Insurance Dispute Lawyer Blog

Deadline for FEMA assistance for home elevation extended

Published on: April 7, 2009 | By Berniard Law Firm

Per The Times-Picayune, FEMA has delayed the deadline to 2012 for collecting insurance money designated for the elevation and protection of homes in Louisiana:

Because of the slow flow of other federal money, such as Road Home grants, FEMA had already pushed back the deadline for home-raising work under the National Flood Insurance Program’s Increased Cost of Compliance provision.

Typically, to collect up to $30,000 in so-called ICC money to cover the costs of protecting their property from future storms, rebuilding homeowners have two years from the date that their property is declared “substantially damaged” to complete the relevant work. FEMA had already extended that to four years.

Gustav: Seven Months Later

Published on: April 6, 2009 | By Berniard Law Firm

While exact estimates are not exact to report, it is important to remember the damage of Gustav seven months later. This article, dated September 3, 2008, summarizes the hardship Gulf Coast residents faced

Storm-ravaged homeowners in the path of Hurricane Gustav will file an estimated 175,000 wind- and flood-damage claims with insurance payouts likely to top $5 billion, the Consumer Federation of America reported Wednesday.

Actual damages to covered property could range from $2 billion to $10 billion, according to industry estimates for the storm, which continues to dump rain and high winds across Oklahoma and parts of the Southeast.

Senate told insurance company defrauded 1 in 3

Published on: April 3, 2009 | By Berniard Law Firm

In a committee meeting relating to the insurance industry, witnesses recently laid before the Senate statistics and numbers that would imply an insurance agency, UnitedHealth Group, went to so far as to defraud through underpayment one in three of their clients:

CQ Healthbeat (3/27) reports, “UnitedHealth Group officials are in for an unpleasant experience at a Senate hearing next week – if a set-up session on Thursday was any indication.” At a Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee hearing today, witnesses “described how health insurers routinely defrauded millions of patients who sought out-of-network care by paying less than the insurers owed for medical bills.” A witness told the panel, which will hear from United representatives next Tuesday, that “the practice could have potentially affected as many as one in three insured Americans and lasted for at least a decade.” Committee Chairman John D. Rockefeller, IV (D-WV), “declined to say what types of changes should be included in health overhaul legislation,” saying, “I want to make sure exactly what it is we need to do…just in the saying of it, I could do damage to health reform.”

This system of underpayment should come as no surprise to residents of the Gulf Coast, who found that their property insurers consistently undercut them by offering the bare minimum to their claims. The insurance agency at large is notorious for trying to bolster their bottom line by offering far less than the fair market or genuine value is to the damaged, insured homes or property of their clientele. It is becoming ever more important to attain legal support in the event you believe your insurance agency is acting in bad faith with their offer to your claim, whether it be health insurance or property damage or any type of issue with an insurer.

13 Hurricane Ike Suits Spring up in Southeast Texas

Published on: April 2, 2009 | By Berniard Law Firm

The Southeast Texas Record reports

A total of 13 suits against insurance companies regarding Hurricane Ike damage claims were filed in Jefferson County District Court during the week of March 23 – March 27, 2009.

Insurance companies are coming to realize people are beginning to become aware of delay and undercutting tactics and resorting to litigation to get the money they deserve. The longer people wait to hire an attorney when they start dealing with the absurd undertakings of insurance companies the longer their payout will take.

Chinese Drywall in New Orleans and Louisiana

Published on: April 1, 2009 | By Berniard Law Firm

With the building number of reports involving health problems and building defects relating to Chinese Drywall, it is becoming more and more obvious that there is a serious problem with this imported wallboard and that it is most definitely in the homes of New Orleans and Louisiana residents. While many people are aware of this problem, few people believe it “can happen to them” or that it may, in fact, be in their homes.

Health symptoms of Chinese drywall include nose bleeds, headaches, coughs, upper respiratory or sinus issues, and rashes. Home detriments or telltale signs of chinese drywall include corroded copper installed in the walls, a persistent smell of “rotting eggs,” weakened or mildly buckling wall structures and gas buildup.

If you are experiencing any of these problems in your home, contact an attorney immediately. The Berniard Law Firm has been monitoring this situation since it first began to be reported and is prepared to help you receive the compensation necessary to compensate you for this homeowners nightmare. With the lack of knowledge about how serious the health problems may be or just how much damage, financially and structurally, the drywall can cause to your home, it is important to not wait and to immediately take action should you notice these issues in your house or property.

Stress relating to Katrina causing heart problems

Published on: March 31, 2009 | By Berniard Law Firm

According to a recent study run by researchers within New Orleans has found that, since Katrina, a significant number of heart-related emergencies and interventions have occurred.

NOLA.com reports

Researchers say chronic stress related to Hurricane Katrina has contributed to a significant increase in heart attacks in New Orleans.

Louisiana Senator Co-Sponsors Chinese Drywall Recall Bid

Published on: March 30, 2009 | By Berniard Law Firm

In breaking news, Democratic Senators Bill Nelson of Florida and Mary Landrieu of Louisiana have called for initiating recalls on drywall originating in China. The South Florida Business Journal reports

Two U.S. senators are calling for a recall of high-sulfur Chinese drywall that is believed to be causing metal corrosion and an odor of rotten eggs in thousands of homes in the Southeast.

Sens. Bill Nelson of Florida and Mary Landrieu of Louisiana, both Democrats, said in a press release Monday that they filed new legislation aimed at initiating a recall and imposing an immediate ban on “tainted building products from China.”

Louisiana Tracking Chinese Drywall Reports

Published on: March 27, 2009 | By Berniard Law Firm

WWL TV released a news bit last week that shows Louisiana is well aware of the Chinese drywall threat and are keeping track of complaints as they come in. Of note, the article quantifies just how much drywall may have come into the state for use in building homes to the tune of 60 million pounds:

NEW ORLEANS – Louisiana public health officials are tracking Chinese drywall that some say is ruining homes and making people sick.

Assistant State Health Secretary Dr. Rony Francois said according to some reports, as much as 60 million pounds of the product may have entered the state, enough for 7000 homes.

Chinese Drywall’s Effects in Florida

Published on: March 26, 2009 | By Berniard Law Firm

A YouTube video, embedded below, gives a quick two minute run-down of the Chinese Drywall issue and how it can effect homes and their residents. While it has a Florida focus, the same effects and problems are being reported in Louisiana and elsewhere.

Symptoms of Chinese Drywall Exposure

Published on: March 25, 2009 | By Berniard Law Firm

While it’s hard to tell what type of drywall was used in your home after everything is painted and the home is officially a “home,” there are various health problems and symptoms that homeowners with drywall from China are experiencing. These symptoms include:

Nose bleeds

Breathing problems