“You couldn’t ask for a worse situation,” Santa Barbara, Calif. Sheriff Bill Brown said at a news conference regarding the fire on the dive-boat Conception, which became fully engulfed in flames as more than 30 passengers slept below deck. The loss is horrific. The cause of the Sept. 2 fire, which killed 34 people, is now the subject of an intensive investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board, the U.S. Coast Guard, and other federal and county agencies. A preliminary investigation has suggested serious safety deficiencies aboard the vessel. Fire damage to your home, boat or business can be sudden and devastating. If you have suffered smoke or fire damage and your insurance company seeks to deny, delay or underpay your valid claim, we encourage you to contact the experienced insurance lawyers at Corless Barfield Trial Group at 813-258-4998. Fire damage is a hot topic in the news. A jury in Oakland, Calif., recently found one man not guilty of 36 counts of involuntary manslaughter in the 2016 fire at Oakland’s Ghost Ship warehouse but could not reach a verdict for the building’s leaseholder. It was one of the deadliest nightclub fires in U.S. history, killing 36 people. The Ghost Ship fire tore through a late-night party in Oakland’s Fruitvale neighborhood that had been transformed into a ramshackle artist collective known as Ghost Ship. The jury’s verdict begs the question, what is the duty owed to the public to protect from a fire? Whether your home or business was completely destroyed by a fire or only partially damaged, your insurance company will attempt to delay, deny or underpay your property damage claim. Homeowners and business owners should bring in a policyholder attorney to help prove the worth of their fire claims and protect their rights. Insurance companies rarely contemplate the hidden effects of a fire in your home or business when they consider your compensation package and initial settlement offer. Besides the structural damage, fires can also damage heating and cooling systems, plumbing, and concrete or steel building materials. Additionally, there is the costly damage caused by smoke, soot, and the water used to fight the fire. The Florida-based attorneys at Corless Barfield Trial Group will investigate your case, and consult with our team of insurance and engineering experts, to determine the full value of your claim. We will fight for you in court to obtain the money that you deserve from the insurance company to which you have dutifully paid your insurance premiums. The policyholder attorneys at Corless Barfield Trial Group have years of experience working with homeowners and business owners throughout Florida who have been treated unfairly by their insurance companies, and we would be happy to help you. Contact us at 813-258-4998 for a free consultation. The post Great Balls of Fire: Fighting Your Insurance Company Over Fire & Smoke Damage appeared first on Corless Barfield Trial Group. from https://www.corlessbarfield.com/2019/09/great-balls-of-fire-fighting-your-insurance-company-over-fire-smoke-damage/
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When they go low – and they will – we go high, or we take them to court. Insurance companies and their bureaucracies will be the biggest obstacle between you and your property damage claim. Corless Barfield Trial Group knows how to deal with insurers and adjusters trying to hold your compensation. Everything an insurer can do to dispute, delay, deny, or diminish your claim, they will. Insurance companies do not make their enormous profits by paying what they owe but rather denying what they owe. Therefore it is necessary anytime you have property damage you have counsel fighting for your rights. Whether you own a single family home, or you happen to be on the Board of a community managed association, if the insurance company is giving you a hard time about insurance coverage for your property damage claim, call us at 813-258-4998 to help you get the claim resolved. Here are a few inconvenient truths all property owners – whether you are a commercial/business owner, a member of a Board of Directors for your condo, or a homeowner – should know:
While the above situations are common, there is a way to fight back. Corless Barfield Trial Group is a tested trial team of Florida Property Damage Attorneys well-versed in the tactics used by insurance companies to limit their own liability. We will aggressively fight to maximize your insurance coverage. As a policyholder, you are entitled to a full and fair investigation of your loss, and you deserve to obtain all appropriate coverage for your claim. Our team of litigators specialize in advocating for property owner rights. If you want to hear what others say about our experience, just ask Google. Our team of seasoned, expert litigators focuses on getting you the means by which to rebuild your home or business. In Florida, property insurance disputes include hurricane damage, storm damage, high winds, sinkholes, catastrophic ground cover collapse, fire loss, and water damage. As damages can cost thousands to hundreds of millions of