Asian-American Riot Victims to File Compensation Claims

More than 1,000 Korean- and Chinese-Americans will be filing administrative claims this week for damages or injuries related to the April-May riots.

A coalition of community groups, civil rights organizations and law firms--with volunteers at two temporary offices in Mid-Wilshire and another in Chinatown--have been helping victims complete the forms, which are a necessary step in seeking compensation from city, county and state governments.

The filing of an administrative claim within 180 days of an incident also preserves a victim’s right to file a lawsuit against state or local governments, said Jeffrey Ko of Ko and Adsit, one of the firms providing assistance.

Shane Nejad, a law clerk with Ko’s firm who volunteered at one of offices, said victims filed claims for personal property losses, economic losses and personal injuries. “At some of the swap meet stores, looters stole everything,” he said.

Because each victim could file more than one claim, there could be as many as 3,000 claims submitted this week, Ko said. Responses from the various government entities on the claims are required within 45 days of the filing, he said.

Information: (213) 748-2022.