Military Compensation Claims

Military personnel can suffer various physical and psychological injuries when serving their country, including hearing loss and cancer. Our solicitors can help you on the journey to getting the compensation you deserve for your injuries.

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When You Can Claim Against the Military

You might be entitled to compensation if you’ve served in the military and suffered an injury or illness due to negligence. While being in the Armed Forces naturally comes with risks, the Ministry of Defences (MoD) has a duty to protect service members from avoidable harm. Negligence can appear in many forms, from failing to maintain safe working conditions to providing inadequate training or protective equipment.

Here are some examples of when a serving military personnel or veteran may be eligible to make a compensation claim:

Hearing Loss: Noise-induced hearing loss and tinnitus are common injuries military personnel suffer from. This is often an underestimated but serious condition, as hearing impairment and tinnitus can develop gradually instead of appearing immediately, as visible injuries do. Exposure to loud and continuous sounds such as explosions, helicopters, and gunfire can significantly impact hearing if control measures aren’t implemented.
Cancer Diagnosis: Military personnel may regularly find themselves exposed to conditions that can cause cancer. For example, helicopters can emit toxic exhaust fumes, while tanks and armoured vehicles have been found to use hazardous chromium paint. Frequent exposure to these contaminants without protective measures can lead to health problems like lung disease and cancer. Exposure can happen when refuelling, while on a lengthy mission in an enclosed cabin, or when conducting maintenance work in a hangar.
Psychological Trauma: Members of the armed forces are often introduced to challenging and potentially traumatic experiences. These events can cause various psychological illnesses, such as post-traumatic stress disorder.
Training Injuries: Training exercises prepare military personnel for high-pressure and physically demanding scenarios. These activities understandably have risks, but accidents can arise from negligence or poor planning, leading to severe injuries.
And more…

The above list is just a summary of the compensation claims we can help you make against the military. For more information on the above claims or if you have another case you would like to discuss, don’t hesitate to contact our solicitors today.

How Much Compensation Will I Get?

As with any personal injury or negligence claim, every case is judged on its own merits. Several factors influence how much compensation you will receive, including the severity of your injuries, the impact on your life, and the financial losses you’ve endured. The compensation must be the right amount to help you get the support you need, including treatment and rehabilitation, to recover from the accident.

Compensation is often split into the two following categories:

General Damages: This covers the pain and suffering you’ve endured, so the extent of your injuries and how it has impacted your life will significantly affect this amount. The more severe and destabilising the injury, the larger the payout will be. Medical reports are valuable in demonstrating the impact of your injuries.
Special Damages: This covers elements like losses incurred, such as medical bills, loss of earnings, the equipment you need (e.g. hearing aids), care costs and any adaptations you need to make to your home to help you get by.

Contact us today, and our specialist solicitors will be able to provide tailored advice on your options and an estimate of how much compensation you could be entitled to.

How to Start Your Military Claim

If you believe you have a case against the military, it’s simple to get started. You can contact Hutcheon Law via the below contact form, phone (0151 724 7121) or email (info@hutcheonlaw.co.uk). You will be in touch with our specialist and experienced solicitors who can provide no-obligation advice. We will ask various questions to learn more about your unique case, including your injuries, how you believe the incident occurred, and the impact on your life. During this initial conversation, we will usually be able to advise whether you have a claim or not and can provide details on the process so you know what to expect.

If you’re happy to appoint us to manage your claim, we will be transparent in explaining how we work and our fees. As we work on a No Win, No Fee basis, you won’t need to pay us anything unless we win your case and get you the compensation you’re owed. We will handle the stressful and time-consuming work, including filing paperwork and gathering evidence, to build the strongest possible case while ensuring you can focus on what matters most – recovering from your injuries. We will formally submit the claim on your behalf and either negotiate a settlement or take the case to court. Most claims we deal with are usually settled without the need for court intervention.

Use the quick and easy form below to leave your details with us.

Frequestly Asked Questions

Yes, claims in the United Kingdom are bound by a limitation period, as specified by the Limitation Act 1980. Typically, claims must be made within three years from the date of the incident or the date when you first became aware of the injury. There are some exceptions to the rule, where a court may decide to grant you an extension. You can speak to our solicitors for guidance on whether you can or cannot start a claim.

If you currently serve in the armed forces, you can still seek compensation for your injuries. Claims are not only limited to veterans. We highly recommend you approach solicitors for advice as soon as possible to determine your eligibility and start the process to avoid any time cut-offs.

Making a successful compensation claim against the military won't affect any pension or benefits you currently receive or expect to receive in the future. Injury compensation is judged separately from any military entitlements and provides financial support for the harm and impact the incident has had on your life.

The time it takes to complete your compensation claim against the military can depend on several factors, including whether or not the military disputes liability and how long it takes to gather crucial supporting evidence. It could take a matter of months or years from starting your claim to receiving the compensation you deserve. We will work quickly to gather the strongest possible evidence to prove your entitlement and ensure your claim is submitted swiftly while maximising how much money you receive.

We are No Win, No Fee solicitors, which means you can start your claim without worrying about financial risk. You will only pay our fees if we win the case. If the claim is unsuccessful for whatever reason, you don't have to pay a penny. This agreement ensures that victims can start the process of getting compensation without the fear of paying costs if they lose their case.