Homeowners across the Louisiana coast were affected by Hurricane Katrina. Many of those affected are still dealing with the stressful experience of rebuilding their homes, communities, and lives. Homeowners insurance is a boon to many when natural disaster strikes. Unfortunately, insurance companies do not always make recovery of benefits easy on the afflicted homeowner. The
On August 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina devastate much of the Gulf Coast, prompting the Louisiana Legislature to enact Acts 2006, which extended the prescriptive period within which insured’s were allowed an additional year to file certain claims under their insurance policies for losses incurred by the storms. Despite many insurance contracts granting only one year
Lake Charles resident Ginger Hinch Durio sued her Insurer, Horace Mann, over the extent of payments she received for the damages she sustained during Hurricane Rita. Durio’s house was severely damaged, including her garage where her family’s belongings were being stored while they were in talks to sell the house. The ceiling inside the garage
The Gulf Coast has seen its share of hurricanes and tropical storms, unfortunately, and nearly everyone who lives in our region knows someone who has been adversely affected by the damage these acts of nature cause. Whether a home, car, business or other form of property, many suffered devastating losses that left the future unclear.
As many Gulf Coast residents unfortunately know, standard homeowner’s insurance policies do not include coverage for flooding. In order to assist property owners in Louisiana and other states in protecting themselves against floods from hurricanes, tropical storms, and other severe weather, Congress created the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) in 1968. NFIP offers flood insurance
For those Louisiana residents, whether you live in Lake Charles, Shreveport, Baton Rouge, New Orleans, Kentwood or any other of the great cities across this state, looking for more information on their possible personal injury claim, check out our blog dedicated to these legal matters: Louisiana Personal Injury Blog This blog discusses the legal issues
While stories have been popping up progressively in the wake of Hurricanes Katrina, Gustav and Ike, one interesting development has been the efforts by lawmakers and citizens for preparedness should an unpredictable catastrophe befall their hometown. States along the Eastern Seaboard have been taking action instituting insurance measures and local disaster drills should an unexpected
In a move set to memorialize and preserve the memory of the carnage and harm recent hurricanes have caused, the NOAA is retiring several notable storm names from active use in the upcoming hurricane season. The names Gustav, Ike and Paloma will never be associated with future hurricanes or tropical storms on account of their
While exact estimates are not exact to report, it is important to remember the damage of Gustav seven months later. This article, dated September 3, 2008, summarizes the hardship Gulf Coast residents faced Storm-ravaged homeowners in the path of Hurricane Gustav will file an estimated 175,000 wind- and flood-damage claims with insurance payouts likely to
During an interview with WBRZ, Louisiana’s insurance chief reminded Gulf Coast residents about tax rebates available to citizens in the wake of Gustav and Ike. Homeowners who suffered property damage from Hurricanes Gustav and Ike are eligible for two tax rebates and a tax deduction. Louisiana Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon said property owners will receive
Jeffrey Berniard is a specialized injury attorney with over 21 years of experience fighting for Louisiana families.