Yahneake Sterling, Staff Reporter
The problem-plagued Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS) is reporting that it has so far received more than 60 claims for damage to electrical equipment or appliances caused by the recent islandwide power outage.
According to the JPS, the majority of the claims are from residential customers, with Kingston and St. Andrew registering the most.
However, Winsome Callum, head of corporate communications at the utility company, said none of the claims submitted can be settled until the power company completes its investigations into the nationwide
blackout.
She said under normal circumstances, investigations into claims for damage to equipment would have been completed within 30 days but where a third party, such as an insurance company, is involved, the process would take up to 60 days.
On July 15, there was an islandwide loss of electrical power due to what the JPS initially said was the result of a system shutdown.
Last week, the light and power company reported that the blackout was triggered by a fault on a high tension transmission line from Bogue in St. James to Duncans in Trelawny, caused by lightning. A Canadian team is expected here soon to conduct a probe.
How to claim for damage to equipment or appliances caused by power outages:
1. All claims should be
submitted in writing and should include: the date, the time and items that have been damaged. The claim should also include a telephone contact number where the applicant can be reached during working hours.
2. Once the claim is received, it will be acknowledged and assigned to a JPS officer who will then make an appointment with the applicant in order to begin the investigation process.
