Florida Insurance Claim Lawyer Blog

As part of the festivities during the holidays, many engage in culinary activities not normally engaged in during the rest of the year. The use of turkey fryers is one such activity.

Fried turkey has been a longtime favorite in the Southern United States. Indeed, the first time I tried a fried turkey was over 12 years ago while attending Tulane law school in New Orleans.

But frying turkeys has recently become very popular in other parts of the country, including right here in South Florida, because of the reduced time needed to cook a turkey in a deep fryer, versus other conventional methods such as an oven or a rotisserie grill.

But another reason it has become so popular, quite simply, is because fried turkey tastes great.

However, with the increased popularity of turkey fryers over the past several years also comes increased risk. The following Allstate commercial illustrates and speaks to the increased risk of turkey fires during the holidays:

It is true, and we all know it, trouble never sleeps during the holidays. And to some degree, trouble actually increases during the holidays as many engage in new activities, such as frying a turkey.

Indeed, the holidays remains the leading time of the year for home cooking fires. On Thanksgiving alone there are an average 3 times as many cooking fires as an average day, according to statistics by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).

Therefore, during this holiday season, be safe and leave the frying of turkeys to professionals.

But if you must fry your own turkey, then keep the following safety tips in mind:

* Never leave cooking food unattended.
* Frying food should always be supervised by an adult.
* Turkey fryers should always be used outdoors a safe distance from buildings and other material that can burn.
* Never use on wooden decks or in garages.
* Use the fryer outside on a level surface.
* Children should not be permitted near a turkey fryer since hot oil can cause serious burn injuries. Keep children and pets at least 50 feet away.
* Provide a level surface that is free of ignitable materials when using turkey fryers.
* Make sure a fire extinguisher is handy at all times. Never use water to put out a grease fire.
* Use well-insulated potholders or oven mitts when touching pot or lid handles.
* Use a thawed turkey.
* Do not fill the fryer past the recommended limit.
* The recommended maximum weight for a fried turkey is 22 pounds.

Our Miami insurance dispute lawyers handle fire claims for homeowners. Our attorneys represented insurance companies before 2006, when we opened a firm dedicated to fighting for the rights of consumers. We understand how insurance companies work. And we have the knowledge and experience necessary to represent homeowners in disputes over an insurance claim.

Continue reading "Use of Turkey Fryers Increase During the Holidays Leading to More Fire Claims - Be Safe!" »

The 2010 hurricane season is almost over. There are only three weeks remaining in the hurricane season this year.

But this hurricane season is already one for the record books, tying for the third most active season with 19 named storms. As this hurricane season comes to a close, it appears as though both Florida and the United States mainland will have again dodged potential catastrophe in that no significant storm made landfall this year.

Indeed, it has been a very fortuities few years for South Florida. History has shown us that past hurricane seasons as busy as this one typically results in at least two named storms and making landfall. For instance, researching records back to 1900 revealed that in five previous seasons with 10 or more hurricanes, at least two named storms made landfall somewhere in the United States. And so far this season, we have seen 19 named storms, none of which has made landfall in the United States.

Therefore, unless something really serious forms in the next three weeks, it would be the 5th year in a row that the United States has a escaped a major hurricane. And so far this year, only Hurricane Earl which brushed the East Coast but caused massive flooding in portions of North Carolina, and Tropical Storm Hermine, which came ashore as a depression and triggered flooding in Texas blamed for at least six deaths, have done any significant damage. South Florida had close calls with Tropical Storm Bonnie and Nicole, but escaped both storms with just rain.

Our Miami insurance dispute lawyers handle insurance claims for homeowners. Our attorneys represented insurance companies before 2006, when we opened a firm dedicated to fighting for the rights of consumers. We understand how insurance companies work. And we have the knowledge and experience necessary to represent homeowners in disputes over an insurance claim.

If you are facing a dispute over an insurance claim in Florida, contact Alvarez & Barbara, LLP toll free at 866-518-2913 for a free and confidential consultation to discuss your rights.

Sinkhole claims are on the rise in the state of Florida.

So far this year, 137 sinkhole claims have been filed so far this year in Miami Dade County as compared to 261 claims filed over the previous four years. However, the most sinkhole claims have been filed in the "sinkhole belt" of Pasco, Hernando Hillsborough and Pinellas counties.

Our Miami insurance dispute lawyers handle sinkhole claims for homeowners. Our attorneys represented insurance companies before 2006, when we opened a firm dedicated to fighting for the rights of consumers. We understand how insurance companies work. And we have the knowledge and experience necessary to represent homeowners in disputes over an insurance claim.

According to a recent briefing by the State of Florida's Insurance Commissioner, Kevin McCarthy, there have been more than $1 billion dollars paid out on sinkhole claims.

Part of the reason for the surge in sinkhole claims is due in large part to the recent explosion in real estate development throughout Florida, and especially in South Florida. Over development has left the ground susceptible to sinkholes. Plus, while sinkholes occur in other U.S. states, Florida is more prone to sinkhole related problems because of underground limestone that dissolves under certain conditions, especially in areas that have been over developed, according to many leading geologists.

Florida property insurance must cover damage from sinkhole activity. If your property has damage from sinkhole activity, which may include cracks in the walls and foundation, sunken, cracked, or caved in flooring, and holes underneath your home or business, you may be able to obtain money from your insurance company to repair these damages.

Continue reading "Florida Sinkhole Claims are on the Rise" »