$39 Million Awarded to Employee Due to Utility Pole Collapse

Beth Janicek

Attorney
(866) 735-1102 Ext 395

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On May 24, 2007, a Denver jury awarded a former lineman with Xcel Energy $39 million. The suit was filed against Qwest Communications International Inc. who then sued Xcel Energy. The phone and electrical companies had a joint agreement where they agreed to use each others' poles for utility lines and the poles would receive periodic maintenance.

On June 29 2004, Andy Blood was working on an 800-pound utility pole on 58th Ave. and Pecos St. in Denver when the pole collapsed. He fell 25 feet and was left a paraplegic.

The pole rotted below the ground. It had never been inspected, maintained or repaired in 46 years.

After a nine-day civil trial presided by Denver District Court Judge Sheila Rappaport, the seven-person jury determined that Qwest was fully responsible for the accident -- effectively absolving Xcel of any damages.

The jury awarded Blood and his wife Carrie $21.5 million in compensatory damages and $18 million in punitive damages against Qwest.