Lance Bombardier Ben Parkinson
Mother criticises MoD The mother of a soldier who lost both his legs in an explosion in Afghanistan is to challenge his "flawed" compensation award in the High Court.
Lance Bombardier Ben Parkinson, 23, was injured by a landmine in September.
The paratrooper, who will need special medical care for the rest of his life, was awarded £152,150 in compensation. His mother said he had been "let down".
The government said a review of the military compensation scheme was due to be completed within weeks.
Armed Forces Minister, Bob Ainsworth, said: "It is because of circumstances like this that the system is being reviewed and we will conduct that review as quickly as we can... to see whether or not we need to change the scheme that's in place."
'Fighting fund'
The Ministry of Defence said Mr Parkinson would also receive a guaranteed income payment for the rest of his life after he has left the Army.
He is reportedly one of the most seriously injured soldiers to survive.
Payment for injuries
Loss of legs - £115,000
Brain injury - £34,500
Fractures to arm - £2,650
Remaining 34 injuries - no payment
He lost both his legs as well as suffering a brain injury, fractures to his skull, cheekbone, nose, jaw, pelvis and vertebrae, as well as serious damage to his spleen and chest.
However, the award he received is only slightly more than half the maximum £285,000 which can be given to injured military personnel.
Diane Dernie, 49, is setting up a "fighting fund" to pay for her High Court bid.
She said: "We just can't believe that a scheme intended to care for soldiers who put themselves in such dangerous situations could be so flawed.
'Very positive'
"Any assessment of injury must look at the totality of those injuries to make a true award based on the long-term needs of the victim.
Mrs Dernie said the whole family felt 'let down' by the MoD
"The severity of Ben's injuries means that we need to be able to move to an adapted house to help him live as normal a life as possible."
Mrs Dearnie said her family had initially been told Ben would die from his injuries.
She said: "Ben was extremely ill, we were told that he was going to die. He was brought home directly to hospital rather than one of the specialist treatment centres because it was thought his injuries were un-survivable.
"But he has amazed everybody and he continues to improve - but he will need care for the rest of his life.
"Ben is very positive, he is very army minded and he also knows that he will always have his family behind him.
"We do try and shield him from some of the worst of our fears, but we do feel very let down."
Lump sum payment
According to Mr Parkinson's lawyers, the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS) only considers the three "worst" injuries, which are then assessed financially against a set tariff.
Mrs Dernie said her plans for a legal challenge were being backed by a number of other injured servicemen and their families.
"We owe it to all the injured soldiers to fight for the compensation they deserve, and which will help them to live the best quality life they can expect," she said.
In a statement, the MoD said: "The Armed Forces Compensation Scheme has made a lump sum payment to Ben Parkinson and will make additional monthly tax-free payments when he leaves service.
"The sum total of these could exceed £1m over his lifetime."
Mother criticises MoD The mother of a soldier who lost both his legs in an explosion in Afghanistan is to challenge his "flawed" compensation award in the High Court.
Lance Bombardier Ben Parkinson, 23, was injured by a landmine in September.
The paratrooper, who will need special medical care for the rest of his life, was awarded £152,150 in compensation. His mother said he had been "let down".
The government said a review of the military compensation scheme was due to be completed within weeks.
Armed Forces Minister, Bob Ainsworth, said: "It is because of circumstances like this that the system is being reviewed and we will conduct that review as quickly as we can... to see whether or not we need to change the scheme that's in place."
'Fighting fund'
The Ministry of Defence said Mr Parkinson would also receive a guaranteed income payment for the rest of his life after he has left the Army.
He is reportedly one of the most seriously injured soldiers to survive.
Payment for injuries
Loss of legs - £115,000
Brain injury - £34,500
Fractures to arm - £2,650
Remaining 34 injuries - no payment
He lost both his legs as well as suffering a brain injury, fractures to his skull, cheekbone, nose, jaw, pelvis and vertebrae, as well as serious damage to his spleen and chest.
However, the award he received is only slightly more than half the maximum £285,000 which can be given to injured military personnel.
Diane Dernie, 49, is setting up a "fighting fund" to pay for her High Court bid.
She said: "We just can't believe that a scheme intended to care for soldiers who put themselves in such dangerous situations could be so flawed.
'Very positive'
"Any assessment of injury must look at the totality of those injuries to make a true award based on the long-term needs of the victim.
Mrs Dernie said the whole family felt 'let down' by the MoD
"The severity of Ben's injuries means that we need to be able to move to an adapted house to help him live as normal a life as possible."
Mrs Dearnie said her family had initially been told Ben would die from his injuries.
She said: "Ben was extremely ill, we were told that he was going to die. He was brought home directly to hospital rather than one of the specialist treatment centres because it was thought his injuries were un-survivable.
"But he has amazed everybody and he continues to improve - but he will need care for the rest of his life.
"Ben is very positive, he is very army minded and he also knows that he will always have his family behind him.
"We do try and shield him from some of the worst of our fears, but we do feel very let down."
Lump sum payment
According to Mr Parkinson's lawyers, the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS) only considers the three "worst" injuries, which are then assessed financially against a set tariff.
Mrs Dernie said her plans for a legal challenge were being backed by a number of other injured servicemen and their families.
"We owe it to all the injured soldiers to fight for the compensation they deserve, and which will help them to live the best quality life they can expect," she said.
In a statement, the MoD said: "The Armed Forces Compensation Scheme has made a lump sum payment to Ben Parkinson and will make additional monthly tax-free payments when he leaves service.
"The sum total of these could exceed £1m over his lifetime."
3 comments:
I think to ask for some parity between civilian payouts and those within the armed services is only right.
Having viewed the news last night and seen the politicians create some spin around their thought process is an insult to this guy and his family.
As I have said in previous posts 'Politicians need to Grow A Spine' and honour the men and women properly.
What an insult!!!
This is my letter to the Observer Newspaper;
Dear Editor
I am writing concerning your article on Lance Bombardier Ben Parkinson, 23, who was injured by a landmine in September.
My own thoughts is that we should ask for some parity between the various civilian payouts and those within the armed services, for it is only right, and indeed proper.
For a mother and father to have to consider selling their home in order to ensure this soldier's well being in the long-term is an absolute disgrace, and we as a country should be ashamed of ourselves.
This guy wore the uniform for his country proudly, he didn't question the rights or wrong of the war, or indeed the decision of the various politicians around sending him to fight. Now, when he is returned home along with the other injured servicemen and women, we as a country evade the compensation issue like the plague. Why can't we have a CAN DO attitude to achieving a satisfactory outcome for this guy. I am appalled at this governments' attitude and in particular the ministers attitude last night, in creating and playing spin with their response to the compensation issue. Its morally wrong, and an insult to this guy and his family.
As an ex-serviceman myself, I truly believe 'Politicians need to Grow A Spine' and honour these men and women fairly and properly. For going to war is when the politicians have failed in their job to achieve a satisfactory outcome peacefully. WE choose to become soldiers having said that soldiers are but tools of the politicians, called upon at a moments notice to respond to the various operational scenarios and theatre's around the globe.
God forbid that their children choose a career in the armed services. They might well find themselves on the recieving end of a system that wriggles out of paying appropriately for the future care of their loved ones if they become injured fighting on behalf of their country. Their sons and daughters will have their fathers to thank for an archaic system, however, they have multiple homes and substantial salaries to pay for it don't they.
John Nash
Nothing ever surprises me. having said that after my own 'incident', I would have got more compensation if I had lost a thumb. Cant walk? oh no problem......not that Im bitter you understand!!
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