Rio Publishes Rules for Claiming Damages After Storm Blackouts

Overview

• Powerful winds on July 29 knocked out electricity for many in Rio de Janeiro and triggered guidance from the state consumer office and Procon-RJ on how to claim losses.
• Consumers must first contact their local electricity distributor, register the outage with date, time and duration, and keep all service protocols as proof of the claim.
• Distributors must inspect refrigeration or medicine-preserving appliances within one business day and other devices within ten days, with final responses due in 15 days for claims made within 90 days or 30 days otherwise.
• If a claim is accepted, reimbursement must occur within 20 days by repair, replacement, or payment; claimants should preserve receipts, photos, technical reports and avoid repairing or discarding damaged items until authorized.
• If a distributor denies or ignores a claim, consumers can file a complaint with SEDCON or Procon-RJ and have up to five years to seek compensation though authorities advise acting promptly while evidence is fresh.