St. Louis law firm aids tornado victims in filing insurance claims

ST. LOUIS — Storm victims are looking to insurance companies to step up. Meanwhile, a local law firm is doing just that.

5 On Your Side’s Annie Krall was in The Ville neighborhood speaking to homeowners heartbroken by the destruction.

“It’s sadness and it hurts but I thank God I’m living,” homeowner Rita Henderson said

Henderson, 86, or “Miss Henderson” as she’s known on this stretch of Cottage Avenue is considered a neighborhood treasure. She’s lived in her home for more than fifty years. 

However, it’s been ripped apart. 

“I hate to leave here because I always said when I leave here, I’m going to be dead when I leave here because it’s going to be my last resort,” Henderson said. 

Now comes the task of rebuilding The Ville neighborhood. 

Personal injury lawyer Roland Swanson Jr. grew up down the street and said he had to do something after Friday’s tornado.

“What else could you look for, in a time to come back and help?” Swanson said.

Swanson’s firm is giving free consultation to any tornado victims to help file claims correctly. 

Related: St. Louis storm recovery: Where to get help and how to give back

Henderson’s son Don lives less than a block away.

His home? It’s destroyed.

His sister Burnetta Ketchum lives next door. The front of her house is fine, but the kitchen and bedroom had the roof ripped off by the high-speed winds. 

“The rafters up there, I’m not sure yet,” Ketchum said. “Somebody has to come out and look at it. But I’m hoping nothing else falls. That’s all I’m hoping.”

The family also hopes insurance can help as quickly as possible.

“It doesn’t necessarily mean that the amounts you receive will be enough on their own,” Swanson said. 

Yet, with downed power lines still on the road on Monday, having no electricity in any of the surrounding homes makes filing an insurance claim online or even over the phone that much more difficult.

“If I can just get some help to get it done, I can save the rest of the house,” Ketchum said.

Which is why Swanson has some pointers. 

“Certainly, take photographs,” Swanson said. “You want to document all of the damage. To the best of your ability, also think about the things that were inside the home. You can start determining the value of the loss.”

If you’d like to contact The Swanson Law Firm directly, you can reach them at 314-492-2380. Or you can visit their website by clicking here.