dollars, you need a property damage litigator who can fight back and win. Corless Barfield Trial Group has handled hundreds of property damage cases and collected hundreds of millions of dollars for insureds, and are familiar with the devious maneuvers used by insurance companies to protect their own bottom line. You don’t have to do battle with your insurance company alone. Don’t let your insurance company force you into paying for something they are legally required to cover. We take your claim with the objective of getting it paid, or making the insurer test their meddle in front of a jury. The Florida Property Damage Attorneys from Corless Barfield Trial Group will help you maximize your insurance claim and coverage. Corless Barfield Trial Group is located in Tampa, Florida and serves clients throughout the state of Florida. For a free consultation, call us at 813-258-4998. The post Won’t Back Down: Fighting Insurers For Property Damage Coverage appeared first on Corless Barfield Trial Group. from https://www.corlessbarfield.com/2019/08/wont-back-down-fighting-insurers-for-property-damage-coverage/ Living in Florida comes with many benefits such as warm temperatures, access to beautiful beaches, and year-round outdoor activities. Yet Florida is also known for its destructive hurricane season that has the potential to wreck property and cause serious damage, which can have negative impacts long after the storm has passed. Adding to a property owner’s stress is when an insurer delays, denies or underpays a legitimate claim for property damage. An experienced Florida hurricane lawyer can help resolve your insurance coverage claim. Property owners, property managers, HOAs, Community Management Associations, and Licensed Community Association Managers don’t have to fight insurers alone for compensation stemming from storm damage. The nationally recognized law firm of Corless Barfield Trial Group has built a tradition of success and a strong reputation for favorable results to ensure property damage claim interests are protected. We are able to provide the resources needed to navigate the insurance claims process for Florida clients. Contact Corless Barfield Trial Group today at 813-258-4998 for a free consultation regarding your insurance policy for property damage caused by any of the following: ✓ Hurricanes ✓ Tropical Storms ✓ Flooding ✓ Winds ✓ Hail ✓ Impact Damage ✓ Lightning Did you suffer property damage in a storm? Is your insurance company offering you less than you need to repair the damage, or are they denying your claim entirely? Our law firm provides skilled and knowledgeable attorney representation to homeowners, businesses, and condominium owners and associations throughout Florida who have suffered property damage due to hurricanes or tropical storms. One of the best ways to protect yourself and your property is to know your rights. Insurance companies in Florida use a number of different tactics to deny and delay payment for storm-related damage. What are the pitfalls you should look for? Insurance companies attempt to dispute coverage for storm damage claims because …
Insurers may sometimes provide only a portion of the coverage you need for your property damage and fail to acknowledge the severity of the actual damage with its associated costs for repair or replacement. As a result, if your residence or business has suffered storm damage, it is best to have an attorney representing your rights and interests. Corless Barfield handles hundreds of cases for insureds who are in need of advice or representation against insurance companies after storm damage. We’re ready to investigate your claim, gather evidence to support your position, and help you achieve the best possible outcome at trial. As dedicated trial lawyers who have more than 20 years of experience with hurricane and property damage insurance claims, the attorneys at Corless Barfield Trial Group are ready to fight for your rights. Receive a case evaluation on your hurricane or property damage claim from the attorneys at Corless Barfield by calling 813-258-4998. The post 2019 Hurricane Season: How Do I Handle My Hurricane Claim appeared first on Corless Barfield Trial Group. from https://www.corlessbarfield.com/2019/07/2019-hurricane-season-how-do-i-handle-my-hurricane-claim/ Texting while driving is a serious problem on Florida roadways, especially in Tampa. On July 1, 2019 a new law will go into effect making texting and driving a primary offense. What will be the impact on Floridians? Read on. HB 107 makes driving while texting a primary offense, meaning law enforcement can stop motorists for just that offense. (There will be a six-month grace period where only citations will be issued.) Prior to the new law, texting while driving was a secondary offense that officers could only cite drivers for after pulling them over for a different violation. In the past, law enforcement needed to see a driver weave, speed, or engage in any other traffic violation. Also, the law bans the use of handheld wireless devices in school and construction zones. The ban doesn’t apply to drivers using a navigation device