Every year, homeowners around the country suffer billions of dollars in property damage caused by termites. South Carolina residents are no different. Here in The Palmetto State, termites are especially active due to our ideal climate. Everyone loves our springs and summers, and so do termites. They're known to wreak havoc on the structural integrity of homes in the Lowcountry and throughout the state. It may be surprising to hear, then, that many of the homes we're referencing had termite bonds - which is essentially a contract between a homeowner and their termite prevention company. This bond holds the company accountable if termites or damage are found after treatment. Unfortunately, many termite control services and insurance companies try to escape responsibility, using complicated contracts, terms, and language as a shield from honoring the bond.
Other times, before buying a home, a homeowner relies on a "trustworthy" home inspector to identify costly issues and areas of improvement. In situations like these, the home inspector's knowledge and guidance are paramount to safety. In many cases, however, home inspectors fail to detect significant issues like signs of a termite infestation.
In both scenarios above, the homeowner may be entitled to compensation. With an experienced termite lawyer in Charleston, SC, the average person has a chance of winning in a court of law. That's where Cobb Hammett, LLC, comes into play.
With a comprehensive understanding and knowledge of termite control and home inspection contracts, Cobb Hammett law firm specializes in cases involving termites. We're proud to represent home and property owners who are harmed by pest control and home inspection negligence. We believe that when you sign a contract with one of these entities, the terms of the contract should be upheld. When they're not, somebody must be held responsible.
Instead of trying to take on these companies without a lawyer and wasting hundreds of hours to untangle a web of legalese, let Cobb Hammett, LLC handle the hard work on your behalf.
When you choose Cobb Hammett for a termite damage attorney in Charleston, SC, you can rest easy knowing you're in confident, capable hands. Clients trust our law firm for termite damage cases because we have:
Unlike some termite damage law firms, our lawyers study the practices and policies of large termite control and home inspection companies. We use creative strategies to avoid unfair arbitration clauses and have devoted real resources to solving our client's claims.
Simply put, you can trust our termite damage attorneys with your case because we genuinely care about you as our client.
Whether you're a homeowner, commercial property owner, or a homeowner's association, know that you're not alone. If termites are causing damage to your property, don't let giant pest control chains or home inspection franchises take advantage of you. The cost of repairs should fall where it should - on the shoulders of the home inspection company, pest control company, or their insurers.
In a perfect world, customers would be able to rely on results provided by pest control companies. Unfortunately, many termite companies intentionally mislead their hardworking clients.
Termite control companies of all sizes have convincing strategies for skirting responsibility when their work is shoddy. They know how to utilize legal jargon, intimidation and confusing contracts to their advantage, deterring ordinary people from filing lawsuits.
At Cobb Hammett, LLC, we're very aware of these tactics and excuses. Our attorneys overcome these defenses with effective tools, exposing the termite control company's failure to deliver on promised services. Unlike some law firms, our termite damage lawyers have an solid track record.
We're not afraid to get our hands dirty when it comes to holding termite companies accountable for damages you suffered. We'll do everything in our power to do what's right and get you the compensation you deserve.
Though every case is different, we're often able to recover substantial damages for our clients, such as:
If you feel like your termite company breached its bond or committed fraud, contact Cobb Hammett Law Firm today. Your termite damage attorney in Charleston, SC, is ready to hear your story. We know how to maneuver around unfair pest control contract terms and have the experience needed to see through common excuses and tactics.
It's not always easy to spot the signs of termite damage, especially if you're an average person without much knowledge of the termite species. Plus, termites often wreak havoc in unseen areas like drywall, siding, and the framing of your house, so seeing damage isn't always easy. Despite those challenges, there are some common signs and areas for you to consider.
Some common signs of termite damage include:
Some of the most common areas where termites do damage include:
If you find termite damage in your home, it's best not to try and fix it yourself. Why? First, repairing damage from termites is a complicated, painstaking endeavor that requires a skilled, tedious approach. Spotting termite damage and knowing how to fix it requires a deep knowledge of how termites behave and live to get rid of them. Second, and perhaps most importantly, taking a DIY approach to termite damage may ruin your termite lawsuit.
