Howard Courts, who was 43 at the time, was unloading sheep from his B-double at a rural property near Bourke in November 2008 when he came into contact with an uninsulated 19.1kW electric power line.

He lost consciousness as the electricity scorched a hole through his cotton hat, passed through his body and went out through the toes of his left foot.

Following a month in hospital and numerous operations, Mr Courts' left leg had to be amputated a year later.

On Wednesday, the NSW Supreme Court awarded him $656,542 in damages and found the electricity provider Essential Energy, formerly known as Country Energy, liable for just under $438,000 of the sum.

Phillip Ridge, who owned the property Mr Courts was working on at the time of his accident, has been ordered to pay almost $218,850.

During a hearing on the matter earlier this month, Country Energy argued that it owed no duty of care to Mr Courts as he knew the power line was there and did not act with common sense.

While Justice Christine Adamson agreed Mr Courts had parked his B-double under a powerline and therefore did not take reasonable care for his own safety, she found the energy company was still liable.

Power lines - particularly those that are high-voltage and uninsulated - pose a significant risk of harm, she said.

"Country Energy's failure to take the reasonable precaution of constructing the line so as to give ground clearance in accordance with its design of six metres was negligent and caused an immediate risk of harm."

Mr Courts, a former volunteer firefighter and father of four, had shown diligence, industry and stoicism since the accident which enabled him to continue working, she said.