What to Know About Personal Injury Claims Following a Florida Hurricane
Brian O Sutter
Personal Injury
Were you aware that the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) releases predictions for Florida’s upcoming storm activity each year? Whenever there is any major storm, there is a high likelihood that it will come with significant damages and injuries, which we most recently experienced with Hurricane Ian, especially in North Port, Ft Myers, Port Charlotte, Englewood and Cape Coral.Hurricane Ian first made landfall in Cayo Casta, Florida, at approximately 3:15 in the afternoon on Wednesday, September 28th, as a very strong Category 4 hurricane. It approached the state with maximum sustained winds of 150 mph, just shy of being a Category 5 storm. Hurricane Ian was the strongest hurricane to occur in the Gulf of Mexico since Rita hit in 2005, and areas of SW Florida were under eyewall conditions for over 7 hours, greatly increasing the damage caused by this monster storm.
While still unclear exactly how much damage this storm caused, we know that the effects are devastating, and it could ultimately be one of Florida’s costliest storms to date, with an estimated up to $75 billion in damage.
So, with that being said, it is important to understand everything you can about personal injury and what to expect following this kind of storm in Florida.
Review Insurance Information
It is good practice to review your insurance information each year prior to the start of hurricane season. You want to ensure you have adequate insurance coverage for your home and business while also ensuring they offer coverage for this catastrophic storm event.
Does your policy cover wind coverage? Do you have flood insurance? Are you covered in the event of hurricane-related car accidents or debris hitting your vehicle? What about your business? Does your coverage include a casualty for the premises during a storm?
Hurricane Related Accidents
Floridians already know to prepare as much as possible when there is news of an impending storm, but some may not realize how high the risk of injury, accident, and death can be in the time after the storm. Personal injuries happen for a variety of reasons following a storm.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) lists risk factors and dangers that a Floridian may face after a hurricane or other adverse weather event. Some of these risks include injuries due to cleaning up after the storm, slip and falls, uneven or damaged walking surfaces, cuts and bleeding, electric shock, car crashes, and carbon monoxide poisoning.
Other Dangers to Be Aware Of
In addition to the risks we have already described, there are other dangers you want to be aware of following a bad storm. Tainted food, toxic mold, and contaminated water can also make you sick and cause severe injury and possibly death.
Lawsuits and Personal Injury Claims
It has been reported by the Washington Post that more people actually die of injuries sustained in accidents following the hurricane than they do during the hurricane. High wind and heavily flooded areas are more prone to these accidents and deaths.
If you were involved in an auto accident following a hurricane, you need to determine if the negligence of the other driver caused the accident or if it was due to a failed traffic signal or missing road sign. Were any extra precautions taken due to the condition of the roadways?
If you have a business that was able to open following the storm, you need to make sure that all consumers visiting your location will be safe. Make sure you have good lighting and set out wet floor signs.
If you fail to do so, it can be considered a breach of duty under Florida’s premises liability law. Claims for personal injury cases like this can include medical expenses, pain and suffering, and lost wages.
As you can see, the hurricane itself is devastating, but you also have to consider the impacts that come after the storm has passed. If you have been injured after a hurricane or bad Florida storm, consult with an experienced personal injury attorney.