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Fishy Legal Tactics HOA Attorneys Have Used for Collections by Mitch Drimmer

Fishy Legal Tactics HOA Attorneys Have Used for Collections by Mitch Drimmer

  • Posted: Feb 05, 2022
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Fishy Legal Tactics HOA Attorneys Have Used for Collections

Mitch Drimmer  / Axela Tech

 

Thinking outside the box can be great, especially in the homeowners association and condo association industry. It’s what makes our signature collections process here at Axela so successful.

But out-of-the-box thinking can be used against you, too. Attorneys are always looking for new ways to make the most money, even HOA attorneys. Time and again we’ve seen the tricks they use claiming to try to collect for your association, but really they’re just lining their own pockets. So often, using an HOA attorney ends with the association losing the money owed to them, and having to pay on top of that to cover lengthy legal efforts that didn’t succeed anyway.

Every time we hear stories about the crazy lengths some lawyers will go to when collecting for HOAs or condos, we start to think maybe the box is there for a reason.

Unjust Enrichment Someone Expense Someone Else

Unjust Enrichment

A while back we talked about a community in a sticky collections situation. One of their unit owners had passed away, leaving a mortgage-free title to an heir. But, it came with a $13,000 tax certificate (which had been sold to an investor) and $17,000 owed to the association, as well as a tax-deed sale that had already been set. The perfect storm for the association to lose out on a hefty chunk of change. Now Axela was able to draft a clever plan to avoid that and had to act quickly to make it work, but if we hadn’t been called in, here’s what would have happened:

The HOA’s attorney wanted to let the unit go to the tax-deed sale and then file a suit for something called “unjust enrichment.” This is a claim basically stating that someone (in this instance, the investor who’d purchased the tax certificate) was paid at the expense of someone else (the association).

This is a risky play for a lot of reasons: first, if the tax sale goes through, the money owed to the association is ‘wiped out,’ meaning there is no chance of recovering money from the sale or from the owner after the fact. Additionally, if the judge found that the investor was not unjustly enriched (which is the likely outcome) their tax lien would have been rightly prioritized over association fees.

So the idea of unjust enrichment was a wild reach that was almost certainly going to be unsuccessful in recovering for the association. But it would have been a definite way to tack on a ton of hours in legal fees for the attorney, wouldn’t it?

Fishy Lawsuits Questionable HOA Attorneys

Sneaking In New Rules

Fishy lawsuits aren’t the only questionable trick attorneys have up their sleeves. One client we worked with had an attorney attempt to completely ignore state statutes by advising the Board to modify the community’s governing documents to contradict state laws. This was complicated and unethical for several reasons, like the fact that governing documents don’t overrule state statutes (something an HOA attorney would be WELL aware of!) so the attorney’s time and counsel which they charged the association for were totally unnecessary.

To add insult to injury, these changes were made to try to force the bank to take responsibility for debt owed to the association, creating a lengthy legal battle as part of this ridiculous plan. Again, we’re seeing a trend of attorneys being paid but the association not recovering their lost income – in fact, the community often winds up owing the attorney more for their efforts and having to write off the bad debt from the delinquent assessments. Talk about throwing good money after bad!

Attorneys Being paid associations not recovering

Just Because it’s Legal Doesn’t Make it Ethical

Clearly, all HOA attorneys are not the same, and we hope that your community association’s attorney is an upstanding and ethical partner for your community. You need your attorney to be available to advise you on decisions the Board makes to help prevent future lawsuits and to deal with any that do come.

But your attorney is just one of the tools in your community association’s toolbox. Just as you wouldn’t use your HOA attorney (and pay their high fees) to perform management tasks, you also shouldn’t be hiring your attorney to perform collections. The attorney’s only recourse is to take the issue to the courts. That means pursuing foreclosure, or, if that’s not likely to be successful, trying some legal scheme like these that will get the attorney paid for their time, but is unlikely to end with money in the association’s pocket.

The Attorney's Recourse To The Courts

Treating People Like People

Thinking outside the box can be great, but the more we hear about the crazy legal hoops attorneys find to jump through that only seem to take advantage of the association, the more we think that they need the box.

