The Supreme Court has ordered the Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS) to make an interim payment of $1 million within 21 days, to 42-year-old air-conditioning technician, Patrick Ricketts, of Retirement, St. James.

Ricketts has filed a negligence suit against JPS contending that he was severely burnt by the power company's high tension wire which was hanging too low over his house.

Severely burnt

He said he was working on his roof on September 2004 when he felt a magnetic sensation and was pulled off the roof. He was severely burnt and had to spend two months in hospital.

Attorneys-at-law Alando Terrelonge and Camille Royes who represent Bernard made the application for interim payment during the case management conference on February 14. Justice Carol Beswick granted the order.

The lawyers told the judge that Ricketts was unable to work and was suffering severe hardship because of the injuries.

JPS, which is represented by attorney-at-law, Taxi Dun, is defending the suit, and is contending that the company was not negligent.