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Texas Power Outage Lawsuit

Texas Power Outage Lawsuit

ERCOT and other companies have been hit with power outage lawsuits in Texas after Winter Storm Uri caused thousands of injuries, deaths, widespread property damage, and economic losses.

What You Can Do & How We Can Help

The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting Texas power outage cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know was harmed by Winter Storm Uri in Texas, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Disaster Litigation Group or call toll free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.

UPDATE: ERCOT Claims Legal Immunity; Seeks MDL for Lawsuits Over Power Grid Failure

ERCOT (The Electric Reliability Council of Texas) is arguing that it is a state agency with “sovereign immunity” that makes it immune from at least 35 lawsuits over the power grid failures after February’s devastating winter storm.

The Texas Supreme Court considered the issue in March, but refused to make a decision due to a lack of jurisdiction. Now, ERCOT is asking judges to centralize the lawsuits in to a single federal court in a Multi-District Litigation (MDL).

Dozens of Lawsuits Filed for Sky-High Electricity Bills After “Texas Freeze”

In the past few weeks, utility companies have been hit by more than 30 lawsuits (possibly worth billions) by people who were hit with massive electricity bills after the “Texas freeze,” according to the Wall Street Journal. The February storm caused widespread power outages, a 45% drop in natural gas production, and a 40% drop in crude oil production.

Some of the lawsuits accuse the utility companies of price-gouging and overcharging customers who were desperate for electricity during sub-zero temperatures. In one lawsuit, CPS Energy of San Antonio, Texas, claimed that gas suppliers hiked prices by 15,000% and accused them of “profiteering from scarcity during a declared disaster.”

What Happened?

In February 2021, a historic winter storm slammed the U.S., covering most of the nation in snow, ice, and freezing temperatures. Texas was hit particularly hard, with snowfall records smashed in many regions.

Winter Storm Uri was responsible for at least 111 deaths in Texas, including deadly 100-vehicle pileup on the highway, countless other car accidents due to ice and snow, and medical emergencies.

Frozen Pipelines and Wind Turbines Force Power Companies to Cut Electricity

The cold temperatures froze wind turbines and natural gas pipelines. At the same time, consumer demand for heat and electricity skyrocketed, forcing power companies to cut electricity in widespread blackouts that affected millions of people.

Texas Power Outages Affected 4.5 Million People

ERCOT, the largest power company in Texas, was forced to cut power to 4.5 million homes and businesses in Texas at the peak of the storm. Thousands of people lacked electricity and heat for several days during subzero temperatures.

Winter Storm Caused $195 Billion in Damage in Texas

When the state of Texas began to thaw, busted pipes poured water, causing flooding and mold damage to thousands of homes and businesses. The power outages, blackouts, boil water notices, shuttered businesses, dangerous roads, and destruction caused an estimated $195 billion in damage, making Winter Storm Uri the most expensive disaster ever to hit Texas.

Personal Injury & Wrongful Death Lawsuits

Thousands of people in Texas were injured as a result of Winter Storm Uri, including some who died after power outages cut their only source of heat during subzero temperatures, or electricity for medical equipment.

Here are some examples of potential personal injury lawsuits in Texas:

  • Traffic & car accidents
  • Exposure to cold (frostbite, hypothermia, etc.)
  • Carbon monoxide poisoning
  • Water contamination illness
  • Fires
  • Lack of home oxygen
  • Death from cold exposure
  • Death from medical equipment failure
  • And more

Property Damage Lawsuits for Homes & Businesses

Thousand of homes and businesses suffered costly property damage by the winter storm and its aftermath. Our lawyers may be able to help you file a winter storm lawsuit, even if you have insurance coverage, if you experienced:

  • Busted pipes
  • Flooding and water damage
  • Structural damage
  • Caved in roof
  • Sheetrock damage
  • Mold damage
  • Fire damage
  • And more

Suffered Property Damage? File a Claim Now

If your home or business was damaged, it is important to file a claim with your insurance company as soon as you know that you will need repairs. Many insurance policies set a time-limit for you to file a claim.

Business Interruption Lawsuits — Seek Compensation for Financial Losses

The economy of Texas was at a standstill during Winter Storm Uri, but also afterward, when cities issued “boil water notices” for days. If you lost money, you may be able to seek compensation for your financial losses due to the power outages, lack of electricity and water, employees who were unable to come to work, and property damage that made it impossible for customers to safely enter your businesses.

ERCOT Should Have Prepared for Power Outages

Severe winter storms are becoming more common in the U.S., and Texas is no exception. Even so, ERCOT and other power companies failed to spend the money to winterize their equipment to keep natural gas pipelines and wind turbines working, despite billions of dollars paid by their customers.

On top of that, ERCOT was unable to borrow electricity from neighboring states because they chose to isolate their power grid in Texas to avoid federal regulation. When freezing temperatures hit, ERCOT and other power companies were not prepared, resulting in widespread death and destruction.

Texas Power Outage Lawsuits

Our winter storm lawyers may be able to help you file a lawsuit for power outages in Texas if you experienced:

  • Physical injuries
  • Hospitalization or deaths
  • Property damage to your home or businesses
  • Business interruption lawsuits due to power outages or lack of water (including boil water notices)

Am I Joining a Class Action Lawsuit?

The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is filing individual lawsuits instead of a class action. If you decide to file a lawsuit, your financial recovery will be based on the unique circumstances of your case. In comparison, everyone who joins a class action has to share the payout. You could receive compensation for your pain and suffering, medical expenses, lost income, and more.

Do I have a Texas Power Outage Lawsuit?

The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting Texas power outage cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know was harmed by Winter Storm Uri in Texas, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Disaster Litigation Group or call toll free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.

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