SETTLEMENT: RIVERWOOD GOLF CLUB VERDICT AWARDS DEPOSIT BACK FOR $24,000

Hurricane season in Southwest Florida runs from June 1 through November 30. For residents of Charlotte County. A region that experienced the direct impact of Hurricane Charley in 2004 and Hurricane Ian in 2022 understanding your legal rights before, during, and after a hurricane is not optional. It is essential. At Goldman, Tiseo & Sturges, P.A., we have represented Charlotte County families through the aftermath of Florida's most destructive storms. This guide answers the most common questions our community has about hurricane-related injuries, property damage liability, contractor fraud, and insurance disputes so you know exactly where you stand when a storm turns your life upside down. Can You Sue for Injuries Caused by a Hurricane in Florida? This is one of the most frequently asked questions we receive after a major storm. The short answer is: it depends on who or what caused the injury.  Hurricanes are natural disasters, and no one can be held legally responsible for the storm itself. However, injuries that occur during or after a hurricane are frequently caused or made significantly worse by human negligence. In those cases, a personal injury claim may be possible. Examples of hurricane-related injuries that may involve legal liability: • A property owner fails to secure outdoor furniture or signage before the storm, and flying debris injures a neighbor • A landlord does not make required repairs after storm damage, and a tenant is injured by structural collapse or flooding • A contractor performs faulty post-hurricane repairs that later cause injury or further property damage • A business reopens prematurely without addressing hazardous conditions wet floors, exposed wiring, structural damage and a customer is injured • A municipality fails to repair storm-damaged roads or traffic signals, leading to a car accident • A neighbor's dead or diseased tree falls during the storm and damages your home or injures someone on your property If your injury falls into any of these categories, you may have a valid personal injury or premises liability claim under Florida law. Goldman, Tiseo & Sturges, P.A. offers free consultations for hurricane injury victims throughout Charlotte County. Who Is Liable for Hurricane Property Damage in Charlotte County? Property damage liability after a hurricane in Florida is determined by a combination of insurance coverage, negligence law, and Florida statutes. Understanding who may be responsible for your losses is the first step toward recovery. Potentially liable parties after hurricane property damage include: • Your own insurance carrier. If they wrongfully deny, delay, or underpay your hurricane damage claim • A neighboring property owner. If their failure to maintain trees, fencing, or structures contributed to damage on your property • A contractor or repair company. If defective workmanship before or after the storm worsened the damage • A landlord or property manager. If they failed to maintain the building to code and storm damage resulted • A HOA or condominium association. If they were responsible for maintaining shared structures that failed during the storm Florida's comparative negligence law means that more than one party can share responsibility for storm-related damage or injury. An experienced Charlotte County personal injury attorney can help you identify all responsible parties and pursue maximum compensation. Hurricane Insurance Disputes in Florida: Know Your Rights Florida homeowners file more hurricane-related insurance claims than residents of any other state. Unfortunately, insurance disputes following major storms are extremely common in Charlotte County and insurance companies do not always act in good faith. Common hurricane insurance claim disputes in Florida include: • Claim denials citing exclusions for flood damage, wind-driven rain, or pre-existing conditions • Lowball settlement offers that do not cover the full cost of repairs or replacement • Unreasonable delays in processing claims, leaving families without compensation for months • Disputes over whether damage was caused by wind (covered) or flooding (requires a separate NFIP policy) • Depreciation disputes that reduce the actual cash value payout well below replacement cost Under Florida law, insurance companies are required to act in good faith when handling claims. If your insurer is denying a valid claim, delaying without justification, or offering an unreasonably low settlement, you may have grounds for a bad faith insurance claim. Steps to protect your hurricane insurance claim in Charlotte County: • Document all damage immediately with photographs and video before any cleanup begins • Keep a detailed written record of all communications with your insurance