A paramedic left permanently disabled when he snagged his 60lb equipment bag on a door handle and fell has been awarded £200,000 in compensation.

Michael Kirkham, 58, was on an emergency call in March 2003 when his bulky bag caught on a door and he tumbled heavily to the floor.

Mr Kirkham, a grandfather, from Brixham, Devon, had earlier complained to bosses about the risks of carrying too much equipment in the bags, which had replaced rucksacks, Unison said yesterday.

The injuries meant he had to use an electric wheelchair when outside the home and relied on his wife for round-the-clock care.

Mr Kirkham, who took early retirement, suffered constant pain in his back and neck and was housebound in the early days.

He now walks with the aid of a stick and still relies on his wife to help him with many everyday tasks.

West Midlands Ambulance Service NHS Trust admitted liability and settled the claim out of court.

The rucksacks have now been brought back to replace the bags which were slung over the shoulder, Unison said.

Dave Prentis, Unison's general secretary, said: "We are pleased that Michael Kirkham has received compensation that will make his life easier.

"But the money will never make up for all the stress and suffering.

"He has had to retire from a career he loved and is now permanently disabled - his life has changed forever.

"The ambulance service should have listened to the safety complaints of employees, rather than risk their health.

"They should not have waited until a dedicated worker lost his health before making changes.

Mr Kirkham, originally from Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire, said: "I am pleased that my case has caused the ambulance service to change the bags and avoid further injury.

"It has been soul destroying to see my health deteriorate.

"I have had to retire, after trying to get back to work for 18 months, and am now disabled.

"For a while I used a mobility scooter, but now I get around with a stick.

"The accident also put a lot of pressure on my marriage, as I couldn't do anything for a long time."

He added: "I have gone from a strong person, who could do anything, to someone who struggles to pick up a small box from the floor."

Martyn Gwyther, from Thompsons Solicitors, said: "Mr Kirkham's life has been turned upside down by this accident.

"A previously fit and healthy member of the community who worked hard saving other people's lives is now reliant, in part, on his wife to care for him.