Electrical damage to 5th wheel at Campground

[Nana7204]

On a recent stay, upon setting up, I heard a sound - I listened for a minute - nothing, but soon I loss my back A/C and I ran and turned off my front A/C. My husband went to the office and the owner called the electrician and said it's site 35 again. Again? We had paid for 50 amp service. Long story, short. My refrigerator nor my microwave no longer works and they say because they have a "hold harmless" clause on the email they sent for confirmation, they are not responsible. I would like your views and help.

[Nana7204]

The campground was Blue Heron In Gothenburg, Nebraska. A Good Sam's - and I have tried to contact Good Sam, but to no avail. No return calls. The electrician told us that he told them they needed to relay the wiring because of damage from previous flooding. That from site to site the electrical strength would drop off and he even helped us move to another site.

[wa8yxm]

Since they included the "Hold Harmless" clause you need professional help.

A good lawyer can turn that Hold harmless around and shove it up their wallet.

But alas, I can not.

This I can say, however I caution it borders on politics.

SCOTUS (The Supreme court of the United States) Rules many years ago that accepting a pardon is an admission of guilt.

Now the explanation of why I typed this:
To my way of thinking a "Hold Harmless" clause is an admission of intent to damage.

[Hondavalk]

Same thing happened to me 10 years ago. The advice to contact your insurance company is what I did in the end. Trying to deal with the campground well only lead to frustration and consume your personal time up. After my experience I too went and got a Progressive EMS unit and have had a few instances where it saved my stuff.

[am1958]

Just playing devil's advocate for a second.

There is no proof that the campground was aware of the problem and was cavalierly allowing the site to be used on 50 amp. What appears to have occurred was the camper heard the campground talking to the electrician and saying "Yes, it's site 50 again". Far from damning evidence since it's quite possible that the last time the site was used on 50 amp there was a similar problem and the campground did the proper thing and call the electrician. The electrician duly came out and claimed to have fixed the problem. So now the camper turns up and the campground has put them on a site they believe to be in good order. It really isn't their fault if the electrician mis-daignosed and fixed the wrong issue.

Just a thought...

[valhalla360]

Not a lawyer.

Fuzzy if the comment really makes a lot of difference. On the surface, it seems to imply they knew there was a problem and gave you the spot anyway but they could always claim they thought it was fixed, so it takes it out of the realm of gross negligence.

If you are nearby and want to go thru the hassle, you could try small claims court but it will likely cost you far more to get a lawyer to pursue it than you would get back.

Insurance is likely your best bet. I wouldn't lie if they ask but I also would play a little dumb (It just went poof and by the time I shut the power off it was too late.) Do make sure to cycle thru and have everything remotely checked out. Electrical issues can be tricky to find all the issues.

[DownTheAvenue]

I am an attorney (no attorney jokes, please), so maybe I can be of some help. First, know that state laws differ significantly, and I am not familiar with Texas law. However, as a general rule, making claims that they are not responsible for any occurrence before it occurs is nothing more than smoke and mirrors. Even if it were valid in Texas, which I doubt, then the fact that the park knew your site was problematic may automatically make them liable. However, at $200 to $300 per billable hour, you would probably pay more in attorney fees that the costs of repair. The suggestion of making a claim on your insurance is excellent. Your entered into a contract with your insurance carrier to pay for damages such as this, and let them try to recover from the campground.

[ScottG]

If they have an ongoing issue with that site and keep letting RV's get damaged, their "clause" is useless to them.
Continuing to let a problem damage other peoples property is gross negligence and YOU cannot sign that responsibility away.

There's been so many of these posts lately.
We're geting a 50A RV this week and I will not plug into a CG 50A without an EMS!

[dons2346]

TucsonJim wrote:
These cost less than most insurance deductibles, and will protect your sensitive electronic devices when there is a malfunction:

Electrical Management System

I think that is a little late now.

[2112]

darsben1 wrote:

Post the name of the CG they are not helping you and we deserve to know

You're about 50 miles north of me. I really would like to know.

[TucsonJim]

These cost less than most insurance deductibles, and will protect your sensitive electronic devices when there is a malfunction:

Electrical Management System

[BB_TX]

Only a lawyer could tell you for sure if you might have a case due to site 35 having a "history". Any thing else is pure speculation.

[Lwiddis]

Darsben1 is right. Report this to your insurance company and read what you are asked to sign. How will you prove anyone said "it's site 35 again?" How was your RV electrically protected?

[darsben1]

What does the hold harmless clause state?
CAll your insurance company get your rig repaired and let the owner of the CG and your insurance figure it out.
Post the name of the CG they are not helping you and we deserve to know