Hernando County Sinkhole Attorney
Tampa Sinkhole Claims Attorney: Serving all of Pasco, Hernando, Polk, Hillsborough and Pinellas Counties
We hope you will find this website informative about sinkholes, including their geology and the damage they may cause to Hernando County,Fl homes. As well as the process surrounding filing a sinkhole claim and your associated legal rights.
Hernando County Sinkholes:
In Hernando County 2010, there were a total of 1,760 or 26.3% of Florida's Sinkhole claims. Between the period 2006-2009 there were 4,276 claims or 23.8%, of Florida sinkhole claims reported from Hernando County alone. 66% of Florida's sinkhole claims are
concentrated in three counties—Hernando, Pasco and Hillsborough. The total number of claims for the three counties during this same period is 11,872. In 2010, the number of claims in Hernando and Hillsborough are increasing, while the number of claims from Pasco County has declined by 7.2%. In aggregate, however, the total of sinkhole claims in these three counties
thus in 2010 has increased and represents 67.9% of the total sinkhole claims reported.
**Note: These numbers may have changed since this report.
Sinkholes in Spring Hill:
The West Coast of Hernando County, including the municipalities of Spring Hill and Weeki Wachee, is particularly prone to sinkhole occurrence due to its physiography. The probability of a sinkhole occurring in the County is high, although the individual risk is not great. Twice the monthly average of sinkhole incidents are received during the rainy season when compared to the dry season.
Limestone Solution Sinkholes:
In parts of Hernando, Pasco, Marion, Citrus and Levy counties, limestone is exposed at the surface or is covered by a thin layer of soil. The limestone is subject to both physical and chemical processes that break down the rock. When this breakdown occurs, it usually forms a cavity or void. Due to the natural dissolving of limestone, these sinkholes develop continuously, but slowly.
Hernando County Doline or Sinkholes:
Karst topography dominated by sinkholes or dolines usually has several distinct surface features. Sinkholes (also known as dolines) are surface depressions formed by either:
1) the dissolution of bedrock forming a bowlshaped depression, or
2) the collapse of shallow caves that were formed by dissolution of the bedrock. These sinkholes or shallow basins may fill with water forming lakes or ponds.
What if the insurance company denies my sinkhole claim?
If you have Filed a sinkhole claim and it has been denied, do not take the insurance company’s word for it that you do not have a sinkhole on your property or affecting the structural integrity of your home.
What if my insurance company only offers to pay for my cosmetic damages, or has recommended grouting repairs?
Sometimes an insurance company will offer to pay compensation for cosmetic sinkhole repairs—sometimes called “above the slab” repairs—while ignoring potential substantial structural damage to the home that requires subsurface remediation. Other times, they will offer only to remediate subsurface sinkhole activity by grouting, which essentially involves pouring cement into the sinkhole cavities in hopes of propping up the structure, with varied results.
How will I pay for my legal representation?
We accept sinkhole cases on a contingency fee basis, and if we do not obtain a recovery, settlement or judgment on your behalf, you will not owe us any fees or costs.
For more Information Contact Us.
What if the insurance company asks for a Neutral Evaluation or demands an Examination Under Oath (“EUO”)?
Recent changes in Florida law created what is known as Neutral Evaluation. Either you or the insurance company may request it, at the insurance company’s expense. It is usually a good idea to consult with a qualified legal professional about your options. This can be an intimidating process and you are entitled to have a lawyer present for your EUO if you so choose. So do not hesitate to contact us for advice and counsel should you receive any request by your insurance company to submit to a Neutral Evaluation, EUO or home inspection, or for consultation regarding any step of the claims process.
Read More on "EUO" Know your rights! Contact Us For a Free Consultation
Friedman Law
Associates P.L.
Tampa Office
M & I Bank Plaza
501 E. Kennedy Blvd.
Suite 810
Tampa, FL 33602
Pasco Office
16506 Pointe Village Dr.
Suite 201
Lutz, FL 33558
Bradenton Office
3633 26th St. W.
Bradenton, FL 34205
(941) 893-4930
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Signs that you may have sinkhole activity
The following maybe signs of damage caused by sinkholes:
- Interior: Cracking in your Walls, Floors, Doors & Windows do not open or close properly.
- Exterior: Cracks in Stucco, Block, Driveways, Patios, Pool decks.
- Landscape: Fresh exposures on Foundations, Trees, Fencing or other objects.
- Depressions or Wilting of small, circular areas of vegetation because the moisture is draining into the sinkhole that is developing below the surface.
- Ponding: small ponds of rainfall forming where water has not collected before.
- Water: Unusual sediment in water supply.
- If you experience any of the signs above and your neighbors have already reported sinkhole activity.