Check out our November newsletter!
November 2022
720 Goodlette Rd. N, Suite 304, Naples, FL 34102 • www.AttorneyShapiro.com
Hurricane Ian Left a Lot of Damage
You May Have a Claim
Hurricane Ian was one of the most devastating hurricanes to hit the United States. Many homeowners saw damage that included broken windows, debris cleanup, flooding, and structural damage — your entire roof could have even blown off. Few people realize that you can be compensated for damage caused by hurricanes and other types of natural disasters. Your insurance may or may not provide reimbursement for the necessary repairs. Homeowners and other property owners are often uninformed about their rights and what to expect after a hurricane. Not having the guidance and knowledge of what is possible for you can allow insurance companies to take advantage of you. Expert representation from experienced attorneys, like at our firm, can help you navigate your policy, the claims process, and the law. How can we help you file a claim dispute? Our attorneys can review your policy and determine your coverage and any payments the company is required to make. Attorneys can also conduct a thorough investigation of previous and current home inspections, audits, and other documentation on your home, which can be helpful in settling your claim. We understand that dealing with an insurance company can be difficult. These companies have made the process of filing and collecting claims a time-consuming task with the hope that most policyholders will drop their claims, especially after being denied compensation. Our goal is to simplify the claim dispute process for you and ensure homeowners receive the maximum amount available under their insurance policies. Why would my dispute be denied if I suffered damages? If your claim has been denied, the first thing you should know is that insurance companies are for-profit businesses; it is in their best interest to avoid paying claims. If the home has been damaged, the insurance company may offer a low settlement or deny the claim entirely to avoid depleting If you have suffered a loss due to Hurricane Ian and you do not know where to begin, trust the Law Offices of Marc L. Shapiro, P.A., to assist you. Dealing with insurance companies can be difficult, frustrating, and confusing. Without representation, you might not be fully compensated. Call us at (239) 649-8050.
their cash reserves. To avoid paying claims, the insurance company may try to categorize damages as exceeding the scope of the policy. They may blame the damage on factors other than those covered by the policy or offer a low settlement if they believe it is a legitimate, unavoidable claim. For example, roof damage is often the subject of dispute between insurance companies and homeowners. The homeowner will file a claim that the roof was damaged by hail, wind, or a natural disaster, while the insurance company will claim that the damage is due to wear and tear, which is not covered by the policy. This disagreement is not uncommon in claims disputes, including those involving hurricane damage. Repairs to your home can be unimaginably expensive. Even if you do not have homeowners, renters, or flood insurance, we may be able to help. If you believe your insurance company is giving you misinformation about your policy coverage, has wrongfully denied your claim, or has offered less than what you deserve, please call us at (239) 649-8050. Do’s and Don’ts of Hurricane Repairs: • DO take pictures of your damage • DO NOT assign or endorse your insurance proceeds to a general contractor or anyone else • DO get a lien waiver — or do not work with that contractor • DO NOT pay in full upfront — pay small performance deposits that they can draw from • DO your research — get referrals from friends on whom to use to make your repairs, and check them for licensure and insurance.
-Marc L. Shapiro
(239) 649-8050 • 1
ALL THIS FOR A TRUCKLE OF CHEESE? What Is Cheese Rolling?
During the spring, the southwest part of England hosts one of the strangest sports each year — cheese rolling. People worldwide travel to watch and participate as contestants launch themselves down a hill in pursuit of a round of cheese. But how did this sport come to be? It’s kind of a mystery. No one really knows the origins of cheese rolling. For as long as the locals can remember, the sport has always been there. Several theories attempt to explain how the sport came about. One theory states that the competition started in the 15th century, and racing down the hill was a way to establish grazing rights on the commons. Others say the game has a pagan origin, where people would throw bundles of brushwood down the hill to represent the new year once winter ends. Although its roots are unknown, locals have kept score since the 1970s and watched it gain in popularity over the years. What are the rules? Competitors begin the race at the top of Cooper’s Hill in Brockworth, Gloucester, which slopes downward at an almost 90-degree angle. Then, when the master of ceremonies tells you to go, you launch yourself down the mountain. The first person to grab the 8-pound wheel of double cream Gloucester (which has never been done
before) or cross the finish line at the bottom (about 200 yards) will win the race and the cheese.
You don’t need to meet any criteria or fill out any paperwork to participate. Simply arrive at the top of the hill before the race begins, and you’re all set. But participating is at your own risk: Many people suffer severe injuries because you’re going down the hill at speeds reaching 70 mph. The sport has gained many fans over the years — around 15,000 attendees come to view the spectacle annually. The media attention further spreads the interest and popularity of cheese rolling. Many YouTube channels cover the sport, and a Netflix show titled “We Are the Champions” has an episode covering the sport and how competitors train.
