Dealing with Insurance Claim Denials
Insurance companies sometimes refuse to pay claims submitted by its policyholders. When an insurance company does so, this is called “denying” the claim. A claim may be denied, for example, because the company has determined that the loss is not a type that is “covered” by the terms of the insurance policy or that the person who suffered the loss is not an “insured” for purposes of the policy or that a policyholder engaged in some type of misconduct which...
Tips for Filing Your Fire Insurance Claim
Insurance carriers are expecting to receive hundreds of thousands of fire claims in the upcoming months due to the recent southern California wildfires. Given the high number of cases that each insurer within the state will have to investigate, the earlier that you file the better. If your home was damaged by the fires and if you have not yet filed a claim with your insurance carrier, there are some simple tips that may make the difference between being compensated completely for your losses or...
El Cajon, Water Panel Sued Over Landslide
Homeowners in a Fletcher Hills neighborhood have filed a lawsuit over a landslide that has significantly diminished their property value as well as left one home uninhabitable. Homeowners claim that the city of El Cajon and the Helix Water District are to blame for the landslide due to a lack of maintenance of water and sewer lines as well as fire hydrants in the area. Patrick E. Catalano is...
Under Pact, City Would Pay To Raze Ruined Condos
In an agreement that is expected to be signed shortly, the city of Carlsbad has agreed to pay for the demolition and removal of the eight units destroyed in the La Costa de Marbella landslide along with grading of the area after the removal is complete. This agreement will raise the total that the city has pledged towards stabilizing the slope where the landslide occurred to $1.6 million....
Oceanside Residents Spared Cost Of Lawsuit
The city of Oceanside decided against a rate increase on city resident’s water/sewer bill in order to cover the costs of a lawsuit over a landslide. The landslide damaged homes on Arroyo Avenue and Comanche Street, leaving six uninhabitable. The City is now considering other options including dipping into the water and sewer reserve funds in order to cover litigation costs. Patrick E....
La Costa Slope Repairs Will Move Forward, Says Official
The repair agreement in the La Costa landslide is back in place after Patrick E. Catalano, new attorney for the homeowners association, charged that the city of Carlsbad broke the previously signed agreement by not beginning repair work fast enough and not sharing repair plans with the La Costa de Marbella Homeowners Association. The reinstated agreement will give access to land owned by the...
Dreams’ Reduced To Dust In Oceanside
Demolition and removal of the landslide-damaged homes on Arroyo Avenue has begun, and the city of Oceanside has committed $68,000 to complete the project. The removal is partly intended to protect the houses below on Comanche Street from any damage that could be sustained due to the houses on Arroyo Sliding further down the hill. Patrick E. Catalano is referenced in the article.
Asbestos Finding Halts Razing In Oceanside
Asbestos was found in the bedroom of one of the homes, prompting city officials to halt demolition until specialists could clear out the toxic material. Once demolition can begin again the structures of the homes will be removed, but the concrete slabs, walkways, and pools will be left where they are. Patrick E. Catalano is quoted in the article.
Homeowners Sue Carlsbad For Landslide
The La Costa de Marbella Homeowners Association has filed a lawsuit in San Diego Superior court alleging that Carlsbad water pipes leaked into the hillside below the complex, causing the slope failure. Patrick E. Catalano, counsel for the association, also prevented workers from accessing part of the site citing city violation of a previous agreement about slope repairs. Patrick E. Catalano is...