AN ex-firefighter who suffered a career-ending injury while working at Ilkley Fire Station has secured a substantial damages settlement.

Michael Hollings, 46, of Ilkley, was seriously injured during a training exercise in May 2011. He and two colleagues were taking part in a drill that involved working at height when the 13.5metre ladder they were using cracked, causing them to fall to the ground.

Michael was wearing an “improvised chest harness” which held him to the ladder at the time of the accident. As it fell, the top of the ladder landed on a solid fence surrounding the training area, leaving Mr Hollings suspended six inches above the ground.

The force of the recoil as the ladder impacted on the fence left him with a comminuted fracture, two dislocated elbows and forearms. His right foot was also fractured in the fall and he was left concussed.

Mr Hollings, a firefighter with eight years’ experience, was forced to medically retire from his role with the fire service and also from his other job as an HGV driver.

Mr Hollings said: “My doctors tell me that I’ll never recover the full range of motion in my arms and I’ve had to put what I call my ‘manual’ life on hold.

“In the early days, that involved a lengthy rehabilitation process and saying goodbye to two jobs that I loved.”

With instructions from the FBU, law firm Thompsons began a case for compensation on Mr Hollings’ behalf. They were able to secure an interim payment for Michael, which paid for adaptions to his lifestyle – such as the purchase of an automatic car – and access to rehabilitation specialists.

Thompsons went on to secure a substantial six figure sum.

Andy Dark, FBU assistant general secretary, said: “The FBU welcomes the successful outcome of this legal challenge and the compensation awarded to our member Michael Hollings.”

Simon Wilson, co-ordinator of serious injuries at Thompsons, said: “Michael suffered a life-changing injury during a planned training drill because a piece of vital kit failed. Had the ladder not – by sheer luck – hit the top of the fence and stopped Mr Hollings before he hit the ground, we would be talking about a very different situation.”