Fire Smoke damage insurance dispute jackson ms

Jackson Fire, Smoke, and Ash Insurance Dispute Lawyers

Experienced insurance dispute lawyers holding insurance companies to their obligation to pay you on time for all your fire damages

Over $250 million recovered for policyholders

It can take years to save the money to buy your home or business. In less than a minute, a fire can destroy your property and all your possessions. Fire, smoke, and ash damage often means that home and business owners must move to temporary living quarters. At McWherter Scott & Bobbitt, our lawyers help fire insurance policyholders obtain emergency funds to move.

Our Jackson fire, smoke, and ash insurance dispute attorneys work with building inspectors and fire officials to determine whether your insurance carrier should pay for the cost to repair your real property, rebuild, or pay you to move to another location. We work with appraisers to assess the value of the damage to your personal possessions and business assets.

Some of our fire insurance damage recoveries across the Southeast and Midwest

McWherter Scott & Bobbitt has obtained many strong verdicts, awards, and settlements for fire insurance policyholders, including the following:

  • $3,900,000. Our team helped a business owner obtain this recovery for the loss of business income and expenses after a fire.
  • $2,200,000. We convinced a jury to award this sum for our policyholder, after the insurance company alleged fraud and arson.
  • $950,000+. We secured this settlement for the owners of a restaurant damaged by a fire.
  • $600,000+. Our insurance dispute lawyers obtained this amount for the owner of a business after a fire damaged their property.
  • $550,000+. Brandon McWherter obtained this supplement payout for our client’s residential fire damage.

Areas of Focus

Testimonials

Considerable Legal Skills
"I also want to share with you that because of the completeness of your preparation, your considerable legal skills and your force of character(s), I have no doubt that had we found it necessary to go to trial – we would have won the day."

Mary McNally

Considerable Legal Skills
"I also want to share with you that because of the completeness of your preparation, your considerable legal skills and your force of character(s), I have no doubt that had we found it necessary to go to trial – we would have won the day."

Mary McNally

How can we help?

What causes fires at homes or businesses in Jackson?

The causes of fires are many. Generally, your homeowners’ or commercial property insurance should cover you for all types of fires unless there is a specific exclusion. We work with Jackson fire officials and other experts (when necessary) to determine the cause of your fire.

Common causes of fires include a pot or pan that is on the stove for too long, a match, a cigarette, wires or cables that need repair, electrical product malfunctions, heaters, barbecues, flammable liquids, candles, and many other causes.

What types of damage do fire insurance policies cover in Jackson?

Most homeowners’ insurance policies cover damage due to fire, ash, and smoke. These policies should also cover damage due to soot and water damage. Your Mississippi homeowners’ insurance policy should cover the following damages:

  • Your home and other home structures. The policy should pay for the cost to repair any damages that can be fixed and to rebuild your home (or part of your home) if repairs are not advisable. If rebuilding is not advisable, the policy should pay for the cost to move to a comparable home. The coverage should also include sheds, garages, and other attached or detached structures.
  • Personal contents. Our Jackson fire insurance lawyers work with experts who can place a value on the cost to repair or replace your possessions. These possessions include appliances and furniture. Your possessions also include your clothes, computer technology, jewelry, paintings, and other personal possessions. It helps if you store an inventory of your possessions (or photos) in the computer cloud.
  • Loss of the use of your home.The insurance carrier should also pay for the cost for homeowners (and their families) to move to a new location and pay for their daily needs while their home is being repaired or a permanent living place is found.
  • At McWherter Scott & Bobbitt, we work for companies and organizations that have commercial business insurance and business interruption insurance. Business damages include the cost of repairing or replacing damaged structures, inventory, equipment, and other business assets. Commercial and business interruption insurance should pay owners for the cost to run their business at a new location until their business is restored and the money the business loses due to the fire, smoke, and ash damage. Businesses should take preventive measures to ensure they have an off-site accounting of their assets, inventory, equipment, and other relevant financial information in case a fire occurs.

What types of fire insurance disputes do you handle in Jackson?

McWherter Scott & Bobbitt handles all types of fire insurance disputes, including the following:

  • Repair, rebuild, or replace. Our Jackson insurance dispute lawyers work with experts to show when repairs can be done safely, when you need to rebuild your property completely, or when you need to move to a comparable location or replace your damaged possessions. The experts' review includes examining hidden damage, which often helps decide which option is advisable.
  • Replacement value versus fair market value. Generally, policyholders receive the fair market value of their items (before the damage) unless their policy authorizes the replacement value. The replacement value is normally more than the fair market value.
  • The valuation method. At McWherter Scott & Bobbitt, we work with experts who can help determine which valuation method should be used. Valuation factors include the age of the property, the timeline to make the repairs, the types of materials that should be used, the interests of other parties (such as tenants), and other factors.
  • Other fire insurance claims. We work with experts who can assess the damage and value of damage due to smoke, ash, water, and soot.
  • Business interruption value. Our lawyers work with financial experts who can assess the costs to move, replace or rent new technology, notify clients and customers, market products and services, pay for overhead at the original location, pay workers, properly value lost profits, and other financial considerations.
  • Personal possessions. We work with appraisers who can value the different types of property (such as jewelry, artwork, and tools) that you possess.

Our Jackson fire insurance dispute lawyers hold insurance companies liable for bad faith negotiations. Your insurance company cannot delay payments, take unreasonable factual or legal positions, or refuse to properly investigate your claim. Insurance companies that negotiate in bad faith may be liable for bad faith damages.

How do you work to obtain the fire insurance proceeds I deserve?

At McWherter Scott & Bobbitt, we work to:

  • Obtain the temporary advances you need and deserve to relocate and pay for your daily living needs.
  • Fully assess the scope and severity of every damaged item, including the work that needs to be done to restore your real and personal property.
  • Properly value all your damages, according to the terms of your insurance policy.
  • Anticipate and contest the defenses insurance companies and defense lawyers will assert to deny your claim or reduce your financial recovery.
  • Work with local officials to help protect yourself, your family, your property, and your investments.
  • Negotiate fair settlements.
  • Argue your case before judges, juries, and arbitrators.

Do you have a Jackson, MS fire insurance claim lawyer near me?

Yes. We meet policyholders at our office located at 4780 I-55 N, Suite 100, in Jackson, Mississippi. Our fire insurance lawyers consult with clients by phone and through Zoom, FaceTime, and other online video platforms such as Zoom and FaceTime. Our investigators and/or contractors will examine the damage to your property in person.

We’re here to explain your rights and fight for all the compensation you deserve.

Get help from our Jackson fire insurance lawyers now

Fires can destroy homes in seconds or minutes. It’s heartbreaking to see your property go up in flames. We have the experience and working relationships with building officials, general contractors, subcontractors, and other experts to fully assess all your damages. We anticipate the arguments insurance companies will use to try to defeat or reduce your claim. Please call us or fill out our contact form today to schedule a consultation.

Our Jackson insurance dispute lawyers also represent policyholders throughout Mississippi and in Tennessee, Kentucky, Alabama, Georgia, Missouri, and Arkansas.