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Red Cross Tips to Promote Safety This Hurricane Season

An experienced Texas attorney with a JD from the of the Thurgood Marshall School of Law in Houston, Bill Voss has garnered professional accolades from organizations that range from Super Lawyers to Newsweek. When he isn’t busy as head attorney and administrator of his own law firm, Bill Voss supports numerous charitable organizations, including the American Red Cross. 

In addition to assisting people in need in the wake of natural and human-caused disasters, the American Red Cross does its part to help mitigate damage and injury before it occurs through a range of preventative initiatives. In this spirit, the Red Cross recently released a series of tips to help the general public prepare for potential hurricanes. 

The Red Cross encourages all individuals and families who may face threats from tropical storms to develop an evacuation plan to help them find safety as quickly as possible. Other tips include creating an emergency preparedness kit that includes items such as non-perishable food, a first aid kit, a flashlight, a multi-purpose tool, necessary medications, and a battery-powered radio to access the radio broadcasts of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Since the average person requires approximately a gallon of water per day, a good emergency kit should also include an abundance of fresh water.

American Red Cross Offers Suite of Mobile Apps

Houston-area attorney Bill Voss has led The Voss Law Firm, PC, for over a decade. As the firm’s founding attorney, he primarily assists clients with cases involving insurance litigation. Dedicated to supporting his community, Bill Voss donates his time and resources to several charitable organizations, including the American Red Cross. 

In its efforts to assist those affected by emergencies, the American Red Cross offers a suite of mobile apps that promote disaster and emergency preparedness and facilitate the delivery of emergency services. The organization recently announced that over 1 million people have downloaded its Blood Donor App, which is available for free on Android and iPhone devices. 

Launched in 2014, the Red Cross’ Blood Donor App helps users find donation sites and to schedule an appointment to give blood from their smartphone or tablet. Since its launch, hundreds of thousands of appointments have been made through the app, which received a 2016 Webby Award. 

In addition to the Blood Donor App, the Red Cross’ suite of mobile applications includes its popular Emergency App and a First Aid App. The organization also offers the Hero Care App, which provides information about military-related support services and serves as a communication link between active-duty service members and their families.

Steps to Take Following an Insurance-Covered Fire

Based in The Woodlands, Texas, Bill Voss offers clients a full range of results-focused legal services that include those involving challenging insurance claims after fires. Bill Voss has represented large businesses spanning Texas and beyond in filing insurance claims and completing the steps necessary to achieve optimal insurance recoveries.

Following a fire, begin by documenting losses with photos before any cleanup occurs or temporary repairs are made. Don’t throw out the damaged property without making 100 percent sure that the insurance company does not need to examine it in person. Next, secure bids from several contractors, both as a way of ascertaining a realistic value of the fire insurance claim and finding an ideal fit for work when it commences.

The fire insurance claim process can be a lengthy one and necessary temporary repairs should be undertaken from the outset, with all associated costs documented. However, it's a good idea to wait until directed to proceed by the insurer before starting in on costly permanent repairs.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Claiming Homeowners Insurance

Bill Voss, a reputable attorney in Texas, leads the Voss Law Firm, PC as owner and founder. Under his leadership, his law firm provides a full range of legal services that focus on insurance liability claims. Alongside his team, Bill Voss handles commercial, church, apartment, and residential insurance claims for a variety of disasters.

Many homeowners known that filing an insurance claim is a complicated process. Even after filing all the paperwork and going through all the steps, some homeowners may receive less than they deserve due to the following common, yet avoidable mistakes:

Filing unnecessarily – The purpose of most home insurance plans is to cover damage resulting from major disasters. Still, some homeowners file for minor expenses. This does not automatically mean the claim is invalid, but filing multiple claims within a short amount of time can result in a homeowner being flagged for higher premiums by their insurance company.

Waiting to contact an insurance agent – When something happens, homeowners must contact their insurance agent immediately and get the claims process started. One of the reasons homeowners should do this is because their insurance company may want to visually inspect the damage. Another reason is that some insurance plans only cover claims that are made within a reasonable amount of time.

Lack of proper documentation – Good documentation serves as the foundation to a successful home insurance claim. In the case of a disaster, homeowners should take photographs and videos of the damage from varying angles. Additionally, they should keep copies of insurance quotes, invoices, police reports, and receipts to ensure the damage and cost of repair is accurately represented.

The Ins and Outs of Marine Insurance Claims

A well-established Texas attorney, Bill Voss handles cases throughout the Gulf Coast region and has a particular focus on large loss insurance claims. With an emphasis on protecting client rights in cases involving major coverage providers, attorney Bill Voss has handled cases involving hail, fire, and hurricane damage to homes. 

Voss is also experienced in marine insurance claims, which most commonly involve storms that result in extensive damage to boats. Boat theft, another major claim issue, typically occurs when the vessel is docked on a ramp. In cases where the stolen vessel is ultimately found, there may be very little worth salvaging, which can boost insurance settlements. The same is true of fires and explosions, which often involve total vessel loss and high payouts. 

