Louisville, Kentucky Water and Mold Damage Claim Lawyers
Experienced representation for Kentucky policyholders facing water damage
Your insurance may cover water and mold damage that is accidental and sudden and is not due to floods. At McWherter Scott & Bobbitt, our insurance loss lawyers are skilled at showing that your policy does protect you. We’ll review whether any exclusions apply. Our Kentucky water and mold damage claim lawyers work with professionals who can verify what damage occurred, the cost to remove the water, clear the mold, and make any necessary repairs. We demand that your insurance company pay for the cost to replace real and personal property that can’t be repaired.
Does my insurance policy cover water and mold damage?
Your property insurance policies should cover the following types of water and mold damage:
- Burst pipes. Your pipes may burst due to freezing temperatures or other causes. This damage should be covered unless your negligence (for example failing to turn on the heat in cold weather) caused the pipes to burst.
- Roof leaks. Water damage often occurs after rain or hailstorms when your roof leaks and water falls into the interior of your home. If poor-quality shingles or a tree that falls onto your roof causes leaks, you should be covered. You should take steps to secure the roof so additional water damage doesn’t accumulate.
- Other types of leaks. You should also be covered if the internal plumbing in your home fails or an appliance such as a dishwasher breaks.
- Water damage due to fire control. Sprinkler systems and hose water used to extinguish fires can cause water damage.
Water damage due to snow, sleet, hail, and ice should be covered. At McWherter Scott & Bobbitt, our lawyers start by reviewing the terms of your homeowners’ insurance policy or your commercial insurance policy.
What exclusions may apply?
You need a separate flood insurance policy if your water damage is due to flooding. You may also need separate coverage if the water damage is due to hurricanes, tsunamis, overflowing rivers, tsunamis, and other types of natural disasters. Our Kentucky water damage claim lawyers will review all your insurance policies to determine which policy covers which type of water damage.
Common exclusions include:
- The source of the water damage. Generally, your insurance policy should cover the water and mold damage that occurs in your home or building – but the policy won’t pay for the dishwasher that leaks or the pipe that bursts, allowing water damage to your structure.
- Water damage caused by earth movements. You may need additional coverage if water damage is due to earth movements such as an earthquake, a mudslide, or a landslide.
You normally also need other types of coverage or endorsements for water damage due to swimming pools, intentional acts, damage from drains or sewers, and sump pump failures.
One difficult issue our insurance lawyers handle is seepage. The timing of when the seepage occurs can affect your claim.
How can water damage my property?
In addition to structural damage and roof damage, water damage can cause the following:
- Mold damage. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), mold grows where there is a lot of moisture. Common places where mold grows include leaks in roofs and anywhere water gathers after a storm or a flood. Mold is often detected by smell or sight. For people who are sensitive to mold, the complications can include wheezing, itchy or red eyes, fever, and shortness of breath. Some people may develop respiratory tract infections, bronchitis, and asthma. Our Kentucky mold damage lawyers work to show that the mold is related to water damage that is covered by your policy.
- Wood decomposition. Wood that decomposes due to water damage can attract fungi, carpenter ants, and termites that can cause your home to become structurally unsound.
- Warping. Wood, floorboards, and walls can warp when water accumulates.
Who should clean up my mold damage?
Our Kentucky insurance dispute lawyers help policyholders select a mold cleanup contractor who is skilled at removing mold and understanding the EPA’s mold cleanup guidelines. You need to hire professionals who do the mold cleanup, due to health risks and compliance requirements. As an example, the EPA suggests that mold cleanup professionals wear gloves, masks, and goggles. Water and mold damage caused by “sewage or other contaminated water is especially dangerous.”
How can your Kentucky water damage claim lawyers help?
At McWherter Scott & Bobbitt, we:
- Examine the precise language and terms of your insurance policies.
- Help you with the practical side of your claim. You should take photos or videos of the damage – showing the source of the water or mold damage. It helps if you have images of your property before the damage occurred. We also recommend that you keep receipts for any temporary repairs you do.
- Discuss how the claims process works, what questions the insurance company may ask you, and what positions the insurance company is likely to take.
- Work with water and mold damage professionals who will evaluate the damage, explain what needs to be done to correct the damage, and the timeline for the repairs.
- Prepare a proof of loss statement.
- Negotiate with the insurance carriers.
- Argue your claim before arbitrators
- Try your case before a jury.
Do you have a Kentucky water and mold damage claim lawyer near me?
Our office is located at 2950 Breckenridge Ln, Suite 13-200 in Louisville. We also review claims by phone and through video conferences. At McWherter Scott & Bobbitt, we’ll answer all your questions, prepare your claim, and be your advocate with the insurance carriers.
Speak with a respected Kentucky insurance loss lawyer about your water damage claim
At McWherter Scott & Bobbitt, we’ve obtained numerous insurance loss recoveries for one million dollars and higher. Our Kentucky insurance loss lawyers understand the unique challenges of water and mold damage claims including coverage disputes and the cost of the cleanup. To assert your right to insurance proceeds, please call us or complete our contact form to schedule an appointment. We proudly serve clients throughout the Southeast.