Post by cammy on Jun 17, 2009 14:48:19 GMT 1
Troops to sue MoD over cold feet
Soldiers suffering equivalent of ‘trench foot’
Published: 17 June 2009
related links
Weblink: BBC's Radio 4's Today programme
The MoD faces a multi-million-pound compensation bill after being sued by soldiers suffering the modern equivalent of trench foot.
More than 100 troops, mainly from Commonwealth countries, have complained of being told to ‘get on with it’ while their feet and fingers swelled up from the cold.
One soldier told BBC’s Radio 4’s Today programme that while on exercise in Wales superiors ignored his complaints. He said: “Your feet are stuck in your boots. They are swollen and your fingers feel too stiff to move. I was told, ‘soldier on and stop being a wimp.’”
He has since suffered constant sore feet and nails that continually drop off. He was medically discharged from the Army but finds it difficult to get treatment at home in Nigeria.
Feet and hands that are consistently kept at low temperatures for hours at a time can lead to a lifetime of sensitivity to low temperatures and pain, leading to a condition known as Non-freezing Cold Injury.
Commonwealth soldiers make up 7% of the Army and many hail from warmer climates such as the Caribbean and West Africa. They can be up to 30 times more likely to suffer, according to specialists in thermal medicine at the Institute of Naval Medicine in Hampshire.
It is expected that the MoD will have to pay out around £8m in compensation. Solicitor Simon Harrington told the BBC that these injuries were entirely avoidable. “The kit was sub-standard, the training was sub-standard and the supervision afforded to soldiers, and recruits in particular, was sub-standard.”
A spokesman from the MoD maintained that training standards have improved. He said: ”The MoD regrets any injury suffered by our personnel while on duty. We can confirm that approximately 150 claims for Non-freezing Cold Injury are currently being investigated. Where the MoD is liable… compensation will be paid.”
Soldiers suffering equivalent of ‘trench foot’
Published: 17 June 2009
related links
Weblink: BBC's Radio 4's Today programme
The MoD faces a multi-million-pound compensation bill after being sued by soldiers suffering the modern equivalent of trench foot.
More than 100 troops, mainly from Commonwealth countries, have complained of being told to ‘get on with it’ while their feet and fingers swelled up from the cold.
One soldier told BBC’s Radio 4’s Today programme that while on exercise in Wales superiors ignored his complaints. He said: “Your feet are stuck in your boots. They are swollen and your fingers feel too stiff to move. I was told, ‘soldier on and stop being a wimp.’”
He has since suffered constant sore feet and nails that continually drop off. He was medically discharged from the Army but finds it difficult to get treatment at home in Nigeria.
Feet and hands that are consistently kept at low temperatures for hours at a time can lead to a lifetime of sensitivity to low temperatures and pain, leading to a condition known as Non-freezing Cold Injury.
Commonwealth soldiers make up 7% of the Army and many hail from warmer climates such as the Caribbean and West Africa. They can be up to 30 times more likely to suffer, according to specialists in thermal medicine at the Institute of Naval Medicine in Hampshire.
It is expected that the MoD will have to pay out around £8m in compensation. Solicitor Simon Harrington told the BBC that these injuries were entirely avoidable. “The kit was sub-standard, the training was sub-standard and the supervision afforded to soldiers, and recruits in particular, was sub-standard.”
A spokesman from the MoD maintained that training standards have improved. He said: ”The MoD regrets any injury suffered by our personnel while on duty. We can confirm that approximately 150 claims for Non-freezing Cold Injury are currently being investigated. Where the MoD is liable… compensation will be paid.”