Latest news with #VenturaForward
Yahoo
30-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Massive sinkhole swallows California construction site — know your options if a ‘shoring failure' impacts you
A massive sinkhole that opened up in Ventura, California, has damaged several vehicles, forced officials to red-tag a nearby property and left residents questioning the safety of local construction sites. The 25-foot hole appeared in late May near Thompson Boulevard and East Front Street at a construction site for a new apartment complex. While it initially looked like a natural sinkhole, city officials later said it was caused by a "shoring failure" — when a part of the support system buckles under nearby weight. I'm 49 years old and have nothing saved for retirement — what should I do? Don't panic. Here are 6 of the easiest ways you can catch up (and fast) Thanks to Jeff Bezos, you can now become a landlord for as little as $100 — and no, you don't have to deal with tenants or fix freezers. Here's how Want an extra $1,300,000 when you retire? Dave Ramsey says this 7-step plan 'works every single time' to kill debt, get rich in America — and that 'anyone' can do it An Instagram post by the community group Ventura Forward suggested that a combination of infrastructure overload and aggressive water pumping may have caused the damage. 'A water well was discovered during construction and the digging didn't stop,' the Instagram post read. 'Massive amounts of water have been pumped off location since construction started weeks ago.' Photos and aerial footage from the scene showed two pickup trucks on fractured pavement, both sinking into the hole. Another vehicle appeared to teeter on the edge, and a nearby storage unit was at risk as a fence warped under the stress. No injuries were reported, and officials say nearby homes are not in immediate danger. Still, the incident has left residents on edge. 'They didn't shore up the foundation, and they dug a hole and it collapsed. Dumb,' Ventura resident Woody Maxwell told KTLA. 'Considering the stuff they can fix, I'm sure they can fix this. It's just going to cost time and money.' The adjacent property has been red-tagged, which means it's unsafe and uninhabitable until further notice. "City staff are working closely with construction engineers to evaluate the situation and determine appropriate repairs and potential temporary measures to prevent further damage,' city officials said in a statement. 'There is no current threat to life safety, and the City is committed to keeping as many businesses open and operational as possible during this time." Read more: You don't have to be a millionaire to gain access to . In fact, you can get started with as little as $10 — here's how In California, if your vehicle or property is damaged by a construction-related failure, such as an improperly supported foundation, you may be able to take legal action or file an insurance claim. Here's what to consider: If a contractor ignored building codes, skipped safety protocols or caused preventable damage, you may have grounds for a negligence lawsuit. Under California law, property owners can seek compensation for: Property damage Loss of use Repair or replacement costs Diminished property value To succeed, you'll need to show the contractor had a duty of care, breached that duty and caused the damage. A construction defect attorney can help gather evidence and file a claim. If you have homeowners or commercial property insurance, your policy may cover damage from ground movement. But some policies exclude damage from earth movement or man-made excavation collapse. Check the fine print. Auto insurance may cover parked vehicle damage, depending on whether you have comprehensive coverage. If the construction company is found liable, your insurer may seek reimbursement through a process called subrogation. Filing an insurance claim is usually faster than taking legal action, but a lawsuit might recover more, especially for uncovered losses. Insurance is a good first step for fast recovery, especially if you need immediate repairs. Legal action might be necessary if your insurer denies the claim, the damages exceed your coverage or you want to hold someone accountable. Whichever route you take, document everything: Take photos of the damage Gather witness statements Save repair estimates and receipts Request red-tag documentation from the city Being thorough helps strengthen both insurance claims and legal cases. This tiny hot Costco item has skyrocketed 74% in price in under 2 years — but now the retail giant is restricting purchases. Here's how to buy the coveted asset in bulk Robert Kiyosaki warns of a 'Greater Depression' coming to the US — with millions of Americans going poor. But he says these 2 'easy-money' assets will bring in 'great wealth'. How to get in now Rich, young Americans are ditching the stormy stock market — here are the alternative assets they're banking on instead Here are 5 'must have' items that Americans (almost) always overpay for — and very quickly regret. How many are hurting you? Stay in the know. Join 200,000+ readers and get the best of Moneywise sent straight to your inbox every week for free. This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Sinkhole off Southern California construction site swallowing adjacent property
An industrial property adjacent to a construction site in Ventura has been red-tagged as several vehicles and structures have slid into a massive sinkhole. According to an Instagram post from Ventura Forward, construction at the site, reportedly in the area of Thompson Boulevard and East Front Street, began a week ago. 'A water well was discovered during construction and the digging didn't stop,' the post read. 'Massive amounts of water have been pumped off location since construction started.' In photos of the sinkhole, estimated to be around 25 feet, at least two pickup trucks are caught on top of the cracked and cratering asphalt on the other side of a fence housing the construction site. Video footage of the sinkhole posted just a few hours later shows both trucks deeper in the hole with several other vehicles and a nearby structure likely threatened by the cratering earth. In aerial footage captured by Sky5 Thursday afternoon, a third vehicle covered with a tarp was seen hanging precariously over the edge as the hole appeared to widen, putting a storage unit at risk and warping the construction site's fence. Rooftop homeless encampment in L.A. terrorizing doctor's office The area is a mix of residential and industrial properties, with the construction site, according to reporting from KTLA's Gil Leyvas, set to become a luxury apartment building. As of 6 p.m., there were no reports of any injuries, nor were there any signs of first responders or construction workers attempting to mitigate the sinkhole's progression. The property has been red-tagged, meaning it is unsafe and uninhabitable. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
