Author Archives: Jay Butchko
What is Homeowners’ Liability Insurance?
If you have homeowners’ insurance, part of your coverage is to protect and insure you from losses that occur from damage to your home. This is damage that is caused by wind, floods, hail, sinkholes, falling branches, and many other things that can damage the structures and interior of your home. Liability Insurance But… Read More »
Even an “At Will” Employee Has Rights
Most laypeople understand that Florida is an “at will” employment state, meaning that your boss or the company you work for does not need to have a valid reason—or any reason—to fire you from your job. This makes it hard to sue when you are fired. However, the fact that Florida is an “at… Read More »
Police Can Make Reasonable Mistakes When Stopping You
Even if you’re not a constitutional law scholar, you probably know that the constitution affords all citizens a right to freedom from unreasonable search and seizure under the 4th amendment. Any evidence obtained in violation of the 4th amendment cannot be used against you at trial (this is sometimes called the “exclusionary rule”). But… Read More »
House and Kitchen Fires Can Be Dangerous and Very Damaging
Sometimes the biggest risks to our home and our property come from within, and from our own actions. One common area where a homeowner is responsible for damage to a home, albeit accidentally, is the kitchen fire. Fire Damage and Insurance Coverage Kitchen fires are an even bigger concern today, with so many people… Read More »
Are You Ready for a Flood This Hurricane Season?
Because we don’t have enough to worry about here in Florida, homeowners also know it’s June, and that means the start of our hurricane season. You may think you’re ready for some of the dangers that heavy rains can bring…but are you? Flooding is the Unappreciated Danger According to a report on a survey… Read More »
Can You Win Your Injury Case and Owe Money to the Other Side?
Here is a riddle: How can you win your personal injury case, have the jury award you money…and then you end up owing money to the Defendant—the person or business that caused you the injury? Believe it or not this strange scenario happens, all because of Florida’s Offer of Judgment (OJ) statute. Offers of… Read More »
Court Rules LGBTQ Employees Have Protections in the Workplace
You probably know by now, just based on your experiences as an American, that discrimination in the workplace based on race, nationality or sex, is illegal. In fact, federal civil rights statutes allow employees and applicants to jobs to sue for money damages if they are victims of discrimination. Protection Based on Sex Part… Read More »
Post-Loss Obligations Can’t be Ignored by Homeowners
Whenever you have a claim for damage to your property, your insurance contract will have detailed instructions on what your obligations are after the loss. Complying with these post-loss responsibilities is important. Failing to do so can be seen as a violation of your insurance contract, and the insurance company can deny coverage for… Read More »
Why Your Homeowners’ Insurance Check Has Your Mortgage Lender’s Name on it
You have damage to your home, and it looks like your homeowners’ insurance property damage claim is going OK. The property damage adjuster is out at your property, and says that your loss is covered (or at least, that it seems to be upon first inspection). Your insurance company says that it is sending… Read More »
Can Your Private Adjuster Also be Your Appraiser in Your Insurance Claim Dispute?
In many cases, disputes arise in property damage cases as to what the value of the homeowner’s loss actually is. The homeowner and the insurer can argue about it, but value can be a subjective term, and can be based on a number of factors. That’s why in most cases, if there is a… Read More »