Blog Articles Written by RRBH Law

Miami Attorney Wins Decision on Insurance Policy Following Irma Damage

RRBHLAWZEN July 1, 2020Insurance Litigation

Daniel J. Rodriguez of RRBH Law in Miami recently won a decision for two of his clients that helped them get the award they sought from their homeowners’ insurance provider. When Lazaraly Guzman and Larry Rosado’s dwelling was damaged by Hurricane Irma in 2017, they notified their insurance provider, American Security Insurance, Co., and filed a claim. Both Parties Disagreed on Damage Costs From the start, the insureds and representatives of the insurance company could not agree on the cost of the damage from the storm, so Guzman and Rosado started the litigation process. When both parties agreed to an appraisal per the insurance policy’s instructions, the court stayed the case until an award was issued. After both parties failed to agree on a neutral umpire for the appraisal, the court appointed Lawrence Leiby to oversee the appraisal. The disagreement centered on an email exchange between the appraisers for each party and Leiby. Leiby initially circulated an award amount of $121,800 to both parties’ appraisers. Court documents allege that the appraiser representing American Security Insurance, Co. objected to the amount and asked for an itemized list that detailed the damage. Leiby then sent a revised figure to both parties: $90, …

What You Need to Know About Business Interruption Losses from Coronavirus

RRBHLAWZEN May 4, 2020Business Interruption, Insurance Litigation, Property Insurance

All over the country, business interruption losses are occurring due to the need for people to remain inside their homes. As a result, brick-and-mortar businesses are suffering. Here’s what you can do.

Hurricane Irma Claim: The Window to File Is Closing

RRBHLAWZEN February 15, 2020Business Interruption, Homeowners' Insurance, Hurricane damage, Insurance Litigation

Hurricane Irma resulted in over 838,000 residential property insurance claims. And although the storm that devastated the entire state of Florida occurred in September of 2017, it is still possible to file a claim. Damage from the hurricane has totaled nearly $50 billion. And some Florida homeowners still have not had their Hurricane Irma claims settled—roughly 7 percent, to be exact. According to this Florida statute, affected parties must file a claim with their insurance company within 3 years of the date the hurricane made landfall. Hurricane Irma made landfall in Florida on September 10, 2017, which gives policyholders until September 9, 2020 to file. Don’t let the fear of a denial stop you from submitting a Hurricane Irma claim It’s common for homeowners to feel as though their claim will be denied. Horror stories of dealing with insurance companies are always talking points for aggravated policyholders. And with exposure via social media to an even broader group of angry individuals whose claims have gone denied, the stigma grows even greater. Fear of a denial holds many policyholders back from filing in the first place. This is especially true during hurricane season, when deductibles are higher. As the holder …

Mold in the Home: Will Insurance Pay for This Health Hazard?

RRBHLAWZEN February 12, 2020Homeowners' Insurance, Insurance Litigation, Property Insurance

In mid-September of last year, southern Florida experienced the power that remained of Hurricane Irma. Though only a category 2 hurricane when it made landfall in the contiguous United States, the damage that the storm caused reached over $50 billion and cost 90 people their lives. Irma has long since dissipated, her wreckage cleared, but she has left many people to deal with a serious health risk: mold in the home. Many in Florida will be feeling the effects—possibly for years to come, if Hurricane Katrina was any indication—of the mold spores that implanted themselves in the drywall, carpet, and wood of countless homes and businesses. These spores remain like a memory of Irma’s damage. What this means for homeowners is that if left unchecked, mold can take over and make a home uninhabitable. And that means fixing the problem is of the utmost importance. So how will you pay to fix your mold in the home problem? Let’s take a look at, first, why it is such a serious issue, and then, what to do if your insurance provider denies your claim. Why Mold in the Home is Serious There are many strains of mold, some extremely toxic and …

Is There A Calculator for Pain and Suffering?

