MoD pays

Posted 21/01/2011

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has awarded a paratrooper £1.7 million in personal injury compensation after he lost a leg while serving in Afghanistan.

Sergeant Stuart Pearson, a corporal in the 3rd Battalion, Parachute Regiment, opted to start court proceedings when he was injured by an anti-personnel mine and it turned out that British aircraft did not feature the equipment to winch soldiers to safety.

Healthcare professionals had to amputate his left leg following the incident and experts believe there is a 70 per cent chance he could lose his right limb also.

Mr Pearson, who was handed the Queen’s Gallantry Medal for his services to his country, could make a further personal injury compensation claim if his right leg is amputated.

The accident happened while the soldier was trying to rescue an injured colleague.

Last year, the MoD accepted liability for a helicopter crash in 2007 and may be forced to hand out up to £1 million in personal injury compensation to survivors.