If you live in Texas, your answer is probably yes. The Ice storm caused more issues than just below freezing temperatures. Many Texas residents suffered property damage, including busted pipes or leaks in their homes. Have you suffered injury, illness, or property damage as a result of the storm that you’ve had to pay for? You may be eligible to file a lawsuit to obtain compensation for your losses. But where do you even start?
Mass Tort Alliance can help. You need a knowledgeable and trustworthy Ice Storm attorney who can take on your case and help you meet your goals. Finding the right attorney to help you with this unusual situation can seem like a daunting task, but we offer a free initial consultation. We can go over your case with you and discuss the best course of action for you to take.
The Ice Storms of Texas, which were endured by nearly all of Texas for an extended period of time, have brought some difficult times for many throughout the states. Texas and its residents are not meant for cold weather, or at least not like what occurred in February of this year. Winter Storm Uri blasted in with snow, sleet, ice, and gruelingly frigid temperatures. As a result, residents were without electricity, water, and heat. The worry of property damage or physical injury can feel like a lot to handle.
You made it through the difficulty of 2020 and encountered yet another difficult situation soon after. Lawsuits have begun to be filed, and frankly, residents want someone to be held responsible for the numerous issues that resulted during and after Winter Storm Uri. Here at Mass Tort Alliance, we have the know-how to handle your case for you and take the burden off your shoulders.
The Texas Attorney General filed a lawsuit against Griddy Energy due to the company being ‘misleading and deceptive.’ An investigation has been opened to look into Deceptive Trade Practices Act (DPTA) violations. The Act prohibits a company from materially misrepresenting the cost or character of their services. If a company sells or contracts to sell a service or product, they may not make false claims to the buyer or consumer. Griddy, and potentially some other energy providers, enrolled consumers into an energy plan that was not what is was advertised to be. This misleading behavior cost many residents thousands of dollars.
If you are a consumer that was affected by Griddy or another energy provider, and you paid substantially more money for what turned out to be no service at all during Winter Storm Uri, you may be eligible to file for compensation. A knowledgeable Ice Storm attorney can look at your case and determine whether you have a viable claim.
Price gouging occurs when a seller increases the price of services or goods at an unreasonable rate. Price gouging is a crime when you are taking advantage of people suffering due to a natural disaster. The Texas Attorney General has filed a case against La Quinta Brook City Base in San Antonio for taking advantage of San Antonio residents who were without heat or power on some of the coldest days of Winter Storm Uri.
The lawsuit includes claims that LaQuinta BCB charged unreasonably high prices for rooms: up to three times the normal rate. Charging rates like this during a natural disaster is not only inappropriate. It is also illegal. Texans who believe they have been the victim of price gouging should file a complaint with the Texas Attorney General’s office. In addition, you may be able to seek civil damages by contacting an Ice Storm attorney with Mass Tort Alliance who can help.
Attorney General Paxton said, “This gross exploitation of Texans in dire need of shelter during historic low temperatures will not be tolerated.” He continues by saying, “Companies looking to profit from this tragic event that left millions of Texans without power or water will be aggressively investigated and prosecuted.”
The case filed against Everyoung Hopsitality, LLC in Bexar County was filed by Attorney General Paxton on March 18, 2021. Applying price gouging practices against those individuals who are escaping a disaster and seeking shelter is in violation of the Texas DTPA. If you have been the victim of price gouging, or feel you have a DTPA claim, contact us, and an Ice Storm attorney can get started on your case right away.
This one is a hot topic. What did ERCOT do wrong? How were they responsible for the “rolling blackouts”? ERCOT is Texas’s main power grid system. During the Texas Ice Storm caused by Winter Storm Uri, approximately 69% of Texans lost power between February 14-20, 2021. Some of those residents lost power for an average of 42 hours. The death toll from Winter Storm Uri is 111, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services.
The Texas independent power system was deregulated in 1999 when then-governor George W. Bush signed a law that ultimately handed over control of the power grid to private power companies and energy retailers. The Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUC) regulates the state’s water and sewer, electric, and telecommunication utilities. PUC also implements legislation for each utility.
PUC’s mission statement is to “protect customers, foster competition, and promote high quality infrastructure.” Clearly, this mission failed during the Ice Storms Texas endured earlier this year. Only integrated electric utilities outside of the ERCOT power grid remain fully regulated by the PUC. ERCOT’s website declares that it is “subject to oversight” by PUC and the Texas legislature but is governed by a board of directors.
ERCOT stands for the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, which “manages the flow of electric power to more than 26 million Texas customers.” This number is approximately 90% of the state’s entire electric load. ERCOT is the independent system operator for the region. According to the ERCOT website, they are a “membership-based 501-3(c)(4) nonprofit corporation.”
Most Texas residents would agree that the power supply failed during Winter Storm Uri. Residents were under-prepared for the weather itself but completely blindsided by the cold reality of having no power for days. Those responsible should be held accountable for the losses their customers suffered through no fault of their own. Here at Mass Tort Alliance, our Ice Storm attorneys can help you. Take the quiz to be matched with the right attorney to help with your specific issue.
At Mass Tort Alliance, we are a group of attorneys, strong in numbers and ready to help you find the right resolution to your case. Were you one of the millions who lost power? Did you suffer property damage to your home? Did you suffer a loss caused by Winter Storm Uri? If you have answered yes to any of the questions, or if you have been impacted by the Ice Storm and suffered damages as a result, contact us.
Many people across Texas are filing lawsuits to pursue compensation for losses they suffered in Winter Storm Uri. Some are filing against ERCOT. Some are filing against Griddy. Others are filing cases that have to do with price gouging, and some are filing wrongful death suits for the loss of their loved ones against those companies that left their loved ones in dangerous situations. If you have suffered a loss, you’re entitled to high-quality legal representation so that you can pursue recovery of your damages.
Mass Tort Alliance’s lawyers are experienced in mass tort actions. We know how to initiate your claim and lawsuit, investigate and find all available supporting evidence to strengthen your claims, and they know how to take cases to court and win. We are excellent negotiators, and we don’t back down. We have your interests at heart and will strive for the outcome that meets your needs. We pride ourselves on our service. You will find that we:
You will not have to wait to talk with us or sit around waiting for days for a return call. Our staff works round the clock, so you can always speak to someone about your case.
Our lawyers take the time to know each client, taking care to get the specifics of each case. We know no two cases or clients are alike, and we want to be sure you get the care and compassion you need while we focus on meeting your legal goals with the right strategy.
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Don’t wait another minute. If the aftermath of Winter Storm Uri has left you feeling hopeless, helpless, or just plain angry over losses you’ve suffered, contact Mass Tort Alliance today. Let us carry the burden of launching your legal case for you. You’re not alone.