Rocket victim could net £200k

Jason Elwell was left lying in a pool of blood when he was knocked to the floor by a powerful rocket at the Grapes Pub, in Bilston, in November 2005. The Moseley Road pub had been hosting one of its annual charity firework displays for hundreds of guests when disaster struck.

Mr Elwell has now served a writ on the former landlady, Julie Perrin, claiming damages between £150,000 and £200,000.

The 38-year-old father from Park View Road, Bilston, has gone to the High Court in a bid for damages for his personal injuries.

He claims he has suffered injuries to his right eye and also psychiatric problems as a result of the incident.

Mr Elwell claims that his injuries were caused by the negligence of Ms Perrin and states that her insurers had admitted she was liable for the accident.

At the time of the accident, Mr Elwell recalled being "knocked off his feet" after the rocket exploded in his face.

"All I could remember is seeing the rocket on the floor and the next thing I knew my legs had knocked me off my feet.

"I was just stunned. You don't expect a live firework to be staring at you on the floor," he said.

He had been standing next to a wall during the display, with fireworks being set off from a rooftop 12ft above.

Organisers had moved the display to the rooftop for safety reasons.

Mr Elwell's daughter Jessica, aged 12 at the time, also had the flesh torn from her legs when the rocket exploded.

A worker from the Grapes pub said: "Julie left the premises in January this year and there is no comment to make as the matter is in the hands of solicitors."