Military Injury Compensation Solicitors.

Like any employer, the Ministry of Defence is responsible for providing a safe working environment, underpinned by sound employment procedures, for all of its employees. There is of course an understanding (which will be agreed in each employment contract) that serving in hostile situations will bring its own element of risk – but there are still legal requirements which need to be followed to minimise that risk as much as possible.

The specialist lawyers at Lanyon Bowdler have experience of dealing with Military Injury Claims for serious head injuries, amputee cases, occupational injury and stress and work cases, and PTSD cases – all involving people who served or were serving in the Armed Forces.

The AFCS is a government scheme that provides compensation to serving and former members of the UK Armed Forces who have suffered an injury, illness or death caused by their service on or after 6 April 2005.

There is no obligation to establish fault under the scheme, which means if the injury was caused by service, the scheme will provide compensation provided the eligibility criteria are met, but the amount that can be recovered is limited – up to a maximum £570,000.

The AFCS can pay out a lump sum for pain and suffering, and in more serious cases, ongoing payments for loss of earnings or additional care needs. Many people apply for an AFCS award alongside exploring a civil claim if there’s evidence of negligence.

Yes, you can pursue both an AFCS claim and a separate civil negligence claim at the same time or one after the other. The AFCS is a government scheme that pays compensation for injuries or illnesses caused by service, regardless of who was at fault (it’s a “no-fault” scheme). A civil claim is different: it’s a legal action for negligence, meaning you must prove that mistakes or failures in duty caused your injury.

If you succeed with both, any payment you get from the AFCS may be deducted from your civil claim compensation, to avoid “double compensation”.

For an Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS) claim, you generally have seven years from the date of your injury, illness, or diagnosis to submit your application. There can be exceptions in certain circumstances, such as when the effects of the injuries are only discovered later.

For a civil negligence claim for military injuries, the standard time limit is usually three years from the date of the injury or from when you first realised it was linked to negligent treatment or unsafe conditions.

You can claim for a wide range of injuries or conditions linked to military service. This includes:

• Brain injuries
• Spinal injuries
• Amputation
• Hearing loss
• Cold injuries
• Training accidents
• Faulty equipment
• Exposure to harmful substances
• Psychological injury or PTSD

You may also have a claim if negligent medical care made things worse, or if you suffered bullying or harassment that caused harm.

If you’re unsure whether your situation qualifies, our friendly team can quickly advise you on your options and next steps.

Yes, combat immunity will affect the type of claims you can make for military injuries.

Combat immunity means you generally can’t make a civil claim for injuries caused directly by enemy action during combat. However, you may still claim if your injuries resulted from negligence away from the battlefield, like poor training, faulty equipment or delays in medical treatment. If you’re unsure how this applies to you, we can explain it clearly and help you understand your rights.

Yes, most of our Military Injury Claims are handled on a No Win No Fee basis. There’s no upfront cost to start your case, and no legal fees to pay if your claim doesn’t succeed. We’ll explain all your options clearly from day one, so you know exactly where you stand.

In most cases, military claims settle through negotiation, so it’s rare for you to appear in court. If you make a civil claim, we work hard to resolve it without the stress of a trial. If you need to appeal a decision under the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme, this might involve a Tribunal hearing.

Either way, you won’t face it alone. Our experienced team will prepare everything, represent you, and stand by you every step of the way to make the process as straightforward and stress-free as possible.

Yes, serving personnel and reservists can make Military Injury Claims. Doing so shouldn’t affect your career, and it’s your right to seek fair compensation if you’ve been harmed due to negligence. We understand military life, and will handle your claim with care and discretion.

Yes, you can bring a civil claim for negligence after getting an AFCS payment. However, any compensation you’ve already received may be deducted from a civil settlement to avoid double payments. We can explain how this works and help you get the full amount you’re entitled to.

Yes, you can often claim for military injuries that occur abroad, whether during training, on base, or in other non-combat duties. Many service personnel are injured overseas because of poor equipment, unsafe working conditions, or failures in supervision and planning.

Even if you were far from home when it happened, your right to claim still applies, and we have experience helping clients bring claims for incidents in common foreign training locations. We’ll guide you through the process and make sure everything is handled properly, wherever you were based at the time.

A civil claim can cover more than the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme alone. You may be able to claim for lost earnings, pension loss, medical treatment, rehabilitation, equipment, care, and the impact your injury has had on your daily life and future plans.

Every case is different, so we’ll work closely with you to make sure your claim reflects the true effect of your injuries and secures the support you need.

Yes, if a service person has sadly died because of negligence, their family may be able to bring a civil claim for compensation. This can help cover financial support that has been lost, funeral costs, and provide some security for the future.

We understand how deeply painful this is and approach every case with care, compassion and respect. Our team is here to guide you through what’s involved and support you at every step.