NZ : Woman on oxygen dies after power cut

[Heibges]

Originally Posted by The Avon Lady

If you read the original article, it says that the technician was told by the family when he came to disconnect the electricity about their mother's dependence. How clear this message was to the technician is what's important. Orders from HQ are no excuse if the consequences were that obvious.

Now it's a question of what exactly were the circumstances here.

Yep, the Nuremburg Defense has been soundly rejected many times.

[TteFAboB]

Originally Posted by FIREWALL

The familys story has a lot of holes in it.

Indeed, it's quite odd. Didn't she had any neighbors? If my neighbor depended on the power line to live and her electricity was about to get cut I'd get her an extension or invite her to live in my house untill things got sorted out. I'd do even more if it were a member of my family. Bizzare.

[FIREWALL]

Originally Posted by TteFAboB

Indeed, it's quite odd. Didn't she had any neighbors? If my neighbor depended on the power line to live and her electricity was about to get cut I'd get her an extension or invite her to live in my house untill things got sorted out. I'd do even more if it were a member of my family. Bizzare.

You are so right. As it's been told the family was there. They didn't do anything. Very Strange.:hmm:

[The Avon Lady]

Bah! I can never find the extension cord when I need it. Happens to everybody.

[kiwi_2005]

Originally Posted by TteFAboB

Indeed, it's quite odd. Didn't she had any neighbors? If my neighbor depended on the power line to live and her electricity was about to get cut I'd get her an extension or invite her to live in my house untill things got sorted out. I'd do even more if it were a member of my family. Bizzare.

Yes theirs discussions going on about this in kiwi forums, one is the power company will not turn of your power if you have a member that depends on it to survive but providing you prove to the company you have a sick member in the family - like a doctors statement.
Another power company came forward and said their options are all you have to do is ring to tell them and they will cancel the disconnection, then check up on it later.

I find it weird too why they did not take their mother straight over to the neighbours.:hmm: or rushed her to the hospital told them their situation, they would of hooked her up to a machine straight away...

[bookworm_020]

I woder why the family didn't tell the power company that she relied on the power conection to live? Why didn't they seek help for her? Why didn't she ask neigbours for assistance? Why didn't she ring for an abulance straight away?:hmm:

I think the family has some questions to answer. The power company could have been a bit more flexable, and a call to the place beforehand to let her know that she need to pay wouldn't have cost much. My power company did that when I didn't receive a bill, they didn't even charge me for it being overdue, they sent it to the wrong address!

This doesn't give much credit to either side, both are equal in blame for this.

[Jimbuna]

Originally Posted by bookworm_020

I woder why the family didn't tell the power company that she relied on the power conection to live? Why didn't they seek help for her? Why didn't she ask neigbours for assistance? Why didn't she ring for an abulance straight away?:hmm:

I think the family has some questions to answer. The power company could have been a bit more flexable, and a call to the place beforehand to let her know that she need to pay wouldn't have cost much. My power company did that when I didn't receive a bill, they didn't even charge me for it being overdue, they sent it to the wrong address!

This doesn't give much credit to either side, both are equal in blame for this.

Looking at the outcome here I would say there's a definite inequality A person on one side lost they're life

Originally Posted by jimbuna

Looking at the outcome here I would say there's a definite inequality A person on one side lost they're life

Fully agree, jimbuna.

[cobalt]

oh welllll

[Iceman]

Originally Posted by FIREWALL

The family was there?

They didn't get her any medical assistance immediatly?

They didn't call paramedics or police?

New Zealand isn't that behind the times is it?

The familys story has a lot of holes in it.

Yep ..if the family was right there and knew how serious the condition, if I were a prosecutor the family members would be in custody unfortunatley....it is not the power companies fault that people in the world are sick...what would have happened if it was out due to a storm for 2 hrs?.....again it is the familys fault.

[kiwi_2005]

Well what ive heard on the news now is the govenment might prosecute the power company (Mercury energy).

Also found out. When the power went off they did go see a neighbour but the mother did not want to be a hassle and refused to be shifted.

Other neighbours did offer assitance but she refused.

The guy who disconnected the power is devastated and seeking counselling.

Mercury Energy are being very arrogant trying to save face over the situation so the govenment is looked into it and their could be a court case over it, top heads of the company will roll.

Im with Mercury energy and never had problems with them also their power charges are very cheap. I pay approx $90 to $110 power bill each month - over here thats cheap!

I like cheap

[Jimbuna]

The power company have a duty of care and responsibility to their customers...similarly as do the family to their loved one :hmm:
But the distinction one must make here is quite simply this:
It was as a direct consequence to a material/physical act by the power company that an individual died

[bookworm_020]

Originally Posted by jimbuna

The power company have a duty of care and responsibility to their customers...similarly as do the family to their loved one :hmm:
But the distinction one must make here is quite simply this:
It was as a direct consequence to a material/physical act by the power company that an individual died

But the woman refused offers of help and assistance, as well as not informing the power company of her illness and the need to use power. This doesn't take away from the fault of the company, but the woman did contribute to the outcome.

[Iceman]

Originally Posted by jimbuna

The power company have a duty of care and responsibility to their customers...similarly as do the family to their loved one :hmm:
But the distinction one must make here is quite simply this:
It was as a direct consequence to a material/physical act by the power company that an individual died

Wake up...the power company has the responsability of the health conditions of it's customers?.....wow a solution for America's health care problem...let the power company foot the bill.Get real....Just assume the power was knocked out from a storm....that person is responsible for themselves like everyone else and I don't think we need a written warning from the power company advising us if the power goes out be prepared...this is common sense here folks....

I want recompense when I lose food in the frig from when it goes out too....amazing people really are lawsuit happy.

Caution...use electricity at own Risk! XXX...not responsible for loss of power due to storms,lack of payment, or billing errors...good grief.

[Jimbuna]

Originally Posted by bookworm_020

But the woman refused offers of help and assistance, as well as not informing the power company of her illness and the need to use power. This doesn't take away from the fault of the company, but the woman did contribute to the outcome.

That the customer was partly contributable to the act is without doubt.
What the courts will weigh up is the fact that the company knowingly committed an act which they could reasonably have foreseen as resulting in a form of depravation to the customer. Therefore they should have taken reasonable steps to enquire if the cessation of the service would have any detrimental effect on the customer.