(Name changed for privacy; photo not the client)
“Dorothy,” 84, had a new heating and air conditioning system installed in her Jacksonville home, where she lives alone. Because of improper installation, the unit did not work properly from day one. Dorothy, who had signed a finance agreement for the purchase of the unit, immediately notified the company that the unit was defective and asked them to fix it. Each time they scheduled an appointment with her to fix the unit, they did not show up. She did her best to dispute the charge with the company and with the lender involved in the finance agreement. The air conditioning company tried to push Dorothy into filing a warranty claim instead of fixing the problem. As the issue dragged on, Dorothy endured a Florida summer and fall without air conditioning, followed by winter cold snaps without heat. Finally, Dorothy contacted JALA, where attorney Annie Rodriguez was able to negotiate the removal of the unit and a cancelation of the financing agreement so that she did not have to pay a dime. Dorothy was able to find a more affordable unit and was very pleased with the new company, as she was with JALA’s services.
About Jacksonville Area Legal Aid
Jacksonville Area Legal Aid is a nonprofit law firm focused on delivering economic, social, and housing justice to low-income and at-risk individuals and families on the First Coast.
If you are an attorney wanting to volunteer with probate and heirs property issues, contact JALA Pro Bono Director Aaron Irving, at (904) 356-8371, Ext. 363, or Aaron.Irving@jaxlegalaid.org.
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