That's true even if you have the skills and experience to do so. You might inadvertently destroy important evidence that is key to your case, which may ruin your chances of compensation for damages and poor work. Instead of trying to repair damage on your own, get a second opinion from a trusted inspector. Once your concerns are verified, it's time to call Cobb Hammett Law Firm. Our experienced termite damage attorneys will dig into your case and discover if you're one of the thousands of people with grounds for filing a termite lawsuit.
We get this question often at Cobb Hammett Law Firm, though the answer is sometimes unclear. What we do know is that if you're looking for the max amount of compensation, we'll need to discover who was at fault. In some cases, it's easy to determine fault. For example, if you're a new homeowner, and a termite inspector or seller didn't inform you of an infestation, you may have grounds to sue.
However, things get more complex if you rent a home or bought a residence many years ago and have been using a pest control company for termite infestation. You could have grounds for a case against the pest control company, your landlord, or a different third party, depending on the circumstances of your case. That's why working with a termite attorney in Charleston, SC is so important - so they can investigate the details and damages associated with your infestation and determine who is accountable.
If you have trusted your home with a pest control company and encounter a termite issue, you might not get the help you expect, even if your claim is legitimate. With years of experience fighting big pest control companies and their insurers, we've heard just about every excuse in the book. If you're dealing with a termite problem, be wary if you hear any of the following excuses.
However, things get more complex if you rent a home or bought a residence many years ago and have been using a pest control company for termite infestation. You could have grounds for a case against the pest control company, your landlord, or a different third party, depending on the circumstances of your case. That's why working with a termite attorney in Charleston, SC is so important - so they can investigate the details and damages associated with your infestation and determine who is accountable.
If you're thinking about buying a new home, hiring a home inspector to spot maintenance and repair issues is a wise idea. But what happens when you spend your hard-earned money on an inaccurate inspection report? What if the report fails to notify you of termite damage or the potential for a termite infestation? In many cases, erroneous inspection reports lead to nasty surprises once you're moved in. When it comes to missed or unreported termite infestations or damage, negligence often falls on the home inspector's shoulders.
If you find yourself in a similar situation, it's crucial that you contact a termite attorney in Charleston, SC. At Cobb Hammett Law Firm, our termite lawyers have years of experience bringing claims and filing lawsuits on behalf of clients suffering at the hands of negligent or dishonest home inspectors. From compensation for emotional distress to repairs for termite damage, our firm can help right the wrong you had no say in receiving.
If your home inspector did not uphold their duties and obligations to you as the home buyer, you could most certainly sue a home inspector.
Unless your termite infestation was new when your home was inspected, it would be hard for a home inspector to miss it. If you just bought a house and you have discovered damage or signs of a termite infestation, contact Cobb Hammett today. Our team of termite damage attorneys may be able to prove that your inspector failed at spotting and reporting termite issues in your new home.
However, proving negligence is easier said than done without a lawyer by your side. Termite inspectors aren't always expected to find every bit of termite damage, and they're often not the final say in whether your home is damage-free. That's why, with Cobb Hammett Law Firm as your advocate, we'll ask the hard-hitting questions needed to discover if your inspector missed termite damage for legitimate reasons or if they were careless and negligent. We'll help facilitate a second inspection if needed and will work tirelessly to earn you the compensation you deserve.
You should know that even if your home inspector is legally negligent for missing termite damage or infestations, their liability will often be limited due to the language in their contract.
If your lawsuit doesn't have the proper foundation to prove negligence, your termite damage lawyer in Charleston, SC may be able to win compensation via breach of contract. In many circumstances, this is the best route to take if it's easier to prove that an inspector violated a contract. For example, suppose the home inspection contract you signed called for a whole-home inspection, and the inspector failed to survey your crawlspace or attic. In that case, you may have a viable claim in court.
