Dozens of flood victims learn next legal steps, push for policy changes at weekend event
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — Advocating for flood survivors politically and legally was the goal of an event held by community organization Alliance San Diego and local law firm Singleton Schreiber.
They spoke with flood survivors on their rights Saturday morning, and what they are asking of the City of San Diego.
On Saturday at Alliance San Diego’s Barrio Logan building, the room was packed with flood survivors shoulder to shoulder with stories of shared devastation.
Lorena Gurele Montes lives in Shelltown on South 42nd Street. She said the Jan. 22 flood ruined the family’s two cars, her husband’s extensive record collection, and peewee soccer equipment from her daughter’s school, Our Lady of Guadalupe.
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“We just make due. Our school is able to help us get some of that back, but it’s a good $200 worth of equipment that we have to come up with again,” Gurele Montes said.
Plus there was more loss inside her daughter’s room.
“My keyboard, because that was my favorite toy that I played in,” described Lucia Montes.
Lorena said she is now seeking to file a claim with the city over improper drain cleaning.
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“It’s not just a loss of things, it’s the community and connection that we lost,” Gurele Montes said.
“They need the assistance of attorneys and advocates in order to get that help,” commented Andrea Guerrero, the executive director of Alliance San Diego.
Alliance San Diego has teamed with law firm Singleton Schreiber for their own flood damage claim. Now both agencies are looking to help flood survivors with compensation and policy change.
“We want to see substantial investment into the channels, a commitment to regular maintenance, fixing of the storm canals that were not functioning the day of the flood,” Guerrero said.
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“The reality is, this was not the natural disaster the city has claimed it was. This was a planning disaster,” said Brett Schreiber, a founding partner of law firm Singleton Schreiber.
Schreiber said each case is individual. First they need to gather evidence, photos and videos before filing a claim with the City of San Diego and each person’s insurance.
Schreiber said they do not take any money from their client’s insurance claims. Their fee is 25% of what government entities would be entitled to pay their clients.
Schreiber said, “This is about creating litigation, legal, political strategies, that will compensate people fully. Then, even more importantly, ensure that we are not doing this again.”
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“I think that their approach to being individualized with each of us, and helping us to reclaim what we are owed as individuals is important, but with the community in mind I think is what’s most valuable to my family,” Gurele Montes said.
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