Legal Fees needed. City, Insurance, Real Estate Failures.

Lawyer needed - Insurance Failure - Real Estate Failure & More!

Hi everyone! My name is Jordan and I am starting this fundraiser for my sister Leann Dick. She has always been the first person to step up to help me, and many others, during a time of need and now I want to do the same thing for her. She has been a pillar of the Hamilton business community for nearly 20 years employing over 50 people over the years at her Salon and Spa on Upper Ottawa St. She recently purchased a home just outside of the city and planned on making it her forever home with all the space she needed for her beloved animals, 12 in total.

On April 2nd, 2025, severe rain and snow accumulated throughout the day, slowly filling the culverts and ditches surrounding her property. Those culverts and ditches surrounding her property failed due to lack of upkeep by the City of Hamilton. Because of the poor upkeep, a small river formed, which began flowing over the street, into her driveway, around the sides of her house, and eventually pouring through her front door and into the basement of her home, causing catastrophic damage.

Due to the severity of the flooding, the fire department was called to disconnect the power and gas to the home for safety reasons. She worked throughout the night, making sure anything requiring power was placed above water levels and she feverishly pumped out the water and mud mixture from the basement. Unfortunately, over $70,000 worth of personal items and furniture were destroyed and the entire basement level will eventually need to be gutted and inspected for mold and severe water damage. She reached out to her insurance company, multiple times, to inform them of what had taken place, knowing the damages would be covered under her policy. Or so she thought.

When starting the claim and speaking with her broker and adjuster, both insurance professionals stated overland water was not covered on her policy. This was ALWAYS covered and included in her previous policies and was supposed to be the same for her new home. The broker explained that THEY HAD MADE AN ERROR and it would be rectified immediately. Next day, she was informed that overland water could not be covered at her new home due to the property being on a floodplain. This was information that was NOT disclosed when she first toured the home with the real estate agents and it was never mentioned in any documentation leading up to the sale of the home. If this information was presented, it would have meant that she would have never purchased the home knowing there would be a potential for flooding and water damage. What was the insurance companies response? They dropped her as a client and refuse to cover any of her losses and damages to her home.

While finding out all of this information about her insurance policy, she wrote an email to the city to tell them about the infrastructure failures around her property that could have prevented this disaster if they were maintained. All the ditches and culverts surrounding the area, that are supposed to deal with water runoff, are full of sediment and overgrown bushes. Capacity is easily down to 25-30% of what it should be. This is why her street flooded in the first place. She has had professional graders come out to confirm this. The response from the city was that there have been several floods at the location over the last 2 decades and a study done of the area deemed it a natural floodplain. Therefore the city claims no responsibility despite the failed city infrastructure.

All of the above is what prompted my sister to reach out and discuss what happened with CHCH11, a local media source, an interview which many have already seen. This is also a reason to attempt this fundraiser. Leann has a very long road ahead of her with legal battles and litigation. If she has any hope of justice being served, it means a lot of money will be required for lawyers. She has contacted several and they are requesting a $7,500 deposit just to have a first meeting. She had gone without a furnace, washer, and dryer for almost two weeks due to lack of funds available, never mind the legal battle she faces. Fortunately, some individuals have already stepped up to help with a furnace, washer, and dryer.

Please join me in giving help to a very deserving person in her time of need. She is someone who has always put others first in their times of need and I am hoping we can do the same for her! My goal here is to raise 30K for legal fees. These funds will help her get started with the legal process, as well as holding those at fault accountable. Everyone should have fair access to justice, not just the rich who can afford the lawyers.

Thank you for taking the time to read this and I appreciate any help you can offer!

Sincerely, Jordan