Tampa Sinkhole Lawyer
When you file a claim for sinkhole-related property damage, the insurance company pays for an investigation of the premises to determine whether there is physical damage to the home or building caused by sinkhole activity. However, if there is no structure on the land, the insurer does not need to fund an investigation, as there can be no damage to the insured property.
Steps to Confirm Sinkhole Activity
Once you file a claim:
- The insurance company will send an adjuster to the property to inspect the situation and determine if further testing is necessary.
- If more testing is called for, the insurance company will hire a professional engineering firm to perform thorough testing, which may include ground penetrating radar, soil testing and review of historic data.
- A few weeks later, the insurance company will inform you about the test results. You are entitled to request a copy of this report. Retain this document for your records.
- If the test has proven that sinkhole activity is present on the premises and has caused damage to the structure, the engineering firm will likely provide a repair estimate. At this point, the insurer may choose to seek additional repair bids from other firms.
- Eventually, the insurance company will select one of the bids and proceed with repairs.
The process of testing for sinkhole damage and subsequent repairs can be stressful for property owners. Having an experienced attorney on your side can minimize the frustration and help you understand the process.
At Corless Barfield Trial Group, we have extensive experience with sinkhole claims. Founding attorney Ted A. Corless has handled more than 1,300 sinkhole damage cases since 1998, and is recognized as a respected authority on these cases. Further, he has previously represented many of Florida's large and small insurance companies. Today, he uses this insider's knowledge to build strong claims for property owners.
Getting an Accurate Test
It is important to understand that some sinkhole property damage testing firms only represent insurance companies. This means that just because a professional engineer performs the testing does not necessarily mean that you will automatically receive an unbiased report. If you feel your property damage report was inaccurate, we can help you pursue the matter.
Answering Your Sinkhole-Related Property Damage Questions
Are you asking yourself, "What if the insurance company confirms sinkhole activity?" You are not alone. To schedule a free consultation to discuss all your questions, contact us online or call 813-498-1623 or 877-517-5595. We answer phone calls 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Evening and weekend appointments are available by request.
Our firm handles sinkhole damage claim cases on a contingency fee basis. That means you pay nothing until we get results for you.
