Orthopaedic shoes are sometimes required where an employee has suffered an injury later necessitating built up shoes. These usually can only be purchased from specialist footwear cobblers.
In considering claims for orthopaedic shoes (which does not include sports shoes such as runners) the following should be taken into account:
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the reasonableness of the purchase, having regard to the compensable condition;
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the cost of the shoes; and
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the frequency required of wearing the shoes. It may mean that more than one pair should be purchased at the one time.
Generally, the full cost of initial purchase, replacement and repair should be met in full. However, where the employee requires existing footwear to be adjusted, only the alteration cost should be met.