or texting while not moving. A first offense is punishable by a $30 fine, with a second costing $60 and 3 points added to your license. Court costs and fees also would apply. Were you injured in an accident caused by a distracted driver? If you or a loved one has sustained a serious or catastrophic injury caused by a driver who was texting or otherwise distracted, you should contact a personal injury attorney that specializes in texting and driving car accidents as soon as possible. At Corless Barfield Trial Group, our personal injury lawyers have helped countless clients who were injured in texting while driving accidents. We can provide the legal counsel and effective advocacy you need to successfully pursue a claim against a negligent driver. Contact us at 813-258-4998 for a free consultation. The seriousness of texting while driving cannot be understated: Studies have shown that texting while driving poses a comparable or greater car accident risk than drunk driving. Watch Corless Barfield Trial Group’s John Mulvihill discuss these important studies. If you believe distracted driving was a factor in your injury-causing motor vehicle accident, it is crucial to contact an attorney who will seek maximum compensation for you. Corless Barfield Trial Group helps victims of car accidents caused by distracted drivers. We aid accident victims throughout the Tampa Bay area. For an experienced texting while driving attorney, call us now at 813-258-4998. The post ConTEXT Is Everything: Florida’s New Texting While Driving Law appeared first on Corless Barfield Trial Group. from https://www.corlessbarfield.com/2019/07/context-is-everything-floridas-new-texting-while-driving-law/ You may have seen a sinkhole covered in local or national news as a sensational story. Such headline-worthy articles and videos typically show sinkholes causing huge traffic jams or homes literally sinking into the ground. Other times, sinkhole activity does not cause a large-scale collapse but it becomes a chronic problem for owners of multiple buildings within a community managed association. Whether big or small, sinkholes remain geological phenomena that regularly occurs in Florida. Did a sinkhole loss occur or how do we repair sinkholes when they do occur are questions we get asked all the time. Corless Barfield Trial Group brings our extensive experience, which includes a comprehensive understanding of the legal and engineering issues associated with sinkholes, to our client’s cases. Below are important sinkhole warning signs. If you are experiencing a number of the signs described below, please contact a professional. If you have questions about sinkhole activity, insurance, or property damage call Corless Barfield Trial Group at 813-258-4998. Fall Between the Cracks: In the event you have sinkhole activity, you could see cracks forming in your walls, especially where walls and ceilings meet as well as around doors and windows. You may notice cracks in tile grout, laminate, linoleum, or flooring. Be aware of new or growing cracks. If you live in a community managed association, each building on your property should be annually inspected for the common signs of sinkhole loss. Mind the Gap: Walls and ceilings with gaps or separation could indicate a sinkhole. Specifically, look for cracks in your interior walls and on the ceilings. Trim and molding that’s pulling away is another sign of sinkhole activity. If you notice slanting or see warping, these issues may be sinkhole related. Nature Calls: There are numerous sinkhole warning signs to look for around the outside of your house, too. Inspect your fence posts and trees for sagging or slanting. Small ponds of water are a sign of sinkhole activity, especially if water has never collected there before. Love Thy Neighbor: If you see any of the signs mentioned above, ask your neighbors if they’ve had sinkhole activity. Additionally, check with your emergency management office and weather offices about sinkhole activity in the area. In Florida, the Geological Survey office records and tracks sinkhole events. Corless Barfield Trial Group brings a unique, valuable perspective of representing policyholders against some of the nation’s most powerful insurance companies. Our property damage insurance lawyers, Ted Corless, Morgan Barfield, and Mary Catherine Lamoureux are leaders in the legal community on these issues. We represent insureds in sinkhole damage claims but also in claims arising from hurricane and other windstorm activity (e.g. tornado, microburst, hail, etc.). Corless Barfield represents clients at all levels of insurance issues, from claim management through value appraisal and arbitration. For denied claims, Corless, Barfield, and Lamoureux can document record-setting verdicts against the largest insurers, from discovery through verdict and appeals. To learn more about how we can help you with sinkhole and windstorm losses, please contact our law firm today at 813-258-4998. The post How to Spot Sinkholes appeared first on Corless Barfield Trial Group. from https://www.corlessbarfield.com/2019/06/how-to-spot-sinkholes/ Commercial. Residential. Condominium. Community