Class Action Against Southern Response Announced

Christchurch earthquake damage claimants tired of unnecessary delays has announced plans to take a class action against their insurer, Southern Response.

This today on the back of another group confirming they are taking a class action against EQC.

A spokesman for the Southern Response claimants group, Graham Bloomfield, says the group has engaged the services of lawyer Grant Cameron and will seek a declaration regarding unacceptable delays in the settlement of their claims for damage from the Canterbury Earthquakes.

“A class action involving many Southern Response claimants is appropriate given the very large number of people being denied their insurance policy rights.”

“We believe the delays people have faced, and are still facing, are reasonable and unacceptable. It is now over three and a half years since the first earthquake. There are still people living in severely damaged houses and other people whose houses have been demolished who have no time frame from Southern Response for repair or rebuild. People are being told to effectively put their lives on hold for six years.

We simply do not accept that that is fair and reasonable but Southern Response continues to delay.”

The group believes that it is time that the Government undertook a public and independent review of the delays that Southern Response is causing and the flow-on that is undermining the rebuild of Christchurch.

The group will also seek substantial damages from Southern Response for each member of the class action.

“The additional costs people have incurred must be recouped,” says Bloomfield. “We will seek damages for the immense stress and health issues this insurer has caused for hundreds of their clients. There must be consequences for this kind of behaviour.”

The group was formed as a result of the protests late last year which were organised by Southern No Response.

All Southern Response claimants interested in being a part of the class action will meet at 7pm on Thursday 13th March at the Westpac Business Hub, 55 Jack Hinton Drive, Addington.

The meeting is strictly for Southern Response Claimants only and they will need to register on www.eventbrite.co.nz and search for “SR Class Action”.

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