three -$4.4 billion
- October 4-12, 2020: Hurricane Delta – category two – $3.09 billion
- August 20-29, 2020: Hurricane Laura – category four – $17.7 billion
- July 11-19, 2019: Hurricane Barry – category one – $600 million
- October 4-11, 2017: Hurricane Nate – category one $787 million
- August 17-September 2, 2017: Hurricane Harvey – category four – $124 billion
- August 21-September 3, 2012: Hurricane Isaac – category one– $3.11 billion
- November 4-12, 2009: Hurricane Ida – category two – $11.4 million
- September 1-15, 2008: Hurricane Ike – category four – $38 billion
- August 25-September 7, 2008: Hurricane Gustav – category four – $8.31 billion
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 claims process and recovering 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 claims 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 Louisiana 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 in Louisiana 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 $600 million 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 Injury Lawyers 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.
