Flood photos courtesy of FEMA.

Disaster Legal Assistance

Massachusetts residents who have been victims of recent severe storms and flooding in the Bay State can receive free legal assistance through a toll-free hotline and online request form.

Residents can call the Lawyer Referral Service toll free number, (866) 627-7577, from 9 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Monday through Friday or fill out an online form. Assistance will be offered to residents based on the legal question, and could include information and referrals to attorneys or local, state and federal agencies. Disaster officials recently extended the application deadline for victims until July 12, 2010.

Examples of legal questions include:

• Securing FEMA 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 in the disaster;
• Support in consumer protection matters, remedies and procedures;
• Guidance on mortgage-foreclosure problems;
• Counseling on landlord/tenant problems; and
• Assistance with other legal problems related to the disaster.

The service is a partnership between the MBA, the American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Click here for more details on FEMA benefits.
Click here for more information on ABA disaster resources.

Attorneys interested in volunteering their time to this program can fill out and return this form.