At Cobb Hammett Law Firm, we understand that every termite damage case situation is different. As such, we approach every case with a nuanced, multi-faceted strategy crafted with your best interests in mind.
When a termite prevention company or home inspector is negligent and causes damage to your home, it's time to act fast. You need a trustworthy termite attorney in cityname, state by your side to take the proper steps toward getting compensation.
When you depend on Cobb Hammett, LLC, you'll receive personalized attention and proactive representation. That's because we make an intentional decision to limit our law firm's overall caseload. This allows us to better focus on our individual clients, many of whom remain with us for generations. We do not pass off cases to paralegals or junior associates but rather prioritize the attorney-client relationship.
We value compassion and integrity, and our practice reflects those values. If you're ready to take a stand, call our office today. Our termite damage lawyers will help create a better future for you, your family, or your business.
Law is complicated matter. It can cause you a big problem if you ignore it. Let us help you!
The Charleston (SC) Cougars (22-6) will attempt to build on a seven-game winning streak when they host the Hampton Pirates (7-21) on March 8, 2025 at TD Arena.On Thursday, in its most recent game, Charleston (SC) defeated Campbell 75-54. With 22 points, Lara Rohkohl was its top scorer. In its previous game, Hampton lost to UNC Wilmington on Thursday, 68-54. Its high scorer was Jasha Clinton with 13 points.Watch women’...
The Charleston (SC) Cougars (22-6) will attempt to build on a seven-game winning streak when they host the Hampton Pirates (7-21) on March 8, 2025 at TD Arena.
On Thursday, in its most recent game, Charleston (SC) defeated Campbell 75-54. With 22 points, Lara Rohkohl was its top scorer. In its previous game, Hampton lost to UNC Wilmington on Thursday, 68-54. Its high scorer was Jasha Clinton with 13 points.
Watch women’s college basketball, other live sports and more on Fubo. What is Fubo? Fubo is a streaming service that gives you access to your favorite live sports and shows on demand. Use our link to sign up.
This contest between the Cougars and Pirates will happen on Saturday, March 8, 2025. Be ready to see the opening tip at 2 p.m. ET.
The Cougars and Pirates will take to the hardwood at TD Arena for this matchup on March 8, and if you’d like to see the game live, get your tickets now from Vivid Seats!
Watch women’s college basketball all season on Fubo.
Charleston (SC) is outscoring opponents by 18.4 points per game with a +517 scoring differential overall. It puts up 74.4 points per game (48th in college basketball) and allows 56.0 per contest (24th in college basketball).
The 74.4 points the Cougars average are 7.1 more than the Pirates concede.
Charleston (SC) connects on 7.3 three-pointers per game (77th in college basketball), 1.6 more than its opponents (5.7). It is shooting 30.1% from deep (227th in college basketball) while allowing opponents to shoot 30.3%.
The Cougars put up 80.4 points per game at home, compared to 68.5 points per game on the road, a difference of 11.9 points per contest.
Charleston (SC) has been putting up 76.5 points per game in its last 10 times on the court, an average that’s slightly higher than the 74.4 it has scored over the course of the 2024-25 campaign.
Hampton has been outscored by 9.7 points per game (posting 57.6 points per game, 324th in college basketball, while allowing 67.3 per outing, 243rd in college basketball) and has a -273 scoring differential.
The Pirates post only 1.6 more points per game (57.6) than the Cougars concede (56.0).
Hampton makes 4.3 three-pointers per game (318th in college basketball) at a 25.7% rate (336th in college basketball), compared to the 5.0 its opponents make, shooting 30.7% from beyond the arc.
In 2024-25 the Pirates are averaging 3.0 more points per game at home (58.6) than on the road (55.6).
Over its previous 10 games, Hampton is scoring 56.6 points per game, 1.0 fewer point than its season average (57.6).
Want to attend this game live? Buy tickets for Charleston (SC) vs. Hampton on Vivid Seats.
Rep your favorite team with officially licensed apparel from Lids or Fanatics.
And for more CBB game previews, NCAA basketball picks or even how to bet on college basketball check out the latest NCAAB lines on Betsperts.
