The Amaro Law Firm understands the importance of the agriculture industry to the state of Texas. According to reports, during 2011 Texas wildfires burned thousands of miles of fencing, over 1,500 heads of livestock, and sections of pasture nearly twice as long as Delaware. Sources say the states agriculture sector was already suffering from the effects of a crippling drought and now is dealing an ever present wildfire threat.
According to an economist with the Texas Agriculture Service, the Texas agriculture industry has suffered over 152 million dollars in damages from wildfires as of September 19, 2011. Reportedly, most of that total stems from the 5,965 miles of fences and other infrastructure that was burned. The Agriculture Service estimates that over 3 million acres of pasture were scorched. Further, the state estimates that Texas drought has cost over 5.2 billion dollars in lost crops and livestock. Reportedly, timber losses have also been considerable in East Texas where over 97 million dollars’ worth of timber has burned since wildfire season began.
Reportedly, since wildfire season started on November 15, 2010, firefighters have responded to 23,519 fires. According to the Texas Forest Service, the wildfire danger would continue through fall and possibly into winter. Sources say that below average moisture and above average temperatures are to blame.
The Texas drought has effected Texas farmers’ crops across Texas. Rice farmers in the lower Colorado River area of Wharton County and Matagorda County are experiencing severe crop losses due to the Texas Drought. The Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) has indicated that further rationing may be necessary in the years to come to prevent worsening drought conditions in the highland lakes such as Lake Travis and Lake Buchanan. As a result of unprecedented drought conditions, rice farmers and other farmers in Texas are being forced to file crop insurance claims to withstand their crop losses.
Under the Texas Insurance Code and other laws of our state, farmers may hold insurance companies accountable for any bad faith insurance tactics such as underpaying or delaying payments due under their crop insurance policies. Damages may include the benefits due under the policy, attorneys’ fees, and punitive damages in some cases. If you feel your insurance company has treated you unfairly or refused to compensate you for legitimate damages caused by the fires in Texas, please feel free to call our offices at 713-864-1941 or toll-free at 1-877-292-8797 for a free consultation and evaluation of any potential claims you may have against them. You can also contact us through our website or email us here.