Over 1.3 million fires occurred in 2017 in the United States causing 3,400 deaths, 14,670 injuries, and over $23 billion dollars in losses, according to the U.S. Fire Administration. Residential fires are the leading cause of fire claims and approximately 50% of all financial losses for homeowners are as a result of fires. If you suffered any physical injuries or financial or property losses due to a fire, contact a fire claims lawyer in Lakeland from the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine to help you understand your legal rights and help you with your next steps.
Common Causes of Residential Fires
Fires can happen anywhere, and when they do, it only takes a few moments for devastating and catastrophic injuries to happen. A fire can cause physical injuries, property losses, and even death. Some common causes of residential fires include the following:
- Candles
- Barbeque grills
- Appliances
- Christmas trees
- Christmas tree decorations
- Cooking accidents
- Defective or faulty wiring
- Electrical equipment failures
- Gas leaks
- Flammable liquids
- Lampshades, lamps, or lighting failures
- Lightning
- Smoking
No matter how the fire started, you should be able to receive the maximum amount of compensation with respect to the insurance coverage you paid for under your insurance policy.
Most Insurance Companies Do Not Want to Pay What You Deserve
Insurance companies typically never value your losses at a proper rate established by your insurance policy. Their tactics often include offering low settlement offers or denying fire claims completely. While offering low amounts for actual losses, oftentimes insurance companies will attempt to avoid paying out for any hidden losses such as damage from smoke, ash, or water sprinklers that may have created mold, mildew, duct damage, or poor air quality. Other times insurance companies will refuse to pay for proper cleaning and repair of your property or provide a homeowner with the compensation they need to return their property back to its appearance before the fire.
Negotiating with insurance companies is typically an adversarial process that is both time-consuming and can be emotionally exhausting. The entire point of having an insurance policy is to be compensated in case of a catastrophic accident, such as a fire. You may already feel overwhelmed after the fire and your losses, and perhaps even have personal injuries and medical bills. A fire claims lawyer in Lakeland from the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine can negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf.
What to Expect When Filing a Fire Claim
An independent investigation may be needed regarding your fire claim. Our Lakeland personal injury lawyer can help you determine how much the repairs will cost, itemize your displacement expenses, and help you create a list of your lost personal property and other losses. Since the state of Florida has a valued policy law, as a homeowner you are entitled to the full insurance amount of your property if it is determined that it is a total loss. While many fire claims are total losses, insurance companies often fight this assessment in order to pay a homeowner less than they deserve.
Contact a Fire Claims Lawyer in Lakeland
If you suffered losses due to a fire, you should contact a fire claims lawyer in Lakeland, Florida, to ensure that your legal rights are protected. The fire claims attorneys in Lakeland from the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine can help you negotiate with insurance companies and build a strong case so that you can receive the compensation you deserve.
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