RRBHLAWZEN January 20, 2020Personal Injury Lawyer Florida, Slip and Fall, Vehicle Accidents

Has your life been altered due to someone else’s negligence? Are you unable to work and worried about falling behind on your bills as a result? This is the unfortunate circumstance that affects many individuals who suffer an injury. They fear for their current way of living, wondering how they will be able to pay the bills during their recovery period. If this has happened to you, then you know you need to be compensated. But how much? What do you need to receive to ensure you can maintain your normal life? In this instance, many insurance adjusters will bring up what is called a pain and suffering calculator. This will give a glimpse into the expenses accrued over the recovery period as well as money lost due to their inability to work. When you’ve been injured, your pain and suffering are more than a math formula. Personal injury attorneys will look much deeper into your case to determine just how much your life has altered due to the injury—or injuries—sustained. What is a pain and suffering calculator? Ask anyone who has been injured before and they’ll tell you that their mortgage company doesn’t care that they’re out of work—they …

Assignment of Benefits Reform: Why Homeowners Are in Trouble

RRBHLAWZEN January 20, 2020Homeowners' Insurance, Insurance Litigation, Property Insurance

The new assignment of benefits, or AOB, reform could seriously restrict homeowners, their options, and, more importantly, their out-of-pocket costs for property repairs. Hurricane season in Florida. It’s the only thing anyone thinks of when they think of disasters that can occur in The Sunshine State. Many of our friends up north assume our homeowner’s insurance policies are through the roof due to the chance of our homes being picked up and taken away like The Wizard of Oz. For some they are, though not for reasons as severe as the iconic movie depicts. It is true. Hurricanes do decimate many of our beloved cities and cause levels of preparedness not seen in other parts of the country. But there are additional methods of property destruction that frequently occur as well. Cast iron pipe corrosion causing pipe bursts King tides flooding our properties Wind damage to windows, roofs, and pool enclosures In recent years, we have all seen the onslaught of contractors banging on doors and ringing phones to try to win the repair jobs. And while there’s nothing wrong with contractors getting work done—and getting it done quickly—insurance companies are not happy. What is an assignment of benefit, or …

stressed woman can't afford insurance deductible

What Happens If You Can’t Afford Your Car Insurance Deductible?

RRBHLAWZEN January 10, 2020Insurance Litigation, Personal Injury Lawyer Florida, Vehicle Accidents

Have you been in an auto accident and realize you can’t afford your insurance deductible? You still have options. This article lays out what you can do:

Brickell Magazine Top 20 Professionals Under Forty Moncy Blanco Herrera

Brickell Magazine Names RRBH Attorney a Top Professional Under 40

RRBHLAWZEN September 10, 2019Personal Injury Lawyer Florida, Press

Moncy Blanco-Herrera, trial attorney for Ramon, Rodriguez & Blanco-Herrera, LLP, helps clients recover compensation when they suffer a loss to property or person by suing the insurance company that should cover the damages. The attorneys at Ramon, Rodriguez & Blanco-Herrera are proud to announce that one of their lawyers has been named by Brickell Magazine as one of the top 20 professionals under 40 for 2019. According to brickellmag.com, Moncy Blanco-Herrera is “one of Miami’s most in-demand trial lawyers,” whose expertise in insurance litigation gives people who have suffered terrible losses to their property or because of injury a chance to recover. To come up with this list of young professionals, Brickell Magazine searches various industries to find those who “excel at their respective crafts with superior sophistication and their own unique blend of style and savvy.” When asked what he thought made him stand out among his peers, Mr. Blanco-Herrera said, “What sets me apart is the compassion and empathy that I have for my clients. As an attorney, you’ve got to communicate your client’s story in a compelling manner if you’re going to get them the result that they deserve.” See all of this year’s winner at Brickell …

Free Business Interruption Policy Review Amid COVID-19 Shutdowns

RRBHLAWZEN April 2, 2019Business Interruption

Miami, Fla., April 2, 2020 – RRBH Law is offering free policy reviews to business interruption insurance policyholders who have experienced losses because of the coronavirus pandemic. Mandatory stay-at-home orders have shuttered businesses across the country. While necessary to protect the public health of the community, the closures have left non-essential businesses struggling. With beaches already reopening, Florida’s stay-at-home order is set to fully expire on April 30, unless Gov. Ron DeSantis extends it. However, most businesses have already experienced financial loss, and without assistance, many will be forced to close indefinitely. These current challenges that business owners face beg the question: Will business interruption insurance cover any of the losses? Insurance policies are notoriously difficult to understand, so as policyholders read their policies, they may wonder whether any of the provisions included in their policies protect them. The experienced attorneys at RRBH Law—who specialize in insurance litigation, among other areas of law—are offering their services to help policyholders understand in clear, concise language how their business interruption policies deal with the ramifications of COVID-19. The RRBH Law team is asking any business owners who have business interruption coverage to contact their office for their free policy review. To schedule …