Legal services for disaster victims is an essential part of emergency management and response. This year’s wildfires may need legal advice for various reasons, including filing insurance claims, securing federal assistance, replacing legal documents, resolving landlord-tenant disputes, consumer protection matters, and more.
The types of legal assistance that may be available include:
- Assistance with securing government benefits available to disaster survivors;
- Assistance with life, medical, and property insurance claims;
- Help with home repair contracts and contractors;
- Replacement of wills and other important legal documents;
- Assistance with consumer protection matters, remedies, and procedures; and
- Counseling on landlord-tenant problems as well as mortgage and foreclosure problems.
Avoiding legal fraud after a disaster
Avoid fraud from people promising to offer legal services. This is particularly important when you suffer major losses.
Lawyers and their representatives are prohibited from:
- Soliciting clients at an accident scene, at a hospital, or on the way to a hospital
- Soliciting clients who, because of their physical, emotional, or mental state, are unable to exercise reasonable judgment
- Sending you mail solicitations, unless the letter and envelope are clearly labeled as an advertisement
- Promising a particular outcome from the legal representation