Energy company changed wrong meter, left without gas for over a month, making a claim

schar10

A different company from mine came out to switch a neighbours meter to a prepaid and changed mine. I was left without gas for over a month, my company wouldn't come out and find out why my gas was gone so it took a long time to be discovered. I am a disabled woman, I recently lost my father and I also have Ocd, this lack of heating and hot water caused me serious mental distress and physical harm. The energy company that caused me this misery have offered me 750 pounds and admit full liability, I think that's pathetic after what they put me through and am looking at suing them. I can't find any similar cases online and wondered if anyone here knew of any, or what sum they were settled for? Thank you

matelodave

£750 is a lot of money for your "inconvenience" - you could easlily lose that and end up with a ginormous legal bill if you tried to sue and lost. I'd suggest that rather than being greedy you'd be best advised to take it.

The alternative is to go and see a solicitor and see what they have to say.

Others may have a different opinion, but £750 in the hand is better than an uncertain outcome with all the attendant aggravation.

schar10

My "inconvenience" almost ended up with me being admitted and rehoming my dog. But thanks for belittling it. they've already asked me what I think is fair suggesting thy are willing to pay more, so I am just asking about similar cases.

MovingForwards

Their offer is based on what happened, not what could have or almost did. 
You've also posted in the LPG and other alternative fuels, the gas / electric section is a little bit further down the forum.

Reed_Richards

I suggest you seek help from the Citizens Advice Bureau.  If you are fortunate they might be able to help you draft a letter indicating why you think £750 is insufficient compensation.  Failing that you may need to pay a solicitor to do the same job.

      

rp1974

OP given your circumstances are you on the Priority Service Register?.
If your not I think you might find it helpful to be on it going forward.
As regards to what happened which was entirely unacceptable,the £750 seems a resonable amount to be honest.
Contact CAB to advise beforehand if your prepared to risk that for more,or potentially nothing.
Don't answer if you don't wish to,how much would you feel is acceptable?.

Hasbeen

Perhaps posting on the correct forum will get you more advice link to   Energy 

However: 

In my opinion £750 Compo is good amount for your inconvenience. 

Serious mental distress and "Physical harm??"  and for things that almost happening?

As above ensure you are on the Priority Service Register with your company.

You can take advice from CAB.  And for also sending a reply outlining why you feel £750 is inadequate for your circumstances.

Myself personally, I would ask for a £1000, nice round number. And see what they say? Good Luck!

Reed_Richards

If your household insurance covered you for accidental disconnection of gas supply then you might have been offered a stay in a hotel (with your dog in kennels) until it was fixed.  That, had it happened, would surely have cost a lot more than £750.  But I think it is best to seek legal advice, free if you can get it.    

matelodave

Lack of gas may be a big inconvenience, but nowadays most house have leccy, so a heating wouldn't have been a problem, possibly cooking would have been if the OP only had a gas ccokker but not impossible with an electric hotplate. Same with hotwater, if there's a hot water tank then an immersion heater would keep that hot and even without an electric kettle would have helped.

The extra cost of purchasing a couple of heaters and using electricity wouldn't have come anywhere close to £750 over a month or so so why would there have been any need to put the dog into kennels. As the OP didn't actually go to a hotel or put the dog in kennels then there cannot be a claim for compenstion for a cost that was not incurred.

TBH the ongoing compenstion culture for inconvenience and "hurt feelings" is getting a bit out of hand- just my opinion you understand but this sounds a bit like trying to milk it.

Reed_Richards

I lived for 20 years in a house with a gas boiler, a hot water tank but no immersion heater.  We had some disruptive adjustments made to our heating system last December and, trust me, lack of hot water gets very trying very quickly.  Having one or two rooms warm but the rest of the house cold is not very pleasant either.  If the OP had to put up with this for a month in winter then she has my sympathies.