Experiencing a fire in your home is devastating. Beyond the emotional and physical toll, dealing with insurance claims can be overwhelming. Insurance companies often aim to minimize payouts, which can leave you under-compensated for your losses. Hiring an experienced Louisiana insurance claim lawyer can help ensure you receive the full settlement you deserve.
Understanding Attorney Fees for Home Damage Insurance Claims
Many people worry about the cost of hiring a lawyer, especially when already facing financial strain due to property damage. It’s important to know that many attorneys work on a contingency fee basis for fire damage insurance claims. This means their fee is a percentage of the additional amount they recover for you beyond the initial offer from your insurance company.
In every case we handle, our goal is to obtain enough money that our clients’ damages are fully covered AFTER our attorneys’ fees are paid.
How Contingency Fees Work
Here’s a simple example to illustrate:
- Initial Offer: Your insurance company offers you $30,000 for fire damage.
- Attorney Involvement: You believe this amount is insufficient and hire an attorney.
- Increased Settlement: Through negotiation or legal action, your attorney secures a total of $100,000.
- Attorney’s Fee: If the attorney’s fee is 33%, it applies only to the additional $70,000 recovered, not the initial $30,000.
This approach ensures you don’t end up with less money than the insurance company’s original offer after paying attorney fees. In fact, with skilled legal representation, you’re likely to achieve a higher settlement that more accurately reflects your losses.
Additional Considerations
In some cases, if the insurance company is found to have acted in bad faith by delaying or unjustly denying your claim, Louisiana law may require them to pay penalties, which can include covering your attorney fees. This provides additional protection and can alleviate concerns about legal costs.
Taking the Next Step
Facing the aftermath of a home fire is challenging, but you don’t have to navigate the homeowner’s insurance claims process alone. An experienced attorney can advocate on your behalf, ensuring you receive fair compensation to rebuild your life. If you’re considering legal assistance, many attorneys offer free consultations to discuss your case and explain their fee structures in detail.
Remember, having professional legal support can make a significant difference in the outcome of your fire damage insurance claim, helping you secure the resources you need to recover fully. Give us a call today at 985-240-9773
