Georgia Power Accused of Negligence in Wrongful Death Suit

The treatments for cancer or other serious illnesses can be harsh on a patient’s body and can be difficult to recover from. Sometimes, these treatments can even cause permanent damage. Depending on the illness and the treatment, patients may be permanently reliant on things like oxygen tanks or other healthcare equipment. When this equipment is compromised, the results may be deadly, as was the case for a Georgia woman whose power was turned off despite her efforts and the efforts of her family and her doctors to keep the power on. After her death, a wrongful death suit was filed against Georgia Power, claiming negligence.

A woman was recovering from cancer treatment and required oxygen in her home when the power was cut off. Paramedics were dispatched to her home and confirmed that she had suffered acute respiratory failure as well as low oxygen in her blood and tissue. She was unable to recover and died two days later. The woman had been dependent on disability and social security and had fallen behind on her payments.

When the power company called to inform the woman that her power would be cut off, her son asked for an extension on medical grounds. The family also sent the power company letters from her doctor stating that she relied on these machines. In addition to the letter sent by the family, the Atlanta Cancer Center also faxed a letter to the power company asking that the power not to be cut off.

The power company is said to have acknowledged that they received these letters, but the power to the property was still cut off. They claimed that it was because the bill was listed under the name of the woman’s son. The family claims that the company was negligent and responsible for her death because they did not check the other details of the account.

Those who are recovering from treatment may be just as vulnerable as those who are ill. Georgia families whose loved ones have died as a result of another person or party’s negligence may wish to consult with an attorney about filing a wrongful death suit. The victim’s family may be entitled to compensation for funeral costs or other damages.