Although Florida is a great place to live, there are a few downsides, one of them being the risk of sinkholes. These sinkholes occur due to chemical weathering that creates an erosion process in the limestone and dolomite that cover the surface of much of Florida's landscape. According to a writer for a local southern Florida newspaper, the next few months could bring a myriad of sinkholes. There is an aquifer that has been overpumping due to the recent drought, which is making the soil much less solid and stable. With the upcoming rainy season, the amount of incoming water will cause the soil to cave in, since the soil has been eroding due to the current dry conditions.
Most recent incidents involving sinkholes have been happening near Gainesville, where a fault line runs separating an area heavy in limestone and another mostly with clay. Both of these ground types are cause for severe sinkhole damage and can erode very quickly. As one geological professor at the University of Florida stated, "Sinkholes are kind of dramatic because they happen quickly…the net result of both of them is that the house becomes worthless." For those with potential sinkhole damage it is important to make sure that you are insured for potential damage.
Even with insurance it is likely that damage involving sinkholes will be disputed by the insurance company, as they often claim that other factors cause the issues, not sinkholes themselves. If this happens to you, it is vital that you contact an insurance attorney to help you negotiate a claim to help protect your property and receive the proper settlement. Don't let your claim be dismissed without taking a moment to look at your options and contact Diamond Law, P.A. first.