Becker & Poliakoff Issues Tropical Storm Fay Alert to Florida Community Associations

State’s Largest Community Association Law Firm Urges Readiness for Storm Aftermath, Says Timely Damage Mitigation & Assessment Are Key to Avoiding Damage Repair Pitfalls

FT. LAUDERDALE, FL–(EMWNews – August 18, 2008) – Becker & Poliakoff, a diversified

commercial law firm with more than 115 attorneys in 15 offices throughout

Florida and the largest community association law practice statewide, today

issued an advisory to Florida community associations in the path of

Tropical Storm Fay counseling that they take all appropriate measures in

case of evacuation and adequately prepare for post-storm recovery and

damage mitigation in the immediate storm aftermath.

In the advisory e-mailed directly to more than 4,000 Becker & Poliakoff

client associations statewide, the firm reminded all condominium, co-op,

homeowner, mobile home and other community associations in the path of

Tropical Storm Fay of last-minute preparations as the storm approached

landfall. Given the potential for high winds and storm damage, the firm

also urged them to pay particular attention to damage mitigation in the

hours immediately following the storm and issued cautions with regard to

contracting for damage repair to buildings and facilities once the storm

had passed.

“Florida community associations can never be too prepared for the approach

of a tropical storm or hurricane and the same holds true in the immediate

aftermath of a storm. History and experience have shown that association

Boards and managers can feel pressured by circumstance and eager

contractors into making hasty decisions with unforeseen consequences,” said

Joe Adams, a Becker & Poliakoff community association attorney, Managing

Shareholder of the firm’s Naples and Ft. Myers offices and recognized

authority on Florida community association disaster recovery issues.

“Every community association in the path of a tropical storm or hurricane

should be ready to put into action immediate measures once a storm passes

to mitigate any further damage and quickly assess the extent of damages to

their properties,” Adams added. “Communities that act quickly and

decisively once a storm has passed can avoid many of the pitfalls

associated with contracting for repairs and securing damage recovery from

the insurers of their buildings or facilities.”

Becker & Poliakoff’s “Community Alert” issued Monday advised community

association Boards and managers to check all last-minute preparations as

Tropical Storm Fay approached and be ready for the immediate storm

aftermath, paying particular attention to:

— Mitigation of Damages: In the immediate aftermath of a storm, take the

necessary steps to mitigate damages; history has shown that immediate water

extraction is the most important step that can be taken to prevent the

growth of mold.

— Survey the Property and Identify Areas Needing Priority Attention: It is

important NOT to sign contracts for restoration work without knowing the

full extent and nature of the damages; there will be plenty of time to hire

contractors for the actual restoration work — do not rush into something

without understanding all the conditions. You may also wish to keep a

visual record through video or photographs of the damage to facilitate

damage assessment and speed damage claims in a storm aftermath.

— Be Careful of Predatory Contractors: After a disaster, many contractors

“swarm” in to try to “save the day.” Frequently, associations are not

adequately protected by the one page proposals submitted by these

contractors. Therefore, carefully consider which contractors are hired to

do any repair work and have the contracts, to the extent possible in an

emergency situation, reviewed by counsel, particularly if significant sums

of money are involved.

— Understanding the Pros and Cons of Hiring Public Adjusters: Some public

adjusters charge a high percentage rate which is paid from your insurance

proceeds. You should carefully consider the value of such proposals and

consult trusted professionals before consenting.

Since Hurricane Andrew struck South Florida in 1992, Becker & Poliakoff has

been at the forefront of Florida law firms in offering local businesses and

residents “a place to turn to” in all phases of recovery efforts, assisting

in efforts to secure appropriate, fair and timely compensation and/or

reconstruction of damaged property. The firm regularly promotes awareness

of storm preparedness and damage recovery and mitigation procedures through

an ongoing series of public seminars, e-mail alerts and bulletins

advisories for community association boards and managers — before, during

and after the Florida storm season each year.

In 2005, Becker & Poliakoff was the recipient of a Thomson Elite award in

recognition of a client-service initiative launched during the devastating

hurricanes that hit Florida during a six-week period in 2004. The

initiative included an informative special section within the Becker &

Poliakoff website under the dedicated Internet domain

www.hurricane-recovery.com that was designed to help with post disaster

recovery and reconstruction efforts.

Additional information about the law firm’s disaster recovery efforts,

including available seminars, a checklist for communities affected by

hurricanes, and pertinent articles by Becker & Poliakoff attorneys can be

found at:

www.hurricane-recovery.com.

About Becker & Poliakoff P.A.

Becker & Poliakoff, P.A. is a diversified commercial law firm based in Ft.

Lauderdale with more than 115 attorneys in 15 Florida offices, New York

City, Prague and affiliated offices in China, France and Israel. In

addition to Community Association law and Disaster Recovery, the firm

counsels clients in legal issues relating to Construction, Real Estate,

Government Law & Lobbying, Commercial Litigation, Corporate, Tax,

Technology, International Trade, Intellectual Property and many other areas

of law. For more information, visit: www.becker-poliakoff.com.