Fireman warns about logging accidents
A fire fighter has warned his colleagues to make sure that they log all work accidents, no matter how minor they may seem to be.
The warnings come after the fire fighter became seriously injured while attending a routine call. He was fortunately able to receive a six-figure sum of compensation for his injuries.
In doing so those who have been affected by an injury can be more likely to receive compensation for any injuries they sustain.
The man who is from Sheffield and aged 43, was a member of the Fire Brigades Union (FBU). He was forced to give up his job after he suffered a slipped disc while attending a car accident in February 2005.
South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service was called out to the accident after a car had slipped on the icy roads and hit a wall, the man and his colleagues were attempting to move the car back onto the road when he felt a twinge in his back.
Slipped disc
He explained that at the time he didn't think anything of it and just continued with his work and he didn't write the incident down in the accident book.
It wasn't until a few days later when he began to feel pain down the back of his left leg and in his back that he went to his doctor and discovered he had slipped a disc.
The fire fighter, who had worked for 20 years as a fire fighter, has since had to undergo surgery and has been told he will never work in his profession again.
While he is still able to walk short distances, he has also had to give up playing sports including golf, tennis and basketball.
Speaking about the incident and what it caused, he said: "This accident has had a dramatic impact on my life. I had been a fire fighter for 20 years and had moved cars back onto the road on many occasions. I have had to give up my work and my hobbies."
Log work accidents quickly
He added: "I'd warn any fire fighter who has a workplace accident, no matter how minor it seems, to log it straight away. I didn't think I needed to write down what happened to me and it later caused problems for my legal team."
Following his diagnosis the man contacted his union which instructed their personal injury lawyers to pursue a compensation claim on behalf of the injured fire man.
The injury lawyers were able to settle the claim out of court for £100,000, after South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service admitted liability.
Ian Murray, FBU's regional secretary said: "We are only too happy to have supported this member in his fight for compensation. Accidents like this can be avoided and mechanical assistance should have been sought and provided to help move the car. Instead a dedicated fire fighter has now been lost to the service through injury."
Simon Wood from the legal company, added: "While it is important for fire fighters to work fast in pressurised situations the health and safety of fire fighters should not be put at risk simply to get a job done more quickly."
Updated on 25/01/2010