KEY POINTS:
Electricity lines company Vector says it will discuss compensation issues with a teenager badly burnt in an electrical explosion earlier this month.
But the company would not comment on the possible outcome of any discussions or if that meant it had decided to pay and the discussions were to decide the amount.
Sam Ahleong lost the skin from his groin when underground power lines joining a transformer in the Auckland suburb of Avondale exploded as he walked past on February 11.
He was still in hospital getting treatment for his burns but the company said his lawyer, Olinda Woodroffe, was wrong when she said all Vector had offered was $200 in petrol vouchers and flowers.
"We have provided as much support as we can, including regular visits to the hospital," Vector chief executive Simon Mackenzie said today.
He said the petrol vouchers were given so the family could be near him. Vector had also paid for parking and had provided food, magazines and DVDs. A Vector representative had visited the hospital daily to check his progress.
Mr Ahleong told Vector he feared the burns meant he could not join the police.
"We arranged within a day and a half of him being put into Middlemore for a police liaison officer to visit Sam in hospital and to reassure him of his options and how he could still apply to the police force and get through that."
Mr Mackenzie said Vector also offered him a temporary job until he could follow his police option.
He said it was deeply upsetting for Sam and his family and everyone at Vector.
Mr Mackenzie said he would not debate compensation through the media.
He said all they had had was a call from Mrs Woodroffe saying she was seeking compensation.
"There are proper channels we will consider these issues through and we are more than happy to sit down and talk through these with the family."
He would not say if that meant Vector would pay a compensation claim or reject it.
"We are willing to sit down and talk with them and I think it would be inappropriate for me to comment on what the outcome would be."
He said it was "most unfortunate" Mrs Woodroffe had made it a public issue.
- NZPA