There’s at least one ethical, merit-based way that has a 95% success rate when it comes to collecting debts owed to associations: Axela. Our proprietary technology and process empowers defaulted homeowners to set up payment plans they can actually pay off, rather than harassing them for lump sums of money they’ll never be able to repay, or putting them out of their home in a foreclosure.

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Florida Statute Could Strike Down Delayed Collections For HOAs Post-Foreclosure by Axela

Florida Statute Could Strike Down Delayed Collections For HOAs Post-Foreclosure by Axela

  • Posted: Feb 03, 2022
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We know that this headline reads like a Florida-specific issue, but Florida is often used as a guideline for other state laws and courts. For this reason, we think it’s important for homeowners and condo associations in other states to take note.

In Accardi v. Regions Bank, Florida’s 4th District Court of Appeals reversed a lower court ruling that awarded the bank a deficiency judgment and remanded the circuit court to enter an amended final judgment to include attorney’s fees and taxable costs only. The bank was not able to recover its deficiency judgment.

This happened because of a Florida Statute that states “Actions other than the recovery of real property shall be commenced as follows … within one year” (of a certificate of title being issued or acceptance of a deed in lieu of foreclosure, that is):

“An action to enforce a claim of a deficiency related to a note secured by a mortgage against a residential property that is a one-family to four-family dwelling unit. The limitations period shall commence on the day after the certificate is issued by the clerk of court or the day after the mortgagee accepts a deed in lieu of foreclosure.”

That’s a lot of legal jargon that most simply translates to say that there is a one-year statute of limitations period for which a claim for a deficiency may be acted upon (not to be confused with the timeframe for enforcing a deficiency judgment that has already been entered) in order to avoid the deficiency claim from becoming time-barred.

This Accardi v. Regions Bank ruling got us all thinking. Clearly, it reflects a problem for banks and lenders who have had to foreclose and were left with a sale that did not satisfy the judgment amount at foreclosure, but that isn’t really the takeaway here. The takeaway is that, in theory, this same statute could potentially be used to prevent delayed collections for HOAs and condo associations when attempting to recover assessments post-foreclosure.

Is your community association trying to recover outstanding debt post-foreclosure? You should be.

If the association was the foreclosing party, and they recovered less than the amount owed as a result of the sale of the property, then that would give rise to pursuing a claim for a deficiency. So it would be very worthwhile to enforce a claim for a deficiency within a year of the certificate of title being issued.

Again, this statute of limitations is specific to Florida, so if your own state already has statutes that have different time restrictions, you need to follow those to the letter of the law. But doing this seemingly small task in the right time frame could be the difference between getting your deserved monies owed or leaving it all on the table due to a dickered-out semantic technicality.

Similarly, if an association has debt that is uncollectable from a subsequent owner due to superior lien foreclosure or tax sale, the association should act quickly to enforce its collection rights on this debt. While the fact pattern under this scenario is different from pursuing a deficiency claim created by virtue of the association’s own foreclosure sale, it would be wise to take action to collect on this debt sooner rather than later, to avoid any potential argument that would suggest it is a deficiency and that it is time-barred.

Collections delayed are collections denied.

No HOA or Condo association should stop trying to collect the money it is owed to them until said debt has been declared uncollectible by a collection professional, and that may not be your community association attorney. Don’t leave money on the table and don’t accept HOA and condo delinquency write-offs. Let a professional Condo and HOA collection company recover the money that is owed to your community association.

Axela Technologies, the nation’s leading collection company for community associations, does know the laws nationwide and we suggest that pursuing that debt at no cost and no risk is a good strategy. A great strategy, you must send the file to collections before it is too late. Perhaps a court will say that beyond one year is too late.
Don’t write off debt that could have been recovered. Call us for a free review and collection analysis. Not only can we collect from debtors who have been foreclosed on, but we can also collect from homeowners who are behind on their assessments, all at no cost to the association.

 

 Community Focused

  Collection Services for Condos, HOAs and their Service Providers

Find us on SFPMA Learn more about the services we provide.

