Jury orders Qwest to pay man $39.5 million

DENVER – A jury awarded what just may be the largest personal injury award in Colorado history on Thursday.

A Denver district court jury awarded former Xcel lineman Andrew Blood $39.5 million in a verdict against Qwest.

Blood was paralyzed back in 2004 when a utility pole collapsed beneath him at the intersection of 58th and Pecos.

Qwest owned the pole that collapsed.

As part of a joint-use agreement with Xcel Energy, Qwest was obligated to inspect, maintain and repair utility poles.

Qwest had apparently not inspected any of their 150,000 poles in more than 40 years.

Blood says Thursday's verdict sends a clear message.

"There's tons of people out there," said Blood. "There's not only their employees, Xcel Energy employees, but the public; the safety of all of us. You know they need to look out for everyone and do their job."

Qwest responded to the verdict by saying, "The circumstances are tragic and our sympathies are with Mr. Blood."

Qwest does plan to appeal Thursday's decision.