NFL Pro Andrew Wylie Shares Free Legal Resources for Michigan Flood Victims

In the aftermath of dam breaches in Midland County, Michigan in May, many residents are picking up the pieces from the resultant flooding. With more than 2,500 homes damaged and many individuals and families displaced, the path to recovery can seem daunting, but there is legal help available. This video covers some tips and legal resources for victims of the flooding and residents of Midland, Arenac, Iosco, Saginaw, and Gladwin to help recover from the disaster. Special thanks to Michigan native Andrew Wylie for volunteering his time and taping remotely during a time of COVID-19 social distancing. Andrew Wylie is an NFL offensive lineman with the Kansas City Chiefs. ► Toll-Free Legal Aid Hotline: 1-866-418-8315 (Free legal assistance available for residents in Midland, Arenac, Iosco, Saginaw, or Gladwin. Call between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. on Friday, to request assistance. When connected to the hotline, callers should identify that they are seeking disaster-related legal assistance, brief details of the assistance needed, and in which county they are located.) ► http://www.talksonlaw.com for more legal explainers and interviews with the titans of law. In creating this video, TalksOnLaw relied on insight from pro bono and public interest attorney experts. Pro bono support was provided by Dykema Gossett, Bodman, Honigman, Miller Canfield, and the State Bar of Michigan. Additional thanks to the Legal Services of Eastern Michigan, Lakeshore Legal Aid, The Kansas City Chiefs, and Dow. ____________________ TRANSCRIPT Andrew Wylie On May 19th and 20th, two dams on the Tittabawassee River failed, which lead to major floods and water levels reaching nearly 35 feet high. Luckily, there were no fatalities, but unfortunately, more than 2,500 properties and homes were severely damaged. Hi, I’m Andrew Wiley, and I play for the Kansas City Chiefs. I’m also a Midland-area native, so my heart goes out to my old neighbors and friends affected by the floods around Midlands. I am not a lawyer. I’m a football player, but I’m here with you today because I was asked to share some resources that may help you recover in the wake of the flood. I’ll pass along TWO tips and some legal resources that I received from my friends at the ​Legal Services of Eastern Michigan and Lakeshore Legal Aid​ and other volunteer attorneys who’ve helped gather information for flood survivors. First Tip. Make sure to document your damages and save your correspondences. This is important because documents will increase your chance to recover from insurance or government funds should they become available. Take photos on your phone and email them to yourself so that they are backed up. Also be sure to save copies of anything you send or receive relating to your damages or claims and receipts for any expenses involved. If you have an elderly neighbor who may not know how to document or take photos, consider lending a hand. Second, you may benefit from free legal assistance as a survivor of the flood. This stuff is complicated, so getting a free lawyer on your side can be a real help. Some common questions these lawyers have mentioned they are hearing include: 1. Getting assistance filing for insurance or understanding your rights if the claim is denied, 2. Interpreting any city requirements made on homeowners and rights to appeal, and 3. Impacts to renters or mortgage holders after a disaster. Now for some legal resources. Whatever your question, a free hotline has been set up you can call if you’ve been impacted by the flood and live in Midland, Arenac, Iosco, Saginaw, or Gladwin. The number is 866-418-8315. When you reach the hotline, let them know that you are seeking disaster-related legal help. TalksOnLaw will provide additional information on the hotline and links to free resources in the description below. Finally, if you know a friend or loved one who was affected, pass on the word by sharing the video. I’m Andrew Wiley. Thanks for watching.