Cara Hollingsworth - Texas

MY ALLSTATE HORROR STORY

My son and I came home from work and school. When we walked into the house, the ceiling had collapsed in my bedroom. At least half of it. I sent my son outside and called my dad to find out what I needed to do and the rest of the ceiling fell. When it collapsed, a black cloud of insulation billowed out of my room and into the rest of the house, settling on everything I own. I called my landlord and he immediately came over. I called Allstate and an adjuster came out the next afternoon. She said that I would be covered under my renter's insurance and to find a place to stay and get a few necessities so I could go to work and my son could go to school. That included even buying toothbrushes.

My son and I had to stay at my parent's home. (Thank God they lived here). 5 days later, Allstate said they would not cover me because it does not specify "collapsed ceiling" in my policy. All I could do was cry because I had to start all over. ServeMaster had all of my things and I had to get them back. They were supposed to clean them but they were told not to. When I finally found a new place to live, ServeMaster delivered my things and dumped them off on my deck. It began to pour down rain and once again, all I could do was cry. I had to stand in the rain and wipe off everything of insulation to place each item in my new home. I had to start all over with transfer fees for phone, power, etc.

My son and I had to adjust first, to living with my parents, then to a new place. My landlord did not seem to think it was a big deal. When this incident first happened, he began to move chunks of ceiling to the curb and planned on just vacuuming. He also stated that I did not have to pay rent that month. I had my deposition and Allstate's attorney was, not surprisingly, a jerk. He had a nasty look about him and slumped in his chair as if I did not matter. He asked how much I wanted in material loss and I am just asking $6,000. He asked, "Is that it?" I said, "In material damage." He exclaimed, "What do you mean by that?" And I explained, "Do you realize how much crap I have had to go through? I have had to change my entire life in a matter of seconds. I had to shuffle my son around and start all over. I am a single mom with no child support. I work at a very good job and stand on my own. I am proud of all my accomplishments and I will not let people walk over me." He just smirked and left it alone. That is my story for now.

"There is no incentive for insurance companies to do what is right, such as live up to the promises made in their policies. Tort reformers fueled by insurance money think big business and the insurance industry need to be protected against "runaway juries." It's the other way around. Big business and the insurance industry have always been able to take care of themselves. The little people need protection from them. This country was founded on the common law right of the little guy to get into court with his hired gun to fight the oppressor, be it big government or big business. Take that away and we have nothing left. Look around. It's being whittled away, bit by bit, caps on damages here, restrictions on jury trials there. It won't end until we recognize the enemy and join together to take a stand against them. It will take the little people to do this together".

Louis G. Fazzi, Esq. Attorney & Counselor At Law