The family of an 11-year-old boy, who died in a Texas home that suffered a power outage during the cold spell last week, is suing energy company Entergy and Texas state electric operator Electric Reliability Council (ERCOT) ) for more than $ 100 million, according to reports.
The wrongful death lawsuit, filed in the Jefferson County District Court, alleges that widespread blackouts contributed to the suspected hypothermia death of the boy, Cristian Pavón Pineda, the Houston Chronicle reported.
The lawsuit also claims that ERCOT and the energy company could have prevented death if they had adequately protected the power grid against the harsh winter or alerted residents to prolonged outages. He accuses Entergy Texas and ERCOT of gross negligence.
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“Despite being aware of the terrible weather forecast at least a week in advance and that the system had not been ready for more than a decade, ERCOT and Entergy did not take any preventive action that could have prevented the crisis and were totally unprepared to deal with the crisis in question, “said the suit, according to ABC News.
ERCOT is an independent network, which means that it is not subject to federal regulation or required to varnish the power grid, according to the newspaper.
“Of course, just because it is not required by law, does not mean that failing to do so is reasonable behavior,” the suit alleges. “ERCOT failed with all Texans and allowed suppliers to speak to Texans.”
A spokesman for Entergy Texas told the Houston Chronicle that the company could not comment due to pending litigation.
“We are deeply saddened by the loss of life in our community,” said the company.
“This is a tragedy, and our thoughts and prayers are with the family,” said ERCOT in a statement. “We haven’t reviewed any pending cases yet and will respond accordingly as soon as we do.”
Cristian Pavón Pineda, who immigrated to the United States with his family two years ago – was found dead in his bed last week – after spending time in the snow for the first time in his life, his family told the newspaper.
Maria Pineda speaks in Conroe, Texas, on February 18, 2021. Pineda’s son, Cristian Pavon Pineda, 11, died of suspected hypothermia when temperatures dropped to adolescence. (Gustavo Huerta / Houston Chronicle via AP, Archive)
“It was your” first time (seeing snow). That’s why he was excited outside, “said his mother, Maria Elisa Pineda on Thursday.” Everything was fine. He was happy that day. He was not sick at all. “
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Conroe’s mobile park, where they were, ran out of power on Monday morning, and the family gathered to warm up as temperatures dropped to single digits, reports said.
The family said the child – who did not respond the next day – died frozen. The official cause of death is pending the results of an autopsy, according to Conroe police.
“This is a young man who died for no reason other than corporate decisions,” the Pineda family lawyer told ABC News on Sunday.
Last week, Texas Governor Greg Abbott, a Republican, said he had ordered an investigation into ERCOT amid blackouts across the state due to freezing temperatures.
“Many Texans are without power and heating for their homes, as our state faces freezing temperatures and a harsh winter. This is unacceptable,” Abbott wrote in a statement.
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ERCOT officials defended their preparations and the decision to initiate forced interruptions on Monday, when the network reached the breaking point. The agency previously said it had taken drastic measures to prevent a catastrophic blackout across the state.
Conroe is about 40 miles north of Houston.
The Associated Press contributed to this report