Thousands of homeowners in coastal Texas communities who were devastated by Hurricane Ike in September 2008 have unleashed a fierce storm of their own on area courthouses. In recent weeks, hundreds Ike-related lawsuits were filed in courthouses in Houston and Beaumont, prompting court officials earlier this year to consolidate the claims into a multidistrict litigation (MDL) panel, according to a report in the Southeast Texas Record. In all, officials estimate there are currently more than 1,500 lawsuits filed regarding Hurricane Ike damages.
As part of the MDL, the consolidated claims will be heard collectively and possibly tried together if the parties cannot reach settlements or other dispositions before trial. In addition to promoting fair and equitable handling of the thousands of cases, the MDL process saves taxpayers money by streamlining pre-trial hearings and rulings on matters such as expert witnesses and other trial matters.
The lawsuits are based on homeowners’ claims that various insurance providers failed to pay for hurricane-related claims, the Record said. Frustrated policy holders who submitted claims for repairs to their homes say they have been left high and dry, without needed cash to begin or complete necessary repairs.
Excerpted from attorneyatlaw.com.
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