Joseph Cascina, an electrosensitive customer, won his legal battle against Enedis, obtaining the removal of his Linky meter. A decision that could influence other cases and raises questions about electrosensitivity.
A few weeks ago, the three judges of the Lyon Court of Appeal delivered their verdict and offered victory to Joseph Cascina, invoking the precautionary principle. The man, who discovered his electrosensitivity after installing his Linky meter, was going through an ordeal, complaining in particular of constant whistling causing migraines. The Stop Linky 5G collective, which supported the complainant from start to finish, hopes that the decision will definitively set a precedent.
Complex symptoms, and a long fight against Linky and Enedis
Joseph Cascina, who did not report any particular suffering before the installation of the Linky meter in his home, quickly developed electromagnetic sensitivity with ringing in the head. “ And it was constantly », he indicated to our colleagues at France 3 Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes. The pills taken in the morning or evening did not change anything.
Faced with Enedis’ silence, Joseph launched into a legal battle which would last three years. After his success at first instance in Saint-Etienne, the man triumphed before the Lyon Court of Appeal, forcing Enedis to remove the Linky and reinstall an old meter. The precautionary principle prevailed. From a legal point of view, it makes it possible to justify measures such as removing the meter, even in the absence of scientific certainty.
Electrosensitivity, or hypersensitivity to electric current, although without direct scientific proof, can have significant social and professional consequences. It is not recognized as a disease, but ANSES (National Health Safety Agency) attributes headaches, chronic fatigue and skin reactions to electromagnetic fields to it.
Opponents of the Linky meter do not intend to stop there
Although hypersensitivity disorders do not appear, based on current knowledge, to develop into serious problems, the impact on the social and professional lives of patients can be significant. Although it is not worth medical advice, the problem was particularly popularized in the series Better Caul Saul in which the brother of the main character, played by Michael McKean, claimed to suffer from this illness (although in the show, it was only psychological).
Specialists based in Lyon, Saint-Étienne and Clermont-Ferrand are participating in a study carried out by ANSES on electrosensitivity. The objective of the latter is to better understand patients and establish a precise epidemiology to offer appropriate care. Results are expected in 2025 only.
The Stop Linky 5G Loire collective now hopes that Joseph’s victory will simplify the procedures launched against the small green box for other Enedis customers. They also recommend a simplified administrative filing request upon presentation of medical certificates. Enedis, although highlighting an exception, relies on an ANSES study to assert that the levels of exposure to electromagnetic fields of the Linky remain comparable to other domestic devices. In the meantime, the anti-Linky have obtained a new victory, after the one won on June 29 in Valencia.
Sources: France 3, HANDLES
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