A company owned by Charleston investor and philanthropist Ben Navarro will pay $250 million to buy Union Pier Terminal along the peninsula's waterfront, with a mortgage this week sealing the deal.Navarro's Marti Holdings LLC and the S.C. State Ports Authority filed the document with the county Register of Deeds on March 4. It capped more than a ...
A company owned by Charleston investor and philanthropist Ben Navarro will pay $250 million to buy Union Pier Terminal along the peninsula's waterfront, with a mortgage this week sealing the deal.
Navarro's Marti Holdings LLC and the S.C. State Ports Authority filed the document with the county Register of Deeds on March 4. It capped more than a year of negotiating the sale terms and working with local governments to form a special tax district that would pay for costly public infrastructure upgrades at the roughly 65-acre industrial site between Concord Street and Charleston Harbor.
The mortgage doesn't state a purchase price but references a $250 million deposit that Marti Holdings has placed on the property. The SPA confirmed Wednesday that figure matches the sale price.
Other details of the deal are included in a purchase agreement that was cited in the mortgage but not publicly filed. That document was signed a year ago, about the same time the SPA announced the sale to Navarro.
"The purchase and sale agreement are not public until the deal closes and the transfer deed is recorded," the SPA said in a written statement. "We do not release terms of the sale of an ongoing real estate transaction."
The $250 million also matches the assumed price cited in a footnote in a document outlining the special tax-district that Charleston City Council approved on Nov. 5.
The notation included another key detail — that the deal is expected to close in 2027.
A spokesperson for Beemok Capital, the "family office" that oversees Navarro's investments, said the company is "excited to proceed with closing this transaction with the Ports Authority."
At $250 million, the purchase price is well below the $400 million or so that some real estate analysts expected the prime property to fetch when the SPA announced in 2020 that it was putting Union Pier up for sale. The maritime agency has said it plans to use the proceeds for general operating expenses.
The effort to sell Union Pier has been tortured at times. The SPA initially hired Los Angeles-based developer Lowe to get the permits in place for a sale. It also offered the real estate firm an option to buy the site.
Lowe had previously purchased the ports authority's old headquarters just south of Union Pier, with the aim of replacing the outdated office building with a high-end waterfront hotel. That 191-room project has been taken over by Navarro's Beemok Hospitality Collection, which expects to open The Cooper later this year.
Conservationists and preservation groups opposed the original Union Pier redevelopment plan that Lowe proposed as too dense and out-of-character with the city's Historic District. The SPA ultimately paid $9.9 million to sever its ties with the California developer.
The authority also agreed to a new process that involved dozens of community groups that would form a plan for Union Pier's redevelopment during months of public meetings.
Navarro and the SPA started talking about a deal in late 2023. The agency's board unanimously approved the partnership in March 2024.
Bill Stern, the port's chairman, said at the time that the agency wanted to find a local buyer to redevelop the former cargo terminal that in recent years has been used mostly as a parking lot and as a cruise ship berth.
When it decided to sell Union Pier, the SPA let lapse its home-port agreement with the operator of the Carnival Sunshine, which left Charleston in January. The special tax-district agreement with the city calls for an eventual removal of the existing passenger building.
Navarro, a Rhode Island native who quickly rose to vice president of Citigroup early in his career, founded the investment firm Sherman Financial Group in 1998 and later bought a small bank he renamed Credit One Bank.
He moved his business to Charleston more than 20 years ago.
Credit One, the sponsor of an annual professional women's tennis tournament on Daniel Island, is now one of the nation's largest credit card issuers.
The centerpiece of Navarro's local hospitality holdings is The Charleston Place, just a few blocks inland from Union Pier. He bought the 434-room hotel and shopping complex for $350 million in late 2021 and is in the throes of a $150 million multiyear renovation project.
Navarro's other investments include the Riviera Theater on King Street; Sorrelle, an Italian restaurant, and the adjoining Mercato market on Broad Street; and the American Gardens urban park under construction at 141 Meeting St.
