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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
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| Maimed soldier payout 'insulting' | Maimed soldier payout 'insulting' |
| (19 minutes later) | |
| 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. | 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, was injured 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 expect 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." |
| 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. | 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. |
| The soldier was injured in a landmine explosion | |
| Mrs Dernie said her plans for a legal challenge were 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. |
| 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." |