Lifting the Gloom for Flooding Victims
Residents in Hounslow, West London, are facing
devastation after flood waters inundated their homes on
12th August. Many properties were flooded after a
major water main burst, causing significant damage. What
should the residents do to minimise the disruption
caused?
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The first instinct is to move possessions out
of the water. However, if there is any possibility the flood
waters have been contaminated with raw sewage, residents should
avoid going into the water and should leave possessions affected by
the water alone.
If residents are insured they should contact
their insurer right away. The insurance company will send
loss adjustors to the property to assess the damage and confirm
what may be capable of being saved and what needs to be
replaced. Residents may also be entitled to be placed in
alternative accommodation whilst repair works are carried out to
the property. It may be some time before they can return to
their property. If flood waters have entered the building,
this will need to be completely dried out before repair work can
start, a process that can take several weeks.
Even if residents are insured, there may be
some expenses that won’t be recovered from the insurance
company. There will also be a significant level of disruption
and inconvenience caused over the next few weeks and months whilst
repairs are carried out and residents may be entitled to
compensation for this.
If you have been affected by this or any other
flooding, Hugh James can help. Hugh James also act for Hounslow
residents in relation to claims against Thames Water concerning the
Mogden Sewage Treatment Works. We can advise you on your
rights and we can also arrange for a claim to be submitted on your
behalf, to recover compensation for the losses and distress
suffered as a result of the flood.
For further information contact Simon
Ellis, the Partner in charge of flooding recovery claims.