Free Legal Aid Offered To Those Affected By Gas Explosions

Aftermath Of Merrimack Valley Fires And Gas Explosions — LAWRENCE, MA - SEPTEMBER 19: Columbia Gas workers worked on pipes off of Parker Street in South Lawrence, MA on Sep. 19, 2018. Columbia Gas said Thursday that restoration of gas service across the Merrimack Valley could take several months, a dark new prediction for local business owners and residents as frustrations continue to grow with the company amid uncertainty over the future. More than 8,600 gas customers could go without service entering the winter months, as Columbia Gas finalizes plans to replace the 48-mile cast-iron pipeline system in those areas following the fires and gas explosions that rocked communities in North Andover, Andover, and Lawrence the previous week.

By Katie Lannan | State House News Service

December 02, 2019

Ahead of a Jan. 9 deadline to submit claims related to a proposed Columbia Gas settlement, the law firm Ropes and Gray and Lawyers for Civil Rights on Monday announced a new partnership to provide free legal help to small businesses in Lawrence affected by the Sept. 2018 natural gas explosions.

According to Lawyers for Civil Rights, hundreds of minority- and immigrant-owned small businesses "suffered devastating loses" from the explosion and fires. Priya Lane, the director of Lawyers for Civil Rights' BizGrow small business project, said many businesses are "scrambling" to submit their claims by next month's deadline.

"Our clients are small businesses that do not have the working capital to recover from a catastrophe of this nature," Lane said in a statement. "Not only have they sustained structural damage, but there is ongoing construction surrounding the buildings which dramatically reduces their ongoing ability to maintain regular clients and attract new ones."

Elizabeth Reza, the Ropes and Gray partner leading the effort, said the legal team is already working with "numerous" small businesses to prepare claims. "Helping get the small business community back on track is an essential part of recovery, particularly for communities of color, and we are proud to be a part of that effort," she said.

Affected business owners can contact Lane at Plane@lawyersforcivilrights.org.