Water damage can cause extensive damage to your roofs, electrical systems, appliances, walls, basements, and household items. It can cost thousands of dollars to recover from water damage. Standard homeowners insurance covers water damage. Unfortunately, your insurance may dispute your damages and losses.
You should hire an experienced Fort Lauderdale water damage attorney to help you understand what your policy covers and protect your rights. The insurance company will do whatever it takes to blame you. Your lawyer, on the other, has your best interest at heart. You can trust your lawyer to get you what you rightfully deserve.
If your home and belongings have suffered water damage in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, we can help you seek compensation. At Klotzman Property Damage Law, we will negotiate with insurance for settlement. We use our experience and knowledge to navigate your water damage claim. We will not let your insurer take advantage of you.
Contact us today at 954-915-7405 for a FREE case review with our Fort Lauderdale property damage lawyers.
What Is Water Damage, Legally?
Water damage is an accidental leakage or discharge of water due to the cracking or breaking of an appliance, air conditioning system, or plumbing system containing the water. If water damage occurs accidentally or suddenly from a source inside your house, then your standard home insurance policy may cover your water damage.
How Is Water Damage Different From Flood Damage?
Water damage and flood damage can seem like the same thing, but they are completely different. It is extremely important to understand the difference between flood damage and water damage.
Water damage is caused by plumbing issues or human errors inside the house, including dishwasher leaks, washing machine leaks, bathtub or shower leaks, toilet overflowing, burst pipes, plumbing disasters, and many more.
Flood damage, on the other hand, is caused by natural sources, including rivers overflowing, storms, rainstorms, lakes overflowing, hurricanes, and more.
What Are the Common Causes of Water Damage?
Water damage can cause a lot of damage to the structure of your home and its systems. It can also destroy your carpets and personal belongings. It is best to identify the signs of water early. Once you identify them, you must take action to prevent major plumbing problems.
Here are the common causes of water damage.
Leaks in Your Plumbing System
A leak in your plumbing system can cause water damage. Broken water connectors, extreme temperatures, and high water pressures can cause water leaks. It is, however, not easy to locate a water leak. Hire a professional plumber to fix your leaking pipes.
Blocked Toilets
Blocked toilets can cause water damage. Paper waste and even hair can clog your drainage systems. Therefore, water will overflow and damage your floor. Clogged drainage systems can cause health problems inside your home. You need to keep your drains clear to prevent further water damage.
Faulty Appliances
Do you have old appliances? Old appliances are more likely to malfunction due to poor water connections. You may need to replace your old appliances to prevent water damage.
Burst Pipes
A rapid temperature change can cause your pipes to burst. For example, if the temperature drops too low, your pipes can burst because the ice in your pipes will expand. If your water pipes are old and rusty, then they are more likely to burst and cause water damage.
Clogged Gutters
Sludge, ice, weeds, and tree leaves can clog your gutters. Water will overflow near your home because your gutters are clogged. The water will not flow away from your house. The water can even collect in your basement. The water can damage your home and cause mold growth.
How Can Water Damage My Property?
Water can cause extensive damage to your property. It can damage the foundation of your home, your home’s walls, and your roof. The presence of water inside your home can promote mold growth. The mold and mildew can affect your health and the health of your loved ones.
Here is how water can damage your property.
Mold
The presence of moisture inside your home promotes the growth of mold. It only takes a few days for the mold to grow. Mold growth can damage your property and cause health issues, such as respiratory illnesses, breathing problems, etc. The mold can reduce the value of your property.
Health Risks
If you do not stop and repair water damage in your home, you or your loved ones can develop health problems. Dirty or contaminated water puts you and your family at risk of disease.
Water leaks inside your home can cause mold growth. Mold exposure can cause multiple health problems, such as respiratory issues, chronic migraines, and allergies, in susceptible people.
Destruction of Appliances
The presence of water inside your home can destroy your personal and household items. It is easy for water to destroy electric appliances. It is expensive to repair or replace electrical appliances. In fact, it is impossible to replace some items. It is best to take the necessary steps to prevent water damage.
Collapsed or Decayed Walls
Water damage causes collapsed or decayed walls. Once water penetrates your walls, it can weaken the materials holding your walls. Therefore, your walls can collapse. Once your walls become weak, it becomes dangerous to live inside your home.
Bug Infestations
Water leaks give bugs a place to lay eggs inside your home. Water leaks can, therefore, create bug infestations on your property. If you have leaking pipes, you need to repair them to prevent and control bug infections. Some bugs can even spread diseases around your home.
Damage to Your Personal Items
Water can damage your personal items, such as your photos, books, documents, and even important documents like certifications. It can take time to replace some of these documents. You can prevent water damage to prevent water from damaging your personal items.
Water damage can pose a serious threat to your belongings and property. It can even pose a serious threat to the safety and life of you and your loved ones. It is, therefore, crucial to identify the causes of water damage and fix them before they can damage your property.
What Can I Recover in My Water Damage Claim?
If your personal items and property have suffered water damage, you can file an insurance claim for:
- The cost of repairing or replacing your water-damaged property
- The cost of staying in another place because your home is uninhabitable due to the water damage
You should talk to a Fort Lauderdale water damage attorney to help you understand what you can recover in your water damage claim. You will go through your policy with your lawyer. If you do not have a lawyer, then you might not get the compensation that you deserve.
Why Would My Water Damage Claim Get Denied?
Your insurance company could deny your water damage claim if the reason for your water damage was not covered by your policy. The insurance company usually reviews its policy coverage terms every year. They can, therefore, reduce their coverage. Many standard home insurance policies exclude flood damage.
Your insurance can deny your claim if you fail to properly maintain your property. If you ignore water leaks and roof leaks, your insurer may deny your water damage claim.
How Can a Fort Lauderdale Water Damage Attorney Help?
Once you decide to file a water damage claim, you should hire an experienced and knowledgeable water damage attorney.
Looking for a reputable and trusted attorney in Fort Lauderdale, Florida? If so, then contact us at 954-915-7405 today.
Here is how our water damage attorneys can assist you.
Get the Maximum Compensation
Insurance companies hate paying the full compensation. Your insurance companies will try everything they can to deny claims or pay less than policyholders deserve. If you do not have a lawyer, you can end up with a low settlement.
Your lawyer can help you document your losses to ensure you get every penny you deserve for your losses.
Reduce Your Stress
It is stressful and tiresome to file water damage claims. Our attorneys will review your insurance policy, help you navigate the complicated claims process, and ensure you have the necessary evidence and documentation.
Call Klotzman Property Damage Law for the Best Legal Help!
Water can destroy your property and cause serious health problems. It can take you time and cost you thousands of dollars to recover from your water damage. Fortunately, you can file an insurance claim for the property damage you’ve experienced.
It is best to hire the best water damage attorney to help you. Your lawyer can investigate the cause of your water damage, document your losses, and fight for the full amount you deserve.
As Fort Lauderdale water damage lawyers, we know the tricks of insurance companies. We will not let your insurance company bully and manipulate you to accept their low settlement. We will not let the insurance company take advantage of you or deny your claim.
At Klotzman Property Damage Law in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, we can help you get fair compensation. If you have experienced significant damage to your home, feel free to contact us at 954-915-7405 for a free consultation.
