Hurricane Sandy Victims Say Damage Reports Were Altered

[deminks]

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/17/nyregion/hurricane-sandy-victims-say-damage-reports-were-altered.html?smid=tw-nytimes&_r=0

When Frank Johnston’s insurance carrier rejected his claim that flooding from Hurricane Sandy had severely damaged the foundation of his Fire Island home, the company cited an engineering report that seemed to establish his problems were “unrelated” to the storm, and were caused instead by the “long-term deterioration” of wooden piers beneath his house.

In reality, the original had reached the opposite conclusion. The engineering report, documents show, had been altered.

Mr. Johnston is part of a growing number of homeowners who suspect that their engineering reports were similarly rewritten as part of an effort to minimize insurance payments to flood victims in New York and New Jersey after the 2012 hurricane.

In November, allegations of altered reports prompted a federal judge overseeing more than 1,000 hurricane related lawsuits in the New York City area to order all drafts of the engineering reports be turned over, saying he believed such revisions could be “widespread.” Lawyers for homeowners in the suits began reviewing the documents, and say they have already identified more than 500 doctored reports.

(snip)

It's a stacked deck.

[Sienna86]

1. An understanding between engineers and insurers....

This is shameful and I'm glad the federal judge is delving into the discrepancies.

[hobbit709]

2. I seem to remember the insurance companies doing the same after Katrina.

It is a standard business practice with them.

[barbtries]

3. this kind of corruption should be criminal

has anyone brought charges?

[malaise]

4. Insurance companies are really casinos

and all the odds are stacked in their favor.

[Scarsdale]

5. Federal money

Meanwhile isn't Christie accused of holding on to the FEMA money? What is he keeping it for, his legal expenses?

[giftedgirl77]

6. Travel expenses more likely...

[Hoppy]

7. WhatdaahelzamatterU? $$$ is for his campaign for president.

[WinkyDink]

8. Makes me wonder if engineering reports weren't "altered" for other buildings.

Say, in NYC.

[Dustlawyer]

9. As a veteran of two hurricanes, Rita and Ike, I say welcome to our world!

State Farm and Allstate got busted for this.

[cynzke]

10. Most Insurance Companies/Homeowners Policies....

Don't cover flood damages, period. That is why the federal government provides it through National Flood Insurance Program. So it wouldn't matter whether the foundations were damaged due to flooding or age. You get a policy booklet and in it, it will tell you what is covered and what is not. Flooding will be under exclusions....EXCEPT if the flood caused your gas line to break and subsequently caused a FIRE, the fire damage would be covered. Covered damage to foundations are very limited...fire or water damage from a leaked pipe, leaked roof but not from rising flood waters.

http://homeguides.sfgate.com/homeowners-insurance-cover-foundation-repair-63590.html

[Scuba]

11. Insurance companies aren't in the business of playing claims, just selling policies.