In answer to your question: What steps should I take with the law firm? I think you're done with ABC since they're obviously done with you. Of course the law firm will tell you to stop calling and not provide you info that you need to file a claim against their insurance, hoping you'll just go away. But you wrote: The signing order stated that I was being "hired" to serve as the law firm's "representative" and that I was not to refer to myself as "just a notary," but a "local representative of ABC Law Firm."
So it looks to me that both the SS and ABC law firm are in cahoots with each other and can't have it both ways. It says in writing you are representing ABC (through the SS), but when things go south, all of a sudden they're sorry but are unable to assist? And nobody's liable? That's what they'd like you to think. In any case, I'd do exactly what Linda advised, esp. the part of finding a good attorney who sure as heck will find out the insurance carrier of the law firm that "hired" you and whom you "represented," as well as that of the SS who knew darn well that you were "hired" and were a "representative." Admittedly, I don't know who's liable in a rental - the renter or the property owner. I'm sure this is a slam dunk for people in the know about insurance. Property that's inherently dangerous, as this certainly was, is a lawsuit waiting to happen. IMO.
Just be sure you get a reputable attorney who collects when you collect (as Linda said).
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