Winter storms can be absolutely devastating to our state, as we recently witnessed Winter Storm Uri leave nearly 4.3 million Texans without power, 15 million without water, food shortages across the state, and more than 80 people dead. This winter storm damage could be the costliest disaster in state history, exceeding the $125 billion in damage from Hurricane Harvey in 2017.

“All 254 counties will have been impacted in some way by the freeze,” said Lee Loftis, of Independent Insurance Agents of Texas. “That is just unheard of.” On top of losing water and power, many homes and businesses in Texas sustained significant winter storm damage, ranging from burst pipes and flooding to exterior ice damage and fallen trees.

This has left many Texans wondering what to do next and how to fully recover from the devastating impact of this winter storm damage. The knowledgeable team at Thompson Law is your local resource for world‐class representation in the aftermath of the devastating Texas winter storm.

Winter Storm Statistics

Winter Storm Uri put 39 states and over 100 million homes under a winter weather advisory or storm alert in February of 2021, setting 2,000 cold temperature records for cities across the United States. Over 73 percent of the country was covered in snow. The storm shattered Dallas’s previous record of 13 degrees Fahrenheit from 1903 with a new low-temperature record of ‐1 degrees.

The winter storm damage resulting from Winter Storm Uri will surpass the cumulative winter storm damage caused by the preceding three years of winter storms, and is so devastating that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is coming to Texas’ aid. The vast majority of damage from this storm are expected to be in Texas and include home, commercial, auto, industrial, and business interruption insurance losses.

In times like these, disputes often arise between insurance companies and policyholders. Whether you have a Texas snowstorm personal injury claim or a property damage claim, Thompson Law is your local legal ally for insurance claims.

Texas Winter Storm Injury and Wrongful Death

Winter Storm Uri not only destroyed homes and businesses but also caused many personal injuries and deaths across Texas. Millions of families were left without power in sustained freezing temperatures for days and had to fight to stay warm. Unfortunately, some did not make it through the storm. Texans died from carbon monoxide poisoning, oxygen tanks being rendered useless, house fires, hypothermia, and devastating car accidents including a 130 vehicle pile‐up off I‐35 near Fort Worth that killed at least six people and injured over 65.

These deaths and injuries were preventable and our team of experienced trial lawyers is ready to fight for those who were injured or killed during the Texas winter storm. Medical costs and funeral expenses can be devastating to a family after a disaster. At Thompson Law, we will share in the burden of your loss and suffering by helping you recover the maximum financial compensation available.

Snow and Ice Damage Insurance Claims

If your home or business was damaged by a winter storm, contacting our experienced team of attorneys to review your insurance policy and help you file a claim is the best way to start on a path toward recovery. Insurance policies are very specific about the requirements that must be met and steps you must take following a loss. If you do not comply with the requirements, it can jeopardize your chances of receiving full payment for your claim. Insurance companies are expecting a surge of claims after the recent winter storm and having your insurance claim reviewed before being submitted will help avoid mistakes that can cause your claim to be rejected.

Texas homes and commercial properties are not meant to withstand severe prolonged freezing temperatures. This resulted in frozen plumbing pipes that, when thawed, caused widespread leaks within homes, offices, retail stores, strip malls, and more. Interior water damage can be devastating and expensive to repair. Many businesses with water damage will not only have to deal with the cost of repairing their property; they must also survive the negative impact on their bottom line if they cannot reopen safely due to property damage.

Other types of property damage to look for include structural damage to foundations and roofs, mold damage from flooding, damage to property caused by falling trees or the weight of snow, and wind damage to the siding. Home and business owners should fully review the terms of their insurance coverage provided in their policies, as well as the extent of the damage caused by the winter storm, before filing a claim.

Getting your home or business repaired may be tricky when recovering from a winter storm. Resulting in property damage is some of the costliest damage imaginable. With damages spanning across every Texas county, plumbers and contractors will be in high demand and may raise their rates when repairing winter storm damage.

Supply shortages will be common and equipment prices can increase. Insurance companies may not acknowledge this when they are calculating the “reasonable cost of repairs” under the terms of your insurance policy. Insurance companies may also attempt to delay reimbursements to policyholders or refuse to pay valid claims during this time. Having a knowledgeable attorney by your side during this process can help prevent insurance companies from underpaying, delaying, or denying your property damage claims. Thompson Law’s winter storm attorneys will aggressively seek fair compensation for your property damage.

Texas Winter Storm Lawyers

We know that recovering from a disaster can be an exhausting, confusing, and frustrating process. You may be dealing with significant home or property damage, or the unnecessary loss of a loved one. We are here to help you by providing professional insight and experience that will protect you from being the victim of an insurance company acting in bad faith. We will fight to hold the responsible parties accountable for the injury or loss of a loved one. No one should have to do this alone. Contact our offices today to get started on the road to recovery.