 

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How to Manage Littoral Zones in Florida by SOLitude

How to Manage Littoral Zones in Florida by SOLitude

  • Posted: Jan 30, 2022
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How to Manage Littoral Zones in Florida

Littoral Zones in Florida Waterbodies

Florida is famous for its beautiful wetlands, but these natural treasures are threatened by hundreds of different factors, from the composition of bottom sediments to features in the surrounding landscape. The space where these environments meet provides valuable insight about the health and diversity of an aquatic ecosystem. This unique area is called the littoral zone.

What Is a Littoral Zone?

The littoral zone is the down-sloping shelf of a pond or lake. This is the area that stretches from the high-water mark to the shore and into the area where sunlight penetrates through to the sediments at the bottom of a waterbody. Although the exact definition of littoral zone can change depending on the waterbody, it is generally considered the shallow area close to the shore in both saltwater and freshwater environments.

When healthy, the littoral zone looks like a miniature wetland. The beneficial plants that grow here often feature purple, white, yellow, or blue flowers that usually bloom all year long in Florida’s climates. These plants may include Golden Canna, Pickerelweed, Southern Blue Flag Iris, Fragrant Water Lily, and Florida Swamp-Lily.

Importance of a Littoral Zone

The littoral zone or littoral shelf supports a large number of native plants and aquatic life. Because Florida’s aquatic species are so diverse, some plants can survive partially or completely submerged while others do just fine floating on the water’s surface. Waterbodies that support a wide variety of native plant species tend to provide more nutrients to the native wildlife that are key to maintaining cover and habitat. In addition to supplying food to ponds and lake fish, local plants help maintain balanced levels of oxygen and other key elements.

Benefits of a Littoral Zone

In addition to protecting the health of lakes or ponds, the littoral zone can enhance the aesthetic appeal of any Florida waterbody. When filled with thriving plants and wildlife, a well-tended littoral zone adds value to the shoreline and even the surrounding property.

A littoral zone helps improve water quality by fostering beneficial species that consume the excess nutrients that contribute to nuisance algae and invasive aquatic weed growth. Additionally, when located near a flow structure, the littoral shelf helps filter out the minerals and nutrients in water before it leaves the lake or pond. This improved water quality has the added benefit of keeping mosquitos at bay and reducing foul odors exuding from the water.

Littoral shelves also help maintain the shoreline and prevent erosion. The native plant roots hold the soil and make the banks more stable and durable, which in turn helps reduce the need for extensive restoration or dredging projects in the future.

Littoral Zone Maintenance

Because the littoral zone transitions from dry land to the aquatic environment, it responds to natural and human influences and activities in the land ecosystem as well as the aquatic one. And because it is important for many industrial and recreational purposes, the littoral shelf is often drastically affected by human activities that amplify algal and weed growth, nutrient loading, overgrowth of invasive species as well as cause acidification and fluctuations in the water level. This underscores the importance of the littoral zone and littoral shelf maintenance for the health of lakes and ponds.

Establish A SOL Pro Plan for A Balanced, Healthy Waterbody

When properly established and managed, the littoral zone is less likely to require herbicide or algaecide applications. Recurring proactive management strategies such as nutrient remediation, biological bacteria applications, water quality testing, aeration, Oxygen Saturation Technology (OST), and other sustainable solutions can have a lasting positive impact in Florida’s delicate aquatic environments. A SOL Pro Annual Management program will help any property owner prolong the balance and beauty of their lake or pond’s littoral zone.

 

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At International Subsea Services LLC, we are focused on providing Subsea Solution services with the highest levels of customer satisfaction  832-257-0813

At International Subsea Services LLC, we are focused on providing Subsea Solution services with the highest levels of customer satisfaction  832-257-0813

  • Posted: Jan 29, 2022
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International Subsea Services LLC

832-257-0813

At International Subsea Services LLC, we are focused on providing Subsea Solution services with the highest levels of customer satisfaction –

We will do everything we can to meet your expectations with a variety of offerings to choose from, we’re sure you’ll be happy working with us. I am currently an independent contractor and have been in the commercial offshore industry for the past 14 years. I have worked as a Project Manager that produces results for a wide variety of clientele. The base of my experience is in Diving/ ROV operations/ subsea installations and construction projects worldwide. I have performed a variety of jobs such as offshore oil rig subsea operations and completions, flow line jumper, measurement and construction of flexible and rigid jumper pipeline, seabed and rig surveys, onsite intervention projects of various natures in remote locations, First subsea pipeline repair done exclusively with ROV and intervention tooling. ROV intervention SIT’s and FAT’s for a wide variety of equipment including ROV access and tooling interface. We look forward to working with you and joining you Project management team.

