After extensive power outages from Hurricane Ida, Entergy is now facing a class-action lawsuit from customers. As many as 902,000 customers lost power following the storm. Juan LaFonta is one of the attorneys’ representing plaintiffs in the case.
“We’re hoping that what happens is that Entergy buries their transmission lines so we don’t have this issue in the future and we’re also trying to get this done so that people can recoup the money they lost because the electricity went down,” said LaFonta.
LaFonta said the suit is seeking to recover damages for losses that include things like food that was spoiled due to lack of power and even electrical equipment that was harmed when power was restored.
“Down to people who had lost a life because they were in a home that wasn’t air-conditioned and died in the heat. So, we’re trying to recover damages from people who were impacted by the lackluster approach to Entergy’s transmission lines,” said LaFonta.
As of Monday, LaFonta said they have seventeen plaintiffs, but they expect the number to grow as more people join the class-action lawsuit.
LaFonta said Entergy has failed to upgrade lines in the past even when recommended to do so, thus making them more vulnerable during a storm.
“The ratepayers shouldn’t have to suffer because they’re (Entergy) being told that they should upgrade the lines that they refuse to and they’ve even had other parties from other cities and states that have asked to purchase the transmission lines and they weren’t allowed because they wanted to keep a monopoly going,’ said LaFonta.
Entergy issued a statement that they will not comment on pending litigation.
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