Higher compensation amounts for wounded soldiers

Twenty soldiers being treated for multiple injuries from action in Iraq and Afghanistan are to be awarded higher compensation under a revised scheme announced by the Ministry of Defence.

Increase in compensation

Lance Bombardier Ben Parkinson, lost both legs and suffered more than 30 other injuries when he was caught up in the explosion of a landmine in Afghanistan in September last year. He will be one of the 20 to benefit from the increase in compensation. His compensation payment will rise from Ł152,150 to Ł285,000.

His mother Diane, campaigned for a change in compensation rules to help her son, said that the new payment was still nowhere enough to provide for his future needs. She accused the Ministry of Defence of treating wounded soldiers as commodities.

The previous compensation scheme meant injured soldiers were awarded compensation for their three worst injuries and the size of the award was based on a sliding scale.

All injuries now taken into account

Lance Bombardier Parkinson served in southern Afghanistan was granted compensation for losing both his legs, serious head injuries and a broken elbow but not for his other injuries which included fractured ribs, cheek-bone, jaw, nose, pelvis and vertebrae.

The MoD said that it would no longer be using the sliding scale and that soldiers would now be awarded compensation based on all of their injuries.

	Higher compensation amounts for wounded soldiers Twenty soldiers being treated for multiple injuries from action in Iraq and Afghanistan are to be awarded higher compensation under a revised scheme announced by the Ministry of Defence. Increase in compensation Lance Bombardier Ben Parkinson, lost both legs and suffered more than 30 other injuries when he was caught up in the explosion of a landmine in Afghanistan in September last year. He will be one of the 20 to benefit from the increase in compensation. His compensation payment will rise from Ł152,150 to Ł285,000. His mother Diane, campaigned for a change in compensation rules to help her son, said that the new payment was still nowhere enough to provide for his future needs. She accused the Ministry of Defence of treating wounded soldiers as commodities. The previous compensation scheme meant injured soldiers were awarded compensation for their three worst injuries and the size of the award was based on a sliding scale. All injuries now taken into account Lance Bombardier Parkinson served in southern Afghanistan was granted compensation for losing both his legs, serious head injuries and a broken elbow but not for his other injuries which included fractured ribs, cheek-bone, jaw, nose, pelvis and vertebrae. The MoD said that it would no longer be using the sliding scale and that soldiers would now be awarded compensation based on all of their injuries.	Start your claim For free advice, fill in the form and we'll call you back! Name * Required Telephone number * Required Type of accident