As we begin to assess the damage from historic Hurricane Ida, Adams and Reese’s Disaster and Recovery Team is here to assist you. The Firm has extensive experience handling a wide range of disasters, including hurricanes Laura, Sandy, Katrina, Rita, Ike, and Gustav. The following are subject matter areas that the Firm has assisted clients with as first steps towards recovery.

Insurance Matters and Applications for Disaster Relief

Our team can help guide you through the process of obtaining the resources necessary to repair and rebuild your business. We monitor the status of various emergency rules issued by government agencies and the funding of relief programs to ensure that you are out in front of the recovery.

We have extensive experience with:

• Louisiana State Department of Insurance
• National Association of Insurance Commissioners
• Louisiana Office of Community Development – Disaster Recovery Unit (OCD-DRU)
• Applicable Business Interruption Coverage
• Relief programs through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)
• Federal and state grants (FEMA and SBA)
• Business disaster loans (OCD-DRU and SBA)
• State and Federal tax relief
• Economic development incentives and tax credits
• Counseling on proper documentation, including missing/damaged business and financial records
• Single and multiple adjusters

Personnel Issues

Even businesses with well-developed emergency policies will face many questions related to employee leave and safety during the recovery. Adams and Reese’s labor and employment team has advised clients on issues such as:

• Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) coverage
• Military (including National Guard) leave
• Employee First Responders
• 401(s) hardship loans
• Unemployment compensation
• OSHA considerations
• Plant closures

Construction Matters

As companies repair and replace property, Adams and Reese has assisted businesses with all types of construction and real estate matters and has a unique experience—some of it first-hand—with the rebuilding process following weather events. We advise on:

• Construction contracts
• Federal and State Construction Programs
• Elevation and repair work
• Warranty Issues
• Construction Defect
• Professional Liability Issues (Engineers and Architects)
• Zoning and Land-Use

Maritime Concerns

There are many news reports of vessels breaking free in the Gulf, around Port Fourchon, and on the Mississippi River. Our team has extensive experience with hurricane-related maritime issues, including handling breakaways, collisions, allisions, property damage, pollution, salvage, wreck and removal, and all related insurance claims. We are also familiar with coordinating with the U.S. Coast Guard, BSEE, NTSB, and other federal and state agencies involved in responding to maritime issues. We can handle:

• Disaster response
• Investigations
• Insurance claims
• Federal and state government reporting
• Third-party damage
• Crew issues