New Jersey woman on oxygen dies after the power company shuts off her electricity

[Demovictory9]

https://www.cnn.com/2018/07/09/health/new-jersey-woman-dies-oxygen-trnd/index.html

A New Jersey grandmother who depended on an electric-powered oxygen tank to breathe died hours after power was cut off to her home, family members say.

The family of Linda Daniels, 68, acknowledge they were behind payments on the PSE&G power bill. But Daniels' son showed CNN affiliate News 12 New Jersey bank records showing he paid the company $500 two days before power was shut off last Thursday.

Temperatures that day in Newark, where Daniels lived, were as high as 91.

"We were getting ice and putting ice on her, fanning her, trying to make it cool, but we couldn't pump the oxygen," said her daughter, Desiree Washington.


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PSE&G said in a statement to CNN that they were "saddened to hear that Ms. Daniels passed away" and that they tried at least 15 times to contact the family about their bill over the past seven months. They also say they were unaware of Daniels' medical condition.

Linda Daniels' utility bill showing the family owed more than $1,600.
Linda Daniels' utility bill showing the family owed more than $1,600.

"Everyone at PSE&G is saddened by this terrible tragedy and we extend our sincere condolences to the family. While there will be a complete investigation of this matter, our records indicate that this account was severely in arrears and we made at least 15 attempts to notify the customer since January, 2018, including two visits to the residence prior to the disconnection," the company said in the statement.
"We have reviewed our records dating back to 2016 and there is no indication by the customer of a medical condition in the home prior to disconnection," PSE&G added. "We never would have disconnected service had we been informed of the circumstances."

[BannonsLiver]

1. This sums up America in a nutshell

[NutmegYankee]

2. You know what would really really sadden PSE&G?

Murder charges.

[Throck]

3. Electric powered oxygen tank?

Not the one in the picture, I'm thinking it was the lack of air conditioning caused her to die of heat stress. The article talked about ice being used to cool her, the tank system in the picture is like the ones used in emergency vehicles and is electric free.

[Docreed2003]

4. America at its finest

I'm sure a good lawyer will be able to take this case and ensure PSE&G are trulely "saddened" by their lack of empathy and their role in taking this woman's life!! Poverty should not equal a death sentence!

[Mc Mike]

5. 'Public' Utility.