One Person Rescued from Cookeville Sinkhole

Cookeville, TN (August 22, 2020) The Cookeville Fire Department rescued an individual from a sinkhole on August 22nd. The person who fell into the hole is reported to have incurred a traumatic injury. Five workers utilize a rope to rescue the individual with the assistance of the Cookeville Police Department and Putnam County EMS. Additional details about how the accident occurred have not yet been released.

Researchers at the United States Geological Survey report that Tennessee is one of the top seven states for most sinkhole damage.

Ways to Pursue Compensation After Sinkhole Accidents

If you or a loved one has been injured in a sinkhole accident, it helps to understand that there are several ways that you might be able to pursue compensation, which include:

• The sellers of property must disclose certain details about properties including the risk of sinkholes. While it can sometimes be difficult to detect sinkholes, a property seller might be liable for damages if you are harmed by a sinkhole whose presence should have been detected before the real estate sale.
• Premise liability. People who visit the property of another person and are harmed by a sinkhole can pursue a claim under a premises liability theory. Property owners in Tennessee must take efforts to keep visitors safe from harm, and when owners are aware of these risks but fail to take action, a premises liability lawsuit can be pursued.
• Negligence lawsuits. Sometimes, companies or operations close to properties create the conditions that help to create a sinkhole. For example, a gas company might perform negligent work that ends up creating a sinkhole. In these cases, a negligence lawsuit can be initiated. 

Contact an Experienced Tennessee Accident Lawyer

When sinkhole accidents occur due to another party’s negligence, a skilled attorney can help you pursue compensation. Contact Fox, Farley, Willis & Burnette today to schedule a free case evaluation.

Note: This post was written based on available resources, news stories, and online reports about this incident. As is often the case with fast breaking news, there is always the risk that some details are still being shared and uncovered. Please contact us if you notice any information that should be changed or added. Thanks!