Chicago Insurance Claims &
Restoration Disputes Lawyer

When Property Damage Restoration Goes Wrong

Most property damage disputes don't start with the insurance claim. They start after the claim is approved and work begins. That's when homeowners discover that getting the insurance money and getting the repairs done right are two very different things.

We handle disputes involving:

Restoration Contractor Problems:

• Defective or incomplete repairs
• Work that doesn't match the scope or estimate
• Contractors who abandon the job mid-project
• Shoddy workmanship that creates new problems
• Overbilling or charges for work never performed
• Use of improper materials or dangerous shortcuts
• Damage to unaffected areas during demolition or restoration
• Mold or moisture issues from improper drying

Public Adjuster Disputes:

• Excessive or undisclosed fees
• Violations of the Illinois Public Adjusters Act
• Steering you to specific contractors without disclosure
• Taking cuts from contractors
• Misrepresenting scope or repair costs
• Failing to perform services they were hired to do

Insurance Disbursement Issues:

• Disputes over release of insurance proceeds
• Holdbacks without justification
• Disagreements about completion or repair quality
• Denied or delayed payments after work is done

Insurance Claim Denials:

• Wrongfully denied coverage
• Underpaid claims
• Bad faith insurance practices

Whether your contractor walked off the job, your public adjuster is demanding fees you never agreed to, or your insurance company won't release the money for completed work, we help you hold the right parties accountable and get your home properly repaired.

Common Insurance Claim Scenarios

Water Damage

Burst pipes, appliance failures, roof leaks, ice dams, and sewer backups require fast action and proper drying. When restoration contractors cut corners on drying, containment, or mold prevention, small problems turn into major long-term damage, and major disputes over who pays to fix it.

Fire Damage

Even small fires create extensive smoke, soot, and odor contamination. When restoration companies underestimate scope or skip proper HVAC and odor treatment, the smell and staining return months later, leaving you fighting over whether the work was done right.

Storm Damage

Wind, hail, and severe weather damage roofs, siding, windows, and interiors. When contractors fail to coordinate, use wrong materials, or abandon work mid-project, homeowners end up with incomplete repairs and finger-pointing among all parties involved.

The Problem With Restoration Contractors and Public Adjusters

Property damage restoration creates unusual pressure. Homeowners need repairs fast. Insurance companies want to close the claim. Public adjusters promise to maximize recovery. Contractors see an opportunity.

That pressure creates conflicts when:

• Public adjusters steer you toward contractors they have financial relationships with
• Contractors inflate estimates or bill for work that wasn't performed
• Repairs are rushed, incomplete, or done with substandard materials
• Public adjusters take excessive fees, sometimes violating the Illinois Public Adjusters Act
• No one takes responsibility when the work fails or the home is left unfinished

Many homeowners assume that because insurance approved the claim or a public adjuster recommended the contractor, they're protected. That's not always true. And when problems surface, insurance companies and public adjusters often claim it's "not their responsibility."

We help you determine who actually is responsible and hold them accountable.

How We Help Homeowners Resolve Repair Disputes

We work with Chicago-area homeowners to resolve disputes involving restoration contractors, public adjusters, and insurance companies after property damage. Our focus is on getting your home properly repaired and recovering costs when contractors or public adjusters fail to perform.

We help homeowners:

• Enforce contractor obligations and hold them accountable for defective work
• Challenge public adjuster fees under the Illinois Public Adjusters Act
• Resolve disputes over insurance disbursements and final payments
• Pursue claims for breach of contract, negligence, and fraud
• Work with independent experts to document defects and repair costs
• Negotiate settlements or file suit when necessary

Our construction law background means we understand not just what the contract says, but how restoration work should actually be performed. That matters when contractors claim work was done correctly, and you know it wasn't.

When to Get Legal Help

You should consult an attorney when:

• Your restoration contractor has abandoned the job or refuses to fix defects
• Your public adjuster is demanding fees you didn't agree to or that seem excessive
• Your contractor overbilled or charged for work that wasn't completed
• The insurance company won't release funds for completed work
• Repairs have created new damage or failed to address the original problem
• Your claim was wrongfully denied or significantly underpaid
• Multiple parties are blaming each other and nothing is getting resolved

The longer these disputes drag on, the harder they become to resolve. Early involvement often prevents escalation and gets you back on track faster.

Understanding the Illinois Public Adjusters Act

Public adjusters in Illinois are licensed professionals who help homeowners navigate insurance claims. They can be valuable, but they're also regulated by the Illinois Public Adjusters Act, which limits their fees and prohibits certain conflicts of interest.

Common violations we see include:

• Using non-director approved contracts
• Failing to disclose financial relationships with contractors
• Taking kickbacks from contractors they recommend
• Settling claims without the consent of the insured
• Misrepresenting their role or the services they provide

If you believe your public adjuster violated the Illinois Public Adjusters Act, you may be entitled to recover improper fees and other damages. For more detailed information about public adjuster regulations, fees, and your rights, see our Public Adjuster FAQs.

Insurance & Restoration Disputes Are Still Construction Disputes

Property damage repair disputes have unique elements (insurance involvement, time pressure, emotional stress), but at their core, they're still construction disputes. The same principles apply: contracts matter, workmanship standards matter, and parties can be held accountable when they fail to perform.