Our client owned a clothing store that suffered water damage after a severe storm. Wind gusts had ripped off the building’s roof capping and other parts of the roof, leading to interior water leaks that damaged the building, destroyed the business’ inventory, and interrupted our client’s business operations.
After submitting a claim to her insurance company, the insurance company refused to immediately pay the claim. Instead, the insurance company hired an engineering expert who stated that the roof damage was caused by “normal wear and tear” and “deterioration” rather than a severe storm. The insurance company denied our client’s claim, leaving our client with significant unpaid damages.
We sued the insurance company and retained experts to establish that our client’s building was in fact damaged by the storm. Despite the insurance company arguing that the weather events weren’t that severe, our meteorological expert reported that a strong thunderstorm with significant wind gusts and heavy rainfall did cross through the area on the date of loss. Our engineering expert also confirmed that the building clearly sustained storm-related wind damage and water damage, and found no evidence that “normal wear and tear” of the roof was to blame. After a lengthy litigation fight for almost two years, and numerous expert and rebuttal reports, we reached a successful settlement for our client.
If your insurance company has denied, delayed, or underpaid your insurance claim, contact Law Office of Rabih Hamawi for a case evaluation at (248) 905-1133 or www.hamawilaw.com.
Who is Rabih Hamawi?
Attorney & Counselor
Rabih Hamawi is a principal at the Law Office of Rabih Hamawi, P.C. and focuses his practice on representing policyholders in fire, property damage, and insurance-coverage disputes against insurance companies and in errors-and-omissions cases against insurance agents. He may be reached at (248) 905-1133.