Military Claims.
If you've been injured whilst serving in the military, you may be able to claim compensation. Contact our Personal Injury Team, who are here to help.
An injury sustained during military service can affect far more than your physical health, changing your career, your independence and the future you had planned for yourself and your family.
For many service personnel and veterans, you may be coping with pain, treatment and rehabilitation while also facing uncertainty about your role, your long-term prospects and the effect this has had on those closest to you. Whether your injury arose during training, because of unsafe equipment, or poor systems of work, it is natural to want clear answers about what went wrong and what support may now be available.
At Lanyon Bowdler, our specialist Personal Injury Solicitors understand the particular circumstances surrounding military injury claims and the lasting effect these cases can have on every part of life. Bringing a claim can help you secure financial support for your recovery, future care, lost earnings and the practical adjustments that may now be needed, while also holding those responsible to account. We take the time to understand your experience and provide clear, straightforward advice tailored to your circumstances.
Recognised by Legal 500 and Chambers UK, our team is known for its expertise in injury claims and for the compassionate way we support clients through difficult times. We also work with local agencies through the Armed Forces Community Covenant, allowing us to offer wider support that reflects the realities of life in the Armed Forces community.
If you are considering making a claim, speak to Lanyon Bowdler today. Our dedicated team is here to listen, advise and help you move forward.
Alexander Spanner is a specialist in making Military Injury Claims. He is an associate solicitor with insight into military injury cases.
Alexander has a detailed understanding of the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS) to ensure clients receive compensation for injury, illness or death whilst serving in the armed forces, and not exclusively than in combat. He is experienced in Military Injury Compensation cases often involving complex legal and medical issues.
Alexander is recognised as a Recommended Lawyer in the 2025 edition of Legal 500.
Dawn Humphries is a Military Injury Solicitor with 28 years of experience, and specialises in Military Injury Claims.
She advises in Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS) Claims for personal injuries that occur both within the UK and during tours of duty overseas. Dawn is committed to ensuring clients receive early funding for care provision and appropriate and accessible housing and adaptations.
The 2025 edition of Legal 500 recognises Dawn as a Leading Partner and she is a Senior Litigator with the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL).
It is a question we get asked a lot – and the short answer is yes, but there are of course lots of different factors which will influence the type of case you can pursue.
The team of specialist Military Injury Lawyers here at Lanyon Bowdler have a great deal of understanding and experience of complex military cases, and will be able to talk you through the process, starting with a friendly, down-to-earth chat about what’s happened and what you would like to do about it.
There are two main areas of legal claims which we assist with:
The Personal Injury Team is recognised in Tier 2 for the West Midlands in the 2025 edition of the Legal 500, which states:
‘The ‘very client-centred’ team at Lanyon Bowdler is ably led by Dawn Humphries who is based at the Shrewsbury office. Humphries excels in serious brain and spinal injuries. She is also well-regarded for her work on employers’ liability claims that arise from accidents at work, particularly at construction sites. Telford-based Debbie Humphries is recommended for her representation of clients who have sustained life-changing injuries. Phillip Roberts is at the Hereford office, and has particular experience in areas such as accident at work cases and loss of limbs claims. Associate Karen Clarke is another notable member of the practice.’
Chambers UK 2025 rank the department in Band 1 and state:
‘The firm is particularly experienced in acting for clients with spinal and cerebral injuries. Also skilled in handling military cases and works alongside clinical negligence and Court of Protection teams to fully support clients.’
“The team are always friendly and nothing is a problem for them.”
Dawn Humphries handles a wide range of orthopaedic and spinal injury claims. She is active on an array of personal injury cases, including those relating to workplace accidents and RTAs.
“Dawn is empathetic and sympathetic but very calmly assertive when it came to pushing back onto defence.”
“She is really on the ball and is open to having a discussion on how to improve the case.”
Debbie Humphries is highlighted for her experience in handling a full range of severe injury matters, including motor incidents and accidents at work.
“Debbie supports her clients with a balance of compassion and sector knowledge.”
Find out more about the team and the type of work we do, by clicking on the link opposite and downloading our brochure.
In this episode, you’ll hear us chatting with Sarah Kerr about the support Shropshire council offers to all military personnel, veterans and their families, through their armed forces outreach programme. Sarah is ex-military herself, and acts as the Outreach Support Coordinator for Shropshire Council.
This episode’s all about the amazing work of The Headley Court Veteran’s Orthopaedic Centre at Robert Jones & Anges Hunt Hospital in Oswestry. Carl talks about his inspiration for creating and developing the veteran’s service that’s seen around 25,000 patients over the past nine years. He talks about how it’s funded, and his future plans for the centre.
Listen here as we speak with a client, who’s a veteran and sufferer of PTSD. He talks about his need to take action against the MOD for his injuries, how difficult it was to take that first step to pursue a claim, and the stigma that still surrounds PTSD.
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 £650,000.
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:
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.
Depending on the type of Military Injury Claim you are bringing, we may be able to assist you on a No Win No Fee basis. In these cases, 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.
Phillip Roberts handled my claim in a professional and knowledgable way and I would like to thank him very much for all the work he has done for me.
After my experience using LB 15 years ago and being very impressed I had no hesitation in using them again on a totally different matter and I was not disappointed. Excellent service once again with a successful secondary victim claim.
First Class experience from start to finish with this company.
One hundred percent happy with my claim and the outcome my solicitor was brilliant all through my case.
First Class Service
I was injured in a terrible accident whilst working on a farm, I was left with extensive injuries to my arm which impacted all aspects of my life including my ability to go back to work. Once I had instructed Lanyon Bowdler they instructed medical experts who were able to recommend rehabilitation for me which was arranged, and this meant that I could go back to work and start living independently again. They secured compensation of £45,000 and gave me all the advice and support I needed to accept the offer made.
