Man sues over insulation shock
Updated
A Queensland man who survived a powerful electric shock from foil insulation is seeking compensation from the Federal Government.
Retired builder Colin Brierley from Windaroo, south of Brisbane, says he suffers from memory loss and imbalance after the shock, which put him in intensive care last September.
Mr Brierley says he bought insulation from a travelling salesman and it was carelessly installed.
His lawyer Roger Singh says the Federal Government should pay compensation for the "disastrous" roll-out of the insulation program.
But the Queensland-based roof insulation company named by lawyers in the compensation claim has rejected suggestions of shoddy work.
Incentive Insulation state manager Sean Kelly says the company complied with the energy efficient standards in Mr Brierley's home.
Mr Kelly says after Mr Brierley received a shock, an electrician checked the installation but could find no obvious breaches and no reason for the accident.
He says the electrician did find the power circuit was not wired correctly and there was no safety switch.
Mr Kelly says the electrical faults have been fixed, the company has removed the insulation and it has not claimed money from the rebate scheme.
There have been calls for Environment Minister Peter Garrett's resignation after the deaths of four tradesman and dozens of house fires under the troubled scheme, which was rolled out as part of last year's $42 billion economic stimulus package.
Mr Garrett was last week forced to suspend the use of foil insulation after the latest death.
He also revealed he was warned by the National Electrical and Communications Association about safety problems in the scheme.
A nationwide audit is now underway, with tens of thousands of homes to be inspected after an interim audit of 400 homes revealed that up to a dozen could be dangerous.
First posted
Search ABC News
Featured Video
-
Video
Prime Minister Julia Gillard addresses questions at a press conference in Perth on Labor leaks, Kevin Rudd and her partner's speeding fines.
-
Video
CCTV footage shows the American teenager known as the Barefoot Bandit attempting to escape from Bahamian authorities before being arrested.
-
Video
US President Barack Obama discusses his family life and the current state of the economy on a daytime chat show.
-
Video
British PM David Cameron has wrapped up his first trade visit abroad amid criticism of his comments about 'export of terror' from Pakistan.
The ABC News Online Investigative Unit encourages whistleblowers, and others with access to information they believe should be revealed for the public good, to contact us.