company • Save all receipts for emergency repairs, temporary housing, and storm-related expenses • Do not sign any releases or accept any settlements without first consulting an attorney • If your claim is denied or underpaid, contact Goldman, Tiseo & Sturges, P.A. before signing anything Post-Hurricane Contractor Fraud in Charlotte County: A Growing Threat After every major hurricane in Southwest Florida, unlicensed contractors and fraudulent repair companies target storm-damaged homeowners who are desperate to make repairs. Charlotte County residents have experienced this firsthand following both Hurricane Charley and Hurricane Ian. Faulty post-storm repairs are not just a financial loss they can create ongoing structural hazards, mold problems, and safety risks that lead to serious injuries. Warning signs of contractor fraud after a hurricane: • Unsolicited door-to-door offers to inspect or repair your home immediately after the storm • Requests for large upfront cash payments before any work begins • No Florida contractor's license or refusal to provide proof of insurance • Pressure to sign contracts quickly without time to review • Assignment of Benefits (AOB) agreements that sign over your insurance rights to the contractor • No written contract, or a contract with vague scope of work and no completion timeline How to protect yourself from contractor fraud in Charlotte County: • Verify any contractor's license through the Florida DBPR at myfloridalicense.com • Never pay more than 10% upfront or $1,000 whichever is less before work begins • Get at least three written estimates before committing to any contractor • Never sign an Assignment of Benefits agreement without speaking to an attorney first • Report suspected fraud to the Florida Attorney General's Office and Charlotte County Building Department If you were defrauded by a contractor or injured due to faulty post-storm repairs, Goldman, Tiseo & Sturges, P.A. can help you pursue compensation and hold responsible parties accountable. What to Do If You Are Injured During or After a Hurricane in Charlotte County The days following a hurricane are disorienting. But taking the right steps early can make a significant difference in your ability to recover compensation. • Seek immediate medical attention storm injuries including lacerations, falls, and head trauma require prompt treatment, and medical records establish the connection between the storm and your injury • Document everything photographs your injuries, the hazard that caused them, and surrounding conditions as soon as it is safe • Report the incident notify the property owner, local authorities, or relevant government agency depending on where and how the injury occurred • Preserve evidence do not allow a property owner or contractor to repair the conditions that caused your injury before they are documented • Avoid giving recorded statements to insurance companies adjusters are trained to minimize payouts; speak with an attorney first • Contact Goldman, Tiseo & Sturges, P.A. as soon as possible Florida's statute of limitations applies to hurricane injury claims, and delays can cost you your right to compensation Hurricane Risk in Charlotte County: Why Legal Preparedness Matters Charlotte County sits in one of Florida's most hurricane-vulnerable corridors. Port Charlotte and Punta Gorda took a direct hit from Hurricane Charley in August 2004. In September 2022, Hurricane Ian caused catastrophic damage throughout the region. The legal and financial aftermath of both storms kept Charlotte County families in limbo for years battling insurance companies, fraudulent contractors, and unresolved injury claims. Legal preparedness knowing your rights, your insurer's obligations, and where to turn when things go wrong is one of the most important steps our community can take before the next storm arrives. Goldman, Tiseo & Sturges, P.A.: Standing with Charlotte County Through Every Storm We have been part of this community through its hardest moments. When Hurricane Charley devastated Punta Gorda and Port Charlotte, we were here. When Hurricane Ian tore through Southwest Florida, we were here. And when the next storm comes, we will be here again. Our attorneys represent hurricane injury victims, insurance dispute claimants, and contractor fraud victims throughout Charlotte County in Port Charlotte, Punta Gorda, Englewood, North Port, and every community in between. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you. If a hurricane has left you injured, displaced, or fighting with your insurance company, do not face it alone. Contact Our Charlotte County Hurricane Injury Attorneys Free Consultation Goldman, Tiseo & Sturges, P.A. (941) 625-6666 Serving Port Charlotte, Punta Gorda, Englewood, North Port, and all of Charlotte County gtslawfirm.com