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 Fingerville, 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 Fingerville, 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 Fingerville, 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 Fingerville, 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 Fingerville, 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 Fingerville, 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 Fingerville, 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!
Every time a new home pops up, Spartanburg Water likely gains another customer.Although septic systems are still allowed, most of the 2,200-plus homes being built in the fastest-growing areas of western and northeastern Spartanburg County will be tapping into the water system's Sanitary Sewer District.Spartanburg Water controls most of the sewer districts, several of which were absorbed decades ago from abandoned textile mill systems.Spartanburg Water also controls much of the water flow, covering 864 squa...
Every time a new home pops up, Spartanburg Water likely gains another customer.
Although septic systems are still allowed, most of the 2,200-plus homes being built in the fastest-growing areas of western and northeastern Spartanburg County will be tapping into the water system's Sanitary Sewer District.
Spartanburg Water controls most of the sewer districts, several of which were absorbed decades ago from abandoned textile mill systems.
Spartanburg Water also controls much of the water flow, covering 864 square miles and providing 26 million gallons of water each day to more than 200,000 customers.
While other smaller water systems serve chunks of the county, Spartanburg Water receives most of the new water customers as well, including in the city of Spartanburg.
According to recently released numbers, both the water system and sewer system saw record growth in 2020, and officials see the potential for another record this year.
Sewer and water are the less-pretty but important parts of the big economic development picture that over the past 10 years has brought 195 projects, 14,888 jobs and $6.9 billion in capital investment, as well as an estimated 46,000 new residents to Spartanburg County, according to OneSpartanburg, Inc.
In the first two months this year, OneSpartanburg officials said five projects totaling $573.4 million in investment and 1,359 new jobs already outpace the total investment and jobs for all of 2019 and 2020 in Spartanburg County ($773 million and 1,197 jobs total).
"Wastewater treatment facilities were expanded, roads widened, major water lines put in place all before any companies committed to come to the area," said Spartanburg County Councilman David Britt, the county's economic development chairman.
"You build it, they will come. And they have by the billions of dollars of investments and the thousands of new high-paying jobs. It takes vision and action to make it all happen."
A big part of the growth served by Spartanburg Water has been in downtown Spartanburg.
"We see a tremendous amount of apartments coming in and getting permitted," said Gene Jackson, capital projects officer for Spartanburg Water.
Eleven projects featuring 979 apartments, homes and townhomes are under construction or development in the city. The largest is Liberty Street Apartments with 200 units, Bon Haven with 150 units, Kennedy Street Apartments with 132 units and Northside Station Apartments, 90 units.
"We have crept up from 20 years ago," said longtime Spartanburg Water CEO Sue Schneider. What we've seen in the downtown area, in particular the northside, it continues to grow."
Last year officials said the sewer system built 19 miles of new sewer line and provided service for 2,571 lots from 40 new projects, bringing in $1.2 million a year in expected revenue.
Also last year, the water system built 10 miles of new lines for 38 new projects and 1,402 homes, adding $700,000 in revenue annually.
Spartanburg Water also gains revenue from sewer and water taps, which are a one-time charge to each new customer.
There were 2,301 sewer taps last year, eclipsing the 2019 total of 923 taps and the previous yearly high of 1,153 taps in 2018. The new taps brought in $3.3 million in revenue during fiscal year 2020 and through January 2021.
There were also 1,181 water taps in 2020, topping the 2019 total of 930 taps and a previous yearly high of 1,049 in 2008.
The sewer tap fee for each new home is $850. By comparison, ReWa (Renewable Water Resources) charges connection fees ranging from $1,250 for each one-bedroom unit in a multi-family housing complex to $2,500 for a residential home, according to ReWa's website.
Spartanburg Water's minimum water tap, meter and capacity fee is $1,515. By comparison, the total minimum water connection fee of Greenville Water is $2,780 for new residential homes and $2,220 for new apartments, according to Greenville Water's website.
Despite the growth and larger workload, Schneider said she doesn't expect Spartanburg Water to have to add to its workforce of 300.
She said much of the maintenance and line replacement work is planned well in advance so that the existing workforce can transition from one project to the next.
Projects are also scheduled on a "pay as you go" basis, meaning the next project begins when payment from the previous project is received, she said. As a result, she said no rate increases are anticipated.
