CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- A toll-free legal aid hotline is now available for victims of recent severe storms, flooding, mudslides and landslides in West Virginia.
The service, which allows callers to request the assistance of a lawyer, is a partnership between the West Virginia State Bar, Legal Aid of West Virginia, the American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
Victims facing legal issues who are unable to afford a lawyer may call 1-877-331-4259 between 9 a.m. and noon and 1 to 4 p.m. to request assistance. Messages can be left at any time. Callers should identify that they are seeking disaster-related legal assistance.
Victims who qualify for assistance will be matched with local lawyers who will provide pro bono legal assistance.
The type of legal assistance available includes:
| Securing Federal Emergency Management Agency and related government benefits;
| Assistance with life, medical and property insurance claims;
| Help with home repair contracts and contractors;
| Replacement of wills and other important legal documents destroyed;
CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- A toll-free legal aid hotline is now available for victims of recent severe storms, flooding, mudslides and landslides in West Virginia.
The service, which allows callers to request the assistance of a lawyer, is a partnership between the West Virginia State Bar, Legal Aid of West Virginia, the American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
Victims facing legal issues who are unable to afford a lawyer may call 1-877-331-4259 between 9 a.m. and noon and 1 to 4 p.m. to request assistance. Messages can be left at any time. Callers should identify that they are seeking disaster-related legal assistance.
Victims who qualify for assistance will be matched with local lawyers who will provide pro bono legal assistance.
The type of legal assistance available includes:
| Securing Federal Emergency Management Agency and related government benefits;
| Assistance with life, medical and property insurance claims;
| Help with home repair contracts and contractors;
| Replacement of wills and other important legal documents destroyed;
| Assisting in consumer protection matters, remedies and procedures;
| Counseling on mortgage-foreclosure problems;
| Counseling on landlord/tenant problems; and
| Assistance with other legal problems related to the disaster.
Victims should be aware that there are limitations on disaster legal services. For example, assistance is not available for cases that will produce a fee (i.e., those cases where attorneys are paid part of the settlement by the court). Such cases are referred to a local lawyer referral service.
