Fires can wreak havoc on commercial buildings and homes, leaving behind smoke damage and destroyed belongings. The destruction can be overwhelming, making the insurance claims process challenging. Insurance companies often show little sympathy for your losses.
At Whitley Law Firm, our Greenville fire damage lawyers are committed to helping you recover after a fire. We stand ready to challenge insurance companies’ unfair practices, such as claim denials and underpayments. Our personalized legal support covers every step of the claims process.
If you’re dealing with fire damage, contact Whitley Law Firm 24/7. When you need a Greenville commercial property damage lawyer, we’re here to help you rebuild.
What to Do Immediately After a Fire
When a fire occurs in your North Carolina home or workplace, follow these important steps:
- Care for injuries: Make sure that your loved ones or colleagues receive immediate medical attention for any injuries sustained.
- Preserve evidence: Actively work to preserve any evidence related to the fire. Don’t leave this responsibility to the insurance company, as they might obscure evidence that could cost them money.
- Contact a lawyer: Reach out to a Greenville personal injury lawyer. Our attorneys will thoroughly examine your case and pursue all responsible parties.
By taking these steps, you can protect your rights and ensure a thorough investigation. Our Greenville personal injury lawyers are here to support you every step of the way.
For a free legal consultation with a fire damage lawyer serving Greenville, call (800)785-5000
Types of Fire Catastrophes
Fires can start anywhere, and while it’s impossible to list every type, some are more common in North Carolina:
- House fires
- Car fires
- Business fires
- Mine fires and explosions
- Industrial workplace fires
All fires share one thing: they cause significant damage. Property loss is often the first impact, but serious injuries also occur. Burns are common, and treating them can be costly. Victims may also suffer injuries while escaping, such as smoke inhalation and oxygen deprivation, leading to further health issues.
If you’re dealing with fire damage, our attorneys can help.
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Types of Damages Incurred During a Fire
Cataloging losses after a fire can be challenging due to the fire itself, as well as efforts to extinguish it. Common types of damages incurred during and after a fire include:
Fire Damage
Structural damage, replacements, or ruined items should be covered by homeowners insurance. Documenting the damage, necessary repairs, and losses is vital.
Our fire damage attorneys can identify covered losses and seek compensation from your insurer up to your policy’s limits. We manage your claim from start to finish or assist if you face issues with your insurer or a denied claim.
Smoke Damage
Smoke from a fire can damage walls, curtains, furniture, and affect allergies. Many items may need professional cleaning, treatment, or replacement.
Our team includes smoke damage in your claim, gathering the evidence needed to document remediation, cleaning, or replacement costs. Your insurer should cover these costs to make sure your home is livable again.
Water Damage
Fighting a fire requires a significant amount of water, which can cause extensive damage to your home’s interior. Flooring, walls, drywall, appliances, furniture, and personal belongings can all suffer.
Our attorneys inventory these losses and calculate a fair settlement for repairs and replacements. Water damage often becomes the most expensive part of a fire-related claim, and your claim should reflect that.
Firefighting Efforts
Firefighters often need to take drastic measures to fully extinguish fires, such as cutting holes for ventilation, knocking down walls, kicking in doors, or breaking windows. These necessary actions can cause significant damage, sometimes even more than the fire itself.
Their main goal is to keep your family safe and stop the fire from spreading to nearby homes while preserving as much of your property as possible.
Dealing with thousands of dollars in damage can be overwhelming. Our attorneys are here to help. We document all firefighting damages to build a strong case for your claim, proving these damages occurred during the fire and aggressively seeking the funds needed for repairs.
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Understanding Injuries After a Fire
Fire injuries can be devastating, caused not only by burns but also by smoke inhalation. Both types of injuries are costly to treat and can be incredibly painful, sometimes even fatal.
According to the CDC’s Cost of Injury data, fire-related injuries in the U.S. cost $8 billion annually. This includes expenses for non-hospitalized victims, hospitalizations, and fatal injuries. The severity of a burn injury depends on its depth. Deeper burns take longer to heal and can damage sweat glands and hair follicles.
Some burns only need topical antibiotics and bandages, but more severe cases may require specialized wound care and skin grafts, particularly for burns on the face, hands, or feet. Pain management is also a critical part of the recovery process.
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How a Greenville Fire Damage Lawyer Overcomes Common Challenges
Insurance companies often try to minimize payouts to maximize profits. Even if you’ve been diligent with your payments, they may look for reasons to deny or reduce your claim. Here’s how we tackle these challenges:
- Policy exclusions: Insurers may argue that your policy excludes certain types of fire damage. We can help you challenge these exclusions, especially if the policy language is ambiguous and should favor the policyholder.
- Claim denials: Denials often occur due to insufficient coverage or disputes over property value. If your insurer acted unfairly, we can assist in filing a bad-faith lawsuit to challenge their decision.
- Documentation issues: Proving fire damage requires extensive documentation. We assist in gathering and presenting the necessary evidence to support your claim effectively.
- Underpayment: Insurers might undervalue your claim, hoping you’ll accept a low offer due to financial stress. We can arrange for an independent assessor to provide an accurate property value and advocate for a fair settlement.
With our experience and dedication, we make sure you get the support you need to challenge unfair insurance practices. Trust us to advocate for your rights and help you secure a fair settlement.
Trust Whitley Law Firm To Help You Rebuild
Facing fire damage can be incredibly stressful, but having the right support makes all the difference. A Greenville fire damage lawyer from Whitley Law Firm can provide the guidance and advocacy you need to handle your claim effectively.
Our team understands the challenges you face and is committed to fighting for your rights. We meticulously document all damages and work aggressively to get you the funds needed for repairs and recovery.
We can help you take the first step forward. Call Whitley Law Firm 24/7 for a Greenville fire damage lawyer who will stand by your side and help you rebuild your life.
Call (800)785-5000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
