If you find out it was damaged by the utility company supplying electricity to your home, you might expect them to pay for the damages. It’s why a lot of people are frustrated when CenterPoint Energy denies claims to pay up.
KPRC 2 Investigates : CenterPoint power issue causes damage to homes. Why won't CenterPoint pay for the damage done? Investigator Amy Davis is looking into your rights and what all homeowners should know about issues caused by utility companies.
2 Harris County men arrested for throwing rocks through passing car’s windshield for apparent social media trend Read full article: 2 Harris County men arrested for throwing rocks through passing car’s windshield for apparent social media trendHistoric July Fourth flooding dramatically improves drought conditions across the Texas Hill CountryJury deliberations underway for father accused of murdering son, dumping his body on side of I-10Paying to replace or repair a major appliance is not cheap. If you find out it was damaged by the utility company supplying electricity to your home, you might expect them to pay for the damages. It’s why a lot of people are frustrated when CenterPoint Energy denies claims to pay up.KPRC 2 Investigative reporter Amy Davis explains your rights and what you can do to increase your chances of getting your money back. Multiple residents in Pearland’s Shadow Creek Ranch subdivision experienced mysterious electrical issues over a week in June, leading to thousands of dollars in damages. It was like their homes were haunted by a very expensive ghost.For Theresa Touchette, the problems became apparent at night. “We would be lying in bed, and the fan would just start going 100 miles an hour,” she said.“The first one that was on there blew out. We purchased another one. That one blew out,” Touchette said. The financial impact hit homeowners hard. Latson’s repairs reached $1,200, while Williams faced $4,000 in damages. “I can’t afford another $2,000,” Touchette said. Throughout the neighborhood, air conditioning units failed, circuits malfunctioned, garage door motors stopped working, and sprinkler systems broke down.The scattered incidents remained unconnected until one Saturday night, when multiple residents noticed a more serious development. They began smelling burning wires, prompting calls to the Pearland Fire Department. Firefighters who responded directed the homeowners to contact CenterPoint Energy. When CenterPoint crews investigated, they identified a shortage in a transformer as the source of the problem. “The law, unfortunately, is on their side. CenterPoint is regulated very heavily by what they can charge us. In exchange for that, they’re immune from a lot of lawsuits,” said Buzbee. Buzbee has two current lawsuits against CenterPoint. One for the 2021 freeze when 54 people died with no electricity in the frigid temperatures. He’s also representing Houston area restaurant owners in a class action against CenterPoint for the sustained power outages after Hurricane Beryl. The company operates under a state agreement called a tariff that typically protects it from liability for damages to customers’ private property. However, Buzbee notes that this immunity has limits: “If you’re grossly negligent, then you can be liable.”CenterPoint eventually provided partial reimbursements after continued pressure from homeowners and after KPRC 2 Investigates kept asking questions. None of the residents received full compensation for their damages.When asked about their claims process and reimbursement criteria, CenterPoint declined to provide specific details.If you do try to get reimbursed from CenterPoint for damages to your property, some things will increase your chances of getting any help.Installing surge protectors for major appliances and electronics “The cards are stacked against you. But that’s not to say you shouldn’t try,” Buzbee advises affected homeowners.Adrian Montes is an investigative photojournalist at KPRC 2 in Houston. He has worked on major projects, including "The Evidence Room," a true crime docuseries. His work focuses on creating visual content for news stories and investigative reports.
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