Management Associations. Licensed Community Association Managers. Many policyholders do their best to submit insurance claims after property damage, but they oftentimes run into trouble when dealing with their insurance company. In fact, submitting claims and negotiating with your insurer can be extremely frustrating and confusing. At Corless Barfield Trial Group, our team of seasoned property damage insurance attorneys work to maximize recovery for our clients. For a free consultation, call 813-258-4998. Corless Barfield Trial Group is an experienced insurance claims law firm serving the Tampa area and Florida. It is important for homeowners and business owners to immediately seek legal counsel when they have property damage. Insurance companies and their adjusters habitually look to delay, deny or underpay their policyholder’s claims. The insurance company wants to protect their bottom line. The reality is, insurance companies are unconcerned with providing their policyholders the benefits they bargained for. Corless Barfield Trial Group attorneys have seen firsthand how insurance companies wrongfully deny an insurance claim or devalue a policyholder’s claim. Insurance adjusters work for their companies, not you. Homeowners and business owners frequently struggle on their own through the insurance claim process. At Corless Barfield Trial Group, we will ably handle your initial claims filing, court filings, motion practice, and jury trials as well as the appeals process. Our firm has a long history of aggressively pursuing wind, water, lightning, sinkhole, vandalism, fire and other property damage claims against insurance companies and obtaining the maximum recovery for our clients. If your insurance company has unfairly delayed, denied or underpaid your claim, contact our team of legal professionals today. The lawyers at Corless Barfield Trial Group will work hard to ensure that you receive the compensation you deserve if your property has been damaged. Even if your insurance company is not in disagreement as to the presence of sinkhole activity or property damage, it is still imperative that your full rights be strongly protected by a knowledgeable and skillful attorney. Whether you experience residential or commercial property damage, Corless Barfield Trial Group will be glad to discuss your rights and options. Don’t hesitate to call us today at 813-258-4998 to speak with our accomplished property damage insurance attorneys. The post What’s the Damage? Why You Must Hire A Property Damage Insurance Attorney appeared first on Corless Barfield Trial Group. from https://www.corlessbarfield.com/2019/05/whats-the-damage-why-you-must-hire-a-property-damage-insurance-attorney/ Teamwork makes the dream work. We have turned the indispensable idea of working with a team of experts, including seasoned investigators, support staff, paralegals, consultants, jury experts, and top-notch lawyers, into a reality at Corless Barfield Trial Group. Most of the team at CBTG joined our crew more than a decade ago, each contributing to our regular, award-winning successes. Over the years, our Tampa-based law firm has helped hundreds of property owners recover more than $250 million in compensation to account for their damages. We are proud of our exemplary record in complicated property damage cases, and we understand that clients have a great deal invested in the outcome. As such, we invest a great deal of our resources in them. Just ask our opponents, who would likely describe us as professional, but also ferocious when the time to be so is necessary. Property damage lawsuits can be very multifaceted, involving complex legal and scientific issues. Every case requires a lot of help from legal staff members and a masterful team. Due to our longstanding business relationships, we can address all the legal needs you may have. We do not take cases that “might” go to trial, but instead prepare each case as if we know it “will” go to trial. Insurance companies know that about us, and must either make good on their promises to our clients, or we will take them to task, all the way to the Florida Supreme Court. At Corless Barfield, there is a pool of knowledge and know-how. Our team provides our clients with complementary skills and abilities; support and engagement; and advice and counsel. Our law firm’s success is a result of the active and constructive engagement of its staff, lawyers, consultants, investigators, and experts. The reason we can provide superior results is because of the dedication of our team, which includes the person who answers the phone all the way to the people who pick the jury and appear in court. Lawyering is high-stakes, especially when you regularly try cases worth more than $10 million as we do. All you need to do is google “Corless Barfield” and you will see what the press and our opponents report about us. That is why the teamwork mentality we teach, preach, and follow is of such importance. Corless Barfield has built a strong staff by identifying strategic partners, working with high-profile and renowned consultants, hiring experts when