This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/south_yorkshire/6966684.stm

The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Maimed para's payout 'an insult' Maimed soldier payout 'insulting'
(about 3 hours later)
The mother of a soldier horrifically injured in Afghanistan has revealed she is hoping to challenge his "insulting" compensation award in the High Court. The mother of a soldier who lost both his legs in an explosion in Afghanistan is to challenge his "insulting" compensation award in the High Court.
Lance Bombardier Ben Parkinson, 23, lost both legs and suffered 37 injuries in a landmine explosion last September. Lance Bombardier Ben Parkinson, 23, was injured in a landmine explosion last September.
The paratrooper, who will need special medical care for the rest of his life, was awarded £152,150 in compensation.The paratrooper, who will need special medical care for the rest of his life, was awarded £152,150 in compensation.
His mother, Diane Dernie, of Doncaster, described the sum as an insult and said the compensation scheme was flawed.His mother, Diane Dernie, of Doncaster, described the sum as an insult and said the compensation scheme was flawed.
Her son is reportedly one of the most seriously injured soldiers to survive.Her son is reportedly one of the most seriously injured soldiers to survive.
However, the award he received is only slightly more than half the maximum £285,000 which can be given to injured military personnel.However, the award he received is only slightly more than half the maximum £285,000 which can be given to injured military personnel.
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 expected Diane Dernie, Lance Bombardier Ben Parkinson's mother 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 Diane Dernie, Lance Bombardier Ben Parkinson's mother
Mrs Dernie, 49, is setting up a "fighting fund" to pay for her High Court bid.Mrs 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.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.
"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."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.
"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."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.
"I really don't feel this will be possible with an award of this size.""I really don't feel this will be possible with an award of this size."
Lance Bombardier Parkinson lost both his legs as well as suffering a brain injury, fractures to his skull, cheekbone, nose, jaw and pelvis, fractured vertebrae, as well as serious damage to his spleen and chest. Mr Parkinson 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.
But, according to his lawyers, the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS) only considers the three "worst" injuries, which are then assessed financially against a set tariff.But, according to his 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 are being backed by a number of other injured servicemen and their families. 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."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.
Because the current system means only the three worst injuries are taken into account, the 34 other suffered by the soldier do not count.
Mrs Dernie's solicitor, Andrew Buckham, said: "The current conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq are resulting in service personnel returning to the UK with horrific injuries which will need rehabilitative support and care in the long term.
"The current scheme is not flexible enough to fairly assess the cases of multiple injury such as Ben's and with an upper limit of £285,000 the scheme does not provide sufficient funds to meet the future needs of severely injured service personnel."
A spokesman for the Ministry of Defence said: "The AFCS scheme is based on modern best practice and was developed in line with other existing, established models such as the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme.A spokesman for the Ministry of Defence said: "The AFCS scheme is based on modern best practice and was developed in line with other existing, established models such as the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme.
"But we are keeping it under review in light of experience, particularly the complex injuries currently being sustained on operations, to ensure that it remains focused on the most severely injured.""But we are keeping it under review in light of experience, particularly the complex injuries currently being sustained on operations, to ensure that it remains focused on the most severely injured."