Consumer Watch: Disabled man stuck in bed after his power is shut off

(WHAS11) - Roderick Green, a disabled Louisville man, called WHAS11’s Andy Treinen when he was left stuck in his bed after LG&E cut off his power.

 

Green says he was propped up in his electric bed watching television on September 1st when his power went out, leaving Green unable to get out of his bed.

 

Luckily his brother stopped by to check on him a few hours later. When Roderick’s brother went outside to inspect the meter, it had been shut off and had a lock placed on it.

Green says he planned to pay his utility bill on the 3^rd, the same day he’s paid it for eight years. That is when his disability check is deposited into his account. Roderick says LG&E has recently changed its billing cycle to the 31^st of each month.

 

Green called to speak with a Customer Service representative after his August payment.

 

Green says he was told, “Don’t worry about it. We’re not going to cut you off; and then they cut me off.”

 

When Andy Treinen paid LG&E parent company E-ON a visit to see what would be done about the situation, Chip Keeling explained that LG&E did indeed change its billing cycle recently and is using a new computer program.

Keeling acknowledges a number of people on fixed incomes are having trouble with the new system and that a more friendly system will be in place by December.

 

In the meantime, people like Roderick Green will have to manage their money, including a $300 deposit to protect their utility from delinquent payments.

 

Keeling says a bill and a notice of cutoff were sent before Green’s box was locked. Keeling also says everything could’ve been prevented with one phone call.

 

E-ON U.S. does have a medical alert program for people on a ventricular device. That program requires the utility to inform people before their power is shut off.

 

If you have a consumer problem you would like us to look into, just send an e-mail to consumerwatch@whas11.com.