International Subsea Services

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Are Algal Blooms Harmful to Humans? by SOLitude

Are Algal Blooms Harmful to Humans? by SOLitude

  • Posted: Jan 26, 2022
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Are Algal Blooms Harmful to Humans?

by SOLitude Lake Management

 

Are Lake & Pond Algal Blooms Harmful to Humans?

During the summer, we all look forward to recreational activities on local lakes and ponds; however, sometimes our plans are canceled due to unsightly, smelly, harmful algal blooms. Knowing a little about how HABs form can help us understand their health effects, ways to identify them, and strategies to prevent them.

How Do Harmful Algal Blooms Form in a Lake?

Algae are a natural feature in many aquatic ecosystems. Most lakes have some algae growth on a regular basis, especially during the warm summer months, but it is crucial to stay on top of the algae development since blooms can happen quickly – before you know it, there are ugly floating mats on the lake’s surface. Likewise, certain species like cyanobacteria (also referred to as blue-green algae) can create concerning conditions by releasing dangerous toxins into the water.

Here are some signs that a bloom may be harmful:

  • Visible pond scum on the lake’s surface
  • Various colors such as reddish-brown, blue-green, or pea soup color
  • Often looks like paint floating on the water

Toxicity of Blue-Green Algae

Each bloom’s toxicity can vary and it’s hard to predict how dangerous a bloom will be as its toxicity changes daily. If the lake on your property looks like it may be developing dangerous levels of algae growth, take immediate steps. Not all blooms are toxic, and the only way to be sure that a bloom may become toxic is through laboratory testing. However, it can take a few days to collect and test samples, and by then, it may be too late.

Why Do Lakes Have Algal Blooms?

Most often, harmful and toxic algal blooms occur because a lake or pond is not healthy. The lake may have an excess nutrient load due to the presence of too much phosphorus and nitrogen. When there are too many of these nutrients in the lake water, algae can overgrow or bloom.

A waterbody’s health can change year over year, depending on the weather and other factors in its surrounding environment. This is why a lake that was seemingly healthy suddenly experiences a bloom. This doesn’t necessarily mean the lake is destined for poor health, but it does indicate that there are imbalances that must be addressed.

Conditions that may change lake health and cause a harmful algal bloom include:

  • Changing weather and climate—longer dry spells can lead to more algal blooms.
  • Excess nutrients in sediment—nutrients are absorbed by the lake’s sediment but are sometimes released due to a variety of conditions that are difficult to predict
  • Development around a lake—if the lake or pond area is developed and the vegetation removed, there can be more pollution in the waterbody due to runoff
  • Water flow changes—if the water flow is no longer adequate, it may become stagnant and the temperature may rise, creating conditions that are favorable for algae blooms

What Are the Effects of Harmful Algal Blooms?

The toxins produced by harmful algal blooms can cause serious health impacts to pets, people, wildlife, and livestock. These health effects can range from skin irritation and rashes, gastrointestinal illnesses, neurological problems, and even death.

 

Strategies to Manage Harmful Algal Blooms

Once algae have overgrown enough to cause a large bloom, management can be challenging. Prevention is the best way to ensure harmful algal blooms don’t occur. Association boards and community managers can help prevent or minimize the risk of harmful algal blooms by taking the following steps:

  • Ensure there is plenty of water movement and dissolved oxygen by installing fountains and submersed aerators.
  • Pick up and properly dispose of pet waste, which is a common source of excess bacteria and nutrients.
  • Implement landscaping strategies such as xeriscaping that help improve groundwater filtration before the water enters the lake.
  • Replace manicured lawns or cement banking around the lake with native plants for additional filtration and shoreline stabilization. Allow native deep-rooted plants to grow close to the water’s edge.
  • Promptly remove grass clippings and leaves to prevent their decomposition in and around lakes and ponds.
  • Reduce nutrient-rich runoff by using phosphorus-free fertilizers and detergents.
  • Stock fish, such as triploid grass carp, that feed on algae and nuisance aquatic plants. Triploid grass carp are not legal in all states. Make sure to check your state regulations before stocking.

