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Soldier left disabled after bridge jump to receive compensation
Mon 6th Jul 09 - 14:28
Charles Radclyffe, an officer in the Irish Guards, is set to receive millions in accident compensation after sustaining horrific personal injuries after jumping from a bridge.
Charles Radclyffe was left paraplegic after jumping 65 feet from a bridge into a reservoir. He was told by a senior officer that it would be "bad form" if he did not make the jump. Despite reservations, he felt under peer pressure to make the jump and suffered very serious injuries as a result.
The Ministry of Defence (MOD) argued that as he was not on duty at the time and that he was the ‘voluntary author of his own misfortune' and therefore they were not liable to pay him accident compensation. However judges ruled that the soldier was under ‘considerable pressure' and the jump was ‘not solely his own freely made decision' and further that the captain in charge owed a ‘duty of care' to the officer.
The Ministry of Defence (MOD) have been ordered to pay an initial compensation sum of £200,000, but the final compensation award is expected to run into millions.
The Armed Forces Compensation Scheme is a compensation scheme for all members of the Regular and Reserve Forces. Established in 2005, the MoD compensation scheme provides compensation for all injuries, ill health and deaths which may arise as a result of service.
Freeclaim military compensation solicitors specialise in helping Armed Forces personnel claim accident compensation for serious injuries and illnesses. If you would like to discuss an injury or illness due to service in full confidence, call Freeclaim personal injury solicitors on 0800 24 34 09 or start your Armed Forces compensation claim online.