Tamar Hoo-Pagan - Vernis & Bowling

Tamar Hoo-Pagan, Esq.
Attorney
Vernis & Bowling of Broward, P.A. 5821 Hollywood Blvd. Hollywood, FL 33021
Phone: (954) 927-5330
Email: THoo-Pagan@Florida-Law.com
Fax: (954) 927-5320
Website: www.national-law.com
V-Card Email

Verdicts and Dispositions

Linda Belizaire v. Citizens Property Insurance Corporation
Carl Bober and Tamar Hoo-Pagan (Hollywood, FL) (Property) obtained a Defense Verdict on behalf of their client, Citizens Property Insurance Corporation, in a first party property breach of contract action brought by Plaintiff against her homeowners insurance carrier in a jury trial that took place in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, between November 29^th through December 2^nd, 2022.

Plaintiff brought a breach of contract suit regarding a residential property insurance claim to her home related to a reported windstorm loss, which Citizens had denied due to damages caused by wear and tear and for a policy exclusion for no peril opening allowing rain to cause interior damages . The Plaintiff initially sought payment for the replacement of her roof, which she had personally already paid for by the time of trial following the denial of her claim, as well as for interior damages to her ceilings, floors and walls at the property. Plaintiff claimed that the damages were all due to the windstorm. Plaintiff’s expert testified at trial that the wind and/or hail damaged the Plaintiff’s roof and that it needed to be replaced as a result. However, at trial, Plaintiff for the first time withdrew the interior damage portion of her claim and instead asked the jury in closing argument only for the reimbursement of her actual expenses to replace her roof. For the defense, Citizen’s field adjuster testified that the older roof exhibited evidence of wear, tear and deterioration, as well as that he found no opening in the roof apart from pre-existing holes in a chimney vent stack, and so recommended denial of the claim. The jury found in favor of Citizens finding that Plaintiff failed to meet her burden to show that wind damaged her property. Defendant’s motion seeking the recovery of Citizen’s attorney’s fees and costs is pending.

Plaintiff’s demand at trial was $86,109.91, reduced to $26,000, plus claimed attorney’s fees and costs in excess of $100K+.

Areas Of Practice

General Civil Litigation

Bar & Court Admission

Florida Bar

Education

Graduate:
St. Thomas University School of Law
Honors: Dean’s List, cum laude
Undergraduate:
Florida A&M University, Bachelor of Science in Political Science, Masters Degree in Public Administration
Honors: magna cum laude

Tamar Hoo-Pagan was born in New York and raised in Hollywood, Florida. In 2010, Mrs. Hoo-Pagan graduated magna cum laude from Florida A & M University in Tallahassee, Florida with a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science. During her time at Florida A & M University, Tamar served as the president of the Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity. After obtaining her bachelor’s degree, Tamar went on to earn her Master’s degree in Public Administration, graduating magna cum laude.

Tamar received a Juris Doctorate from St. Thomas University School of Law in Miami, Florida, where she graduated cum laude. While attending law school, Tamar received the Book award in Business Associations and achieved Dean’s List honors. Tamar also served as a judicial intern to the Honorable Judge Michelle Towbin- Singer of the Seventeenth Judicial Circuit of Florida.

Prior to joining the firm, Tamar was an associate for a Plaintiff’s firm, where she represented individuals and medical doctors in the areas of personal injury and personal injury protection.

Tamar Hoo-Pagan focuses her practice on defending and representing insurance companies and large corporate clients in general civil litigation, with an emphasis on personal injury protection litigation.

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