August 2, 2021
On July 25, 2021, the Orlando Sentinel warned us that a low-pressure system near the Florida-Georgia coast could become a tropical depression and the tropical depression could become a tropical storm, which could develop into a hurricane. The next day, the National Hurricane Center in Miami reported that it was becoming less likely that a tropical depression would develop, but conditions should still be monitored because heavy rainfall and strong winds could occur in local areas. Warnings like this and ones that are far more dire are common in Florida during Hurricane Season. So common, in fact, that many of […]
May 25, 2021
Because we enjoy warm weather throughout the year, Florida residents can enjoy their pools during most months. While the pools require ongoing maintenance and come with specific responsibilities to ensure safety, the hours of enjoyment they provide generally outweigh the disadvantages. However, when hurricanes and other tropical storms are headed toward Florida, property owners with pools face additional challenges. In addition to having to prepare their homes for the storm, they also have to prepare and protect their pools. At Malik Law, we have seen the destruction a hurricane can cause. We have also seen how frequently insurance companies deny […]
April 23, 2021
If you live in Florida, you’re probably accustomed to preparing for hurricane season during the spring months. The 2021 hurricane season, however, presents unique challenges for Florida homeowners, both because it is expected to include above-average activity and because of the Covid-19 pandemic. Preparing now is the key to protecting your property and your loved ones. What Are the Predictions for the 2021 Atlantic Hurricane Season? The 2020 Atlantic hurricane season was one for the record books. With 30 named storms, the 2020 season took the number one spot for the most ever recorded and for requiring authorities to […]
April 15, 2021
Although tourists flock to Orlando in part because of the beautiful year-round sunshine and warm temperatures, homeowners are all too familiar with the fierce tropical storms that also threaten Orlando each year. A tropical storm or hurricane can cause extensive damage to your home or property, including roof damage. When your roof is damaged in a storm, trying to handle the emotional stress that inevitably follows is difficult enough without also needing to argue and negotiate with your insurance company to ensure that your claim is paid in full and without delay. Knowing what steps to take after your roof […]
March 31, 2021
Each year, about one in 20 insured homes has an insurance claim for damage, with roughly one in 50 filing a claim based on water damage or freezing, according to the Insurance Information Institute. Florida residents are especially susceptible to property damage caused by the destructive storms that blow through the state during hurricane season each year. When an insurance company fails to pay a claim in full and on time, it can make recovering from a storm even more difficult. Knowing when to hire a Florida insurance claim attorney can be the key to a quicker recovery. When […]
March 26, 2021
Purchasing car insurance is not just a smart way to protect yourself and your vehicle but is also a legal requirement in most states. Although some people manage to get through an entire lifetime without ever making a claim against their car insurance, most people will eventually file a car accident insurance claim. If you were recently involved in a car accident, you are likely dealing with physical and/or emotional injuries. Trying to navigate the often complex task of filing a claim with your insurance company can add unnecessary stress. Knowing what steps you need to take to successfully file […]
January 5, 2021
In the article titled “Insurers Win Most – But Not All – Covid Business-Loss Lawsuits” (Nov. 27, 2020), Bloomberg reported on insurance companies’ success in defending denials of COVID-19-related business interruption insurance claims in courts across the country. The case cited as a notable exception was Urogynecology Specialist of Florida LLC v. Sentinel Insurance CO. Ltd., in which Imran Malik represented the plaintiff in federal district court in Florida and won against the insurance company. (Read more about this case here.) What makes this case so notable is that the judge recognized that virus exclusion provisions in business insurance policies […]
November 6, 2020
On September 24th, the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida ruled in favor of Malik Law’s client, Urogynecology Specialist of Florida, in a decision that signals possibilities for winning coverage for business interruption losses due to COVID-19. Across the country, more than a thousand lawsuits related to insurance coverage for COVID-19-related losses have been filed against insurance companies, and In approximately 25 percent of these cases, the insurer-defendants have filed early motions to dismiss. So far, the courts have ruled in favor of the plaintiff-policyholders in only 6 of these cases. Urogynecology Specialist’s case is one of […]
October 1, 2020
It’s not over yet, but the record-breaking Hurricane Season of 2020 has taught us several things already. For one, we know it’s possible to have several named storms form within a 24-hour time period; it’s possible to have 10 (or more) named tropical storms in September alone; and it’s possible to have five storms whirling in the Atlantic at the same time. Besides tying or breaking storm records, this season has also shown us how vulnerable we are. The reinforcements and preparations we’ve relied on to protect our homes, businesses and communities are not strong enough to withstand the sustained […]
August 13, 2020
In Florida, tornadoes can occur throughout the year, but summer brings more than its fair share, since tornadoes occur as a result of tropical cyclones and strong sea breeze boundary collisions. In fact, because of its location between the Atlantic and the Gulf of Mexico, Florida is susceptible to tornadoes whenever a hurricane starts swirling in the Gulf. This summer alone, Central Florida has already been hit with three tornadoes with winds up to 85 miles per hour. These tornado winds have damaged homes and businesses, uprooted trees, and knocked down power lines. In the wake of this tornado damage, […]