Alabama is a high-risk state for termites and the costly damage they bring. When a home or business is damaged by termite infestation, either due to negligent pesticide application, or the complete lack thereof, you need help and you need it right away.
Dealing with termites can be terrifying, frustrating, and costly. Evolved from cockroaches according to some studies, these creepy, crawly, destructive bugs can invade your home leaving vast damage in their wake. Repair costs can climb into the hundreds, thousands, or more depending on the size of your home and the extent of structural harm or loss imposed.
Termites are highly successful groups of insects with colonies sometimes reaching into the millions in size. Additionally, termite queens live longer than that of other insects, with some living up to 30 to 50 years, continuing to reproduce for all that time.
For an insect so small, they have the power to uproot your life as you fight against them to regain control over your home. You might think this is a battle you have to face alone, monetarily and otherwise. But in some instances, someone else might be liable for your anguish and therefore, your bill.
The termite lawyers at Taylor Martino are experienced in the remedy of termite damage claims. We will evaluate your case to determine if your pest control company, home seller, home inspector, or homeowners’ insurance company is on the hook to compensate you for your losses.
Termites prefer to invade wood sources. But they don’t have an issue occupying other materials in our home, as well. These materials can include drywall, siding, and even concrete. Your flooring, door and window frames and the framing of your home within the walls are all vulnerable to the relentless winged species.
There are several tell-tale signs of termites in your home. If you see any of these signs, you should contact a pest control company right away.
SIGNS TO WATCH OUT FOR INCLUDE:
Determining who’s at fault for termite damage can sometimes be tricky. Other times, it’s fairly straight-forward. If your home purchase was recent, you might have a case against the seller or the home inspector if they failed to divulge the termite problem.
If you’ve lived in your home for years, though, it becomes a bit dicier. If you pay for regular pest control services from a professional company, they likely should have been able to prevent, detect, or eradicate the issue. Otherwise, their services might be inadequate leading to possible liability.
Whether ambiguous or clear, you’ll need an attorney experienced with termite damage claims to pinpoint the opposing party most likely responsible in order to get you a just and substantial payout.
Pest control and termite companies often try to hide behind large insurance companies that are trained to reduce or eliminate your claim.
Even if your pest control contract may prohibit you from filing a claim against the company for termite damage, a qualified termite damage lawyer can help identify unfair exclusions that can be overcome in a court of law.
It’s important to compile as much documentation and evidence as possible to show liability. An experienced pest control lawyer can help acquire evidence from the pest control provider as well, such as chemicals used or termite infestation treatment methods, and whether those methods were properly followed.
The more proof in your favor (showing fraudulent or negligent practices) the better your chances of getting compensated for your losses.
Sellers are not required to provide potential homebuyers with a list of defects per Alabama law. But like most great rules, this one has exceptions. If a homebuyer asks about a specific problem (i.e. termites), the seller has to answer truthfully where they have present knowledge of such problems.
This means if you find your home overrun by termites shortly after closing the sale and moving in, you will need to prove that the seller knew about the insects residing there and despite you asking, decidedly failed to inform you. It’s best to secure the help of a skilled attorney to bring a claim against the seller for misrepresentation, negligence or fraud and recover the compensation you deserve to make your house a home.
Home inspectors might not reveal their knowledge of termites in a home due to intentional fraud and deception or negligence and lack of experience. An inspector might intentionally withhold information about a known termite problem when they want to drive up costs for extermination services. Sometimes, inspectors work in conjunction with pest control companies seeking to secure the business for a kickback.
Other times, though, a home inspector might just be inexperienced. The inspection of the home could be compromised due to an incomplete or improper examination. If the inspector doesn’t know exactly what to watch out for, they could overlook the damage going on inside the walls or other areas of the home not easily seen without a more in-depth investigation.
Either way, whether purposeful or by mistake, an Alabama termite lawyer can help determine if you have a valid claim against your home inspector.
Insurance companies are all about the bottom line. When it comes to approving or denying your claim, they first and foremost need to protect their own financial interests. Even if you can somehow wrangle them into a settlement, it will likely be for an amount that falls significantly short of what you need or deserve. Our attorneys have extensive experience dealing with insurance companies and can get you a fair payout if your policy has you covered.
If you are a victim to termite infestation and you believe your seller, home inspector, or pest control company might be at fault, or you believe your homeowners’ insurance should help cover your costs, consulting with a termite damage lawyer at Taylor Martino is the best way to ensure your rights are protected. We will evaluate your case and determine if you are eligible to file a termite damage claim.
If you decide to pursue a lawsuit, you could be eligible for damages to offset the cost of repairing the property damage resulting from a termite infestation that isn’t properly controlled. Additionally, you may be entitled to compensation for the pain and suffering that resulted from this stressful experience.
Getting the compensation you deserve can help you fix your house so you and your family can safely call it home again. We offer a free consultation where we will help you evaluate your options and decide if a lawsuit is the right course of action for you.
Contact us at 251-433-3131 or here on our website to get started.
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If you are a victim to termite infestation and you believe your seller, home inspector, or pest control company might be at fault, or you believe your homeowners’ insurance should help cover your costs, consulting with a termite damage lawyer at Taylor Martino is the best way to ensure your rights are protected. We will evaluate your case and determine if you are eligible to file a termite damage claim.
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