Author Archives: Jay Butchko
Should You Sign A Confidentiality Agreement In Your Personal Injury Case?
In almost every kind of case, if you settle your case, the other side will want you to sign a confidentiality agreement. As the name implies, a confidentiality agreement is a provision in your larger settlement agreement that swears you to secrecy about the case. Whether you should agree to one is something that… Read More »
Phantom Drivers And Your UM Insurance Coverage
There are phantoms driving among us, on our roadways. Ok, that may be a bit of an exaggeration. But before you laugh and think the phrase “phantom driver” is a knock on south Florida drivers, you should know what a phantom driver actually is, because phantom drivers do play a role in South Florida… Read More »
Homeowners Insurance Claims And Rates After A Bankruptcy
Two things in life that people try to avoid: Having property damage so severe that they require an insurance claim, and filing for bankruptcy. But sometimes they both happen. How will a bankruptcy affect your property damage claim? Disclosing a Homeowners Insurance Claim In bankruptcy, your property damage claim is an asset that could… Read More »
Homeowner’s Insurance And Building Collapses
When the condominium in Surfside collapsed, it was a catastrophe of the highest order. The last thing on anyone’s mind is or was property insurance. But the collapse is a good reminder for all of us as to how and whether such structural collapses are covered by homeowners insurance policies. Remember that a collapse… Read More »
A Life Care Planning Expert Can Help In Catastrophic Injury Cases
Often, it is up to the jury to determine the level, amount and extent of your injuries or damages in a personal injury case. A jury is capable of calculating lost wages and medical bills, and with the assistance of the testimony and records of your doctors, as well as your testimony, a jury… Read More »
What If Your Homeowner’s Insurance Company Goes Under?
You may not love your homeowners insurance company, but at least it’s insurance, and it will be there—hopefully–to pay you if you have a covered loss (or at least, it will pay when you sue and a court orders them to pay). For all the complaining about insurance companies, one of the worst things… Read More »
Not So Quick On Those Insurance Bad Faith Claims….
Suing an insurance company for bad faith requires showing that the insurance company did not act fairly towards its insured. An insurance company can make a wrong decision, or a bad decision, or have a difference of opinion with an insured. But when an insurer fails to adjust a claim in good faith, and… Read More »
Suing For Injuries Caused By Dogs
Almost all of us come into contact with dogs at some point in our everyday life. And most dogs are sweet, kind creatures. But they’re still animals, and that means they can still bite. When they do, if you’re the one bitten by the dog, it’s good to know what your rights are. Florida… Read More »
Insurance Company Denies Coverage Because Of A Difference In Claim Value
When an insurance company evaluates a claim, two kinds of problems can happen for the homeowner. The first problem is that the claim is wrongfully denied. This means that the insurance company says there is no coverage, when in fact the policy says that there should be coverage. The second problem is when the… Read More »
What Is The Valued Policy Law?
When we discuss losses and property damage, we often talk about damage to a part of the structure. Perhaps a flood, wind damage, or fire damages a part of your home or business. But in catastrophic cases, the entire structure can be declared a total loss. When it is, that’s what Florida’s valued policy… Read More »