
A pest control company has not done what it is supposed to do if you have termites. If it properly applied the treatment it promised, you would not have termites entering your home. A termite situation can become particularly frustrating if the party responsible for protecting the property dismisses the claim or attempts to absolve themselves of responsibility. A Jackson termite damage lawyer can help you with your claim in these situations.
Campbell Law, P.C., was founded by Thomas F. “Termite Tom” Campbell, with a practice dedicated to termite litigation. Campbell Law, P.C., takes on termite damage cases for homeowners and property owners facing disputes with termite companies regarding termite bonds, subpar pest control, property damage, and rejected claims, pursuing these matters through litigation and arbitration.
Termite Tom has won more than $300 million for clients. However, past results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Every case is different and must be evaluated on its own merits.
If you have a termite infestation or termite damage in your home, business, or church, it’s very likely that your pest control company has not done its job properly.
If your pest control company:
You need the help of an experienced, knowledgeable termite damage claim lawyer. The effects of termite damage on your property and the financial and emotional uncertainty that come with it can be devastating. Termite Tom and Campbell Law can help.
One way a termite company may respond to discovering damage in a Jackson home is by denying responsibility. The company might cite moisture, wood-to-soil contact, poor drainage, lack of ventilation, or similar issues as conducive conditions they feel are relevant per the bond’s stipulations.
Any of those conditions may be relevant when applying the language of a particular bond, but they do not by themselves establish that the pest control company satisfied every obligation it took on.
Essentially, the denial must be measured against the specific bond, inspection data, treatment histories, visual evidence, service call notes, and all prior communications. A company with a history of repeated inspections, for instance, might possess crucial details regarding its knowledge, its previous reports, and whether its treatments effectively blocked termite entry points.
It’s worth noting that Mississippi has regulations in place for professional pest control services. Under Mississippi Code § 69-19-5, professional services are defined to include entomological advice, consultation, and the use of methods and means to control or eradicate insect pests, along with treating structures for them.
The licensing, bonding, and insurance requirements for the performance of professional services are also covered by Mississippi Code § 69-19-9.
It’s worth noting that Jackson is no stranger to termite issues. It’s estimated that termite damage costs homeowners $5 billion every year in property damage, and it affects approximately 600,000 homes each year. It is also estimated that termites cause about $30 billion in damages each year to crops and manmade structures, and homeowners spend, on average, $3,000 for damage repairs.
Jackson’s hot, humid weather can also create an environment in which subterranean termites are active for much of the year. Jackson homeowners around Fondren, Belhaven, Eastover, and Northeast Jackson, as well as in other parts of the capital city, may not notice a problem until termites have damaged walls, floors, framing, or other hidden areas of a building.
The presence of visible termites does not necessarily indicate how or where they entered the structure. Professional treatment often requires an assessment of the construction, surrounding property, and possible entry points into the building. A localized treatment at the point where the termites were located may eliminate visible termite activity without treating the point of entry into the structure.
That can be an important distinction for homeowners who have a termite bond and have relied on a professional termite company to provide inspection and protection services. The key issue may not simply be that termites were found at some point. How the company handled its inspections, treatments, and responses could clarify whether it fulfilled its commitments.
Homeowners should not begin termite treatment or repairs themselves after receiving a claim denial or even after first discovering an infestation. Taking action to get rid of termites or fix damaged areas might mean homeowners accidentally get rid of clues about the infestation’s origin, entry points, and the prior pest control company’s work. Homeowners should instead preserve any records or photographs, such as:
Homeowners should also preserve the claim denial letter, if applicable, as well as any explanation of reasons for denying the claim. When assessing whether the claimed reason truly relates to the situation, language pertaining to moisture, favorable conditions, pre-existing damage, treatment limits, or exclusions can become important.
A termite damage lawyer can review the bond to determine what obligations the pest control company may have. A lawyer can also organize and analyze communications, placing them into an evidentiary record about the cause of the damage and the company’s performance.
A Jackson termite damage attorney can also represent you in arbitration or litigation. They can respond to the company’s defenses and present arguments about liability and damages. Campbell Law, P.C., has litigated termite arbitration and has an extensive collection of termite-related evidence and industry information.
An attorney can also assess whether the facts may support additional claims beyond the specific dispute over the terms of the bond. In other instances, the claims could be for issues like negligent pest control, insufficient inspections, deceptive practices, or other infringements of consumer protection regulations.
If your case proceeds to litigation, it is likely to be held at a local courthouse. Hinds County Circuit Court, First Judicial District, located at 407 East Pascagoula Street, Jackson, Mississippi 39201, is a state trial court of general jurisdiction in Hinds County, Mississippi. This court presides over civil disputes originating in Hinds County, positioning it as a suitable local venue for civil claims in the Jackson area.
A termite company’s denial of your claim doesn’t end your termite damage claim. Campbell Law, P.C., is a termite litigation firm. We advocate for homeowners entangled in conflicts regarding termite bonds, property damage, and rejected claims.
Before you agree to further termite treatment and repair or make changes to the property, conserve the evidence that’s available and have your claim reviewed. If you require a termite damage attorney, let Campbell Law, P.C., know what happened. Contact us today for more information. Hire a termite damage lawyer today.
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