Fire Damage Claim Lawyer in Houston, TX

Fire Damage Insurance Claims We Handle

Houston fire victims face multiple categories of loss. Insurance companies try to separate these categories and deny coverage for each one individually. We package your complete loss into a single comprehensive claim.

Structural Fire Damage

Buildings, roofs, walls, foundations — everything fire touches needs repair or replacement. We document total structural loss, not just what adjusters photograph during quick site visits.

Smoke and Soot Contamination

Smoke penetrates everything. HVAC systems spread soot throughout structures. Walls, carpets, and contents absorb toxic particles. Professional remediation costs thousands, yet insurance companies often exclude this from initial offers.

Water Damage from Fire Suppression

Houston firefighters use thousands of gallons to knock down flames. Waterlogged structures, damaged electrical systems, and flooded interiors require extensive restoration. Insurance companies try to separate "water damage" from "fire damage" to reduce payouts.

Business Income Loss

Commercial property fires shut down operations for weeks or months. Lost revenue, continuing expenses, and customer relationships all have monetary value. We calculate true business interruption losses, not the conservative estimates insurance companies prefer.

Alternative Living Expenses

When your Houston home becomes unlivable, hotel stays, meals, storage, and temporary housing quickly add up. Policies include "loss of use" coverage, but insurance companies cap these expenses at unrealistic levels.

Contents and Personal Property

Furniture, electronics, clothing, and documents — everything inside burns or suffers smoke damage. Insurance companies use depreciation to reduce replacement values. We fight for actual replacement cost, not depreciated pennies on the dollar.

Liability Claims for Negligent Fires

When someone else's negligence caused your fire, such as a landlord's faulty wiring, a contractor's errors, or a neighbor's carelessness, we pursue those parties directly while also maximizing your insurance recovery.

Health Effects and Injury Claims

Smoke inhalation, burns, respiratory damage, and toxic exposure create medical expenses and long-term health problems. These damages belong in your claim, yet insurance companies often exclude them as "not covered".

Houston Fire Risks: What Property Owners Face

Houston's climate, infrastructure, and density create unique fire vulnerabilities. Recognizing these risks helps property owners prepare, and knowing what caused your fire matters when insurance companies consider reasons to deny coverage.

• Kitchen & cooking incidents: Stovetop fires and grease fires are the leading causes of residential property damage. In apartments and condos, these fires spread rapidly between units, multiplying the loss across the entire structure.
• Electrical system failures: Older wiring often fails under modern electrical loads. While insurers may claim a "lack of maintenance", the actual cause is frequently original construction defects or outdated circuits.
• Heating & HVAC accidents: Portable heaters are responsible for thousands of home fires annually, peaking between December and February. Malfunctioning HVAC units also contribute to significant property damage during Houston's winter months.
• Intentional fire setting: Arson affects commercial and vacant properties alike. These cases involve both criminal and civil proceedings, which adds layers of complexity when pursuing a settlement.
• Wildfire exposure: Development on Houston’s outskirts increases the risk of wildfire damage. Recent history shows these fires can consume thousands of acres, threatening homes in the wildland-urban interface.
• Vehicle & garage fires: Fires originating in attached garages often spread quickly to the main structure. Battery failures in electric vehicles present new challenges that insurers frequently undervalue.
• Smoking materials: Accidents involving cigarettes or e-cigarette batteries often lead to high fatality rates. Insurers may scrutinize these incidents closely to find grounds to deny a claim.

What Houston Fire Insurance Actually Covers

Texas property insurance includes fire coverage in standard policies, but "coverage" and "payment" are different. Insurance companies write policies broadly, then interpret them narrowly when claims arrive.

Homeowner Fire Coverage Components

Houston homeowners typically hold policies covering:

• Dwelling protection: Structure repair/replacement up to policy limits.
• Personal property: Contents coverage at actual cash value or replacement cost.
• Additional structures: Detached garages, sheds, fences.
• Loss of use: Temporary housing while repairs proceed.
• Liability protection: If your fire spreads to neighbors' property.
• Medical payments: Injuries to others during the fire.

Commercial Property Fire Coverage

Business owners need policies addressing:

• Building coverage: Physical structure repair/replacement.
• Business personal property: Equipment, inventory, furnishings.
• Business interruption: Lost income during closure.
• Extra expense: Costs to maintain operations during repairs.
• Accounts receivable: Lost customer payment records.
• Valuable papers: Document restoration/recreation costs.

What Insurance Companies Don't Tell You

Policies include coverage. Adjusters minimize it. They'll claim:

• "Your deductible is higher than damage estimates".
• "Some damage existed before the fire".
• "Policy excludes certain types of smoke damage".
• "You didn't maintain the property properly".
• "You need three repair estimates before we pay".

We will end these delay tactics and enforce your policy terms.

How Our Houston Fire Attorneys Build Your Case

Insurance companies have investigators, engineers, and accountants working against you. We assemble a stronger team working for you.

Our Fee Structure: You Pay Nothing Unless We Win

Fire already cost you everything. Legal fees shouldn't drain what remains.

Contingency fee representation means:

• Zero upfront attorney costs
• No hourly billing while we work your case
• We advance all investigation and expert expenses
• Payment comes only from your recovery
• If we don't win, you owe us nothing

This structure aligns our interests with yours. We maximize your recovery because it maximizes ours. Insurance companies can't outspend you because our resources back your claim.