Tennessee Business Interruption Attorneys
Representing business owners throughout the Southeast and Midwest
When calamity strikes, it is critical to a business’ viability that it get back in operation as soon as possible. Time is money. Delay in getting the business operating again after property is damaged, technology fails, inventory is lost, or as a result of any catastrophic loss– means lost profits. When business is suspended, overhead costs such as insurance premiums, lease payments, staff, pension funding, and other employer obligations still need to be met. Business interruption means more than just lost sales revenue, including lost market share and lost opportunities.
The Tennessee-based business interruption insurance claim lawyers at McWherter Scott & Bobbitt represent businesses throughout the Southeast. We work to get our clients prompt and accurate funding so they can get their company up and running as soon as possible. The Firm has the experience and skills to help clients determine the full extent of their business loss. As an example, in a recent case, McWherter Scott & Bobbitt obtained a settlement of over $3.9 million for lost business income and extra expenses as a result of a fire for a West Tennessee business.
What are common business interruption claims?
Our firm works with a broad range of businesses and business experts. When damage to your property or business assets occurs, as a result of any covered loss, our firm is adept at preparing, analyzing, and presenting your claim appropriately, honestly, and accurately. Some of the common business interruption issues our Tennessee business interruption attorneys address include:
- Improper Allocation of Continuing v. Non-Continuing Expense. One of the common issues is properly allocating continuing v. non-continuing expenses, a task that is often massacred by the forensic accountants hired by the insurance companies. Precision and accuracy are a must, and mistakes often times result in severe miscalculations of insured losses.
- Salaries and wages. Many policies cover the costs associated with continued payroll obligations, even for the entire period of restoration or for a portion of it.
- Period of Restoration. Another common dispute involves the appropriate period of restoration, and when it ends. Generally, and subject to the specific requirements of the policy in question, the period of restoration defines the parameters on the period for which an insured is entitled to business interruption benefits. When an insurer breaches its obligation to pay for property damage promptly, resulting in a longer period of business interruption, the law in many states provides a remedy.
- Calculation of loss of income. Of course, an accurate calculation of lost revenues is important to any business interruption claim. New businesses are particularly susceptible to improper accounting and economic methodologies designed to minimize insurance benefits. We are experienced in identifying incorrect protocols, and we have relationships with various financial professionals to assist with accurately preparing loss schedules.
- Temporary location costs and other extra expenses. Most businesses rely on brick and motor locations to do business. Retail stores, sawmills, manufacturing facilities, apartments, warehouses, and others all require the appropriate space and structure to serve their purpose and continue generating revenue for their owners. Gaining advances for temporary locations to perform business can be the difference in a small bump in the road that a business can overcome versus a total wipeout of the business. If it takes months or years to get back to work, customers, tenants, vendors, suppliers, and more may be permanently lost.
How can fires lead to a business interruption insurance claim?
When your commercial, office, or industrial structure is damaged in a fire, the business suffers in more ways than one. At the very moment when money becomes more important due to the need to make quick repairs, the business may also be incapable of generating revenues due to the catastrophic loss. With inventory, office space, and/or equipment damaged, it becomes critical to quickly move forward with repairs and get the business back up and running. When an insurance company’s actions prohibit you from doing so, that’s where we come in. At McWherter Scott & Bobbitt, we are skilled identifying issues and assisting our insureds recover the amounts to which they are rightfully entitled.
What are additional concerns in business interruption cases?
The Firm understands that many practical issues need to be addressed and factored into an economic loss claim. Our firm guides our clients through these issues, which may include:
- The length of the business interruption. A realistic and accurate assessment needs to be made, particularly in light of the way the insurance company has handled the property damage claim.
- Mitigation. A strategy has to be developed to mitigate losses, utilizing the policy the way it was intended to cover extra expenses incurred to minimize business loss.
- Management review. Time and money need to be spent to strategize how to get the business operable again.
- Financial projections. Projections for all financial phases of the company need to be analyzed.
The number of items that need to be reviewed when business operations are interrupted is almost inexhaustible. Our Tennessee business interruption attorneys help guide companies through this difficult time by working with experts in your field to address each concern.
Get a proper analysis of business operation loss – and prompt payment for insurance claims
McWherter Scott & Bobbitt fights for any business that suffered harm that is covered by an insurance policy. We help businesses and property owners throughout Tennessee get prompt payment for their claims. If you are out of state, our highly qualified lawyers may also be able to assist. When you pay your premiums, you deserve to have the insurance company uphold their end of the bargain. To review your case with an experienced Tennessee-based business interruption lawyer, please call 731-664-1340 or fill out our contact form. Our attorneys are licensed in Tennessee, Kentucky, Arkansas, Mississippi and Missouri.