Maintaining Balanced Water Quality

To eliminate algae, the best course of action is to contact a freshwater management professional who can monitor and maintain balanced water quality and advise and apply appropriate management solutions. These professionals will ensure that the lake or pond’s water is clean and healthy and that the levels of algae remain at beneficial, manageable levels.

DOWNLOAD A FREE TOXIC ALGAE GUIDE

 

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BuildingLink – Forward Focus: Re-engineering for the next 20 years by Richard Worth Regional Sales Director – Florida

BuildingLink – Forward Focus: Re-engineering for the next 20 years by Richard Worth Regional Sales Director – Florida

  • Posted: Jan 25, 2022
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BuildingLink – Forward Focus: Re-engineering for the next 20 years

by BuildingLink

 

The “What” and “Why” behind the changes BuildingLink is making.

BuildingLink has been hard at work – making our groundbreaking management system even better! The BuildingLink architecture we launched 20 years ago has withstood well the test of time – as evidenced by our amazing 5,800 property customer base. We know it is time to revisit and re-engineer what we had built, to make our management platform even more amazing. What are we currently working on?

 

We started with these core modules – Maintenance & Repairs, Amenity Reservations, Unit Overview, and Announcements – and have nearly completed rearchitecting their entire back end and front-end with these goals in mind:

·  Creating a state-of-the-art, eye-pleasing design.

·   Enhancing BuildingLink’s navigation experience by switching to a new single-page application (SPA) approach using Vue.js (instead of server-based page rendering) with dynamic drill-downs, pop-ups, and mouse-overs.

·   Implementing a super-secure back-end data layer built on API calls (technology that protects, limits, and speeds up access to your data).

·   Modularizing the code functionality to make it more predictable, reusable, and expandable by our developer team.

·   Preparing our site to support the latest and greatest in scalable, resilient technology – the stuff developers are excited to work with!

·   Moving to an entirely new and more “muscular” data center with better and faster servers and lots more internet connections. (Now Complete)

We hope you like what you have been seeing – we’re designing the changes by asking, managers, board members and BuildingLink fans to participate in our evolution through continuous user feedback.

We’ve already implemented more than 30 awesome suggestions from our valued BuildingLink users (THANK YOU!).

 

Rest assured that we take every bit of feedback to heart. We are working on the most important things first, the best way to influence the changes you would like to see is to please share with us your feedback
Call or email our Florida Sales Director

Thank you
Richard Worth
Regional Sales Director – Florida
407-529-6063
Richard@BuildingLink.com

 

 

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Should I feed the ducks? by Allstate Resource Management

Should I feed the ducks? by Allstate Resource Management

Should I feed the ducks?

Allstate Resource Management

First of all, it is not healthy for them as they become dependent on people for food. The best food for ducks is what they eat naturally— algae, insects and a variety of plants which are abundant in our subtropical climate. Humans most often feed them bread and similar items. These have no nutritional value for the duck. Additionally, feeding by humans makes the ducks reliant on such hand-outs, too lazy to continue foraging for their natural dietary items and uneaten “human” food will rot quickly in warm weather.

Second, feeding ducks encourages them to use the neighborhood as their bathroom, leaving droppings on patios, sidewalks and porches. As a result, controversies frequently arise between residents who enjoy the birds and residents who consider them a nuisance. Even duck lovers have complained about the problem of duck droppings on the lawns, drive-ways, patios, and even in their swimming pools. This is not healthy for people, particularly for the children playing in these areas. Wild ducks can spread disease to humans.  When small children, the elderly and persons with immune system problems directly handle newly-hatched chicks, they may be exposed to salmonella. Muscovies can also transmit disease to wild waterfowl. All confirmed outbreaks of DVE, also known as duck plague (a sometimes-devastating viral infection) in wild waterfowl have been linked to domestic ducks. Fowl cholera is another serious disease that is transmittable between domestic and wild waterfowl. Although we have had no major outbreaks reported yet in Florida, the potential for Muscovies to spread this disease to wild waterfowl is a biological concern.

