McKenzie & Hall, P.A.

“We Take Personal Injury, Personally”

            James F. McKenzie began practicing law in 1973, thus he and his team of experts are extremely experienced and have been well-established for over 30 years. He founded McKenzie & Hall, P.A. in 1982 and has been assisting people in litigating cases ever since, making the claim, “We take personal injury, personally.” These experts stand ready to lend their expertise in support of the firm’s clients and their cases. The firm is regarded as performing high quality legal work in all areas of practice and Mr. McKenzie is recognized as being one of the most faithful and personable attorneys in the nation. Since Hurricane Ivan, the firm has been busy trying to restore the damage the disastrous hurricane left behind. For 34 years McKenzie has handled all types of claims resulting from fire damage, wind damage, flood damage, and tornadoes. Their office handled between 300 and 400 claims after Ivan, and a vast majority of the cases involved low evaluation of damages, total loss claims, flood and wind damage claims, and dichotomy claims.

            Over the past three years, many insurance companies have refused to handle certain claims in Florida as a result of Hurricane Ivan. McKenzie responds by claiming, “The refusal of insurance companies to handle certain claims is a major problem. They have cut out wind claims completely. They can decide not to insure people in this market right now, and they can decide not to insure people in certain states. Hopefully, this will change soon.” McKenzie goes on to claim that we currently see a lot of adjusters who have only been working a short amount of time before Ivan hit. Florida has never had the volume of cases dealing with flooding and wind damage. The problem is that insurance companies do not handle flooding, and wind damage is often handled separately. There is no such thing as “hurricane coverage,” says McKenzie, “so you must cover every angle to make sure your home and family is secure.”

            The firm recommends that anyone who is suffering or may suffer a loss during a hurricane should immediately see a lawyer who handles hurricane claims and also hire a public adjuster. “After Ivan, people who filed law suits got settlements much faster than those who didn’t.” Furthermore, if you do receive damage to your home, make sure to make temporary repairs immediately. It is your obligation to take precaution to make sure no more damage occurs to your home.

            Although its that gusty time of year, this team of faithful attorneys can help you with any catastrophic event that may take place. If an insurance company is not willing to work with you, McKenzie will do the job they neglect. Remember McKenzie & Hall; the professional, committed team that turns wrongs to rights.

Aura New- Journalist
GunghoCity

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Ventilated Awnings Provides Tri-County with Hurricane Shutters

The hurricanes of 2004 and 2005 were a wake-up call for many Floridians. Enormous property destruction statewide resulted in the strengthening of state building codes.  Fortunately, Ventilated Awnings Company has been in business for more than 65 years and was there to help homeowners and businesses in Northwest Florida recover and rebuild.  Clients benefit from both the company’s extensive knowledge of hurricane-rated shutters, and from years of installing the products they sell.

            The family-owned business prides itself on providing customers with a comprehensive in-home survey of various hurricane protection systems appropriate for your home.“The customer can then make an informed decision based on aesthetics and price, while remaining confident that only the highest quality products will be used, regardless of the type of protection chosen,” explained business owner, Bud Choat. Plywood is not considered adequate hurricane protection by the State of Florida in areas such as Escambia, Santa Rosa and Okaloosa counties, which are classified as wind zones of 120mph or greater.

Ventilated Awnings storm shutters, if maintained properly, should last the lifetime of your home. They also offer hurricane panels in aluminum and polycarbonate, and fabric shield custom panels and pull downs.Whether your home’s design favors accordion, rollups, hinged colonials, or Bahama awnings, Ventilated Awnings has the perfect fit for your window.  In fact, they also install impact-rated replacement windows.

“The benefits of the various types of shutters are often dependant on the individual structure,” continued Choate.  “All of the hurricane protection devices carried by Ventilated Awnings are engineered and tested to the highest industry standards.  We also carry a full line of commercial hurricane protection products.”

The company is a member of the Federal Alliance for Safe Homes, the Homebuilders Association of West Florida, and the Better Business Bureau. Ventilated Awnings is also a My Safe Florida approved contractor. A second store location was added in the mid 1980’s to serve the needs of the Ft. Walton Beach area. 

