More Houston-Area Small Businesses Sue CenterPoint Energy

HOUSTON — A new group of Houston businesses has joined another class action lawsuit against CenterPoint Energy, claiming the company’s “negligence” disrupted operations and caused economic losses.

The lawsuit follows other class action and individual lawsuits filed against the utility company in recent weeks.

Rebeca Hernandez told KHOU 11 News that her makeup and hair services are affected by the latest lawsuit. Her East End beauty salon was without power for eight days after Hurricane Beryl.

“This is my livelihood, this is what I live on,” she said. “Our appointments were cancelled, our business was affected and we couldn’t produce anything, we couldn’t work or earn money.”

In addition to lost income, Hernandez has had to deal with water and tree damage, air conditioning repairs and even a burglary.

“Because there was no lighting in the neighborhood, a few businesses in the neighborhood were affected and we were one of them,” she said. “I realize now that CenterPoint, unfortunately, we can’t count on them.”

Hernandez is one of dozens of plaintiffs represented in the class action lawsuit filed Monday. All of the plaintiffs are in the beauty, health or medical industries, according to the filing by Houston attorney Erica Rose of the Rose Sanders Law Firm.

Speaking to KHOU 11 News, Rose said some of her clients include businesses like medical spas that lost products that needed to be refrigerated. Other clients include yoga studios, orthopedic surgeons and dentists, among others.

“My dentist clients chose to work in an underserved community,” she said. “Some of their patients were in so much pain because they lost power for over a week that they had to see another dentist. So my clients lost income.”

Rose explained that all plaintiffs in the class action lost power for at least 48 hours after Beryl and suffered at least $11,000 in damages.

“CenterPoint has the resources to compensate these business owners. They need to get these businesses back on their feet,” she said.

Beyond damages for her clients, Rose said she wants the class action to raise questions about Houston’s reliance on CenterPoint. Rose started a hashtag called #TakeBackThePowerYall to help spark a conversation on social media.

“It’s not fair that we don’t have a choice of energy suppliers,” she said.

Other companies can join the class action by contacting the Rose Sanders Law Firm.

Stephen Goin on social media: Facebook | X | Instagram