Marine fights compensation payout

A Royal Marine hailed a hero by Prince Harry is appealing against the amount of compensation he was awarded.

Ben McBean, from Plymouth, lost his left arm and right leg when a mine exploded last February in Afghanistan.

The 22-year-old was awarded £281,150 and a pension, but his family said the full extent of his injuries had not been taken into account.

He was transported home on the same plane as Prince Harry, who said he was humbled by his bravery.

Legal challenge

Mr McBean, who was serving with Taunton-based 40 Commando, also suffered scarring and nerve and skin damage and will need further surgery to prevent his injuries from deteriorating.

Under the existing Ministry of Defence (MoD) compensation scheme, lump-sum payments for the most serious injuries are capped at £570,000.

The scheme is being reviewed and last week the MoD went to the High Court to challenge tribunal rulings which increased the compensation for two soldiers who developed medical complications after treatment for their initial injuries.

Mr McBean may need to undergo further surgery

Mr McBean's mother Joyce McDonald said her son had served his country and deserved better.

The tribunal will take place on 19 August.

Defence Minister Kevan Jones told BBC News he was committed to seeing personnel receive the support they needed.

"I have taken a close interest in Ben's welfare and contacted him on a number of occasions to offer him my personal support and the opportunity to raise directly with me any problems he has," he said.

"I'm committed to seeing our people get the support they need which is why last year the MoD doubled up-front payments to the most seriously injured and a fresh review of the compensation scheme is being worked on."

Everest challenge

Mr McBean, who raised thousands of pounds for Help for Heroes in April when he ran the London marathon, is due to take part in Exercise Khumbu Challenge later this year at Everest base camp.

It will involve a series of physical challenges for personnel from the Royal Navy and Royal Marines, including those wounded or traumatised in Iraq or Afghanistan.

When the challenge was launched by Prince Harry at Devonport Naval Base last November, the prince promised Mr McBean he would buy him a pint of beer if he was able to reach the top of an 18ft (5.5m) climbing wall.

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