Second, feeding ducks encourages them to use the neighborhood as their bathroom, leaving droppings on patios, sidewalks, and porches. As a result, controversies frequently arise between residents who enjoy the birds and residents who consider them a nuisance.

Feeding ducks is a fun. But before you head off to your local pond, here are a few things to keep in mind:

DON’T: Feed ducks bread or junk food. Foods like bread and crackers have no nutritional value to ducks and can cause malnutrition and painful deformities if consumed too much.

DON’T: Leave uneaten food lying around. Leftover food in the water can rot and cause deadly algae blooms that affect local wildlife.

DON’T: Try to pet wild ducks. They may not appreciate your efforts!

Keep a respectful distance and remain nonthreatening, especially to ducklings who may become stressed or injured more easily.

 

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SRI Consultants, Inc – ENGINEERING AND ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES

SRI Consultants, Inc – ENGINEERING AND ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES

  • Posted: Jan 25, 2022
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ENGINEERING AND ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES

Here at SRI Consultants, Inc., we take pride in what we do. The extra effort and attention to detail put forth by our team ensure you receive the highest quality services available to the industry, all while saving you time and money. Coastal areas like South Florida have a unique need for concrete rehabilitation and protection services predominantly related to assessing structural damage. Our team has specialists in structural engineering, civil engineering, environmental engineering and corrosion engineering at your disposal.

 

We offer engineering services for projects related to single family homes, multi-story structures, condominiums, hotels and motels, cooling towers, and seawalls. All project drawings are prepared using the latest AutoCad software. SRI can also deliver projects in Revit Architectural and Revit Structural.

 

Structural Design & Analysis
Structural analysis using state-of-the-art computer analysis programs for various building code requirements – FBC, IBC, ASCE, AISC. Structure types include reinforced concrete, metal and heavy timber structures. Cooling tower supports and retrofits. Window and door replacements for high-rise buildings and store fronts.
Corrosion Engineering
Corrosion condition assessment of concrete structures using corrosion potential mapping and corrosion rate measurements. Design of corrosion mitigation systems such as Cathodic Protection and/or Prevention. Building piping corrosion remediation for cooling water systems and domestic water lines.
Civil Engineering
Site planning, drainage design, and grading
Environmental Engineering
Phase I and II assessments (ASTM Standard), contamination assessments, corrective action plans (CAP), contamination assessment reports (CAR), remedial action plans (RAP), and fuel tank closure assessments
Conversion of Paper Design Documents to CAD
Conversion of paper-based design documents to data-rich 3D models, improving document preservation, organization, and storage. Revit modes incorporate all disciplines in one file and allow users to view structures from many different perspectives and cross sections.
Expert Witness Services
Client support for reviewing technical documents, commenting, preparing opinion letters, and providing testimonials.

 

SFPMA Members Find us on the members Directory

 

https://wp.me/p6Iu1B-bFr

 

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KBR’s Seminar offerings at the Palm Beach Expo on February 1, 2022

KBR’s Seminar offerings at the Palm Beach Expo on February 1, 2022

  • Posted: Jan 25, 2022
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KBR’s Seminar offerings at the Palm Beach Expo on February 1, 2022

9:30am-10:30am
JUMPING INTO THE PRESENT: WHY UPDATING YOUR GOVERNING DOCUMENTS IS IMPORTANT
Instructor: Allison L. Hertz, Esq., BCS
One CEU in OPP or ELE
2:30pm-4:30pm
2022 LEGAL UPDATE
Instructor: Peter C. Mollengarden, Esq., BCS
TWO CEUs in LU (Legal Update)

 

Kaye Bender Rembaum will also be in attendance and offering seminars at the following Expos in February:

February 4th – Miami Beach Convention Center – Miami Beach
February 10th – Tampa Convention Center – Tampa
February 15th – The Signature Grand – Davie
The Kaye Bender Rembaum Team Remains Available To You and Your Community Association
Visit KBRLegal.com for awesome free resources, including 2021 Legislation, news with Legal Morsels and Rembaum’s Association Roundup, and our Event Calendar, including upcoming free classes.
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Avoid These Mistakes After a Car Accident These tips should be avoided after an accident to maximize recovery potential: by Maus Law Firm

