1) Roof Damage Building Permit Lawsuits
  
What are the lawsuits about?
  
The Hurricane Law Group has commenced separate class action lawsuits against Allstate Floridian Insurance Co. (“Allstate”), Citizens Property Insurance Corp. (“Citizens”) and State Farm Florida Insurance Co. (“State Farm”) on behalf of Floridians whose homes were insured by these providers during the past five years and who suffered roof damage caused by a hurricane or other natural disaster. The lawsuits allege that Allstate, Citizens and State Farm failed to pay and/or properly adjust claims in Florida by ignoring requirements to obtain a building permit prior to commencing roof repair or replacement. The suits further allege that as a result of this failure policyholders were under-compensated for their losses.
  
Please click here for a PDF copy of the Allstate suit
Please click here for a PDF copy of the Citizens suit
Please click here for a PDF copy of the State Farm suit
  
  
What insurance companies were sued?
  
Allstate Floridian Insurance Company and Allstate Floridian Indemnity Company
Citizens Property Insurance Corporation
State Farm Florida Insurance Company
  
  
Who is affected by the suits?
  
If you were paid for roof damage for a hurricane, tornado or other natural disaster claim by the above named insurance companies over the last five years, you may be affected by the suit. No class has yet been certified in the lawsuits. To be a member of the proposed class, you need not take any action at this time. You may retain counsel of your choice.
  
  
How can I find out more about the lawsuits?
  
If you wish to discuss these lawsuits, participate in this or any other lawsuit, or have any questions please contact attorney Paul Berger via email paul@hurricanelawgroup.com, by calling 1-888-FLA-CLAIM, or by completing the form below.
  
  
  
2) Hurricane Wilma Class Action Lawsuit
  
What is the lawsuit about?
  
If you live in Miami-Dade or Broward County and sustained window damage during Hurricane Wilma, you were required by the Florida Building Code to replace your damaged windows with impact glass or a standard window plus a hurricane shutter.
  
The suit alleges that Citizens Property Insurance Corporation (“Citizens”) failed to pay and/or properly adjust Hurricane Wilma claims in Broward and Dade County by ignoring the Florida Building Code and its requirements with regard to the replacement of windows and other glass structures. This failure occurred when Citizens paid policyholders for simple glass replacement instead of the impact glass or glass plus shutters as required by the Florida Building Code. Click here to download a PDF of the lawsuit.
  
  
Background
  
The Florida Building Code (“FBC”) is a legacy of Hurricane Andrew, which caused approximately $30 billion in property damage as it swept across southern Florida in 1992. Before Andrew, the response to storm damage had been to clear away the debris and build again. After Hurricane Andrew’s winds leveled Homestead and other cities in its path, taxpayers and the insurance industry questioned the practice of “just build again”. As a result, the country’s toughest building codes were adopted in southern Florida.
  
The changes, incorporated into the 1994 code, were designed to address the weaknesses associated with the building envelope that became evident after a major storm. The three main areas of building construction weakness (roof systems, opening protection, and roof sheathing attachment) were identified and hurricane mitigation provisions were considered. Ultimately, the improved structural provisions were incorporated from the South Florida Building Code into the Florida Building Code as the High Velocity Hurricane Zone (“HVHZ”) provisions, which are applicable in Broward and Dade Counties.
  
The HVHZ imposes substantial requirements upon individuals seeking to make repairs to windows and sliding doors after a hurricane has damaged the glass structures of a building. Indeed, simple glass replacement is virtually impossible in HVHZ areas following a hurricane.
  
  
Who is affected by the lawsuit?
  
The suit was filed against Citizens Property Insurance Corporation on behalf of Dade and Broward County Citizens’ policyholders. If you are a Citizens policyholder and filed a Hurricane Wilma claim, you may be affected. Suits against other insurance companies are being planned.
  
  
How can I find out more about the suit?
  
If you wish to discuss this action, participate in this or any other lawsuit, or have any questions please contact attorney Paul Berger via email paul@hurricanelawgroup.com, by calling 1-888-FLA-CLAIM, or by completing the form below.