Polk County Sinkhole Attorney

Tampa Sinkhole Claims Attorney: Serving all of Pasco, Hernando, Polk, Hillsborough and Pinellas Counties

Polk County Sinkholes:

In Polk County 2010, there were a total of 217 or 3.2% of Florida's Sinkhole claims. Between the period 2006-2009 there were 401 claims or 2.7%, of Florida sinkhole claims reported from Polk 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 the I-4 Corridor:

To the south, the overburden materials are generally thicker and less permeable. Where the overburden is 30 to 200 feet thick, sinkholes are numerous and two types are prevalent, cover-subsidence and cover-collapse. Where permeable sands are predominant in the overburden, cover-subsidence sinkholes may develop gradually as the sands move into underlying cavities. Where the overburden contains more clay, the greater cohesion of the clay postpones failure, and the ultimate collapse tends to occur more abruptly.
In the southernmost part of the region, overburden materials typically exceed 200 feet in thickness and consist of cohesive sediments interlayered with some carbonate rock units. Although sinkhole formation is uncommon under these geologic conditions, where sinkholes do occur they are usually large-diameter, deep, covercollapse type.

Cover-Collapse Sinkholes:

This type is most commonly found in Polk county. Generally, the deeper the sediment, the more clayey the soils tend to become. This clay provides some cohesiveness to the soil material above it, allowing it to bridge any existing cavity in the limestone. If this “bridge” collapses, it results in what is called a cover-collapse sinkhole. The size of the sinkhole depends upon the size of the cavity. Covercollapse sinkholes form the same way as cover-subsidence sinkholes but differ mainly in the bearing strength of the soil above the cavity and whether the sinkhole subsides slowly or collapses abruptly.

Polk 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.
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