Avoid These Mistakes After a Car Accident These tips should be avoided after an accident to maximize recovery potential: by Maus Law Firm

  • Posted: Jan 23, 2022
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Avoid These Mistakes After a Car Accident These tips should be avoided after an accident to maximize recovery potential

 

#1) Don’t Leave the Scene of the Accident.
Unless you’re injured in an auto accident and have to be removed by medical personnel, do not leave the scene! Leaving early could allow others involved in the crash to assert facts about your actions that are false.
If you leave the scene of an accident, you could be charged with a felony.
#2) Say Nothing That Sounds Like You’re Accepting Blame
“I’m sorry” comes automatically. While you may mean that you are sorry that the incident occurred, others may interpret “I am sorry” as meaning that you caused the accident. Avoid those words at all costs.
Do not say anything after the accident so your words cannot be taken out of context.
#3 ..Don’t Wait Too Long Before Contacting Your Insurance Company
You must report the accident to your insurance company within the specified time period. Make sure you do so. Just report the occurrence do not offer any opinion
#4). Don’t make official statements, sign releases, or answer questions until you’ve spoken with your accident attorney.
#5) Make No Guesses About What Happened
We naturally try to determine what caused an accident or injuries.
However, do not mention your speculations to the police, insurance companies, witnesses, or anyone else involved in the accident.
If you are wrong, you may be accused of lying. You may lose credibility.
Consult an attorney before you settle
Insurance companies want to pay as little as possible, so they won’t offer a fair valuation until you demonstrate that you understand the value of your case.
A lawyer could compare your losses with similar verdicts and settlements to determine your full compensation.

 

The Maus Law Firm

call 954-784-6310 to schedule a consultation.

 

 

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Problem with a Pipe in the Lower 48 call Me Ronnie-G “The Pipe Guy” Call or Text Ron Giles at 561-602-8660 or email ronnieg@prspipe.com

Problem with a Pipe in the Lower 48 call Me Ronnie-G “The Pipe Guy” Call or Text Ron Giles at 561-602-8660 or email ronnieg@prspipe.com

  • Posted: Jan 22, 2022
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Problem with a Pipe in the Lower 48 call Me Ronnie-G “The Pipe Guy” Call or Text Ron Giles at 561-602-8660 or email ronnieg@prspipe.com

 

It’s among the worst plumbing problems anyone can imagine. While big leaks or exploding pipes definitely aren’t pleasant, having sewage backing up your pipes into your home or basement is something most homeowners wouldn’t wish on their worst enemy. But it’s a problem that many people face. If you suspect your plumbing system might be at risk for a sewage backup, or you’ve had problems with this issue yourself, it’s important to know the risks involved and what you should do when this issue strikes.

 

