In the wake of Hurricane Harvey, the Fastcase team is working with the State Bar of Texas to make resources available to Texas lawyers. The State Bar makes Fastcase’s legal research service available for free to its members, and through the end of September, Fastcase is expanding its coverage, making its full research service available to all members.

 

Although legal research isn’t the first concern for those displaced, with offices and libraries under water and legal research passwords literally under water, access to the law library can be a key part of getting a firm back online after a disaster.  Our team worked with the Louisiana State Bar Association after Hurricane Katrina, and the New York State Bar Association and the New Jersey State Bar Association in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy. 

 

To access Fastcase, just follow this link to go to the State Bar of Texas website and log in there. In addition, the Fastcase team is setting up an alternate login portal in case the Bar site goes down – this post will be updated as soon as that portal is live.

 

UPDATE – Fastcase is expanding its Hurricane Harvey relief initiative to out-of-state attorneys volunteering in areas affected by the storm.  If you are an out-of-state attorney, please click here to register for Fastcase access. 

 

Throughout the long recovery from Hurricane Harvey, the Fastcase team will work with you to get your firm and your clients back on your feet.  If you have any questions or need support, contact us toll free at 1-866-77-FASTCASE (866.773.2782) or support@fastcase.com.

 

Other Emergency Resources

Please find below a list of links to disaster resources provided by the State Bar of Texas and others.

 

Emergency Order from Supreme Court of Texas Aug. 28 – Pursuant to Section 22.0035(b)3 of the Texas Government Code, all courts in Texas should consider disaster-caused delays as good cause for modifying or suspending all deadlines and procedures—whether prescribed by statute, rule, or order—in any case, civil or criminal.

 

Second Emergency Order from Supreme Court of Texas Aug. 29 -Pursuant to Section 81.061 of the Texas Government Code, and notwithstanding Chapter 81, Subchapter G, an attorney who is licensed to practice law in another U.S. jurisdiction and who meets the following criteria is permitted to practice law in Texas for six months from the date of this order.

 

Attorneys who wish to volunteer for disaster relief work, please fill out this online survey form.

To apply for assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, click here.

To download the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s mobile app, click here.

 

Law on Certain Insurance Claims Changes September 1 

Texas property owners should be aware that House Bill 1774, passed by the 85th Texas Legislature, will change the law regarding how legal actions for certain insurance claims are handled, including some claims for property damages or losses caused by natural disasters. If you need to make an insurance claim related to Hurricane Harvey, you should study how the law may affect you. Claims made before September 1, 2017, will be subject to current law; those filed on or after September 1 will fall under the new law.

 

Disaster Relief Contacts & Resources

Please review the contacts and resources listed below. They can help you prepare for, survive, and recover from a disaster.

 

Non-profits

American Red Cross	(800) HELP-NOW
Salvation Army	(800) SAL-ARMY
Missing Persons Registries	(866) GET-INFO

 

Texas Resources 

State of Texas	(877) 452-9060
Texas Emergency Preparedness Resources
Texas Division of Emergency Management
Office of the Attorney General Consumer Protection	(800) 621-0508
Texas Department of Insurance	(800) 578-4677
Texas Department of Health and Human Services	(800) 436-6184
Texas Rural Mediation Services	(866) 329-3522
2-1-1 Texas Information and Referral Network	(877) 541-7905

 

Legal Resources 

State Bar of Texas Legal Disaster Hotline	(800) 504-7030
The State Bar of Texas	(800) 204-2222
State Bar of Texas Lawyer Referral & Information Services	(800) 252-9690
Lawyer Referral Service of Central Texas, Inc.	(866) 303-8303
Dallas Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service	(214) 220-7444
Houston Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service	(713) 237-9429
TexasLawHelp.org	– Online resources, including free and low-cost civil legal assistance in Texas, self-help resources for legal problems, and where to find legal aid
Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas	(855) 548-8457
Lone Star Legal Aid	(800) 733-8394
Texas Rio Grande Legal Aid	(866) 757-1570
National Disaster Legal Aid website
The Centers for the Law and Public’s Health

 

Federal Resources 

Flu.gov	(800) 232-4636
FEMA’s Federal Disaster Assistance Process for Individuals	(800) 621-FEMA (3362)
Department of Homeland Security	(202) 282-8000
Government Benefits Search	(800) 333-4636
Administration for Community Living	(202) 619-0724
Dept. of Health and Human Services	(877) 696-6775
Centers for Disease Control	(800) CDC-INFO
Small Business Administration	(800) 659-2955

 

Weather Safety Tips

For safety tips related to tornadoes, thunderstorms, and flooding, visit the Texas Department of Public Safety Severe Weather Awareness Web page.

 

Psychological & Counseling Resources 

Phases of Traumatic Stress Reactions in a Disaster

American Red Cross

Salvation Army

Texas Department of State Health Services

Disaster Mental Health Services