Legal Help for Disaster Survivors
Release Date: March 4, 2008
Release Number: 1745-023
» More Information on Tennessee Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding
NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Are you a survivor of the Feb. 5-6 storms in need of legal help after the tornadoes, but can't afford it? Disaster Legal Services, with funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), may be able to help.
The Disaster Legal Services program springs from an agreement between FEMA and the Young Lawyers Division of the American Bar Association. The Tennessee Disaster Legal Services Hotline is a statewide network of attorneys who volunteer to provide disaster legal services for low-income individuals unable to secure legal assistance to meet their disaster-related legal needs.
Disaster Legal Services are limited. In general, participating attorneys typically provide:
- Assistance with insurance claims (life, medical, property, etc.);
- Counseling on landlord/tenant problems;
- Assistance in consumer matters, remedies and procedures;
- Replacement of wills and other important legal documents destroyed in the disaster;
- Help with home repair contracts and contractors.
Disaster Legal Services is available only in counties designated for federal disaster assistance to individuals: Benton, Fayette, Hardin, Hickman, Houston, Lewis, Macon, Madison, Montgomery, Perry, Shelby, Sumner, Trousdale and Williamson. If you qualify, call (877) 396-6248 Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. to be referred to legal services in your area.
FEMA coordinates the federal government's role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror.
Last Modified: Wednesday, 05-Mar-2008 07:56:34