Unfortunately, most homeowners in the State of Florida are not aware of the fact that Florida is the leading state in sinkhole activity. Builders and homeowners do not typically take into account the potential a home has to be affected by sinkhole activity when they are buying and/or building a home. Insurance companies do take the risk of sinkholes into account when determining how much you pay for your premiums. However, when the time comes to report a claim, insurance companies typically will do anything they can to minimize the amount of benefits they have to pay out.

Sinkhole activity is more prominent in certain regions and counties of the State. The State of Florida has published maps indicating that sinkholes are most numerous in the counties of Pinellas, Hillsborough, Polk, Highlands, Hernando, Lake, Orange, Seminole, Volusia, Marion, Putnam, Flagler, St. Johns, Clay, Alachua, Union, Bradford, Columbia, Dixie, Gilchrest, Hamilton, Suwannee, Lafayette, Taylor, Madison, Jefferson, Leon, Wakulla, Jackson, Washington and Holmes. However, this does not mean that no other regions are affected. In fact, every single county and city in Florida is at risk to be affected by sinkhole activity. The type and extent of the sinkhole activity varies from region to region. Barfield Law Group have the experience and knowledge to evaluate how your home is being affected.

Evidence of sinkhole activity can typically be seen in the form of cracking in walls, ceilings or floors, cracking in a driveway or patio, floor coverings loosening or pooping up, cabinets separating from walls, doors or windows not functioning properly, depressions or dips forming around the home, sudden loss of water in a pool, plumbing or electrical problems and many other types of damage around the home. Sinkholes can develop gradually or quickly but either way, the damage can be devastating and you rely on your insurance company to properly compensate you for your losses.

The statutes and regulations governing how sinkhole claims are to be handled in Florida are extremely complex and ever-changing. Barfield Law Group are experts in interpreting these statutes and evaluating how they interact with your insurance policy. Whether you have filed a claim and are dissatisfied with the response you have received from your insurance company or if you think your home may be affected by sinkhole activity and want to know how to proceed with filing your claim, Florida sinkhole attorneys Barfield Law Group can help you.