Julie Connerley - Journalist - Gungho City

Ventilated Awnings Company
4020 North Davis Highway
Pensacola, FL 32503
850-432-1493

Ventilated Awning Company
403 Green Acres Rd
Ft. Walton Beach, FL 32547
850-863-3077

Both locations are open Monday through Friday 8:00am – 4:30pm

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White sand beaches, lovely sunny weather, the beaches,
great bars and restaurants, the beaches, and well the beaches!

The Gulf coast has alot. They even have something that's bigger than it's beaches:

Hurricanes.

Yes, it's just one of those things those of us on the Gulf Coast have to deal with and to be very honest, if you're prepared, it won't be all that bad. Read over the following suggestions and implement a Hurricane Plan today. Make sure to map out an evacuation route. Do these few things and you'll bring yourself peace of mind and help safe-guard your property, belongings, and most importantly, your family.

Prepare a hurricane kit:

• Flashlights and extra bulbs
• Battery-operated radio
• Fully charged battery-operated lanterns. Don't get candles and kerosene lanterns. They are fire hazards.
• Extra batteries
• Matches
• Clock (wind-up or battery-operated)
• Plastic garbage bags
• Working fire extinguishers
• Scissors
• Clean change of clothes, rain gear, sturdy swamp boots
• An inexpensive rabbit-ears television antenna to use if cable goes out

Think about those medical items you might need:

• Medic-alert tags
• Insect-repellent sprays and candles
• Feminine hygiene items
• Sunscreen
• Soap
• First-aid kit and first-aid handbook
• A supply of any prescription drugs
• Extra over-the-counter medicine (for colds, allergies, cough)
• Children's medicines
• Aspirin
• Bandages
• Adhesive tape
• Cotton-tipped swabs
• Antiseptic solution
• Sterile rolls, bandages
• Ear drops
• Thermometer
• Tweezers
• Needles
• Disinfectant

Buy nonperishable food (cans are good, a pound of ground beef doesn't work well when the power fails). Think about a generator (for those of you who must use a computer) . Buy those big plastic tubs to be filled with water for washing use (after 3 days, we all start to smell it). Bottled water for drinking (cause stagnant water in a big plastic tub just doesn't taste right). Get some extra cash (for the ice and possibly alcohol you'll want to buy once the stores re-open).

Some Hardware you might think about getting (better to buy early than wait and find the store is sold-out):

• Hand tools - hammer, screwdrivers to use now, shovel and pickax for after the storm
• Power screwdriver
• 4x8-foot sheets of plywood 5/8-inch to 1/2-inch thick to put over windows. Ask for exterior plywood.
• 1/4 machine screw sockets and screws
• Plastic sheeting to cover furniture
• Rope
• Sturdy working gloves
• Duct tape to waterproof items; masking tape isn't strong enough.
• Canvas tarps
• Nails. There are many kinds, so look over your home now and determine what you will need.

Stay inside during the storm. Ever heard the phrase "the calm before the storm"? Stay inside if you decide to weather the hurricane out in your home. It's just safer.

Trim your tree branches. They might be pretty now, but when the branch has crashed into your window, those bright green branches start to look a big ugly.

Try to keep the freezer lean. This can be rough, especially for large families. If you don't have too much in the freezer, then when the power goes out for a few days, you don't have to worry about spoiled food. If nothing else, make extra ice. Freeze bottled water. Break out those old ice cube trays. When the power goes out and things start to get a bit warm in the freezer, that ice will keep a bit longer. It's not the best solution, but it will buy you a little extra time to think about all the things you can make with chicken and lean ground beef (like inviting neighbors over after the storm to a big cook-out).

If you have a grill, make sure you have charcoal or propane ready to be used. You'll need something to cook all that food.

Keep your car in good condition. If it's a bad storm and you need to get out of town, it's not going to help anyone if you're car breaks down on the road.

All in all, being prepared for a hurricane is your best defense. Look around, use your common sense, and make plans. All you have to keep in mind is, depending on the severity of the storm, you will be without power, water, etc for at the very least a few days. Plan accordingly.

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