Linda Daniels, Newark, NJ woman on oxygen dies seven hours after her electric company, PSEG shut off the power to her home. Death occurs two days after family made $500 installment.
A NJ woman woman on oxygen died just seven hours after her electric company shut off the power to her home.
The incident happened Thursday in Newark, New Jersey. Electric company Public Service Enterprise Group (PSEG) cut off the power to 68-year-old Linda Daniels‘ home around 10 a.m. By 5 p.m., Daniels was dead.
Daniels’ family told News 12 New Jersey that she relied on an oxygen tank powered by electricity to breathe. Daniels suffered from congestive heart failure and had been under hospice care since April.
PSEG confirmed to News 12 that it did indeed cut off Daniels’ power, saying the power was shut off after the company tried to reach the family numerous times.
Daniels’ family said when the power was shut off, the house became extremely hot. Daniels used her backup oxygen tank, but when that ran out, her family called an ambulance. The family said Daniels died an hour after the ambulance crew left. It is unclear why the first responders left.
Why did PSEG turn off electricity on Linda Daniels Newark woman?
Daniels’ two children and granddaughter have said they don’t know why PSEG cut off Daniels’ power. They did recognize Daniels had an outstanding balance but claim they were working on paying it off. The family’s claim appears to contradict the power company’s assertions that it had ‘reached out’ a number of times. It wasn’t immediately clear who they reached out to.
Of further disconcert, the family showed bank records confirming they paid PSEG $500 on Tuesday, just two days before the power was shut off. Of note the nydailynews reported Daniels’ son Sam saying the family having paid the minimum $300 on the account two months ago and then $400 last month.
It wasn’t clear what the outstanding balance was or if the electric company were aware of the seriousness of Daniels’ condition and the necessity to continue having her electricity running.
The power to Daniels’ home was restored Friday morning. The grieving family said they still have no explanation as to why the power was shut off.
Linda Daniels Newark woman on oxygen dead: Who bears culpability?
And then there were these following comments on social media that made this author wonder?
‘Why the hell didn’t her family move her to their house or somewhere else that had electricity until power was restored??? Wtf?’
‘So the family could go to the news to make a story but couldn’t take her to their home or a place with electricity???’
‘So why didn’t the family move her to their house so she could use her electric powered oxygen tanks??? And also sometimes the electric company needs a certain amount of money to keep the power on. Just because they paid the $500 2 days prior doesn’t mean it was what they needed to keep it on. They should have answered the numerous times the company called and made them aware of the health issue as well as setting up some kind of payment plan.’
‘From experience I can tell you the electric companies don’t care about people’s needs small children . Asthma in the home elderly etc.. all they care about is the almighty dollar. No humanity or care!! It is all Greed!!’
‘Seems to be that the family didn’t take care of this lady in need.
Did the electric company was aware of this lady situation? My guess is not!
Did the family took care of her situation? Nope! Who is legally responsible?’