necessary, and outsourcing work to others, such as acclaimed appellate lawyers, all of whom we work with extraordinarily closely. Our enthusiastic and powerful law firm team supports positive results. The skilled property insurance attorneys at CBTG can help you make sure that your rights are protected and your interests prioritized in the event of property damage. Teamwork is the fuel that allows for superlative results. Effective teamwork is critical to law firm success. Clients expect – and we deliver – that their lawyers and legal staff will work productively across departments, offices, and even jurisdictions. The greater complexity of cases require more frequent collaboration and sharing of resources. There is no question that our law firm and our clients benefit tremendously as a result of the collaborative work environment we have fostered and our emphasis on the importance of teamwork. Corless Barfield Trial Group works well both internally amongst colleagues and externally with clients. We prioritize collaboration. It is a key element that drives our success and greatly benefits our valued clientele. If your home, commercial property, apartment complex or business has suffered property damage, call Corless Barfield Trial Group today at 813-258-4998 to learn more. If you want to join our team, you might be a good fit should you desire the kind of challenge that would allow you to successfully change the course of our client’s lives. The post Importance of Teamwork in the Modern Law Firm appeared first on Corless Barfield Trial Group. from https://www.corlessbarfield.com/2019/05/importance-of-teamwork-in-the-modern-law-firm/ Men sometimes don’t realize how much “space” they occupy in the practice of law. They misguidedly own that space and guard it as if it were a battle in Game of Thrones. Corless Barfield Trial Group is proud of the extraordinary female team we have assembled, all of whom have boundless authority, strength, and intelligence to try multi-million dollar cases and slay the day. The reality is, there is a serious bias against female attorneys and women in general who work in law practices. Not at Corless Barfield. At our Tampa-based law firm, more than 80% of our staff is female and we have a woman who is a full partner in the practice. Our female staff of lawyers, paralegals, secretaries, and assistants dominate and contribute to our sensational success. Women ARE the inner circle at Corless Barfield Trial Group. “Women will only have true equality when men share with them the responsibility of bringing up the next generation,” explained Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. A lot of other law firms reinforce gender stereotypes, normalizing them, and explicitly enforcing them during negotiations, mediations, and even at trial in front of judges and juries. This is disheartening and it is a shame to see other law firms and lawyers put up a glass ceiling or even erect a concrete block. White males especially must use their power to punch stereotypes and power inequality in the face. In 2016, for the first time, more women were admitted to law school than men. In the courtroom, however, women remain a minority, particularly in the high-profile role of first chair at trial. Sexism infects every kind of courtroom encounter, from pretrial motions to closing arguments. Such reality means that we must eradicate gender bias not just from the practice of law, but from society as a whole. At Corless Barfield Trial Group, we encourage all our lawyers and staff to be the person in the courtroom and in the office that everyone loves while being as capable and prepared as possible. We actively promote gender equality and the leadership roles of women in all aspects of the legal profession. We are forever committed to creating and fostering an environment which contributes to the development and success of women attorneys and staff while enhancing their visibility. Our goal is to nurture and encourage a firm culture focused on the recruitment, development, promotion, and retention of qualified women attorneys and staff members. Men of quality encourage women’s equality. This topic of women in the law will be an ongoing series covered in Corless Barfield Trial Group blogs and videos. Join the conversation by sharing this article on your social media platforms. Let’s encourage more lady bosses and women in the law because the future is female. The post SHERO: Gender Equality in the Law appeared first on Corless Barfield Trial Group. from https://www.corlessbarfield.com/2019/04/shero-gender-equality-in-the-law/
