Leading hair loss clinic call on T&B

Water escaping overnight from property above a leading hair loss clinic in central London created havoc by rendering electrics and IT useless as well as causing extensive damage to the consultancy area’s flooring, walls and ceilings. Thompson and Bryan were on hand within hours to help the policyholder.

Mitigating loss
The first task was to organise emergency repairs so that the premises could re-open while a more extensive plan of action, for what was going to be an extensive refurbishment, could be organised.

Quantifying loss
Discussions were held with the company directors and their accountant to consider:

• The immediate effect on the business, including the associated financial losses that might be incurred for several days while emergency repairs were undertaken
• The ongoing effect on the business and expected financial losses of undertaking consultations in less than satisfactory conditions
• The practicalities and costs of undertaking the extensive refurbishment required outside of normal business hours so that there would be minimum disruption to ongoing client consultations

We also liaised closely with the policyholder’s preferred building surveyor and oversaw the production of a detailed refurbishment schedule that was issued to a selection of tendering contractors.

Upon receipt of the tenders, agreement was reached with both the clinic’s insurers and their landlord’s insurers on claim value and apportionment of the damage.

Outcome
Our in-depth financial analysis enabled us to negotiate a six figure settlement, based partially on forecast losses during the future refurbishment period that allowed the clinic to undertake the refurbishment at a convenient date in the future.

Summary
The directors of the clinic were very happy with the way that we focussed on the practical issues that needed to be addressed, such as immediate repairs to mitigate losses, as well as the more complex financial analysis. Our support meant that the clinic was able to concentrate on maintaining and growing its rapidly expanding business.

What to do next?
If you think we can help you with a claim why not contact us today.

Post Holiday Blues

Our client returned home from a trip overseas to be confronted by water pouring through her ceiling.

While she had been away the country had been gripped in a cold snap causing a water pipe to burst in her loft. Over several days a significant amount of water had escaped, soaking through the first floor bedrooms, ground floor living areas and kitchen. The water had also caused some of the areas of the ceiling to collapse.

Our task was to ensure that the policyholder’s property was returned to its pre-damage condition as quickly as possible.

Alternative accommodation
We quickly established that the extent of the damage had rendered the policyholder’s home uninhabitable and emergency hotel accommodation was quickly arranged. This was soon substituted for a more convenient long-term serviced flat rental. Costs for alternative accommodation were agreed with her insurers very quickly.

Asbestos issues
The two bedroom semi-detached property was built in the 1950s. Because of its age and the areas of ceiling that had been brought down by the water, T&B arranged for the appointment of asbestos contractors to undertake sample testing.

In addition, an experienced building surveyor was appointed using T&B’s network of trusted professionals to prepare a detailed Schedule of Works. The Schedule had two objectives, firstly as a document that could be agreed by all parties and to be used as the basis of a competitive tendering exercise with contractors.

Contents
We established that the water damage had disturbed Asbestos Containing Materials (ACMs) and after considerable discussion and negotiation we agreed with all parties that the most sensible course of action would be for the contents to be removed and safely disposed of. T&B undertook a detailed inventory of these items and researched replacement costs for them.

Outcome
We made sure that the policyholder’s property was allowed to fully dry out, ACMs removed and repair and reinstatement successfully undertaken. We also managed to argue for the use of a building contractor preferred by the policyholder. All damaged and contaminated contents were replaced on a ‘new for old’ basis and the policyholder returned to the property some six months later.

Summary
This case, as with many of this type, was more complicated than it initially seemed. The asbestos discovery added an extra dimension, but, by concentrating on the policyholder’s needs and by accurately quantifying the costs, the policyholder was able to return home quickly.

What to do next?
If you think we can help you with a claim why not contact us today.

T&B called up to help after ex Bomber Command hangar fire

When we got the call to help with a major fire claim at an aircraft hangar situated on an ex-RAF base in Lincolnshire that was once used by Bomber Command we scrambled into action.

The extent of the damage
The initial fire in the hangar, which had also been used previously as a filming location for a major Hollywood film, was fuelled by oil from an electrical transformer. The burning oil helped to accelerate the spread of the fire up into the timber roof lining of the hangar. The resulting damage from the fire destroyed two thirds of the asbestos clad roof, together with the electrical installation and a steam heating system used to keep aircraft at operating temperature during the Cold War. Manufacturing equipment used by the policyholder was also damaged together with finished stock and work in progress.

Quantify loss
Our initial objective, after we had organised and coordinated work to make the building safe (using a structural engineer), was to accurately quantify the full extent and cost of the damage. Because of worries about the roof a second, a more detailed engineering inspection was arranged to ascertain the extent of the damage and the engineer was instructed to produce calculations and drawings detailing the roof structure and the options for repairs or replacement if necessary.

We then organised for a surveyor to be appointed to prepare a schedule of repairs for the entire building, which also incorporated the engineer’s recommendations on the roof. This scope of works was agreed with the loss adjuster and a complete tender document issued to contractors for pricing.

At the same time, schedules of machinery and stock were prepared and checked on site with the adjuster. Our team then priced these lists to fully support the claims issued to the adjuster.

Outcome
An advance settlement was agreed for all aspects of the claim, which gave our client the flexibility to undertake the repairs to their specification and some months later the work to the hangar was completed.

Summary
Speed and quantification are critical aspects of any claim and as can been seen with this claim, detailed and accurate assessments by professionals in their respective fields lead to faster settlements.

What to do next?
If you think we can help you with a claim why not contact us today.