Injured worker wants £200,000

1:00pm Thursday 4th September 2008

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An electrician from Wantage who cheated death when he fell from a telegraph pole has launched a legal battle for £200,000 in compensation.

His former employers, Scottish and Southern Energy, have admitted 60 per cent liability but are in dispute about exactly how much David Rolfe, 50, of High Street, East Hendred, should be paid.

Mr Rolfe clipped a safety belt to the wrong ring on his harness when he climbed a telegraph pole at Hampden, Buckinghamshire, in October 2006.

The ring failed to take his weight and he fell, suffering multiple injuries - including crushed vertebrae and a head injury.

He spent five days in intensive care, three weeks in hospital and then needed physiotherapy.

In a High Court writ, Mr Rolfe accused the company of negligently failing to carry out a risk assessment and failing to supervise the work properly.

Mr Rolfe said: "No compensation has been agreed yet.

"That fall lost me a job I'd held for 32 years. They said I broke health and safety rules.

"I now have a new job with the Rutherford laboratories."

Mr Rolfe still suffers stiffness in his back and right shoulder.

A spokesman for Scottish and Southern Energy said: "We can confirm a claim is being processed through the High Court, but have nothing more to say about it."