Property, Fire and Casualty

As residential and commercial properties continue to increase in value, owners and property insurers face escalating losses from fire, flood, or other catastrophes. No matter who your claim is against, Secrest Wardle has the personnel and resources needed to effectively defend the claim. For decades, we have successfully litigated property damage claims, including such high-profile catastrophes as the deflation of the Pontiac Silverdome Stadium roof, the alleged bolt failure at the Midland Nuclear Plant containment vessel, and damage to the Detroit People Mover from the explosive demolition of the Hudson's Department Store.

Our skilled lawyers handle any and all claims pursuant to damage or loss to property, including, but not limited to, loss from fire, flood, explosion, and mold. We work with nationally-renowned laboratories, engineers, and cause and origin experts who often have contacts with local government fire investigators to investigate claims long before litigation is filed. Our lawyers go to the scene, whenever possible, to work with the experts, protect the evidence, and develop our defenses from the earliest opportunity.

Secrest Wardle's other practice groups contribute to our success in defending property claims and litigation. Because we are one of Michigan's largest municipal law firms, our Municipal Practice Group has contacts with police, building and fire officials in many communities. Our Construction, Product Liability and Premises Practice Groups provide knowledge and resources for property claims involving those fields. Our Insurance and Professional Liability Practice Groups can assist on claims involving policy interpretation, declaratory judgments or the increasingly common subrogation actions, which include a claim against the agent for under-insuring the property. Our Appellate Practice Group maintains an enviable record for shaping the law and defending on appeal our victories in the trial courts.