$1.6 Million for Commerical Sinkhole Damage
Case Result: Williams Law, P.A. Secures Settlement for Commercial Property Owner After Sinkhole Damage Claim Denial
Williams Law, P.A. recently achieved a successful outcome for a client whose commercial property sustained extensive damage due to sinkhole activity. Despite the clear evidence of structural damage and expert findings confirming sinkhole presence, the client’s insurance carrier initially denied the claim, arguing that the damage was not covered under the policy.
Background of the Case:
The client, a commercial property owner in Florida, began noticing significant cracks and shifts in the foundation of their buildings, along with visible damage to walls and floors. Concerned about the safety of the structures, the client hired geotechnical experts to assess the situation, which confirmed that the property had been affected by sinkhole activity.
The client promptly filed a claim with their commercial insurance carrier, expecting coverage for the extensive repairs needed to stabilize the buildings and remediate the sinkhole. However, the insurance company denied the claim, asserting that the damage was due to settling and other non-covered events despite the expert findings proving otherwise.
Challenges in the Case:
The insurance carrier refused to acknowledge the expert reports’ validity and downplayed the damage’s extent, leaving the client-facing costly repairs and potential business disruptions. The insurer’s denial ignored the sinkhole activity and rejected the need for immediate structural stabilization, putting the property and business at further risk.