Hurricane Insurance Claim Advisory: Has Your Home Been Condemned?

You'd think government would help homeowners after the hurricane. Not so for many shocked North Topsail Beach property owners. They learned that the State of North Carolina Coastal Area Management Agency (CMA) moved the vegetation lines inland. The vegetation line determines legal building sites in coastal areas. Literally hundreds of homeowners along North Carolina's beaches face demolition of structures damaged by the hurricanes. They can't rebuild, but they still have mortgages.

Barry Fischer, President of Law Offices of Barry Fischer, believes that a 1992 U. S. Supreme Court decision (Lucas v. South Carolina) gives hope to property owners faced with condemnation notices and demolition. Fischer believes these property owners have a right to protect their property and be paid just compensation. The Law Offices of Barry Fischer recently filed suit against the state for just compensation for several homeowners.

According to the 1992 case, if the state says that the property owner can't rebuild, the state must pay fair market value for the property. Faced with continuing mortgages for properties that are now useless, affected homeowners finally have an alternative.

If any government agency informs you that you can't rebuild and you face condemnation, regardless of the reason or the branch of government, you do have an avenue to obtain just compensation. If your property is affected, do yourself a favor. Call the Law Offices of Barry Fischer.