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More money for injured UK troops More money for injured UK troops
(40 minutes later)
The most seriously injured troops will receive more money under changes to the armed forces compensation scheme.The most seriously injured troops will receive more money under changes to the armed forces compensation scheme.
Those hurt will receive up to £285,000 for all injuries suffered in a single incident - rather than just the three most serious, as had been the case.Those hurt will receive up to £285,000 for all injuries suffered in a single incident - rather than just the three most serious, as had been the case.
The mother of Lance Bombardier Ben Parkinson, who received £152,150 for his multiple injuries, said she was "pleased" at the increase. The mother of Lance Bombardier Ben Parkinson, who received £152,150 for his multiple injuries, said the maximum payout sum should have been higher.
Payments will be paid retrospectively back to April 2005. Payments will be made retrospectively back to April 2005.
This means Mr Parkinson will benefit from the reforms. Sources at the Ministry of Defence said he would now receive the £285,000 lump sum payment.This means Mr Parkinson will benefit from the reforms. Sources at the Ministry of Defence said he would now receive the £285,000 lump sum payment.
Typist's thumb Diane Dernie, Mr Parkinson's mother, said she was "pleased that the changes will result in increased payments".
However, she said she would have expected an increase to the maximum payout figure.
We would just ask that this scheme had looked at care needs for the rest of the boys' lives rather than this absolute ceiling figure Diane Dernie, mother of injured soldier
"I still feel that financial security and some kind of dignity for these boys is still a long way off," she said, pointing out that housing and care needs for the rest of their lives meant those injured would need to rely heavily on their families.
She said her son, and others in similar situations, had "given their all" and "deserve not to have a life of worry for themselves and their families".
"We would just ask that this scheme had looked at care needs for the rest of the boys' lives rather than this absolute ceiling figure," she added.
Mrs Dernie said, ultimately, the compensation amounted to "figures on a balance sheet" and she felt the MoD was trying to "dispose of those injured as cheaply as possible".
Changes to the MoD's compensation follow the completion of a review into the multiple injury rules of the scheme.Changes to the MoD's compensation follow the completion of a review into the multiple injury rules of the scheme.
Life-long care
An MoD spokesman also said artificial limbs for injured soldiers, such as Mr Parkinson, would be provided until the person was discharged - and provided by the NHS thereafter.
Answering the criticism regarding life-long care, he said those injured would also receive "tax-free, index-linked guaranteed income payments for the rest of their life, and they may also be entitled to additional state benefits".
Mr Parkinson is reportedly one of the most seriously injured soldiers to survive.Mr Parkinson is reportedly one of the most seriously injured soldiers to survive.
The paratrooper lost both his legs as well as suffering a brain injury, fractures to his skull, cheekbone, nose, jaw, pelvis and vertebrae, in addition to serious damage to his spleen and chest.The paratrooper lost both his legs as well as suffering a brain injury, fractures to his skull, cheekbone, nose, jaw, pelvis and vertebrae, in addition to serious damage to his spleen and chest.
I still feel that financial security and some kind of dignity for these boys is still a long way off Diane Dernie Typist's thumb
The 23-year-old, who had been serving with the 7th Parachute Regiment Royal Horse Artillery in Afghanistan, was awarded £152,000 lump sum because rules of the scheme meant that most of his wounds counted for nothing.The 23-year-old, who had been serving with the 7th Parachute Regiment Royal Horse Artillery in Afghanistan, was awarded £152,000 lump sum because rules of the scheme meant that most of his wounds counted for nothing.
However, in comparison, an RAF typist who damaged her thumb at the Ministry of Defence in London received a payout of £484,000.However, in comparison, an RAF typist who damaged her thumb at the Ministry of Defence in London received a payout of £484,000.
Mr Parkinson's mother, Diane Dernie, said she was "pleased that the changes will result in increased payments". Her injury payment was made in a civil case and included loss of earnings and legal fees, as well as a sum for pain and suffering.
However, she said she would have expected an increase to the maximum payout figure. The payment made to her was not from the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme, unlike Mr Parkinson.
"I still feel that financial security and some kind of dignity for these boys is still a long way off," she said, pointing out that housing and care needs for the rest of their lives meant those injured would need to rely heavily on their families.