Local attorney pledges to match Red Cross donations for Louisiana flood victims

THE WOODLANDS, Texas - Homes, cars, and businesses were washed away as storms dropped nearly two feet of rain on parts of Louisiana over a 24-hour period and caused devastating flooding in at least 20 parishes.

The Red Cross has said in a statement, “The current flooding in Louisiana is the worst natural disaster to strike the United States since Superstorm Sandy.”

Unfortunately, like those affected by Superstorm Sandy a few years ago, the home and business owners affected by the flooding in Louisiana may be facing unexpected challenges with the insurance claims that follow.

National Public Radio (NPR) reported earlier this year that insurance companies profited by as much as $400 million after Sandy, but thousands of policyholders on the East Coast were paid just a fraction of their insurance policies in the aftermath. Other Sandy victims reported claim denials or disputes with their insurers over the cause or value of the damage done.

Attorney Bill Voss, of the Voss Law Firm based in The Woodlands, has a lot of hands-on experience with denied insurance claim cases from disaster victims both at home and across the globe, including cases related to Superstorm Sandy claims. In the wake of the flooding in Louisiana, he warns that some policyholders could soon be struggling with very similar issues with their insurers.

“Attorneys, insurance companies, contractors, adjusters and government programs can do a lot for the victims of weather disasters, but the process of settling an insurance claim or applying for benefits can take months—at a time when people need help today,” said Voss. “In the aftermath of severe storms and other disasters, we have seen firsthand the importance of the work the Red Cross. This is why we urge you to donate to storm and flood relief today—and why the Voss Law Firm has promised to match 100 percent of the donations you give up to $1,000.”

After widespread disasters, and especially after the multiple costly storms and floods in the United States in the last few years, policyholders have a lot to worry about. Insurance companies have had to take measures to cut increasing costs, and some people have become increasingly vocal that it is home and business owners who ultimately pay. While some policyholders have no problems resolving their insurance claims, both Superstorm Sandy and Hurricane Katrina were followed by victim lawsuits alleging “bad faith” practices from their insurers and complaints about how claims were handled. Many victims of those two storms were displaced from their homes for months or years, waiting for their insurance claims to resolve. In some cases, their claims were unfairly denied, undervalued, or plagued with long delays that made recovery difficult.

This is why Voss urges the victims of the current flooding to be aware of their rights as policyholders and potential “bad faith” insurance industry practices that could limit their recovery before they submit their claims or accept a settlement.

For victims of the Louisiana flood disaster with concerns about how their claims are being handled, Voss recommends they first carefully review their existing insurance policies and attempt to work with their insurers. If a satisfactory resolution isn’t possible, policyholders should take the time to talk with an experienced attorney who can review the details of their claims, policies, and circumstances and explain their options for moving forward with their recovery. A case review with an attorney is often free of charge, and it can make a big difference for flood victims who face an uncertain future and need to know if they are being treated fairly.

Donors who wish to help with relief efforts in Louisiana can visit The Voss Law Firm donation page.