South Carolina senator Matt Leber has sent a letter to Charleston County council members demanding the removal of recalcitrant library board members who refuse to be sworn into office by taking an oath to the state’s constitution.Eight of the eleven trustees appointed by council have refused to take the constitutionally required oa...
South Carolina senator Matt Leber has sent a letter to Charleston County council members demanding the removal of recalcitrant library board members who refuse to be sworn into office by taking an oath to the state’s constitution.
Eight of the eleven trustees appointed by council have refused to take the constitutionally required oath, while only two appointees, Graham Horsman and Alessa Bertoluzzi, followed the constitutional mandate.
Article Six, Section Five of the South Carolina Constitution plainly states that “the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and all other officers of the State and its political subdivisions, before entering upon the duties of their respective offices, shall take and subscribe the oath of office as prescribed in section 5 of this article.”
The constitutionally mandated oath reads as follows:
Despite the state’s constitution making it crystal-clear that all political appointees must take the oath, Leber solicited an advisory opinion from the office of South Carolina attorney general Alan Wilson to make absolutely sure.
In its advisory opinion (.pdf), Wilson’s office concluded that “members of the Charleston County Public Library Board of Trustees are offices within the meaning of Article Six, Section Four of the South Carolina Constitution. They are therefore required to take the oath of office prescribed in Article Six, Section Five of the South Carolina Constitution.”
According to Leber’s letter (.pdf), Charleston County library chair Rob Byko “refuses to recognize the Attorney General’s opinion, dismissing it as a ‘piece of paper’ and claiming that it does ‘not rise to the level of being on the agenda.'”
“Shockingly,” the letter continues, “other members of the Charleston County Library Board expressed profound disdain and even outright disgust towards the Constitution, drafting up their own “pledge” that better fits their political ideology.”
Leber opined that “taking an oath to the Constitution should not be controversial.”
“To the contrary, it is what unifies us as Americans and as South Carolinians,” he wrote.
Leber concluded his letter with a call for the swift removal of the illegally operating board members.
“I now call upon the Charleston County Council to remedy this situation by the removal of the offending trustees,” he said.
Leber is expected to address the issue from the well of the S.C. Senate later this afternoon (March 4, 2025).
(S.C. Senate)
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(Via: Travis Bell)
Dylan Nolan is the director of special projects at FITSNews. He graduated from the Darla Moore school of business in 2021 with an accounting degree. Got a tip or story idea for Dylan? Email him here. You can also engage him socially @DNolan2000.
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CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) – Construction has begun after leaders broke ground last week on a new Charleston waterfront community set to be the city’s largest mixed-use development project.Magnolia Landing has been in the making for 20 years and will cover 192 acres or 1.5 miles along the Ashley River that previously sat unclaimed.Forty-three acres of the Magnolia redevelopment site, located in the upper neck of the Charleston peninsula, was once home to a phosphate fertilizer facility that caused lead and arsenic cont...
CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) – Construction has begun after leaders broke ground last week on a new Charleston waterfront community set to be the city’s largest mixed-use development project.
Magnolia Landing has been in the making for 20 years and will cover 192 acres or 1.5 miles along the Ashley River that previously sat unclaimed.
Forty-three acres of the Magnolia redevelopment site, located in the upper neck of the Charleston peninsula, was once home to a phosphate fertilizer facility that caused lead and arsenic contamination in the surrounding groundwater, surface water, sediment, and soil.
Other facilities, such as the former Ashepoo Phosphate Works and Koppers Co., Inc., contributed to the site’s land contamination.
After the discovery, the Columbia Nitrogen Corporation demolished all its structures on the site, and a cleanup of the environment began in 2023, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.
In 2022, the EPA approved the land for the redevelopment project.
Leaders, including Charleston Mayor William Cogswell and David Ginn from the Charleston Regional Development Alliance, gathered on Feb. 28 at 2198 Milford Street to break ground on the development. According to developer Highland Resources, Inc., the development will offer parks, a marina, residential spaces, hospitality zones, office space, retail shops, restaurants, waterfront docks, and a variety of entertainment options.
