Residents in Lawndale are raising alarming concerns about damage to their homes, which they attribute to a public works construction project. The ongoing vibrations from nearby work have reportedly resulted in unsightly cracks and other significant issues, leaving homeowners frustrated as they seek accountability.
The Impact of Construction Vibrations
For Jim and Tracey Kelly, the aftermath of the construction is evident everywhere they look. Numerous cracks mar their ceilings, walls, and even concrete surfaces. “We are living with constant reminders of the noise and shakes from the project,” Jim explains. “I even had to patch up the plaster ceilings to avoid debris falling down on us while we were simply watching TV.”
Tracey adds, “It felt like an earthquake. The entire house was trembling, with windows rattling and the distressing sight of cracks appearing overhead. It didn’t stop there; our oven malfunctioned, and we had plumbing issues, leading us to need a new drain install.”
The couple faced challenges in maintaining their home, as Jim shares, “I had to tinker with the doors since they wouldn’t open or shut properly anymore. I had to file down some of them just to get them to close. It’s been a hassle.”
Seeking assistance, the Kellys turned to local media for help after being denied insurance coverage by Travelers, the contractor’s insurance provider. “We trust your team at ABC7; your reputation precedes you, and we felt you might advocate for us,” Jim said, hopeful for some relief.
Community Frustrations Grow
The concerns stem primarily from the Alondra Park Stormwater Capture Project, situated in an unincorporated area of Los Angeles County called El Camino Village, close to Lawndale. Many residents experienced pounding vibrations for several weeks last July, with observable repercussions.
Another resident, Miguel Gamboa, shared his experience: “It wasn’t exactly like an earthquake, but the vibrations felt similar. There were instances where my house shook for hours on end.”
Jim isn’t alone in noticing damage; fellow homeowner James Verhein reported, “After going outside, I found a long crack on the side of my house and two more cracks in the stucco on the other side.”
L.A. County Supervisor Holly Mitchell revealed that over 25 homeowners have received outright denials from Travelers Insurance. “We never anticipated homeowners would experience such damage, and we intend to hold both the contractor and their insurance accountable,” she stated, emphasizing her commitment to addressing the issue.
In response to the claims, Travelers Insurance maintained that their thorough investigations showed the reported damage could be attributed to pre-existing conditions or natural settlement, not the construction work themselves. They said, “Every claim is assessed carefully, and our analysis indicated that the damage stemmed from non-vibration causes.”
The Kellys were advised by Travelers to hire their own vibration specialist to substantiate their claims. “I felt like I was being left in limbo for six months, just to ultimately have my appeal denied, with the company asserting the vibrations weren’t serious enough to justify the damage I have documented, which contradicts what I see every day,” lamented Jim.
Meanwhile, the California Department of Insurance encourages affected residents to file official complaints. They can be reached at 800-927-4357 or through their website to ensure their concerns are duly noted and addressed.
