$475,000 Jury Verdict for Denied Hernando County Sinkhole Insurance Claim
$475,000 Jury Verdict Recovered After Tower Hill Denied Hernando County Sinkhole Claim
Williams Law Association, P.A. secured a $475,000 jury verdict for Hernando County homeowners after Tower Hill Select Insurance Company denied a sinkhole damage claim involving significant structural damage to the property.
The homeowners began noticing substantial cracking and other signs of structural distress throughout their home. Believing a covered sinkhole caused the damage, they filed an insurance claim, expecting the protection they had paid for under their policy.
Instead, the claim was denied.
Faced with significant repair costs and no assistance from their insurance company, the homeowners turned to Williams Law Association, P.A. to challenge the denial and pursue the benefits they believed were owed to them.
Case Overview
Location: Hernando County, Florida
Type of Claim: Residential Sinkhole Insurance Claim
Insurance Company: Tower Hill Select Insurance Company
Initial Insurance Response: Claim Denied
Result: $475,000 Jury Verdict
Taking the Fight to Trial
Sinkhole claims are among the most aggressively contested insurance disputes in Florida. These cases often involve conflicting engineering opinions, complex geological evidence, and competing explanations for the damage.
Tower Hill disputed whether the covered sinkhole activity caused the damage and relied on expert testimony to support its position.
Williams Law Association, P.A. thoroughly investigated the claim, analyzed the competing engineering evidence, and developed a case demonstrating that the homeowners had sustained covered sinkhole-related damage requiring substantial repairs.
Our legal team:
- Evaluated competing engineering and geological opinions
- Challenged the insurer’s causation defenses
- Examined the findings underlying the claim denial
- Developed evidence supporting the homeowners’ position
- Prepared and presented the case before a jury
The Verdict
After a five-day jury trial in Hernando County, the jury found in favor of the homeowners and awarded $475,000 in damages.
The verdict provided the compensation necessary to address the significant structural issues affecting the property and represented a complete reversal of the insurance company’s denial.
What began as a denied claim ultimately resulted in a substantial jury verdict for the policyholders.
Why Florida Sinkhole Claims Are Often Denied
Insurance companies frequently challenge sinkhole claims by arguing that visible cracking and structural movement are caused by factors other than sinkhole activity.
Common defenses include:
- Normal settling
- Construction-related issues
- Soil movement unrelated to sinkholes
- Alternative engineering conclusions
- Disputes over repair recommendations
Because these cases often depend on highly technical expert testimony, many homeowners find themselves facing a battle of engineers, geologists, and insurance company experts.
Denied Sinkhole Claim? The Insurance Company’s Decision May Not Be Final
A denied sinkhole claim does not always mean coverage is unavailable.
Many Florida sinkhole disputes require a detailed review of the engineering evidence, policy language, and the insurer’s basis for denial. In some cases, litigation and trial advocacy are necessary to hold insurance companies accountable and secure the benefits policyholders deserve.
Williams Law Association, P.A. has extensive experience handling complex sinkhole insurance disputes and fighting for Florida homeowners when insurers refuse to honor valid claims.