Structural Collapse Insurance Claims in Florida
At Cernitz Law, we’re here to help you with legal support and guidance to manage the next steps after the collapse damage to your property.
“No fee unless you win!”
Justin Cernitz & Candise Shanbron | Managing Partners
Collapses are unfortunately not uncommon and can cause extensive and severe damage to your home or business. They’re extremely disruptive and traumatic for any homeowner. We have extensive experience in cases relating to building collapses with a record of successful results. Our mission is to serve you and hold the responsible parties accountable. This includes property owners, contractors, or your insurance company.
We have compassionate attorneys who’ll carefully assess your situation, collect and preserve vital evidence, and develop a sound legal strategy that seeks appropriate compensation for your collapse damages. We’ll investigate the collapse and work to prove the cause in support of your case. We’ll also go over with you how to record and keep a file on all the damage that you have sustained and, if you are a worker that has been injured in a collapse, the possibility of a workers compensation claim.
There are legal steps that have to be taken within certain timelines, including the filing of suit or a lawsuit to protect your rights. Our firm can provide representation to make sure your rights are protected to allow you to maximize your recovery. Call now to receive your free consultation.
An Introduction to Building Collapse Claims
A collapse is an accident that can cause catastrophic injuries and even death. Collapses can also cause serious damage to property and property loss of millions of dollars. It’s an unfortunate incident that may occur while the building is under construction, under renovation, or even when the building is in use. In many cases, collapses may result from factors such as failure to ensure the structural integrity of a building.
As a construction worker, property owner or a resident living or working near a construction site, you may have more knowledge about the incident of collapse. Contact Cernitz Law in the event you or a loved one has been affected by a building collapse. Our building collapse attorney can help you take all the necessary steps required in getting compensation from the liable party.
Causes of Collapse Accidents
Collapse accidents may result from a combination of factors or a single factor. Some of the common causes of collapse accidents are as follows:
- Poor quality building construction materials.
- Faulty maintenance of the building.
- Defects in the design of the building.
- Negligence on the part of the construction company.
In many situations, the collapse may be caused by more than one factor. An example of such a case would be where the collapse is caused by a result of the use of substandard construction materials, thus, affecting the structural integrity of the building and causing it to collapse.
Liability and Responsibility in Building Collapses
Liability for building collapses can extend to property owners, contractors, and insurance companies. Property owners may be held responsible if they failed to maintain the structure properly or ignored safety regulations. Contractors can be liable when substandard materials or construction practices lead to structural failure. Insurers may also bear responsibility if they deny or underpay valid claims related to the collapse.
Victims of building collapses may be entitled to compensation for a range of losses, including medical expenses, temporary housing, structural repairs, lost income, and pain and suffering. An experienced attorney can help identify all applicable damages and pursue the maximum compensation allowed under the law.
Injuries and Damages Sustained by Collapse Victims
Whether you were directly impacted or are supporting someone who was, it is important to understand your legal options and take prompt action to protect your rights.
Consulting with an attorney who has experience in building collapse cases is one of the most important steps you can take. Cernitz Law is prepared to guide you through this process. Legal support is crucial not only for filing insurance claims but also for pursuing litigation when negligence, poor construction, or structural failure is involved. An experienced lawyer can help assess your case, handle the complexities of the legal process, and work to recover the full compensation you are owed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does homeowners or commercial property insurance cover structural collapse?
It depends on the cause. Most standard policies cover collapse resulting from specific perils like fire, hidden decay, insect damage, or the weight of snow and ice. What insurers often try to exclude is collapse from general deterioration or known structural issues the owner failed to address. The line between covered and excluded is frequently disputed, which is where having an attorney review your policy matters.
What are the most common causes of structural collapse claims?
Collapses can stem from electrical fires, faulty construction, failing foundations, hidden decay, termite or pest infestations, sinkholes, and the weight of heavy equipment during renovation or demolition. In some cases, a third party such as a contractor or neighboring property owner is responsible. Identifying the actual cause is critical because it determines who can be held liable and whether your insurance policy responds.
Who can be held liable when a building collapses?
Liability can fall on multiple parties. Property owners may be responsible if they failed to maintain the structure or ignored safety concerns. Contractors and builders can be liable for substandard construction or materials. And insurance companies may be on the hook if they deny or underpay a valid claim. An attorney can help identify all responsible parties and pursue compensation from each.
My insurer denied my structural collapse claim. What are my options?
Insurers frequently deny collapse claims by arguing the damage was the result of gradual deterioration rather than a covered event. That argument is often wrong and worth challenging. An attorney can review the denial, bring in structural engineers to assess the actual cause, and build a case to appeal the decision or file suit if necessary.
What compensation can I recover after a structural collapse?
Depending on the circumstances, you may be entitled to reimbursement for structural repairs, personal property loss, temporary housing or relocation costs, lost income if a business was affected, and medical expenses if anyone was injured. Workers injured on a job site may also have a workers’ compensation claim in addition to any third-party liability claim.
What should I do immediately after a collapse?
Get everyone out and contact emergency services first. Once the scene is safe, document everything with photos and video before any cleanup or demolition begins. Notify your insurance company promptly, but avoid giving recorded statements or signing anything until you’ve spoken with an attorney. Evidence in collapse cases disappears quickly, so preserving it early is critical.
Can my insurer deny my claim because the building showed signs of wear before the collapse?
They may try. Insurers sometimes argue that pre-existing deterioration disqualifies a claim, even when the actual collapse was triggered by a covered event. Whether prior wear negates coverage depends on the specific policy language and what the evidence shows. This is one of the most contested issues in collapse cases, and it’s worth having an attorney review the facts before accepting a denial.
How is a structural collapse claim different from other property damage claims?
Collapse claims are typically more complex. They often involve engineering analysis, disputes over causation, questions about third-party liability, and policy language that varies significantly between carriers. The dollar amounts tend to be larger as well. Cernitz Law has handled cases ranging from residential partial collapses to a $7.2 million parking garage settlement, so the firm has experience across the full range of these cases.
Contact Our Building Collapse Lawyer for Assistance
You may be entitled to damages for medical expenses, property loss, temporary housing, lost income, and pain and suffering. With the right legal representation, you can focus on recovery while your case is pursued with the care and strategy it deserves. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.
- Address: 9350 S Dixie Hwy Suite 1220, Miami, FL 33156
- Phone: (305) 370-3255
- Email: info@ceritzlaw.com