Free Disaster Legal Services Available To Residents Of Missouri Counties Declared For Disaster Assistance
Release Date: December 11, 2008
Release Number: 1809-025
» More Information on Missouri Severe Storms, Flooding, and a Tornado
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Missouri residents affected by recent flooding can request legal assistance through a toll-free legal hot line operated by the Young Lawyers Section of The Missouri Bar, emergency officials announced today.
The service was organized by State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and The Missouri Bar to assist residents of Boone, Callaway, Chariton, Howell, Jefferson, Lewis, Lincoln, Linn, Marion, Osage, Schuyler, St. Charles, St. Louis, Stone, Taney, Texas, and Webster counties and the Independent City of St. Louis.
Those with legal issues arising from the severe storms, flooding and tornado during the period of Sept. 11-24 may request assistance by calling 800-829-4128 and choosing option #2. A message including name, daytime contact phone number, and information about disaster related legal needs can be left any time 24 hours a day. Flood-related legal needs may be:
- Assistance with life, medical and property insurance claims;
- Help with home repair contracts and contractors;
- Replacement of wills and other legal documents destroyed in the disaster;
- Counseling on mortgage-foreclosure problems; and
- Counseling on landlord/tenant problems.
Legal advice is limited to cases that will not produce a fee (i.e., those cases where attorneys are paid part of the settlement, which is awarded by the court). Cases that may generate a fee are turned over to the local lawyer referral service.
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: Thursday, 11-Dec-2008 09:09:32