Claimants can obtain free legal assistance for oil spill claims

Please see below a message from Senator Bill Nelson:
Claimants can obtain free legal assistance for oil spill claims

Attorneys for Legal Services of North Florida are ready to help individuals and businesses navigate the claims process in the aftermath of the BP oil spill.

LSNF is participating in a five-state network of nonprofit civil legal services now providing free legal help to unrepresented claimants, who can receive advice on documentation needed for the claims process, review of settlement offers and assistance with related matters. "Generally, there is a lot of confusion about the process," said Leslie Powell, senior attorney in Pensacola for Legal Services of North Florida. Individuals are unsure of which claims options to pursue or which would be in their best interest. "There are three processes that people may go through. Those three combined make it harder for them to make a decision," Powell added.


LSNF has joined with other legal-aid programs in five Gulf states from Texas to Florida under a grant funded by the Gulf Coast Claims Facility. The grant is administered by the Mississippi Center for Justice, a nonprofit law firm, and the legal help is offered independently of the GCCF.

The service is for residents who may otherwise be unable to afford an attorney. The aid organizations have been examining the claims process and have provided input about barriers that the process creates to low-income and minority claimants, according to LSNF.

"LSNF has seen its clients adversely affected by the BP oil disaster. With the continuing economic strife, as well as concerns about the oil spill and the effects on the livelihood of those living in north Florida, LSNF is seeing more and more people come to us for help," said Kristine E. Knab, LNSF's executive director.

LSNF is a private nonprofit that provides free legal representation to low-income people with civil legal problems. It has offices in Tallahassee, Quincy, Panama City, Fort Walton Beach and Pensacola. For information on claims assistance, call (855) 299-1337 or visit www.lsnf.org.




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