Family seeks compensation for electrocution accident

A 21-year-old man says his life has been turned upside down after he was accidentally electrocuted in Epyeshona, Okatana, in the Oshana Region after touching a live electrical wire.

According to Fillipus Veiko, he was talking with his neighbour on the morning of 19 May when he accidentally touched a live wire hanging of a nearby pole.

His neighbour grabbed a nearby broomstick to knock him off the wires, causing him to fall to the ground and likely saving his life. He was immediately taken to Oshakati State Hospital for medical treatment.

Negligence

The electrocution allegedly occurred due to negligence on the part of Elektro Hinsch in Ongwediva, who left the live wire where the incident occurred.

The company had been subcontracted by the Northern Regional Electricity Distributor (Nored) to provide rural electrification services to villagers located approximately five kilometres north of Oshakati.

Family spokesperson Joseph Petrus explained that Elektro Hinsch in Ongwediva accepted responsibility and agreed to cover Veiko’s medical expenses.

But Petrus said Veiko is now experiencing further complications, like chest pain and headaches. Burn wounds can still be seen on his hands and feet.

"I breathe with difficulty, and I have shaky hands now and then. I get tired very quickly when I lift anything heavy," Veiko said during an interview with Namibian Sun.

Future complications

Petrus said the family is not happy with the way the electrical company has handled the entire incident.

He said they are seeking further compensation, apart from the medical expenses already covered, for the damages suffered.

"We went to the company to assist again, but they did not entertain us; in fact, they said they couldn’t help us any longer. I tried to contact Nored but no assistance till to date. The company needs to take responsibility for their actions because a life could have been lost and there is a possibility of future complications in his life," Petrus said.

Petrus said the family feels that Electro Hinsch has a duty of care and is responsible for any damages.

Veiko was employed as a handyman at a local construction site at the time of the incident.

"Filipus is entitled to compensation and insurance for the following reasons: emotional shock and trauma, inconvenience and discomfort, loss of income since he cannot perform heavy duty anymore; he used to source some income in the construction industry by being a handyman. Future medical expenses because we don't know what the future holds for him after the incident. Pain and suffering. Expenses to cover for transport for hospital follow-ups, diet and nutrition," he stressed.

Petrus said Veiko currently lives with his 75-year-old grandmother, and she cannot cover all those expenses with her government grant.

Expenses covered

Elektro Hinsch director Kallie Bothma confirmed the incident.

Bothma said the company has corrected this mistake and has also taken responsibility for Veiko’s medical bills.

"We have not been informed of any further issues as the doctors released him from the hospital after three days and ran tests to confirm he is stable," he said.

Bothma said the company has been in the industry for a long time, and for the past 25 years they have never recorded such an incident. This, he said, happened to be an unfortunate once-off accident.

He said the company will not be paying out any further compensation but is liable to cover medical expenses.

Nored spokesperson Simon Lukas referred Namibian Sun to Elektro Hinsch, saying they were responsible for the damages caused.

Lukas was also at pains to clarify that he is not privy to the contract related to the company for work done at the village.