Work accident compensation news
03/08/2007
RAF typist awarded almost half a million pounds

Injured servicemen have condemned a decision made by the Ministry of Defence to pay an RAF typist almost half a million pounds in work accident compensation.

The data input clerk contacted personal injury solicitors after developing a hand injury, which she claims prevented her from working and caused her to become depressed.

The injury to her thumb was confirmed by medics who said the women in her early 20s had shown symptoms of repetitive strain injury, most likely caused by typing at work.

But critics have claimed that the decision to award a civilian such a high amount of work accident compensation is an insult to servicemen who have suffered serious personal injuries but struggle to receive any decent amount of compensation.

Commenting of the story, defence analyst Major Charles said, "An award like this to a civilian who is never going to be in fear of her life drags down moral.

"It shows where the MOD's priorities lie and those don't appear to be with the soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan."

It is believed that servicemen who sustain a similar hand injury in a work accident can expect to only receive a one-off payment of just £16,500.