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Unfortunately, fire damage is a fact of life and a normal risk for many businesses and homeowners. Fire and smoke damage may make your business or residence uninhabitable. The disruptive nature of being separated from your home or work environment may even threaten someoneโs livelihood. Subsequent to a Fire Loss you may be surprised that your feel good insurance company commercials donโt match the response from your carrier. Often insurance companies will require very strict compliance record keeping in order to be able to recover the true value of your destroyed or damaged personal property. Further, after a fire loss, carriers often begin investigations into arson and may request that you submit to an Examination Under Oath (โEUOโ). Make sure you know your rights after a fire loss and that you understand what you are entitled to recover pursuant to the terms of your policy and Florida law.
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Although every policy differs, the portions dealing with a fire loss typically provide coverage for every loss, damage or injury to insured property that was damaged as a direct result of a fire. Usually, if a covered loss exists, fire coverage will provide recovery for the damage caused by the fire as well as incidental forms of damage including damage to materials caused by smoke, soot or heat. Additionally, you usually are entitled to incidental damages caused including damage caused by firefighters in putting out the fire. As you might expect, one of the largest exclusions to coverage under a typically property owners policy is damage resulting from a fire that was non-accidental. Against the backdrop of most claim investigations involving a fire loss will be an investigation regarding the cause of the fire. Most policies will contain an exclusion for coverage to a dwelling for a fire loss if the property was โunoccupiedโ for a specified time period.
If the fire has damaged your home to an extent that a city refuses to allow the building to be repaired and orders it demolished you may be entitled to seek payment for the full value of your home under the policy. Otherwise, if your home has not been totally destroyed, the carrier is typically responsible for paying the replacement cost, an amount to repair the property at its current cost, without depreciation. What we often see is a building that should be paid out as a total loss treated as a replacement cost value claim. This is critical and mean the difference between full indemnity for your loss and simply a partial payment that fails to make you whole. For an analysis of a total loss, check out State Farm v. Ondis, 962 So. 2d 923 (Fla. 1 st DCA 2007) and Florida Statutes 627.702 and 320.01.
One of the most difficult challenges homeowners face when dealing with t heir carrier after a fire loss is an accurate and fair accounting of your damaged personal property. Photos and receipts are critical. Whether you insurer will be willing to replace your items may in large part depend on how well you properly document the inventory of your items.
We specialize in property damage cases. Contact our office 24/7 for a free consultation regarding your rights and remedies if you have suffered a Fire Loss.
Miranda Pages serves as the Client Operations Manager, bringing over a decade of leadership and management experience in youth program administration. Throughout her career, she has overseen team operations, staff development, and program coordination, experience that translates seamlessly into managing client services and internal operations in a professional environment.
Known as the teamโs go-to resource, Miranda is highly reliable and deeply dedicated to supporting both colleagues and clients. Her commitment to professionalism and service helps ensure the team operates efficiently while maintaining the high level of care clients expect.
Juan G. Croussett is a litigation attorney at Zoecklein Law, where he represents clients in complex probate and trust disputes and other contested matters. Known for his strong courtroom presence and strategic approach to advocacy, Juan focuses on protecting clientsโ interests through thorough preparation, persuasive legal argument, and disciplined case management.
Juan earned his Juris Doctor from Florida Coastal School of Law and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and History from the University of South Florida. Over the course of his career, he has developed extensive litigation experience handling a variety of complex matters, including property disputes, dependency proceedings, and high-conflict cases involving sensitive family issues.
Before joining Zoecklein Law, Juan served as a Senior Attorney with the Florida Department of Children and Families and later as Lead Dependency Attorney at The Spring of Tampa Bay. In these roles, he regularly appeared in court, managed complex case portfolios, and advocated on behalf of individuals navigating difficult legal circumstances.
At Zoecklein Law, Juan brings this depth of litigation experience to guide clients through challenging disputes with clarity, diligence, and strong advocacy. He is committed to developing thoughtful legal strategies and delivering results-driven representation.
Outside of his legal practice, Juan is a devoted husband and father who values family and community
Keegan Ashmore Gothers is an attorney at Zoecklein Law, where he assists clients with probate, estate, guardianship, and other civil litigation matters. He is known for his strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and ability to navigate complex legal issues while providing thoughtful and strategic support throughout the litigation process.
Keegan earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Miami School of Law and holds a Bachelor of Science in Sports Administration with a minor in Business Administration from the University of Louisville. During law school, he distinguished himself in competitive arbitration competitions, earning recognition as a champion in the University of Miami MLB Arbitration Competition and a finalist in the Tulane International MLB Arbitration Competition.
Prior to joining Zoecklein Law, Keegan gained experience working on a variety of civil litigation matters, including real estate disputes, contract issues, probate matters, and business disputes. He has experience drafting pleadings, conducting legal research, preparing discovery, and assisting with depositions, mediations, and motion hearings.
