It pays to be a Trade Union member

Hit-and-run firefighter gets £280k damages 'Not everyone is aware that successful claims can be brought where the third party driver is untraced'

A firefighter knocked from his bike on his journey home from work has received over £280,000 in damages. David Frith, a member of the firefighters' union FBU from Leicester, received the award via the Motor Insurers' Bureau (MIB) untraced drivers scheme after the hit-and-run incident. The 48-year-old's right knee was so badly injured that, after operations and an attempt to return to work, he had to be retired from the fire service. He said: 'The driver didn't stop and has never been identified. I'm so lucky that my trade union was able to pursue this claim for me through the MIB untraced drivers scheme.' FBU national safety officer Paul Woolstenholmes commented: 'Not everyone is aware that successful claims can be brought where the third party driver is untraced, so David Frith's settlement goes to show the understated value of trade union membership. The service is absolutely free to members of the FBU and nothing is deducted from their compensation.' Representing David Frith, Claire White from Thompsons Solicitors said: 'This injury has had a devastating effect on David Frith's personal life. Before the accident he was a career firefighter and planned to work until the normal retirement age. Instead, his career has been cut short and he has a wife and three daughters to support.'