A highly-decorated soldier left paralysed from the waist down following an accident is still fighting for insurance and compensation years after being crippled.
James Dinsdale signed up in 1988 and served in the Intelligence Corps. He loved serving his country, fought in every conflict since signing up and was so well thought of he briefed the Prime Minister during his career. But his latest battle is against military insurance specialist PAX, which has offered a settlement he believes is derisory.
James, 44, suffered injuries to his neck in 2001 while in combat in Kosovo. Periodically the pain would flare up and he required treatment at the army’s rehabilitation centre, Headley Court.
After a tour of Afghanistan in 2008 he needed more treatment and it was while doing an exercise at Headley Court that his partner slipped and the pair fell. James prolapsed a disc in his back, which over time crushed his spine. Despite treatment his condition worsened and he has been left paralysed and requires a potent mix of drugs, including morphine, to dull the pain.
Full story in today's Chronicle.