With only months to go until hurricane season, which starts June 1 and ends Nov. 30, it’s time to check preparation kits, plan evacuation routes, and familiarize yourself with your insurance policy. Also, given the dynamic weather conditions in Florida, springtime hail storms damage property far more often than is reported. Litigating Storm Damage Claims: Corless Barfield Trial Group attorneys have extensive experience successfully litigating hurricane damage insurance claims on behalf of homeowners, condo owners, and businessowners in Florida. We have handled claims involving the improper calculation of deductibles, living expenses, and cases where the insurance company simply refuses to pay the right amount. Filing a hurricane or other wind insurance claims and battling the insurance company is our forte. Call us today at 813-258-4998 for a free consultation. We successfully litigate storm damage claims involving the following: roof damage, toxic mold, foundation damage, loss of home, loss of business, wind damage, business interruption damage, personal property losses, and water damage. We assist our clients in all phases of their claim, from initial damage evaluation through litigation. Our Florida-based attorneys ensure that you receive full and fair compensation. HOAs and CMAs: Corless Barfield Trial Group represents a broad spectrum of Homeowners Associations (HOAs) as well as “Community Management Associations” (CMAs) in Florida on their property damage claims. The biggest concern raised recently by Licensed Community Association Managers, or “LCAMs” relates to the regular undervaluing of damages present at condominiums, which often impacts the decision on whether to file a claim or not. It is common for Boards of volunteers for CMAs to make their own, well-intentioned evaluation of how bad the damage is, and whether they need to file a claim or not. Many of these associations have large deductibles (in the hundreds of thousands of dollars), which often dissuades the filing of claims. What most Boards are not aware of is that much of the damage caused by hurricanes or other wind claims like hail, cause damage latent to most lay persons. If there has been a storm that had resulted in any demonstrable damages, the entire structure should be evaluated by an appropriate professional. In our experience, the specific needs of an association require more expertise than should be expected of most Boards of Directors, or within the scope of an LCAM’s responsibilities. HOA and CMA policies are usually different from single-family dwellings. It is important for homeowners and HOAs to understand exactly the type of insurance coverages and amounts their HOAs and CMAs have and what is covered. Corless Barfield Trial Group lawyers know the ins and outs of storm damage claims, including those that involve HOAs and CMAs. Insurance 101: Insurance companies care about their own profits. They habitually deny, delay or underpay claims. Insurance companies and their adjusters are not in the business of paying out claims. Generally, insurance company adjusters are trained to resolve claims for the smallest amount possible or deny them outright if they can claim that there is an exclusion under the policy. This pattern starts the moment you pick up the phone or report your claim. It is imperative that you have an attorney representing your interests as soon as possible. Success: Recovery from these storms can be agonizing and economically exhausting, particularly when insurance companies fail to live up to their responsibilities to policyholders. Our firm represents clients in storm damage cases and other high stakes insurance coverage disputes throughout Florida. To schedule a free consultation with an experienced Florida property damage attorney, call 813-258-4998. The post Understanding Hurricane and Other Wind Insurance Claims appeared first on Corless Barfield Trial Group. from https://www.corlessbarfield.com/2019/04/understanding-hurricane-and-other-wind-insurance-claims/
The vast majority of lawyers do not communicate effectively with jurors. How do I know this? As a seasoned trial lawyer for nearly a quarter century, I have a success record at trial that is unmatched. My winning record stems from a universal truth: great trial lawyers are great storytellers. Below I describe the tools that make up a trial lawyer’s ability to effectively storytell. At Corless Barfield Trial Group, we pride ourselves on providing exceptional service in a variety of practice areas, from property damage claims to personal injury law. Call Corless Barfield Trial Group today at 813-258-4998 for a free consultation.
At Corless Barfield Trial Group, we value results that get justice and maximum compensation for our clients. Jurors expect attorneys to act professional and respectful to everyone in the courtroom and to present clear, organized, and relevant evidence and arguments without dramatics or aggression. Jurors do not like having their time wasted, so preparation is tantamount, too. For a free evaluation of your property damage or personal injury case, call Corless Barfield Trial Group today at 813-258-4998. The post What Makes A Great Trial Lawyer? 3 Tips and Tools appeared first on Corless Barfield Trial Group. from https://www.corlessbarfield.com/2019/03/what-makes-a-great-trial-lawyer-3-tips-and-tools/ |
About UsTo help our clients stand up for their rights and recover the financial compensation they deserve. Corless Barfield Trial Group is known for providing sound advice, personalized attention, and aggressive advocacy in cases involving sinkhole damage, insurance claims, and personal injury compensation. ArchivesNo Archives Categories |