How Do Attorneys Assess Structural Losses Caused by Hurricane Winds?
You are not alone if hurricane winds have damaged your house or place of business. Hurricanes have the ability to destroy entire buildings, tear through roofs, and break electrical lines. But demonstrating what was lost and why is crucial when it comes time to pursue compensation. That’s where attorneys step in—specifically, a Boca Raton Hurricane Damage Lawyer can help walk you through the storm’s legal aftermath. But how do these lawyers assess structural losses caused by hurricane winds? Let’s break it down in a straightforward, easy-to-digest way.
The First Step: Visiting the Property
Face-to-Face With the Damage
One of the very first things an attorney—or someone they hire—does is visit the actual site. No amount of photos or documents can replace seeing the damage in person. They walk the property, look at the roof, walls, foundation, and any visible structural elements to get a sense of what happened. This isn’t just a casual stroll. It’s a focused inspection to match physical damage to hurricane-force wind speeds.
What Counts as “Structural Loss”?
Going Beyond Cosmetic Issues
Not every crack in the wall is a structural loss. Attorneys focus on the core parts of your home or building—the things that hold it up and make it safe. This means the load-bearing walls, the roof frame, the beams, and the foundation. If the wind has shifted these, the property may no longer be livable or safe, even if the outside looks okay.
Gathering Reports from Professionals
Engineers and Inspectors Join the Team
Lawyers don’t do all this work solo. They often bring in structural engineers, contractors, or building inspectors. These professionals provide detailed reports that highlight what part of the structure was affected and how. Their opinion adds credibility and backs up your claim with solid evidence. It also makes it easier to handle pushback from insurance companies.
Matching Damage to Wind Speeds
Science Meets Legal Work
To prove the wind caused the damage, attorneys often check wind speed data from weather stations or satellite feeds. If gusts in your area reached 100 mph, and your roof is missing, the connection is clear. But if damage seems light and the wind data shows only 40 mph gusts, your case may be trickier. This step helps establish a timeline and cause-and-effect pattern.
Reviewing Insurance Policy Language
Reading the Fine Print (So You Don’t Have To)
Attorneys take a deep dive into your insurance documents. They’re looking for clauses that cover or exclude wind damage. Some policies separate wind damage from flood damage, which can complicate things. If your policy covers wind but not flood, and a hurricane caused both, your lawyer must prove the damage came from wind alone. This is where things get really detailed.
Examining Photos and Videos
Every Pixel Tells a Story
Most people take pictures of their damaged property after a storm—and that’s a good thing. Lawyers go through those photos, video footage, and even drone shots if available. They compare them to older images of the property to show exactly what changed. This visual evidence helps make your case stronger when dealing with adjusters or going to court.
Interviewing Witnesses and Neighbors
Gathering Personal Accounts
Neighbors can be surprisingly useful when proving a claim. Attorneys often interview people nearby who saw the damage occur. Did someone see your roof fly off in real time? Did a neighbor film it? These stories and videos give your lawyer more ways to prove that wind—not neglect or old age—caused the damage.
Comparing With Other Properties
Building a Pattern of Wind Damage
Sometimes, your lawyer will look at surrounding buildings and how they were affected. If five houses on your block had their roofs torn off and yours did too, that’s a pattern. It shows that the storm caused widespread structural loss, which can reinforce your claim. On the flip side, if your home was the only one affected, expect more scrutiny.
Assessing the Cost of RepairsDollars and Cents Matter
After figuring out what’s damaged, the next step is estimating how much it will cost to fix. Lawyers work with contractors and adjusters to get a dollar amount. This number becomes the backbone of your claim. It’s used in negotiations and, if needed, presented in court. The goal is to show that the loss wasn’t just structural—it was financially significant too.
Preparing for Pushback from Insurers
Getting Ahead of Denials
Insurance companies aren’t always quick to pay out claims. They might argue that the damage existed before the storm or that it was caused by flooding. That’s why lawyers prepare detailed, organized evidence from day one. They know what questions are coming and already have the answers ready.
Final Thoughts:
Dealing with hurricane damage is stressful. It’s messy, confusing, and filled with paperwork. But a skilled attorney knows how to turn chaos into a clear-cut legal case. They look beyond surface-level issues and focus on the structure itself—what held up, what didn’t, and what it will take to make things right. With the right help, you’re not just another storm victim—you’re someone with a solid case.
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