LAWYERS URGE STORM VICTIMS TO QUICKLY FILE ‘HARVEY’ CLAIMS

  

Attorneys are urging homeowners to file claims for property damage inflicted by Hurricane Harvey before Friday, when a new insurance law goes into effect.

The new law requires plaintiffs' attorneys to offer more detail when they give notice of intent to file a lawsuit.  If insurance companies must pay damages, the law will reduce the amount of penalty interest they'll owe from 18% to about 10%.

The law will impact policyholders who file a lawsuit against their insurance company.

Supporters claim the legislation will reduce the amount of frivolous lawsuits filed on behalf of policyholders against their insurance companies. Opponents argue that it weakens consumer rights.

Attorney Craig Eiland, a member of the Texas Trial Lawyers Association, said that property owners who submit insurance claims before Friday will be able to increase the amount of damages they receive if they file and win a lawsuit against their insurance company in the future.

Texas Congressman Joaquin Castro also urged Texans "to file for Harvey relief before Sept 1."  He said the Texas legislature had "passed a bill making it harder to dispute weather-related property claims."

But supporters of the new law argue that some lawyers take advantage of policy holders by encouraging them to file frivolous suits against insurance companies.