Injury cases can result in payouts in the six figures and higher, and are one reason why insurance companies may put their clout toward denial of such claims. The same goes for underwater collisions that involve striking submerged objects and result in the need for expensive repairs of underwater gear, stuffing, and struts. It always makes sense to secure an experienced law firm to ensure that unfair denials do not occur and optimal settlements are achieved.

JDRF Research Leads to First Exercise Guidelines for Diabetes Patients

Attorney Bill Voss is both the founder and owner of The Voss Law Firm, P.C., located in The Woodlands, Texas. Along with the other attorneys at the firm, Bill Voss works on cases involving the areas of commercial and business insurance litigation. In its efforts to help the community, The Voss Law Firm proudly supports the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF).

As the world’s leading organization for funding type 1 diabetes (T1D) research, a JDRF team developed exercise guidelines for patients with TD1 in January of 2017. The benefits of regular exercise in maintaining a healthy glucose level has been long established. It can help patients achieve a proper lipid level and improve their glycemic level, as well as enhance overall fitness.

Unfortunately, despite the benefits, people with T1D are generally less active members of society, and many of them fail to maintain a healthy weight. One of the reasons for this inertia was a fear of the consequences on blood sugar levels. The JDRF report outlining safe exercise guidelines, titled Exercise management in type 1 diabetes: a consensus statement, was published in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology.

Playing it Safe During a Commercial Property Fire Insurance Claim

Bill Voss serves as an attorney with The Voss Law Firm, PC, in The Woodlands, Texas. As an attorney, Bill Voss provides representation in property-loss cases, such as when a business files an insurance claim after a major fire.

To ensure that you receive adequate compensation from your insurance company, you should document all of the losses photographically before any changes are made. Insurance companies sometimes need to see damaged property in person, so it is unwise to throw anything out, even after it has been photographed.

Because fire insurance claims take time, you may want to consider undertaking temporary repairs personally. All costs associated with these temporary repairs should be recorded. While it is tempting to start permanent repairs early, you should always wait for insurer approval. 

Regular calls to the insurance company to follow up on the claim can help move the process along. You should keep a clear log of all communications and keep all supporting documents organized.

When thinking about permanent repairs, getting bids from several different contractors can help you get an idea of how much money you will likely receive from the insurance company, while also helping you to identify which company or companies might be the best for the job.

JDRF Publishes Guidelines for Exercising with Type 1 Diabetes

Attorney Bill Voss is the founder of the Voss Law Firm, PC, in the Woodlands, Texas. Outside of his responsibilities as an attorney, Bill Voss supports several charitable organizations, including the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF). This organization is the world leader in funding research into type 1 diabetes.

In January of 2017, researchers from JDRF published the first guidelines for exercise for people with type 1 diabetes. Regular exercise brings a number of significant benefits to people with type 1 diabetes, including reduced daily dependence on insulin and lowered risk of cardiovascular and diabetic eye disease. Despite these benefits, many individuals have long avoided too much physical activity because its effects on blood glucose levels were unpredictable. 

In response, the JDRF researchers spent years two reviewing studies and clinical trials to create the guidelines for glycemic management during exercise. With these guidelines in place, individuals with type 1 diabetes can feel empowered to take control of their health without worrying about putting themselves at risk. To learn about these guidelines, individuals can participate in JDRF’s Performance and Exercise Knowledge (PEAK) educational program, information about which is available at JDRF.org/Peak.

Preparing for Blood Donation with the American Red Cross

Attorney Bill Voss owns The Voss Law Firm, PC, in The Woodlands, Texas. Outside his work as an attorney, Bill Voss supports charitable organizations such as the American Red Cross. 

The American Red Cross is an international nonprofit organization that provides an array of humanitarian and emergency services. In addition to offering lifesaving medical training opportunities and responding to both natural and manmade disasters around the world, the American Red Cross accepts year-round blood donations at numerous locations.

The blood donation process begins with at-home preparation. Start eating meals that are high in iron one to two weeks ahead of the donation, and stay hydrated on the day you go in to donate blood. Wear loose-fitting clothes to your appointment, both for comfort and to make it easier for medical professionals to draw blood.

Prior to drawing blood, provide Red Cross workers with a list of all prescription and over-the-counter medications you have recently taken, along with identification. At this point, you simply need to relax and wait for a medical professional to initiate the blood donation process.

The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation One Walk

 

Texas resident Bill Voss is an experienced attorney who has been named a Super Lawyer by his peers and a Top Attorney by Newsweek magazine. Bill Voss currently applies his legal expertise as the president of the Voss Law Firm in The Woodlands, Texas. Outside of his professional work, Mr. Voss and those in his firm are avid supporters of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

Founded in 1970, the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation is a nonprofit organization that funds type 1 diabetes research. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease that causes the pancreas to produce less insulin than the body requires. The foundation has an international presence, and to date it has funded close to $2 billion in diabetes research.

The foundation’s One Walk program is the flagship fundraising effort for the organization. The largest type 1 diabetes event in the world, One Walk raises funds through volunteers and dedicated walkers who participate. Individuals and teams can register to walk in the program, which takes place in locations across the United States throughout the year. For additional information please visit www.jdrf.org.