Baton Rouge Property Damage Attorney

Baton Rouge Property Damage Lawyer

Property damage can be caused by natural disasters, intentional vandalism, or the recklessness of others. These damages can cost you severely, requiring costly repairs to your home, vehicle, or other important and expensive personal property. Filing a claim with your insurance or another party’s insurance may be possible. A Baton Rouge property damage attorney can help families, businesses, and individuals navigate the process of recovering their damages.

The attorneys at Dampf Thames LLC can help you with your property damage claim. Property damage can cause significant financial hardship, and when you have a valid claim, it is essential that you recover a fair settlement. Our attorneys can help you secure that. Whether someone else was to blame for the property damage or you are filing a claim with your insurer, we provide you with compassionate and comprehensive legal support.

Recovering Property Damage Compensation From an Insurance Company

Dealing with an insurance company is not easy. These companies do not have your interests in mind, even when you are the policyholder. Their goal is to minimize their liability, and they may deny a valid claim in order to support that goal. The company may take other steps in bad faith to discourage you from securing full and fair compensation for your property damage.

A Baton Rouge Property Damage Lawyer can help you protect your rights by gathering information and documentation of your losses, reviewing your policy for its coverage allowances, and negotiating with the insurance company on your behalf.

What Are the Types of Natural Disaster Property Damages?

There are many different causes of property damage, and one of the most common is the damage caused by natural disasters.

Floods are one of the most frequent causes of water damage, electrical hazards, mold growth, structural damage, and many other issues with property. In 2019, Baton Rouge experienced its longest recorded flood duration since 1927, lasting 226 days.

Flood insurance coverage is almost always separated from homeowners’ insurance. Flood insurance is typically required for homeowners and business owners in high-risk areas of Louisiana.

When you have property damaged by a flood, you should be able to recover damages from your policy. Jefferson Parish has the highest number of National Flood Insurance Program policies active. In East Baton Rouge Parish, there was an increase of 45,914 policies for flood insurance in the past five years, as well as an increase of 1,701 in West Baton Rouge Parish.

Other causes of natural damage to property include:

• Hurricanes, which involve extremely high winds, significant rainfall, and the potential for flooding
• Fire and smoke damage, which can harm or decimate property, can be caused by wildfires, lightning, downed power lines, and electrical malfunctions
• Storms, especially more severe storms like hail or thunderstorms, can cause serious damage to personal property
• Tornadoes, which can destroy property and even level buildings
• Earthquakes, which can cause exceptionally serious structural damage to homes and other damage to the property in homes. They may result in landslides

After each type of natural disaster, property damage may need to be handled and negotiated differently. The damages must be accurately calculated, and you must know what your insurance policies do and do not cover. A Baton Rouge Property Damage Attorney can help.

Property Damage From Negligence and Intentional Damage

Property damage can also occur due to the actions of other people. This ranges from careless or reckless actions to intentional acts of vandalism.

When someone behaves negligently and causes damage to your property, you may or may not have the basis for a claim against them. In some cases, you will need to file a claim with your own insurance policy to cover the damage to your property. In other cases, you can hold that party liable for your damages. Your exact circumstances will impact whether you can hold the at-fault party liable, and an attorney can help you understand whether that applies.

When someone causes damage intentionally, they can often be held criminally liable as well as civilly liable. Someone may cause damage through arson, graffiti, or getting into an accident with a stolen vehicle.

FAQs About Baton Rouge, LA Property Damage Laws

Q: What Is the Property Damage Law in Louisiana?

A: When your property is damaged in a natural disaster or due to the negligence or intentional acts of another party, you may be able to recover the costs of the damages. After natural disasters, your insurance coverage may cover the damage depending on your policy. When someone else is to blame, you could file a claim against them for the losses. An experienced property damage attorney can help you determine the grounds of a claim and advocate for you against an insurer.

Q: What Is the Property Damage Claim Limit in Louisiana?

A: The limit on a property damage claim in Baton Rouge, Louisiana will depend on the specific value of the damage to your property and the limits of the insurance coverage that you or another party has. There is not always a specific limit for property damage. An attorney can help you understand the limits of your insurance coverage or the insurance coverage of another party, as well as what you can do to maximize that compensation.

Q: How Long Do You Have to File a Property Damage Claim in Louisiana?

A: You have a limited period of time to file a property damage claim in Louisiana, which is called the statute of limitations. This statute of limitations may vary depending on the type of property that was damaged, the cause of the damage, the parish you are located in, and other factors. If you do not file before the time limit ends, you will be unable to recover compensation. The court will bar any claim you make.

Q: What Is Considered Damaged Property for a Claim?

A: If your property was damaged, you could file a claim to recover compensation for the financial loss. If your property was damaged in an accident caused by the negligence of another party, you could file a claim. One example is damage to your vehicle caused by a distracted driver. An attorney can determine if you have a property damage claim.

Contact Dampf Thames LLC in Baton Rouge

Property damage claims should be relatively straightforward, but this is unfortunately not always the case. When you work with the skilled attorneys at Dampf Thames LLC, we can help you manage the claim, whether by securing recovery from your own policy or holding a negligent party responsible for their failures. Contact our firm today.