'Every day you think things can’t get worse and they do' – Maryburgh pensioner in limbo over home repair setback after flood
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A ROSS-SHIRE pensioner left high and dry for almost a year after a disastrous flood ruined her pride and joy bungalow felt life "ebbing away" amidst nightmare delays over restorative action.
The North Star stepped in to press the case of Elizabeth Haggerty (81) who has now this week been promised progress after being forced to leave her home in the wake of the June 2021 disaster.
A leak under her Maryburgh home was uncovered when she stepped through rotten floorboards, prompting an immediate call to her insurer which appointed claims handling agents Davies Group to assess matters.
But after an initial meeting with a loss adjuster and surveyor last July, Mrs Haggerty has been caught in a seemingly never-ending cycle of delays.
She said: “Things looked as if they may progress and then nothing. Every time I would phone and ask if a builder had been appointed, I was told no.”
Exhausted, she turned to Wrightfield Park neighbour Colin Macdonald.
Mr Macdonald said: “Having been in the building trade for 43 years, I've never seen anyone left high and dry for this long after water damage.”
Mrs Haggerty relocated to a flat in Inverness, being paid for by Davies Group, claims handling agents acting for and on the instructions of insurers, but says she had to hound them for payments.
She said: “Every day you think things can’t get worse and they do. If it hadn’t been for Colin and his lovely wife I don’t know what would have happened.You just feel so hopeless and helpless."
On the "lack of urgency" progressing her case, she said: "At this age you don’t have much good life left. If I can just get some good news that this is going to be fixed soon, it's what I need to hear. Life is just ebbing away."
The North Star contacted Davies Group and insurer Zurich for comment.
A spokesperson for Davies said: “We are doing everything we can to get Mrs Haggerty back into her home, which was extensively damaged by a water leak."
They said following the initial claim on July 7, an adjuster attended and met with Mrs Haggerty and her neighbour. The next day a restoration company and a surveyor were appointed and alternative accommodation arranged.
She added: “Due to concerns that split levels in her home had acted as a sump for the water, the surveyor who visited the property in the first instance was unable to accurately estimate the required works. To fully understand the extent of the damage, the contents of the property had to be removed and the flooring lifted.
"During the winter months, building works across the country were delayed due to material and labour shortages caused by the global pandemic and the UK exiting the EU. Unfortunately, the contractors appointed to Mrs Haggerty’s property have experienced significant delays, and it has taken longer than it should to fully investigate the extent of damage to her home.
“A significantly higher estimate for the building works has since been submitted by Mrs Haggerty’s neighbour, which requires further investigation. Our claims adjuster and surveyor will be attending the property on May 17, after which a new estimate of building works will be presented, and repairs can begin swiftly.
“We recognise the significant impact of the building delays on Mrs Haggerty, and a priority throughout has been to ensure she has had safe and suitable accommodation. Once the new estimate of work has been agreed, we will ensure the repairs progress as quickly as possible so that Mrs Haggerty can move back home.”
