Dear Claudienne,

I have had an issue with JPS for almost two months now. I believe unstable electricity supply from the company damaged my refrigerator.

The problem started after what sounded like a transformer exploding on April 12, 2024. The power went off and then returned. I have attached screenshots from the JPS app showing the updates on the outage.

My refrigerator has always been connected to a surge protector. Since the incident, I have engaged more than one technician and changed the compressor, but none of this has fixed the problem. I have spent approximately $60,000 trying to repair it.

I have also experienced significant spoilage of food purchased with our hard-earned money. Our quality of life has been significantly affected because we now have to go to the supermarket almost daily to purchase items or find ways to store cooked food that requires refrigeration or freezing.

I raised these concerns with the claims department at JPS, which sent a technician to investigate. The JPS technician visited on a day when I also had another technician at the house trying to repair the refrigerator. He took pictures, spoke with the technician, and left.

I have been in dialogue with Ms Valerie Mahoney from the Claims Department. She advised me that it would take 30 working days to address the matter.

In her last communication, she sent me a letter from the manager, Mr Kendis Nangle, explaining that JPS would not accept liability. The letter said the company’s investigation found that a bird had encroached on its power lines, causing the disruption, and that JPS had no control over the event.

I responded to the email saying that I was dissatisfied and wanted to speak with the manager. I have received no response, and my calls have gone unanswered. I subsequently sent an email to JPS CEO Hugh Grant outlining my distress, but I have received no response.

At this point, I am very upset and extremely distressed about the situation. The electricity supply in my community is extremely unstable, and every time the power goes or we experience low voltage, I become frantic trying to unplug appliances — even those connected to surge protectors — to make sure nothing else is damaged.

I am writing to you in the hope that JPS will fully compensate me for my refrigerator, which is only three years old and had never given me any problems before I moved to this community about five months ago. I am also seeking reimbursement for the money spent attempting to repair the refrigerator and for the food that spoiled.

I should add that we upgraded all the electrical work at our home, and it was recertified less than a year ago.

CM

Dear CM,

Tell Claudienne has been in dialogue with JPS regarding your concerns, but the company remains firm in its decision not to compensate you for the damage to your refrigerator.

JPS outlined its reasons in the letter sent to you on April 12, 2024, which stated:

“JPS’s investigations into the circumstances of your case did not disclose any negligence on the part of the company or its employees. The nature of supply is such that interruptions or fluctuations in the supply may occur from any number of reasons beyond the reasonable control of the company.

“The findings of our investigation revealed that the damage was caused by a bird that encroached on JPS’s power lines resulting in the disruption of electricity to some of our customers. The company was not responsible for and had no control over such an event.

“Consequently, while regretting your loss, JPS is unable to accept liability for the losses suffered and cannot offer the compensation claimed.

“Please be assured that you have been and will remain a valued customer of our company and we look forward to continuing to serve you as we power on Jamaica.

We wish you all the best.

Have a problem with a store, utility or company? Telephone 876-936-9436 or call/WhatsApp 876-484-1349; write to Tell Claudienne, c/o Sunday Finance, Jamaica Observer, 40-42 1/2 Beechwood Avenue, Kingston 5; or email edwardsc@jamaicaobserver.com. Please include a contact telephone number.