A settlement of $10.35 million has been reached following a lawsuit against the two PCL Construction Inc. companies.
The lawsuit finally settles the allegation against the PCL Civil Constructions Inc. and PCL Construction Enterprises Inc. for the damage causing power outage on the two islands. The settlement has come after months of wait by the businesses and residents who suffered due to the incident.
If you are a resident of Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands and suffered the power outage which commenced on 27th July 2017 and ended on 4th August 2017, you are entitled to the profits decided in the class action settlement.
The litigants in this lawsuit (The Wallace and Graham law firm in Salisbury, N.C.) alleged that PCL companies damaged the power cable transmitting electricity to the Hatteras Island and Ocracoke Island severely while undertaking construction work on the Herbert C. Bonner Bridge.
The PCL company in its defence said that a steel case got rammed into the underground transmission cable which runs in between the overhead riser pole and south of the bridge. This brought the damage and power outage. According to the power outage class action lawsuit, the place where the damage occurred is a vulnerable place, and this was conveyed to the PCL companies beforehand. They were asked to be careful and warned of the damage, and they had agreed too. This is mentioned in their contract.
The allegation also states that this power outage of 9-days took place in the peak tourism season causing damage of the businesses on the Island. The one visiting the islands during this period were asked to leave as the situation was no less than a catastrophe. This announcement stayed untill the day power supply was resumed.
The PCL companies though did not accept the allegation but agreed to pay the amount to avert anymore litigation.
Who all can apply for remuneration?
The beneficiaries of Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands Power Outage Top Class Action Settlement include the following:
- If you have been operating your business or have a physical store/office located on the twin islands of Hatteras and Ocracoke which suffered a power outage in July-August 2017, you are eligible.
- If you had rented a vacation property on Hatteras or Ocracoke Island, or you own the property rented to vacationers during the power outage incident.
- All the residents of Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands at the time of the incident.
Proof of Purchase
The eligible individuals. Businesses must submit a valid proof of their address to ensure approval of their claim for damage caused. This should take place no later than 31st October 2018.
Claim Form Deadline: 10/15/2018
Case Name: Outer Banks Outrage Litigation, Case No 4:17-cv-00141, in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina, Eastern Division.
Final Hearing: 9.21.2018
Settlement Website: www.OBXSettlement.com
Claims Administrator:
PCL Outer Banks Claim Team
c/o GCG
P.O. Box 10481
Dublin, OH 43017-4081
844-402-8570
Click to file a claim here!
