BT worker injured by electrocution wins court case
Posted: March 9, 2015
Posted in: Head and Brain Injuries Spine & Back Injuries Workplace Injuries
An ex-BT worker is due to receive a six-figure payout after suffering severe injuries from overhead power lines. 55-year-old Ian Andrew Milroy had been checking a fault on a carrier pole in 2009 when he came into contact with a high voltage power line, causing him to suffer a cardiac arrest, brain damage and severe burns. A senior judge at London’s High Court ruled that Mr Milroy had received “inadequate” training, which led to the accident.
The accident happened on 26 August 2009 when Mr Milroy – who had been working at British Telecom for over 20 years – was elevated to fix a carrier pole. When a woman asked if the vehicle could be moved to let her pass, Mr Milroy obliged but came into contact with a high voltage power line.
“Training was not adequate”
The accident left Mr Milroy with severe fractures in his back and a traumatic brain injury. He continues to suffer with severe anxiety and depression as a result.
Despite BT blaming Mr Milroy for the accident, the judge ruled that he was given “insufficient training” to ensure he knew about a “very significant change” to BT’s safety at work practices. Mr Justice William Davis ruled: “I conclude the training given to Mr Milroy was not adequate. Mr Milroy was known as a good and careful mobile elevated platform operator.” BT was ruled responsible for two-thirds of the accident. The compensation package is yet to be agreed.
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