Former Shropshire soldier loses compensation claim over ‘gunfire’ deafness
A former soldier from Shrewsbury has lost a compensation claim after complaining that inadequate protection by the Army from rifle shooting caused him to become deaf.
Michael Loveridge from Sundorne, made his claim at a War Pensions & Armed Forces Compensation Tribunal at Birmingham.
The tribunal recommends the Army to pay claimants compensation if the claim is justified.
Mr Loveridge was a rifleman from 1965 to 1977 and was stationed in Northern Ireland at one stage.
He told the tribunal that his hearing worsened after leaving the forces and believed the damage had been caused by the Army’s failure to provide enough protection for his hearing during exercises and training.
Mr Loveridge, who worked for the Royal Mail on leaving the Army, said he now had to use hearing aids.
He was represented at the tribunal by the Royal British Legion.
Tribunal judge Mr David Jackson told Mr Loveridge that the panel had to decide whether the deafness had been caused during his Army service or whether it had been caused by deterioration due to age.
After a brief adjournment Mr Jackson told Mr Loveridge that his claim had failed.
The tribunal deals with about 100 claims a year. and recently recommended the Army to award Mr Philip Goodman, formerly of the Queen’s Royal Hussars, an “appropriate amount” for his deafness.
He successfully complained that inadequate ears plugs issued by the Army during mock battles, involving gun ,in this country caused him to go deaf.
