The complaints blamed the electric companies for the deaths of Houstonians who froze to death during last week’s winter storms. The 60-year-old man died alone and in the dark after his family lost contact with him on Monday of last week. Most of us all lost power, but he also lost the battery life of his cell phone. Rivera’s family is suing Centerpoint Energy and ERCOT for negligence in his death. That’s what Mr. Rivera’s family wants,” said the family’s attorney Larry F. Taylor.