HOUSTON – Texas attorney Bill Voss has promised to help victims of the recent flooding in Louisiana and other states by launching a matching campaign for donations made to the Red Cross through his website.
Voss, founder of the Voss Law Firm, is also urging flood victims 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.
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.
Brad Kieserman, vice president of Disaster Services Operations and Logistics for the Red Cross, 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,” states a Voss press release.
Earlier this year, National Public Radio 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 … 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,” the press release states.
In the wake of the flooding in Louisiana, Voss warns that some policyholders could soon be struggling with very similar issues with their insurers.
“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,” the press release states.
“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.”
Both Superstorm Sandy and Hurricane Katrina were followed by a wave of 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,” the press release states. “In some cases, their claims were unfairly denied, undervalued, or plagued with long delays that made recovery difficult.”
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,” the press release states.
“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.
The Voss Law Firm, P.C., is based in The Woodlands, Texas, with satellite offices in Dallas and Austin. Attorney Bill Voss, the firm’s founding member, has been recognized in numerous national and local publications, including Forbes Inc. 500, H-Texas Magazine, The Legal News, Houston Press, and Texas Monthly.