Lawyer Finds Sandy's Silver Linings

For Tracey Discepolo, the key to getting past Sandy was discovering silver linings.

The Massapequa resident was left homeless in the aftermath of the storm and also faced career adversity, having just started her own law practice.

But she ended helping dozens of people while coming away with a brand new job.

A year ago, Discepolo was whether she should abandon her Merrick Road home as the storm struck.

"At high tide, around 10 a.m. the water was already up to the bulkhead, She said. "At that point, I knew it would not be prudent to stay so I packed up my kids."

Discepolo left her husband to try to salvage the apartment, but the floodwaters were too much.

"It went to the ceiling of our basement," she said. "Everything in our basement was all destroyed. Our living room got about two feet in it and the rest of the first floor  got between six inches to a foot of water."

Her home needed to be rebuilt and her husband and family were forced to relocate to a facility in Bellmore that once served as a home for battered women.

"It was difficult living in a 500 square foot apartment with a chocolate labrador, a rag doll cat, two children and two adults," Discepolo said.

It was a difficult time, but the family showed they were up to the task.

"We really lived on considerably less than we're used to living on and it ended up being all right," Discepolo said. "I made me reflect on the amount of unnecessary waste and spending. Throwing everything out, the day after the storm, makes you realize, 'Why am I working and accumulating all this stuff?''

She also had to rethink her career. After working in the insurance industry and becoming a lawyer, Desipolo had decided to try to practice special education law, starting her own practice. 

Discepolo had saved a years salary to use while she pursued her dream, but now she had to use the money to pay contractors while she wrestled with government agencies to be reimbursed for repairs.

Despite being a lawyer with an insurance background and having a husband who is a financial planner, Discepolo still had problems getting the money for her claim.

"They kept dropping the ball on it," she said, saying  there were issues with agencies communicating with each other.

In the meantime, Discepolo decided to use her law and insurance background to lend a hand to those in need.

"I read  something about the Nassau County Bar Association gearing up to hold free clinics.," she said.

Even though she wasn't a member, Discepolo signed on and began attending clinics.

She felt fight at home. "The first time I did one, a woman came who'd just switched her homeowners insurance.  The agent did some unscrupulous things to get the business moved over. As a result the policy was canceled the day before the storm."

Discepolo was able to fix the problem with a few phone calls. "All I really had to say was , 'Do you really want this headline risk?'" The policy was reinstated and Discepolo went on to help 60 to 80 people.

For those who are still experiencing legal issues one year later, Discepolo recommends that they contact the Nassau Bar Association, which is still running clinics. They also have a lawyer referral service.

For those who may still be having trouble putting together a claim. she suggests going to a public adjustor, who will put together, a claim for a fee, usually a percentage of what's reimbursed.

While her personal process is still ongoing. Her family has returned home and Discpolo has been rehired by a former employer.

She may be back at someone else's firm, but they have a pro bono department and she's been accepted to take over a special education case.

"Im waiting for my first case, Discepolo said. "So there are silver linings throughout. I couldn't have asked for a better outcome. My family is here safe and we're going to be OK."