her power bill was over due, now her family want compensation??? I am trying to get my head around this because it sounds like the family are blaming the power company. Of course there is grief and the family need someone to blame but i would like to know what people think
2007-05-29 18:29:41 · 8 answers · asked by fixrupr f 2 in News & Events ➔ Current Events
the family were given notices about the power being over due as with any late bill. But from the news report they made no attmepts to contact the company and sort out alternative payment. When the man came to cut the power off they tried to explain but he probably hears that all the time when he goes to cut the power off. he asked to see a medical certificate to prove it but they didnt have one. My feeling is that it wouldnt take much to knock on a neighbours door and ask to use the power until the whole thing gets sorted. I think both sides are at fault. the woman didnt need to die if someone actually thought about it
2007-05-29 20:49:32 · update #1
Did they try to work out a payment plan ? Why didn't the family pay the bill for her ? Why in case of a power outage that could have occured for other reasons wasn't there a backup generator ? Why is this the power companies fault ? The woman's death is sad but years ago before oxygen machines she would have already been dead. The event happened in New Zealand and their laws aren't the same as here. The family should be ashamed to have let it get to a cut off stage.
2007-05-29 19:03:50 · answer #1 · answered by John S 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I think it was absolute stupidity by the company. I think because it's a major company they didn't take the effort to say and figure out how they could repay the money. Really can a power bill be worth a persons life. The company itself said they have rules in those circumstances to not turn the power off so why did they. I also had to laugh when they said that they turned it back on to make it easier for the family. It would have been easier if they had left the power on. Supidity - absolute stupidity. I'd be suing the company myself but it will never bring the person back - it would make the company suffer though.
2007-05-29 18:38:03 · answer #2 · answered by gretphemelger 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My own mother was on an electric oxygen machine and I remember all too well how expensive it was to run. My power bill almost tripled during the months that she lived with me. That might have had something to do with the family's inability to keep up with the overdue power bill.
That said, I have a couple of issues with this case. They are, in particular order:
1. I understand that the technician sent to disconnect the power had a "job to do" but I'm at a loss as to why he would feel that he needed to be so militant about it as to not call in to his dispatcher for advice when faced with a woman who had an oxygen hose attached to her face. This man was not with the Iraqi police...he worked for the power company for crying out loud...his was not to "do or die."
2. Why was a woman who was so dependent upon an oxygen machine NOT afforded a battery operated machine? My mother had several of these, in various sizes for those times when she left the house. If this woman's health was in such a state that she would be dead after only two hours, I don't really understand why she was at her home without a backup source of oxygen at all.
3. And finally, why didn't her family, upon seeing that she was in distress after only a short while without her oxygen machine, seek help for her other than to call an ambulance after she was dead?
To be fair, the power company has some 'splaining to do and, perhaps, a large settlement to pay. But there are a few more people who should be answering questions as well, don't you agree?
2007-05-31 00:52:45 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Its sad to hear this news. This tragedy must be avoided or there will be a repeat. Is it because of the billing system in computerization of the utility company? This is one of the setback . I don't think the present system is good or fair to the consumer. The utility company should be accounted for this kind of unexpected mishaps . There is a case for the family concern......... I 've read the news and I'm shock to know its not the billing system but the utility personal did go person ally and decided to cut the power supply. This is manslaughter what ever the reason is. Cruelty at its ugliest side of man.
2007-05-29 18:50:56 · answer #4 · answered by Kingdomchild07 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It has happened in the US also. In most places it is illegal to turn off power to someone who needs it to live. If our society can't pay for power for someone to breathe we are in a sad state of affairs, especially considering how much we spend to kill people.
Her family should sue and get millions. That is the only way to change things. True her family was derelict or they would have known her situation but it is still a travesty that must be prevented in the future.
2007-05-29 18:40:30 · answer #5 · answered by lcmcpa 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The family will have good case if they can prove the power company did not give adequate warning.
2007-05-29 18:59:18 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
i think it would be the fmailies fault.. if they were relaly concerned they should have contacted someone to help them through their "tough time" they shouldn't be blaming the power company because that is what they do and they cant control if their job kills someone.. they were doing their job.
2007-05-29 18:38:40 · answer #7 · answered by Untied Shoes 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I think if you live in New Zealand and your life depends on electricity you better pay your bill.
2007-05-29 18:54:41 · answer #8 · answered by Mister Bald 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