Free Legal Service for Declared Disaster-Related Fraud

BATON ROUGE, La., April 25 -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency issued the following news release:

People who have suffered devastating home and property losses during a disaster are often targeted by unscrupulous contractors, fly-by-night home repair scammers, and other con artists. This is known as disaster fraud and some Louisiana flood survivors are being swindled, but FEMA has a program that can help.

Disaster Legal Services (DLS) provides free legal assistance to low-income survivors who aren't able to hire an attorney for issues after a declared disaster. Members of the American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division (ABA YLA) will counsel, advise and provide legal representation in cases that don't generate a fee. Survivors should be aware that there are some limitations on disaster legal services. For example, assistance is not available for cases that will produce a fee (i.e., cases where fees are paid as part of a court settlement). Such cases are referred to a lawyer referral service.

DSL has assisted thousands of survivors with post-disaster related matters including:

* Insurance claims for doctor and hospital bills.

* Claims for property loss or loss of life.

* Drawing up new wills or other legal papers

* Help with home repair contracts and contractors.

* Advice on problems with landlords.

To request legal help through DLS call 1-800-310-7029 or visit www.fema.gov or www.disasterlegalaid.org