Outside of his legal practice, Keegan enjoys watching sports, spending time with friends and family, and golfing. His background in athletics reflects a competitive spirit and team-oriented mindset that he brings to his work serving clients
Mr. Rubin currently focuses on probate administration, estate litigation, and general civil litigation.ย Mr. Rubin grew up in Miami, Florida, and graduated from the University of Miami where he obtained a Bachelorโs of Science in Communications.
Mr. Rubin obtained his juris doctorate degree from Florida International University College of Law in Miami, Florida.ย While at Florida International University, Mr. Rubin was a member of the Negotiation and Mediation Team, and competed in several competitions, including the Tulane Law School Professional Football Negotiation Competition.ย While at Florida International University, Mr. Rubin interned at the Miami-Dade State Attorneyโs Office and the Broward Public Defenderโs Office.
After graduating, Mr. Rubin worked at the Fort Myers Public Defenderโs Office as an Assistant Public Defender, and then worked for Florida Rural Legal Services, where he focused on family and immigration law.ย Mr. Rubin joined Zoecklein Law, P.A. in July of 2023.ย While not working, Mr. Rubin enjoys spending time with his girlfriend and their three cats, four spiders, one snake, and one scorpion.
A Florida Bar licensed attorney since 2011 with a passion for justice, a track record of successful courtroom and jury trial experience, and a diverse background that extends beyond the legal world. As a past assistant state attorney and co-owner of a successful online business, I bring a unique blend of legal expertise and entrepreneurial spirit to everything I do.
My dedication to the well-being of the community began with my service in the U.S. Army Reserve, evolved into keeping drunk drivers off the street, and is now focused on helping people find closure during difficult times, putting loved ones to rest, and mitigating the injustices of the legal system.
I grew up in Tampa, Florida, and after 2 years at the American University in Washington, D.C., I returned to the state and graduated with honors from the University of Florida with a degree in history. I received my Juris Doctor from the University of Maine. After deciding New England winters were too gloomy, I returned to the state for a second time. When I am not working, I cherish spending time with my wife and our pets.
Mrs. Zoecklein is a highly accomplished and driven professional with a successful track record in both accounting and customer service. As a devoted spouse and parent to three wonderful children, She values the importance of work-life balance and strives to lead by example in maintaining a fulfilling family life alongside her career.
With an innate sense of self-drive and ambition, Mrs. Zoecklein has consistently demonstrated exceptional leadership and organizational skills, making her an invaluable asset to every team she has been a part of. Drawing from her experience in accounting, she has managed financial operations with precision and an eye for detail, ensuring smooth financial transactions and accurate record-keeping.
In the realm of customer service, Mrs. Zoecklein has honed her communication and interpersonal skills, establishing strong rapport with clients and colleagues alike. She takes great pride in delivering exceptional service, consistently exceeding expectations, and ensuring client satisfaction.
Outside of her professional pursuits, Mrs. Zoecklein finds immense joy in the company of her loving spouse and three children. She believes that family forms the cornerstone of a fulfilling life and embraces opportunities to create lasting memories with them. Whether it’s embarking on adventurous outings, engaging in creative endeavors, or simply relishing quality time at home.
With a perfect blend of professional dedication and family-centered values Mrs. Zoecklein embodies a well-rounded and driven individual, whose commitment to excellence extends to both her career and the cherished relationships that enrich her life.
Mr. Zoecklein’s primary focus centers on Probate and Plaintiff’s Civil Litigation. His esteemed team is actively handling cases across the State of Florida in the areas of probate administration, estate litigation, insurance claims, and business law. Hailing from Blacksburg, Virginia, he graduated cum laude from Virginia Tech with a degree in business management, successfully running multiple franchises in Virginia and North Carolina during his time there. Pursuing higher education, Mr. Zoecklein earned his juris doctorate degree cum laude, along with a Masters in Business Administration, from Stetson University College of Law, where he notably represented the university in numerous national and international legal academic competitions. A highlight of his law school journey was winning a National Moot Court competition for Stetson, displaying his exceptional legal acumen. During his time at Stetson, Brice also contributed to the Center for Advocacy of Elder Law and interned at the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida. Following graduation, he embarked on a career with a prominent insurance defense firm, but his passion for Plaintiff advocacy and consumer justice led him to dedicate his legal pursuits exclusively to the representation of consumer rights. Apart from his professional endeavors, Mr. Zoecklein treasures quality time with his wife and three children. Through his unwavering pursuit of justice, both inside and outside the courtroom, Brice Zoecklein exemplifies the essence of a compassionate advocate and a reputable professional, dedicated to upholding the values of integrity, empathy, and fairness in all aspects of his life.
Stetson University College of Law โ cum laude
Virginia Polytechnic Institute โ cum laude
Mr. Zoecklein and Zoecklein Law are currently litigating cases in the following practice areas:
Email: [email protected]
Tampa Office: (813) 993-4967
Lakeland Office: (863) 808-0530
Sarasota: (941) 313-3330
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