Storm sufferers can apply for state legal aid until May

Aivar Pilv Law Office that offers state legal aid in storm damage compensation cases has extended the deadline for accepting applications till May 1.

The need to give state legal aid for storm sufferers arose in relation to claims that the insurance companies may not compensate the storm damages for the insurance takers. Having reviewed the damage insurance conditions of the insurance companies, the Ministry of Justice believes that the conditions of most companies have explicitly taken the responsibility for compensating water damages and therefore it is possible to dispute the insurance company compensation refusal in court.

The prerequisite for receiving the state legal aid is the fact that the insurance company has refused to compensate for the damages, claiming that flooding is not considered to be storm damage. The state will not offer legal aid in cases where the insurance company has refused to compensate for the damages for other reasons – for example, when the insurance taker has not informed the insurance company of the insurance case in time, has violated the contract conditions etc.

For legal aid, the following original copies of the documents must be presented to the Aivar Pilv Law Office at Vabaduse Square 10, 10146 Tallinn or Ülikooli 8, 51003 Tartu:

• the insurance contract;
• the insurance policy;
• the application made to the insurance company for damage compensation;
• the notice of refusal to compensate for the damage;
• the documents certifying the damage;
• other relevant documents (e.g. the correspondence with the insurance companies);
• an identification document.

For additional info, please turn to the Aivar Pilv Law Office (tel. 6 404 650, e-mail: , contact person: Marianne Jukk).

Since March 1, the opportunities to receive state-funded free legal aid have increased. According to the State Legal Aid Act that went into force on that day, the free legal aid is also available for people in civil cases and to receive pre-trial counsel.

 

Kristi Künnapas
Public Relations Division
Ministry of Justice
Tel. +372 6 208 118
GSM +372 56 215672