Firefighter awarded $12.7 million after suffering brain injury on the job

Seattle, WAA firefighter from Seattle has reportedly been awarded $12.7 million after suffering from a spine and brain injury after falling down a fire pole shaft while on-duty.

Mark Jones was allegedly unable to return to work after falling down the shaft and suffering from 10 broken ribs, multiple pelvic fractures, and injuries to his spine and brain, SeattlePI.com reports.

The firefighter filed the brain injury accident lawsuit in 2006 against the city, accusing it of negligence for "not properly safeguarding the alcove containing the station's fire pole," states the website.

The incident took place at 3 a.m. on December 23, 2003. Jones reportedly woke up to use the bathroom, but mistakenly thought a nearby door was the restroom. Instead, the door led to the fire pole, causing Jones to fall 18 feet to the first floor.

Kenny Stuart, president of Seattle Fire Fighters Union Local 27, said since the brain injury accident, precautions have been made to ensure this doesn't happen again.

"We're happy that Mark is going to be able to live the rest of his life with dignity," Stuart said. "But we continue to be disappointed that we have to go to court to make sure that happens after a line-of-duty injury."