Outside of the city, most of the recent residential growth has been in western, southwestern and northeastern Spartanburg County.
In County Council District 6, which includes the western areas around Reidville, Duncan, Lyman and Wellford, there are five residential developments totaling 853 units that have been submitted since November, including the 313-home Ravencrest, 277-lot Collier Ridge and 204-lot Iris Meadows subdivisions.
In District 4, which encompasses southwestern Spartanburg County from Reidville to Woodruff and Cross Anchor to Roebuck, there are 652 homes under construction. The largest subdivisions are the 317-lot Sycamore Cove and 167-lot Linden Park.
Jackson said sewer lines were laid several years ago along most of S.C. Highway 290 to serve the industrial growth there and at Tyger River Industrial Park. More recently lines have been extended along Reidville Road to S.C. Highway 417 and Lightwood Knot Road to serve residential growth.
In District 2, which includes greater Boiling Springs and Chesnee and lakes in northeastern Spartanburg County, since November there have been plans for 766 new residential units submitted since November.
Among them are the 244-unit Chestnut Springs townhome development, 128-lot Hazelwood subdivision, 96 lots of the planned 780-lot Pine Valley subdivision and 25 lots of the 124-lot Bexley Park development.
In all, Boiling Springs has 15 subdivisions that make up a total of 1,660 lots either under construction or with construction starting soon.
Britt said the rate of growth since BMW Manufacturing opened in Spartanburg County in 1994 couldn't have occurred without the partnership of infrastructure providers, including Duke Energy, Laurens Electric, Piedmont Natural Gas, Lockhart Power, AT&T, Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport and the S.C. Ports Authority with the Inland Port at Greer.
"Companies expect sites to have the basic infrastructure needs ready to go – water, sewer, natural gas, electricity and roads," Britt said. "If they don't, you have nothing more than a field or pasture."
Staff writer Genna Contino contributed to this report
Contact Bob Montgomery at [email protected]
The creation of this content included the use of AI based on templates created, reviewed and edited by journalists in the newsroom. Read more on our AI policy here.A weather alert was issued by the NWS Greenville-Spartanburg SC on Saturday at 10:44 p.m. for strong thunderstorms until 11:15 p.m. for Spartanburg County.Residents can look for wind gusts of up to 50 mph."At 10:44 p.m., Doppler r...
The creation of this content included the use of AI based on templates created, reviewed and edited by journalists in the newsroom. Read more on our AI policy here.
A weather alert was issued by the NWS Greenville-Spartanburg SC on Saturday at 10:44 p.m. for strong thunderstorms until 11:15 p.m. for Spartanburg County.
Residents can look for wind gusts of up to 50 mph.
"At 10:44 p.m., Doppler radar tracked a strong thunderstorm 12 miles southeast of Columbus, or near Lake Bowen, moving northeast at 40 mph," according to the NWS. "Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around unsecured objects."
Locations impacted by the alert include Campobello, Lake Bowen, Chesnee, Green Creek, Fingerville, Inman and Boiling Springs SC.
The NWS states, "If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building."
This alert is in effect until 11:15 p.m.
Lightning hits the United States approximately 25 million times annually. The majority of these strikes happen during the summer, causing around 20 fatalities each year, according to the NWS. The likelihood of lightning increases as a thunderstorm gets closer and reaches its highest point when the storm is directly overhead. This risk decreases as the storm moves away.
Here are recommendations for maintaining safety during a thunderstorm:
If finding indoor shelter is not an option:
What is hydroplaning?
Hydroplaning is when a vehicle starts uncontrollably sliding on wet roads.
This happens when water in front of the tire builds up faster than the vehicle's weight can push water out of the way. The water pressure then causes the vehicle to rise and slide on a thin layer of water between the tires and the road, making the driver lose control. Hydroplaning is most commonly attributed to three factors:
In the event of your vehicle hydroplaning, here's what to know:
Source: The National Weather Service
This story was originally published May 3, 2025 at 10:50 PM.
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Spartanburg County School districts have announced their district and school Teachers of the Year for the 2021-22 school year.But what does it mean to be Teacher of the Year?Teachers of the Year are teachers who strive to make their classroom and school a better place for their students and who teach their students to have a positive impact on their school as well as their community.Spartanburg County School District 6 decided to show their appreciation for their teachers and support staff in an unprecedented way. Distri...
