Morgantown Property Loss Lawyer

Morgantown Property Loss & Damage Attorney

It may be a flooded basement – road construction – or catastrophic property loss. However, the impact it has on the property owner cannot be overstated. It significantly impacts your life and investment, and the cost to repair is always unexpected and expensive. By working with a Morgantown property loss lawyer from Meadows Law PLLC, you can optimize your damage compensation, thus freeing up time and assets to focus on recovery and rebuilding.

Property Damage and Loss encompasses multiple types of legal cases. From Premise Liability and Residential Claims to Commercial Claims, having the right attorney on your side can have a major impact on the end results.

How Can a West Virginia Property Loss Attorney Help Me With a Claim?

The claims process can be complex and time-consuming, requiring knowledge ranging from property valuation techniques to negotiation experience. A property loss lawyer from Meadows Law PLLC can assist you with the claims process, walking you through the following steps:

• Documenting Damages: Our legal team can help collect physical evidence of the damages, including taking photos, videos, and inventory of missing or damaged items.
• Filing Your Claim: Depending on your insurance policy or policies, a lawyer from our firm can help you file either one or multiple claims, ensuring that all critical documents are included.
• Negotiating: Oftentimes, an insurance company might lowball their clients to save money or due to misinformation. A property loss attorney from Meadows Law PLLC can negotiate on your behalf to get an optimal compensation amount.
• Understanding Denials: An experienced property damage attorney can help understand why an insurance company might have denied your claim. Then, they can work to pursue alternative options to get compensation.
• Appealing Denials: If your attorney finds evidence that your insurance company has launched an unreasonable denial, they can help you with the appeals process.
• Going to Court: Sometimes, it is necessary to take a property loss claims case to court if insurance companies are not willing to agree on reasonable compensation. A property loss lawyer can help you pursue litigation so that you can get the funds you deserve.

Whether you have faced damages or theft regarding any of your residential or commercial property, the losses are not only financial but also intangible. Our compassionate law firm understands the devastation that can come with having your property harmed or stolen. Therefore, we can work to take care of the bureaucratic and legal matters associated with your case so that you can focus on recovering and rebuilding.

West Virginia Premise Liability – Types of Cases

Slip and Fall. There is a lot of ways slip and fall injuries happen. You could trip over an uneven surface. You could slip in a puddle of water that has not been properly marked. Or you could fall on a piece of debris that was not cleaned up in a timely manner.

Slips, trips, and falls involve a lot more than a minor bruises, sore shins, and a bit of embarrassment. You could break your hip, damage your spine, or hurt your head. Proving that someone was responsible for your fall is not easy and usually requires the help of an experienced slip and fall lawyer.

Dog Bites. Dog owners have a responsibility to control their pets. If they do not contain an aggressive animal and you are bitten, you could be scarred for life emotionally and physically. Holding the person responsible for not securing the aggressive dog is a difficult and often emotionally charged task. Having a dog bite lawyer on your side can help.

Burn Injuries. Building owners are required to follow local and state fire codes. They must have the proper alarm systems in place and sprinkler system to prevent large fires. If they don’t have the proper safety systems in place and you are burned, you could file a claim against the person who put your life and wellbeing at risk.

Poor Security. Business owners must also provide a safe place for their employees and patrons. If you are hurt because the business owner did not have adequate security, you may be able to hold him or her responsible.

Hazardous Building Conditions. Exposed wires and or electrical conditions. Failing infrastructure, floor collapse, uneven surfaces, Icey or wet conditions,  Failure to construct and maintain. (loose handrails, stairs or floors that collapse when stepped on, etc.

West Virginia Residential Claims – Types of Cases

Fire/Smoke Damage. Sudden explosions, cooking accidents, open flames, electrical malfunctions, defective  appliances

Water Damage Claims. Water runoff from construction activities, road construction and neighboring properties diverting waterflow, construction defects,

Plumbing Leaks. Pipe freezing and pipe bursting. Broken lines from hot water heater, dishwasher, washing  machine, and other appliances.

Roof Damage. Sudden, unexpected damage from storm, fire, wind, and hail damage. Neighboring property activity tree fell

Residential Property Loss Includes:

• Construction Defects
• Failure to disclose latent defects
• Construction Error & Negligence
• Water Restoration
• Residential water damage
• Basement Flooding
• Mold & Smoke damage

West Virginia Commercial Claims – Potential Claims & Recovery

• Real Property / Business Property Damage
• Business interruption
• Lost Profits
• Cost to Relocate
• Expenses Incurred
• Lost Investment
• Penalties/fines Incurred

Standard Commercial Policies

Building coverage: Building coverage offers coverage for losses directly related to buildings on the commercial property, such as permanently installed fixtures, equipment, and machinery. Terms and conditions within this coverage may dictate the amount of coverage you are able to receive based on the total insured value of your buildings. This coverage may be subject to coverage limits and other terms and conditions.

