Construction Defect Claim Handling Process
Understand the Essentials of the Construction Defect Claim Handling Process
Facing a construction defect in your home can be devastating news. If you
are like many people, owning a home is dream come true. Moreover, your
residence is likely the most significant investment you will make in your lifetime.
Unfortunately, home construction defects are more common that you may realize.
If you have discovered a construction defect in your home, you need to
understand your legal rights. Moreover, you need to understand the essential
elements of the construction defect claim handling process.
An experienced attorney, like a member of the legal team at The Doan Law
Firm at (800) 349-0000, can assist you in better understanding the construction
claim handling process. In fact, you best protect your legal rights when
asserting a construction defect claim by hiring a skilled, tenacious attorney.
Identifying the Responsible Party or Parties
The first element you need to understand about the construction claim handling
process is the vital necessity of identify any and all parties responsible
for the issue. This can be a complicated task. For example, determining
who may be responsible for a construction defect necessitates an understanding
of applicable law in the state of your residence. This underscores the
need for a construction defect claim lawyer, like a member of the legal
team at The Doan Law Firm. The reality is that when it comes to a construction
defect issue, you actually may end up pursuing multiple claims.
The potential responsible parties in a construction defect matter can include
any number of individuals or companies. Examples of possible parties in
a construction defect situation include:
- developers
- contractors
- sub-contractors
- material suppliers
- design professionals (including architects)
On the surface, the list of potentially responsible parties may seem slim.
However, the reality is something entirely different. The number of sub-contractors
on a single residential construction project easily reaches double digits.
Gathering Evidence and Supporting Documentation
As a prelude to the construction defect claim process is the need to gather
evidence and documentation. This need to be done sooner, rather than later,
for a host of reasons. First and foremost, you must be prepared to document
the losses outlined in a claim.
The need to gather evidence and documentation additionally underscores
the need for legal representation. Our attorneys understand the ins and
outs of gathering evidence and documenting a construction defect claim.
Filing a Construction Defect Claim or Claims
State law and the provisions of an applicable insurance policy, or policies,
dictate the manner in which a construction defect claim is to be filed.
You just be certain to comply with both the mandates of law and the requirements
of an insurance policy. This includes making certain that a claim is filed
in a timely manner.
The reality is that many claims end up denied by insurance companies based
upon a contention of the insurer that they are not properly filed or submitted
in a timely manner. This represents another aspect of the overall construction
claim handling process in which a skilled lawyer can be invaluable to you.
Investigation by Insurance Company
A major part of the overall construction defect claim handling process
is the investigation of the matter by the insurance company. Insurance
companies are notorious for dragging out investigations of claims for
what prove to be unreasonable periods of time. They undertake such a strategy
as means of wearing down a claimant like you, in hope that a low dollar
settlement will be accepted.
A seasoned construction defect claim lawyer understands this practice within
the insurance industry. A lawyer knows what to do to counter this type
of inappropriate, and sometimes even illegal, conduct by insurance companies.
Settlement or Denial of Claim
Ultimately, the construction defect claim handling process reaches a juncture
at which the insurer denies the claim or offers some sort of settlement.
Oftentimes, the first settlement proposal by an insurance company will
be low-balled.
If an insurance company denies a construction defect claim, you have options
at that juncture that include taking legal action in the form of a lawsuit.
You really need the assistance of an experienced lawyer to navigate these waters.
The Doan Law Firm Attorney Fee Promise
The Doan Law Firm has a simple promise to you in regard to attorney fees.
We do not win, you pay nothing. You pay no fee in your case unless and
until we obtain a favorable settlement or judgment for you.
The Doan Law Firm hotline at (800) 349-0000 is staffed 24 hours a day,
365 days a year. We are a nationwide firm and can schedule an initial
consultation with you at any one of our offices, at your home, or even
via a virtual appointment online. There is no charge for an initial consultation.