Why Do Drains and Sewage Back Up?
Only a professional plumber can pinpoint the cause of your sewage backup problem. Some of the most common reasons include:
• Structural defects.
• Root infiltration.
• Improper flushes (items that shouldn’t be flushed down the toilet).
• Wet weather.
• Flooding around and under your home.
• Planning problems with sewage lines.
• Pipe blockages.
• Broken or leaking pipes.
 How Dangerous are Sewage Back Ups?
Sewage backups are among one of the worst plumbing problems because of the risk that they present to homeowners and residents. Sewage can spread illness, disease and even death. The National Resources Defense Council reports that nearly 2 million cases of illnesses are caused by sewage contamination each year. Sewage is full of contaminants, viruses and bacteria that pose a serious threat to people and their pets. In addition, sewage may contain other toxic substances like pesticides, residuals from pharmaceutical drugs, fungi and protozoan.
Here are a few of the most common bacteria that are found in sewage and what they can do the human body:
• E. Coli – Causes abdominal cramping, diarrhea and occasionally death.
• Acanthamoeba – Causes eye, nose, throat and ear infections.
• Salmonella – Causes abdominal cramping and diarrhea
• Helicobacter Pylori – Leads to increased chance of ulcers
• Hepatitis – Causes liver infection and liver failure
• Leptospirosis – Creates muscle aches and vomiting
• Coronavirus – Including COVID-19
Coming into contact with any of these contaminants can make you ill and send you to the emergency room. Having sewage back up in your home is a risk – and you need to call a plumber immediately.
Steps to Follow When Your Sewage Backs Up
The most important thing to do when you see sewage backing up is to call a plumber! Coming into contact with sewage due in any way – from skin contact to inhalation – can make you sick. Avoid contact completely, if possible.
If you have to cross the sewage filled area, be sure to wear rubber soled shoes and use a breathing mask. Once you’ve crossed, remove your shoes and any clothing that may have come into contact with the sewage.
3 Disease from sewage
 Page last updated: November 2010
Disease-causing germs can be spread from sewage if it is not disposed of properly or if people do not practice proper toilet hygiene (cleanliness). If a sewage disposal system is not properly maintained it will not be able to get rid of the sewage safely. For a sewage system to be properly maintained, all faulty (blocked, damaged, broken or worn-out) parts must be mended as soon as possible after they stop working correctly.
Diseases caused by germs:
Bacterial:
• salmonellosis
• shigellosis
• diarrhea
• trachoma
• melioidosis
Viral:
• gastroenteritis
• hepatitis A
Diseases caused by parasites:
• giardiasis
• dwarf tapeworm infection
• threadworm infection
• hookworm infection
• strongyloidiasis
These disease-causing germs and parasites can be spread:
• directly by people coming into contact with sewage or toilet waste (this can happen, for example, when people walk through sewage which has leaked onto the ground from broken sewage pipes) Or that has been ejected from a toilet that has a backed up vent system.
• indirectly by people:
• coming into contact with animals such as flies and cockroaches which carry the germs and parasites in or on their bodies. Dogs and cats can carry germs and parasites too
• drinking water which has been contaminated by sewage
How Sewer Line Problems Affect Your Indoor Air Quality
 When you think of the problems caused by a faulty sewer line, you might not think immediately think of poor indoor air quality. A pipe leak is an extremely inconvenient problem that quickly causes significant damage to other home fixtures. If you do have a problem with your sewer line, you need to address it quickly. The repairs might be costly, but the cost of health problems caused by your indoor air quality would be even worse.
The best thing to do for your system is add “sewer cleaning” to your to-do-list to avoid these problems. This simple service will keep your sewer system in good shape.
Signs You’ve Got a Leaky Sewer Line
Some building owners have trouble realizing that they’re having sewer line trouble until there’s a putrid smell emitting from their building. Here are some early warning signs:
• Puddles in Your Yard: A leak might cause some unexpected wet spots in your lawn.
• The Grass Is a Little Too Green: The sewage leaking from your line may be gross to you but it’s great to your plants—they use it as fertilizer. If you notice that your landscaping looks especially great out of nowhere don’t chalk it up to your green thumb, make sure you’re not having trouble with your sewer line!
• Cracking Concrete: Notice an odd amount of cracking? It might be due to the fact that your sewer line creates pressure that damages the foundation of your home.
• Sound of Running Water: Are you constantly hearing the sound of running water, but you can’t find the source? A leak in your sewer line could be the source.
Problems Caused by A Leaky Sewer Line
If you’re suffering from a sewer line problem, it’s not necessarily the leaks themselves that cause the damage, instead, it’s the mold, asbestos, and mildew that leaks create that cause the indoor air quality. These problems lead to a wide array of respiratory problems that put your health in danger. Often, these problems include:
• Irritation with your sinuses (throat, nose, and skin)
• Respiratory infections
• Sinus congestion
• Rashes
• Fatigue
• Longer colds
• Exacerbated asthma issues
What You Can Do
You can have your sewer cleaned! If you’ve noticed that you’re having trouble with backed up drains or toilets in your home, then you need sewer cleaning. It will greatly benefit your system.
Researchers are still working to determine exactly how the virus spreads, but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says person-to-person spreading is thought to occur mainly through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes, similar to the flu. It’s not clear if the virus can be spread through fecal matter.
But because the two Hong Kong patients lived near one another in the same building and one apartment was found to have an exposed pipe, authorities are trying to determine whether the coronavirus could have spread through the sewage system.
During the SARS outbreak in 2003, pipes became a source of transmission and it spread through fecal matter. Hundreds of people in Hong Kong died during the SARS outbreak.

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