Business property coverage: Insured losses under business property coverage typically consists of inventory (e.g. stock and supplies), non-permanent fixtures, furniture, important documents, and other machinery or equipment not insured under building coverage.

Personal property coverage: Personal property coverage offers coverage for any other personal property that is within the commercial property owner’s custody, control, or care. This type of coverage may not be necessary for all commercial property owners, depending on the type of business that occurs on the premises.

Business Interruption Coverage: Business interruption coverage is a type of insurance that can help business owners recover losses suffered in the wake of a disaster, provided the reason for business interruption is a covered peril. For businesses that are small or just starting out in Morgantown, West Virginia, this type of insurance can be crucial in order to avoid permanent business closure and severe financial loss.

Additional forms of coverage: umbrella liability policies, and specialized liability policies—may be available for purchase separately through certain insurance carriers.

Criminal Property Damage in West Virginia

If someone caused destruction or damage to your property due to intentional acts, or reckless or neglectful behavior, you can potentially pursue a civil case against them to get compensation for the associated damages. Criminal property damage cases can vary greatly, and they can involve multiple crimes, such as burglary, assault, or hate-related crimes. Whether or not you file a civil case against the defendant will not impact the criminal charges against them if applicable.

If the individual who damaged your West Virginia property is found to be guilty, the associated damages will need to be paid for on their behalf. However, if they are missing an insurance policy or an adequate policy, or do not have enough money in the bank, then you may need to pursue other options for compensation. A property loss attorney from our West Virginia firm can help you get compensation by working with your homeowners, corporate, or renters insurance policy.

Insurance Claim Denied?

Potential Claims:

• Failure to Procure
• Negligent & Intentional Misrepresentation
• Failure to Cover
• Unfair and Deceptive Trade Practices
• Bad Faith Insurance Denial

Other Property Loss Cases We Can Help With

Eminent Domain

• Road Construction
• Gas Line Easement
• Right of Ways
• Utility Lines
• Regulatory Takings
• Inverse Condemnation.

Catastrophic Damage

• Flood Litigation
• Negligent Alteration of water
• Landslides
• Mining – Gas Explosion
• Fire and Smoke Damage

Free Consultations

• No Upfront Retainer or Fixed Payments.
• No Payments Unless We Recover.
• 24 Hour Answering System
• Local Resources to Mitigate Property Damage

FAQs

Q: What If I Do Not Know Who Damaged My West Virginia Property?

A: Sometimes, people vandalize, damage, or steal property and get away with it. Even if the police are unable to find the individual or individuals responsible for causing the damage to your home, it is still possible to get compensation by filing an insurance claim. You can still get coverage for an amount up to your policy limit. A property loss lawyer can help you file a claim with your insurance company, walking you through the entire process from start to finish.

Q: Is It Possible to File My Property Damage Claim by Myself in West Virginia?

A: While it is possible to deal with your property damage claims by yourself in Morgantown, WV, this is generally not recommended, as the process can be complex, and you can potentially lose money. By working with an experienced and knowledgeable property loss lawyer, they can ensure that insurance companies are paying you the amount that you are entitled to. They can also advocate on your behalf to get a more optimal deal.

Experienced property lawyers know how to adequately evaluate your damages and work with multiple insurance companies at a time, including with your flood insurance and home insurance, to get you the money you need.

Q: What If My West Virginia Business Has Been Damaged?

A: If your commercial property has been damaged, a skilled property loss lawyer can assist you with getting the compensation that you deserve so you can make adequate repairs. They can help you with documenting all your associated losses and filing claims with your insurance companies.

Whether your business has been damaged by criminal vandalism, a flood, a fire, or other natural or man-made disasters, a property loss lawyer can help you understand your commercial property policy. They can then leverage this knowledge to optimize your compensation.

Q: How Much Can I Get From a WV Property Damage Claim?

A: The amount of money that you can get for a West Virginia property damage claim depends on various factors, including the amount and scope of the damage done, the type of property that was damaged, and the active insurance policy or policies. To determine how much your claim is potentially worth, a West Virginia property loss lawyer must review the damages, including pertinent documentation and evidence, before they can give you an estimate.

Q: What Can a West Virginia Property Damage Claim Cover?

A: A West Virginia property damage claim can cover all expenses that are associated with the damage to your property, which go beyond just repairing the property itself. A property damage claim can cover the cost of securing temporary housing if your existing housing is inhospitable. It can also provide money to make repairs and replace personal items that have been damaged or are missing.

A West Virginia property loss lawyer can assess the damages associated with your case and provide clarity as to which expenses could potentially be covered by your property damage claim.

Start Working With an Experienced West Virginia Property Loss Lawyer Today

Property loss or damage can be devastating for West Virginians. For example, people may lose personal items that are irreplaceable or face irreparable damage to homes or businesses. On top of the grief associated with property loss or damages, the claims process can be complex and time-consuming.

The attorneys at Meadows Law PLLC can help you work through claims, negotiations, and even litigation if necessary. Contact one of our attorneys today to get a free consultation and start recovering your damages.