Insurance firm reviews payout to injured soldier

The Times on 6 April 2010 carried the story of Private Dave Tatlock who carried the Carling Cup onto the pitch at Wembley before the game between Manchester United and Aston Villa in February.

The Times reported that the insurance company Abacus is reviewing the payout Private Tatlock was due to receive.

Kevan Jones, the Veteran Minister, is reported as saying this is an “absolute disgrace”.

I met Private Tatlock, who is a local lad, at Headley Court Rehabilitation Centre. Like all the soldiers I see there it seemed clear to me that he has suffered serious injuries and like many soldiers there he was working hard at rehabilitation and inspired with his positive mental attitude.

I certainly know that a lot of soldiers are unhappy with the outcome of their claims against several insurance companies who specialise in policies for the Armed Forces in terms of payouts they receive when injured in Iraq and Afghanistan. I do seem to recall that there was a shortage of insurance companies who were offering terms.

One soldier, who was insured with a different insurance company, expressed unhappiness to me that his multiple injuries could not be considered under the policy when as an EOD operator it was reasonably foreseeable that multiple injuries would occur.

I hope the Ministry of Defence has reviewed and is happy with the insurance policies available to service personnel before they deploy. I hope in this case that Private Tatlock is treated fairly by the insurance company on the basis of medical evidence that takes into account injuries he has sustained.