Author Archives: Jay Butchko
Child Injuries-Who Is Responsible?
When kids get injured, we often dismiss it to their own carelessness. Kids are just kids, or kids are too wild, or kids often get hurt—that is normal. There is some truth to this—the reason why kids need adults in the first place is to take care of them, and certainly, kids don’t have… Read More »
How Does A Jury Evaluate Cases?
When you are first injured, the question of what a jury will do, months or possibly years down the line, may be the furthest thing from your mind. But if your case goes to trial, that time will someday come, and the way that juries make awards to personal injury victims may be something… Read More »
What Happens At Mediation?
In almost every case, whether in personal injury or in a homeowner’s insurance case, you can expect to be sent by the court to mediation. But what is mediation and what happens in mediation? What is Mediation? Mediation is a process where both sides (and their attorneys) will sit down with a mediator, and… Read More »
Liability For Holes In The Ground
When we think of ways that we can be injured on someone else’s property, we often think about falls, or things falling on us. Perhaps you may think of attacks, or crime that would give rise to negligent security. Rarely do you think of holes in the ground, but actually, holes are not only… Read More »
Shower Pan Leaks Can Cause Serious Damage
The shower and bath area: It’s supposed to be wet, right? So when you see a little mold or a little mildew, your first thought may be that it’s no big deal. You then notice that there is a little more water accumulating round the shower area than there used to be, but you… Read More »
What To Look For In Choosing A Homeowners Insurance Company
Whenever discussing any topic related to Florida homeowners insurance, you will often hear us say that coverage depends on your policy and you should read your policy. But how do you choose an insurance company? What are the things you should look for when deciding what insurance company to use to protect your home?… Read More »
Should Cars Be Rated Based On Pedestrian Safety?
When we look for new cars, we often pay close attention to their safety ratings, and the kind of safety features that the cars have in them. We want to know about survivability in case there is an accident, but also about how well the car actually helps us avoid accidents. But despite the… Read More »
Supreme Court Opts Not To Hear Appraisal Case
Most homeowners insurance policies require that the parties submit to an appraisal, in the event that coverage is accepted, but there is a dispute about value, or the amount of damages. A hot issue in appraisals is whether a public adjuster can serve as the appraiser. The Arguments on Both Sides Insurance companies say… Read More »
The Right To Repair Means The Insurance Company Needs To Repair Correctly
We have written in the past about the differences between policies that allow an insurance company to fix or repair your damage themselves, as opposed to other kinds of policies, which may allow you to hire your own contractors, oversee the repairs, fix or repair the property and then seek reimbursement. It used to… Read More »
When Can Your Homeowners Insurance Company Cancel Or Not Renew You?
Living in Florida, where there are storms and other catastrophes, one thing is unfortunately common in the world of homeowners insurance: Cancellations of your insurance policy. Unlike other kinds of insurance, where we figure we aren’t at risk unless we make claims (or too many of them), with homeowners insurance, it is often the… Read More »