Can you believe all of this excitement and fame over a truckle of cheese?
3-STEP PROCESS
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‘Feeling Confident and Comfortable’ WHAT OUR CLIENTS ARE SAYING “My experience with this law firm has been amazing. I’m so grateful for Ally; she helped me through every step of my claim and went above and beyond with any needs or concerns I had. The communication and professionalism were a 10/10. I would definitely reach out again if I ever need them and would recommend them to anyone needing legal advice.” –E.G. “From the first phone call, I knew Amanda had my back. I felt so confident and comfortable trusting that she was going to do the best for me and she did! Kelsea sure knows her stuff … She was able to greatly reduce my medical bills, which meant more for my well-deserved settlement. I am so appreciative of the staff at Marc L. Shapiro’s office , and I will recommend them to everyone!” –T.D.
Your reviews offer us valuable feedback, but when you recommend our services to others, that’s the ultimate form of praise! Please share your experiences with the Law Offices of Marc L. Shapiro, P.A., on Google or at Facebook.com/attorneyshapirolaw. Your comments empower us, make us better, and allow us to help others.
Word Search
APPLE CRANBERRY CRISP
Inspired by TasteOfHome.com
Ingredients
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3 cups peeled and chopped tart apples
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1 tbsp lemon juice
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1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
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1 1/2 cups cranberries
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1/2 cup all-purpose flour
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3/4 cup packed brown sugar, divided
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1/3 cup butter, cold
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Vanilla ice cream (optional)
Directions
1.
Preheat oven to 375 F.
2. In a large bowl, combine apples, cranberries, 1/4 cup brown sugar, lemon juice, and cinnamon. 3. Grease an 8-inch baking dish and pour the mixture into it. 4. In a small bowl, mix flour and the remaining brown sugar. Cut in cold butter until the mixture is crumbly. Sprinkle this over the fruit. 5. Bake uncovered for 25–30 minutes or until the topping is golden brown and the filling is bubbly. If desired, serve with vanilla ice cream and enjoy!
CASSEROLE ELECTION GRATITUDE HARVEST
RAKING REMEMBRANCE SAINTS SQUASH
THANKSGIVING TOPAZ TURKEY VETERAN
(239) 649-8050 • 3
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
720 Goodlette Rd. N, Suite 304 Naples, FL 34102 www.AttorneyShapiro.com
Inside
You May Have a Claim Page 1
All This for Cheese?
3-Step Process Page 2
What Our Clients Are Saying
Apple Cranberry Crisp Page 3 Hurricane Ian Resources Page 4
HURRICANE IAN RESOURCES
Hurricane Ian made landfall on the west coast of Florida, impacting every single one of us in some way. In response to this, we have gathered a list of resources that may be helpful for you throughout the recovery process. County Resources The Charlotte County Emergency Management Office is working through response and recovery and maintaining communication with local, state, and federal agencies. They have set up relief and recovery resources such as food and water distributions, shelters, medical resources, and mobile urgent care. More information can be found at: CharlotteCountyFL.gov/departments/public- safety/emergency-management/storm.stml . Collier County has also set up an emergency homepage that includes crisis cleanup, business assistance, special needs registries, FEMA disaster assistance, and much more. For more information, check out their page: CollierCountyFL.gov/home .
Lee County Emergency Management’s page is full of recovery resources such as food and water distributions, shelters, debris removal, and hours of operation for area government agencies. Check out their page at LeeGov.com/hurricane/storm . Community-Based Resources The Better Together agency is offering child care to first responders and essential workers in addition to their normal hosting and mentoring. If you need assistance, please visit: BetterTogetherUs.org . Harry Chapin Food Bank provides food distribution at sites throughout the region! For more information, follow updates at HarryChapinFoodBank.org/ian . Salvation Army (Bonita Springs) is providing daily food and supply distribution as items are available at their location at 26820 Old, US-41, Bonita Springs, FL 34135. For more information, follow updates at Facebook. com/SalArmyBonitaEstero .
United Way 211 is a free 24-hour, non- emergency helpline that exists to help people navigate their way through human and social service agencies in Lee, Hendry, and Glades County by providing the most adequate resources for each client’s situation. Dial 2-1-1 on your phone or search the database of providers at UnitedWayLee.org/need-help . Federal Resources For FEMA Individual Assistance, you can register online at DisasterAssistance.gov or download the FEMA app on iPhone or Android devices. For additional assistance, call (800) 621-3362. You can contact Operation Blue Roof at (888) 766-325 and request the Army Corps of Engineers to install free temporary roof tarps while you wait for insurance processing. Hurricane Ian may have run its course, but as a community, we are standing strong to overcome these hardships together!
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