North Carolina’s Supreme Court bolstered legal support for Hurricane Helene victims by allowing out-of-state lawyers to help. On Tuesday, the court approved a pathway allowing out-of-state lawyers to provide pro bono legal services to those impacted by the hurricane.
This decision, known as a “Katrina order,” comes as legal aid groups prepare for an extensive and prolonged effort to assist people in rebuilding their lives and homes. Hurricane Helene’s extensive damage has prompted a large-scale effort to provide legal help for the complicated issues people face after the disaster.
Legal Aid of North Carolina, which serves low-income clients, has already activated its Disaster Relief Project. Despite facing challenges such as storm damage to their own offices and staff displacement, the organization is coordinating with the American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division’s Disaster Legal Services unit to provide assistance.
The frequency and severity of storms have led to an increase in disaster law expertise. The North Carolina Bar Foundation reports a significant growth in the community of “disaster legal services responders” over the past decade, with lawyers across the country sharing knowledge and experience.
Local legal organizations are preparing for an influx of cases related to FEMA applications, insurance claims, and potential fraud. Pisgah Legal Services, a nonprofit based in Asheville, is among those gearing up to support affected communities, despite facing its own challenges from the storm.
The legal community’s response extends beyond immediate disaster relief. Lawyers are anticipating long-term issues such as contractor fraud, foreclosures, and challenges faced by residents of manufactured homes.
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