Memphis Earthquake Damage Lawyers

Memphis Earthquake Insurance Lawyers

Accomplished insurance dispute lawyers when natural disasters destroy residential and commercial property

Over $250 million recovered for policyholders

While earthquakes are rare, just one earthquake can damage entire communities. Residential, commercial, and governmental policyholders buy earthquake insurance to ensure that when the unthinkable happens, they can start over as quickly as possible.

Our Memphis earthquake damage lawyers will work to hold insurance companies accountable when they improperly deny your claim, purposely delay your claim, or make settlement offers that don’t match your coverage benefits. We work with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA), and any other emergency agencies that may provide additional financial assistance and logistical support after an earthquake. Step by step, we work to verify all your damages and the timelines for repairs, rebuilding, or relocating. Call us now to receive any insurance proceeds from earthquake damage to which you are entitled.

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 is an earthquake?

Earthquake severity measurement

According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), “an earthquake is what happens when two blocks of the earth suddenly slip past one another.” The fault line is where the slip occurs. The hypocenter is the location between the surface of the Earth where the earthquake begins, and the epicenter is the location directly above the Earth where the earthquake begins.

Scientists measure the size and severity of earthquakes by using seismographs. The USGS measures earthquakes in magnitudes. Scientists cannot predict earthquakes.

Are earthquakes common in Tennessee?

Earthquake Track reports on earthquakes, and Tennessee sometimes has several in a single week. NBC News reported that a recent earthquake“originated shortly after 9 a.m. EDT about 12 miles from Greenback, Tennessee, which is about 30 miles south of Knoxville.” The earthquake could be felt as far away as Atlanta, Georgia.

According to NBC News, earthquake damage doesn’t normally happen until the magnitude is above 4 or 5. The risk of earthquakes is strong in the Southeast “particularly around the New Madrid Seismic Zone to the west and in the East Tennessee Seismic Zone, which is where Saturday’s earthquake occurred.” The largest earthquake in the Tennessee region was a magnitude 4.7 earthquake near Knoxville in November 1973.

What types of damage do earthquakes cause?

The damage from earthquakes includes the initial earthquake and the aftershocks, which can be strong enough to destroy homes.

Our Memphis earthquake insurance claims lawyers file claims on behalf of earthquake victims who suffer damage to their:

  • McWherter Scott & Bobbitt works with building, foundation, plumbing, and other experts to assess the damage, the cost of repairs, and whether rebuilding or moving may be necessary. We also help homeowners obtain compensation for temporary lodging.
  • A commercial building. Our Memphis earthquake insurance lawyers help commercial, industrial, community, and other owners of non-residential property determine the type and severity of the damage, repair/rebuilding/relocation costs, the loss of business income, and other valuation issues such as inventory damage.
  • Attached structures. We help property owners when earthquakes damage offices, garages, sheds, and other attached structures.
  • Non-attached structures. Earthquakes often cause extensive damage to unattached garages, storage facilities, sheds, pump houses, and other non-attached structures.
  • Personal property. We work with repair experts and appraisers to determine the cost to fix or replace appliances, furniture, computer technology, jewelry, cars, and other personal property that suffers damage in an earthquake.
  • Temporary expenses. Our Memphis earthquake insurance lawyers help policyholders obtain temporary lodging and temporary work locations. We also help with other emergency essentials such as food, clothing, and other necessities.

What types of earthquake damage doesn’t insurance cover?

Generally, earthquake insurance policies do not protect policyholders from the following damages:

  • Landscaping
  • Fences
  • Sprinklers, irrigation systems, and wells
  • Computer data (policyholders should have online and offline backups)
  • Patio coverings
  • Antennas and satellite dishes
  • Pets
  • Vehicles
  • Swimming pools and hot tubs
  • Boats and other watercraft

Our insurance lawyers in Memphis will review the terms of your earthquake policy to determine what items and property are covered and what is not covered.

What should I do if an earthquake happens in Memphis?

Some of the essential steps to take after an earthquake include the following:

  • Contact McWherter Scott & Bobbitt for practical and legal advice.
  • Understand that there may be aftershocks.
  • Follow the recommendations and advice from federal and Tennessee emergency officials.
  • Talk with your local utilities. Gas leaks can be very dangerous. Turn off the main gas valve if you smell gas and open the windows. Take steps to prevent a power surge if the electric power goes off.
  • Board up broken windows so nobody steals your possessions.
  • Keep receipts of moving costs, living costs away from home or work, and other emergency costs. Our Memphis earthquake insurance dispute lawyers will help you obtain temporary funds for these expenses.

How do you advocate for earthquake insurance victims in Memphis?

At McWherter Scott & Bobbitt, we’ve been fighting for insurance policyholders for more than fifteen years. We help clients in many ways, including the following:

  • Coverage and compliance. We can review your policy to determine what damage is covered, what damage isn’t covered, and the steps you must take to be in compliance with the contract.
  • Damage estimates. We work with a range of professionals, including investigators who take photos and videos of the damage to your property, and federal and state emergency officials. We also work with building and foundation inspectors, engineers, building and personal property appraisers, electricians, plumbers, and other experts who can verify the damage to all your property and the cost to make repairs, rebuild, or relocate.
  • Timeline for improvements. Our lawyers analyze the timeline to make repairs or rebuild if those options are viable
  • Advances. We work to obtain emergency funds to protect your property and relocate while the necessary repairs or rebuilding are completed.
  • Insurance company defenses. We counter any attempts by your insurance company to deny your claim or fail to pay you all the money you deserve
  • Our team works with financial experts, if you have business interruption coverage, to determine your financial losses because you cannot operate your business. These losses include marketing costs to notify clients, lost profits, fixed expenses, payroll expenses, and other business expenses.

Our Memphis earthquake lawyers focus on all the small details that are necessary to make you whole again.

Do you have a Memphis earthquake insurance lawyer near me?

Our office is located at 6000 Poplar Avenue, Suite 250, in Memphis, Tennessee. McWherter Scott & Bobbitt also discuss claims by phone and through video consultation. When necessary, we can also make arrangements to view the damage in person.

We’re here to answer your questions, explain your rights, and fight to obtain the insurance proceeds you deserve.

Call our Memphis earthquake insurance lawyers as soon as possible after an earthquake damages your property

It’s frightening when an earthquake rumbles through your property. It’s critical to hire experienced Memphis earthquake lawyers who know which agencies, officials, and inspectors to work with to fully evaluate the structural damage, the hidden damage, and all other building and property damage.

At McWherter Scott & Bobbitt, we work with many different natural disaster professionals who understand how earthquakes can damage each part of your home, office, church, or other building. We have the experience and reputation to help you obtain all the insurance proceeds you’ve earned by paying your premiums. Please call us or fill out our contact form today to schedule a consultation.

We also represent policyholders throughout Tennessee and in Mississippi, Kentucky, Alabama, Georgia, Missouri, and Arkansas.