A SUFFOLK homeowner who had his electricity cut off for more than six days after the storms is hoping to sue the electricity board 24seven for £1,300 compensation.
A SUFFOLK homeowner who had his electricity cut off for more than six days after the storms is hoping to sue the electricity board 24seven for £1,300 compensation.
Jim Adams, of Upper Street, Layham, near Hadleigh, is looking for a solicitor to take up his compensation claim on a no win no fee basis.
He has received the standard £100 compensation given out to many customers who had their electricity cut off but he has since written back to the company claiming that that was just a small down-payment for the balance due to him.
"Some homes were cut off for ten days and would have got the same £100 compensation as me. If we got a solicitor I think an awful lot of people would rally round, the fact that they have offered compensation proves that they're guilty.
"For six days we ate out every night for £30 each night," said Mr Adams who lives with his wife and 22-year-old son. "We lost a freezer full of food and the fridge - all the stuff in there - we estimated that and then claimed for stress and inconvenience.
During the six days without power Mr Adams and his family had to use a camping stove and had to go to his daughter's home in Ipswich to have showers. He had to live in the house from the end of October to the beginning of November with no heating.
"It wasn't bad weather," added Mr Adams of the hurricane force winds which buffeted England on October 27. "We have had worse. When we had the big storm in 1987 our power was off for one day, so six days and five hours is over the limit."
A spokeswoman from 24seven said: "We're the only company that initiated the £100 compensation for storm payments and we have been making those payments."
She said that guarantee standards set by the standards agency can be suspended by electricity companies in exceptional circumstances.
However she said of Mr Adams' intention to sue the company: "If a customer would like to pursue it, it's their right."
She added that anybody who wanted to complain about the company could do so to the electricity market regulator Ofgem.
WEBLINKS
www.24sevennet.co.uk
www.ofgem.gov.uk
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