“Magnolia Landing is a key step in building a vibrant, sustainable Charleston,” said Mayor Cogswell. “With its focus on workforce housing, public amenities, and green spaces, this development by Highland Resources will enhance our waterfront and create lasting benefits for our residents and community.”
As far as residential options, the first phase will see a high-rise waterfront community and mid-rise community developed by Charleston-based Woodfield Development pop up along the riverfront site. The high-rise and mid-rise will contribute 600 rental residences to the land.
In addition, 158 luxury townhomes completed by a national developer are in the plans for phase one.
Phase one will see to the construction of a waterfront office building that will bring 100,000 square feet of Class-A office space, street-level retail, gourmet restaurants, and other commercial space.
A 125-key boutique hotel will be constructed as a hospitality option.
Twenty-four acres will be dedicated to public parks and green spaces, while 49 will be preserved as marshland to protect the area’s natural habitat and scenery.
The multi-phase Magnolia project is expected to be completed by 2040. However, officials say Magnolia Landing expects its first residents by 2027.
CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCIV) — Three brothers were sentenced to federal prison after pleading guilty to wire fraud conspiracy and wire fraud in a $2.8 million COVID scheme.According to a report from the United States Attorney's Office, two brothers, William Chan, 40, and Siu Chan, 32, pleaded guilty to a wire fraud conspiracy and were sentenced with 24 months imprisonment, to be followed by a three-year term of court-ordered supervision.The third brother, Ka Ho Chan, 33, pleaded guilty to two counts of wire fraud and was sente...
CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCIV) — Three brothers were sentenced to federal prison after pleading guilty to wire fraud conspiracy and wire fraud in a $2.8 million COVID scheme.
According to a report from the United States Attorney's Office, two brothers, William Chan, 40, and Siu Chan, 32, pleaded guilty to a wire fraud conspiracy and were sentenced with 24 months imprisonment, to be followed by a three-year term of court-ordered supervision.
The third brother, Ka Ho Chan, 33, pleaded guilty to two counts of wire fraud and was sentenced to 12 months and one day imprisonment, to be followed by a three-year term of court-ordered supervision.
"These defendants exploited a program intended to help struggling businesses during a critical time. Their greed led them to defraud the government and taxpayers, diverting millions of dollars intended for legitimate economic relief,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Brook B. Andrews for the District of South Carolina. “This sentencing sends a clear message: those who attempt to profit from pandemic aid through fraud will be held accountable."
Additionally, the brothers, along with other family members, operate a string of restaurants in the Charleston area.
READ MORE | 29 plead guilty in $5M COVID-19 unemployment fraud scheme led by SC inmates
Evidence obtained in the investigation revealed that beginning in March 2020, the Chan brothers applied for Paycheck Protect Program and Emergency Injury Disaster Loans funds using false information and documents.
The evidence presented for William and Siu Chan revealed that at least 22 loans were applied for and received totaling more than $2.5 million.
Further investigation revealed that a handful of the loans applied for by the brothers were legitimate applications, however the funds we not used for legitimate business purposes once granted. For example, evidence showed that the brothers used the loan funds to make personal car purchases and pay personal credit card expenses.
READ MORE | New report details widespread fraud in pandemic unemployment relief programs
Ka Ho Chan pleaded to a separate charge of an EIDL loan and grant he received and misused, according to the report. Evidence revealed that all the funds received by him, though his own wire fraud scheme, and the funds he received from his brothers were not used for legitimate business purposes.
In his plea agreement, he agreed to pay a restitution figure between $300,000 to $350,000 based on his receipt of fraudulent loan proceeds applied for by his brothers during their conspiracy.
The Attorney's Office states that the total amount of fraudulent loans and misuse of EIDL and PPP loan funds presented to the court during sentencing exceeded $2.8 million. In advance of sentencing, efforts had been made by the brothers to pay restitution. As a result, the outstanding restitution owed in the amount of $1,268,386.50 was ordered.