Spartanburg County School districts have announced their district and school Teachers of the Year for the 2021-22 school year.
But what does it mean to be Teacher of the Year?
Teachers of the Year are teachers who strive to make their classroom and school a better place for their students and who teach their students to have a positive impact on their school as well as their community.
Spartanburg County School District 6 decided to show their appreciation for their teachers and support staff in an unprecedented way. District 6 has named every teacher Teacher of the Year for their school and every support staff Support Staff of the Year for their school.
“I can’t properly put into words how grateful I am to our school community, faculty and staff, students, and parents for pulling together and making this happen for the children School District 6,” Darryl Owings, District 6 Superintendent said. “Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
District 1 Teacher of the Year: Jenna Brock, O.P. Earle Elementary
Mitchell Pack, Campobello Gramling School
Ashley Ussery, Holly Springs-Motlow Elementary
Amy Smith, Inman Elementary School
Denise Riske, Inman Intermediate School
McKensie Revels, New Prospect Elementary
Stephanie Quinn, Landrum Middle School
Jessica Wofford, Mabry Middle School
Molly Blackwell, Chapman High School
David Evette, Landrum High School
Carmen Knight, Swofford Career Center
District 2 Teacher of the Year: Marissa Drake, Mayo Elementary School
Clancy Bishop, Hendrix Elementary School
Deidre Cantrell Carlisle-Foster’s Grove Elementary School
Marissa Drake Mayo Elementary School
Carrie Foster Boiling Springs Elementary School
Melissa Guerrero Shoally Creek Elementary School
Justin Hicks Chesnee Middle School
Allison Jones Oakland Elementary School
Carmen Knight Swofford Career Center
Thomas Kusterer Rainbow Lake Middle School
Dawn Lipscomb Chesnee High School
Joshua Miller Boiling Springs Middle School
Sandra Padgett Chesnee Elementary School
Benjamin Settle Cooley Springs-Fingerville Elementary School
Meredith Wall Sugar Ridge Elementary School
Heike Wrenn Boiling Springs High School
District 3 Teacher of the Year: Chase Moyer, Cannons Elementary
Jaclyn Richards, Cowpens Elementary School
Thomas Voelker, Cowpens Middle School
Janice Baker, Middle School of Pacolet
Andre Dubois, Daniel Morgan Technology Center
Morgan Hammett, Pacolet Elementary School
Tyler Crosby, Broome High School
Patsy Farmer, Virtual Program
District 4 Teacher of the Year: Jami Guker, Woodruff Middle School
Tobey Rhodes, Woodruff Primary School
Lori Merck, Woodruff Elementary School
Laura Lawton, Woodruff High School
District 5 Teacher of the Year: Heather Poore, Byrnes High School
Jennifer Morrisey, Abner Creek Academy
Ashley Martin, Duncan Elementary School of the Arts
Whitney French, Lyman Elementary School
Leah Owens, Reidville Elementary School
Rend Draz, River Ridge Elementary School
Erica Yelton, Wellford Academy of Science and Technology
Melissa Brannon, Beech Springs Intermediate School
Valerie Calsing, Berry Shoals Elementary School
Gina Moniouk, D.R. Hill Middle School
Michelle Black, Florence Chapel Middle School
Kathleen Skoby, Byrnes Freshman Academy
Heather Poore, Byrnes High School
Virtual Academy
Heather Cassidy, Elementary
Brittany Prince, Middle
Tom Barber, High
District 7 Teacher of the Year: Kelli Hardigree, Pine Street Elementary School
Renata Jean, Cleveland Academy of Leadership
Reta Ridgeway, Drayton Mills Elementary
Kate Thrift-Winch E. P. Todd School
Madison Vanderlip, District 7 Early Learning Center
Kerry Duncan, Jesse Boyd Elementary
Rachel Abercrombie, Mary H. Wright Elementary
Tynesha Champion, Carver Middle
Morgan Jenkins, McCracken Middle
Angela Eaton, Spartanburg High
Andrew Basham, McCarthy Teszler
Michele Mangum, Whitlock Flexible Learning Center
Susan Hoffman, District 7 Virtual School
Ashley Dill is a native of Spartanburg and has been on staff for the Herald-Journal for 14 years. She covers community news and can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter at @ashleydill_shj.