After a horrible road traffic accident I was left with minimal physical injuries but a significant psychological injury which affected all aspects of my life including my ability to go back to work. Lanyon Bowdler handled my claim whilst also securing crucial rehabilitation for me. They secured £85,000 in compensation for me just after a year after my accident.
After a serious motorbike accident in which my Dad sustained significant head and life changing injuries I instructed Lanyon Bowdler to assist me with making a claim on his behalf. As part of his claim they ensured that he received an appropriate care package to support him in living independently and access to appropriate rehabilitation. They secured for him a settlement of £3.1m together with PPOs for his care and case management for the rest of his life which means that all of his needs can be met.
Dependable, thoughtful and sound advice. Professional, personable and accessible. A stalwart presence with good advice throughout – thank you.
I am very happy with the services. Excellent communication and knowledge. Very professional. Everything was well explained and there was nothing hidden. Highly recommended.
Used Lanyon Bowdler for a personal injury claim regarding a trip in a supermarket. I found the service very helpful and would use again.
From the first contact, the team at Lanyon Bowdler gave a fast & efficient service. They were very friendly & gave me the confidence that I had found the right solicitors. The advice given & the fast responses were beyond my expectations. The matter was resolved in no time at all.
It is a pleasure to act as a case manager for clients represented by the personal injury team at Lanyon Bowdler Solicitors. Lanyon Bowdler PI team are proactive and truly client centred. They understand the clients they represent and work tirelessly to achieve the best they can for them. Through collaborative working we have been able to achieve the best outcomes possible for our clients.
As a case manager I work closely with litigation teams to ensure our clients get the expertise, support and care they need to bring them back to as close to their life pre-injury as possible. This is very often not an easy journey, and balancing the desires of the client to live their best life with collating and presenting the facts of how that life is altered, can be very challenging. Having worked alongside Lanyon Bowdler’s team for many years, I have noted it is always easier to strike this balance, when they are involved.
Having worked with a succession of personal injury specialists at Lanyon Bowdler over the years, I have seen at first hand the top-flight legal expertise that they bring to every case and the commitment to obtaining the absolutely best result for every client. Equally importantly, I am struck by the compassion, empathy and humanity with which every client is treated. They go above and beyond to ensure their clients receive the very best representation.
The team at Lanyon Bowdler show an exceptional knowledge and understanding of their client’s needs, not just in terms of the claim that they lead, but also the emotional and personal experiences that they will have on that journey.
Lanyon Bowdler provide seamless ongoing emotional support, information and guidance to their clients over what may be many years of a PI claim. This significantly helps mitigate the “stress” of a claim for their clients, and in my medicolegal experience puts them way ahead of other legal firms.
Contacted Lanyon Bowdler six months after an injury at work. They offered me several of their services, including no win no fee which I ended up choosing. The solicitor was extremely helpful, was always keeping me updated when there was news and answered promptly when asked for any updates or when I asked any questions. I was very happy with the final settlement and the advice I received proved to be the best for my case. I felt like the extra bit of care was extended to give me a good idea of the options I had to choose from which really helped to inform any decision.
From my initial approach to the final positive outcome I felt my solicitor was expending all his energy to win the case. I was kept informed throughout and was given straightforward advice on how to proceed. The end result was an acceptable outcome and the pay-out was prompt.
Very friendly and quick to respond, highly recommend for anyone looking for legal advice.
I couldn’t be happier with the service I have received over the past six years. I would highly recommend Lanyon Bowdler for legal requirements.
Since dealing with Lanyon Bowdler they have been diligent, efficient and at all times very helpful along with being structured in dealing with matters, fees and clarity on all levels. Thank you.
I was clearly informed of progress step by step. The service you provided was very good.
All work carried out effectively and efficiently.
An excellent service with solicitors that you can talk to and who give you a clear understanding of all necessary legal implications and interpretations.
From start to finish we had excellent service. Friendly, approachable and professional.
Very clear, concise advice and guidance, easy to understand.
Good service provided throughout with clear communication throughout with all options explored.
I can thoroughly recommend the highly professional and supportive service received over the last few months.
Responsive, supportive, approachable, clear and empathetic.
Professional and prompt communication. Supportive and client focused.
Whenever I have had need to contact Lanyon Bowdler I have always received a fast, concise and friendly response.
Definitely would use Lanyon Bowdler again if I need the use of a solicitor.
Smooth and efficient service from very professional firm.
We were particularly impressed with the quality of work, the speed and excellent communication.
Very friendly and approachable. Very good advice
Great Service; Lanyon Bowdler were excellent from the outset. Straightforward and easy process. I just sat back and waited.
Everything has been professional, efficient and courteous throughout and we are very pleased, both with the service and with the eventual outcome of our case. Everything was first class and exceeded our expectations. Thank you again for providing such splendid service. It is really appreciated.
If you have been injured whilst serving with the Armed Forces, you may be entitled to compensation which can massively help pay for treatment or necessary adaptations to your home which can make a tremendous difference to your quality of life.
Our solicitors are determined that clients receive not only the best financial result, but access to care and specialist treatment as well. Give our friendly team of Personal Injury Claim Solicitors a call to see how we can help, or use the online enquiry form.
We are a top law firm with specialised No Win No Fee solicitors who can guide you through the entire process and assist with your recovery. We understand the deep effect these injuries can have on your life, and our commitment is to you and your journey.
We have offices in Shrewsbury, Bromyard, Hereford, Ludlow, Oswestry, Telford, and Conwy, and we have dealt with Military Injury Claims in Birmingham, Wolverhampton and Worcester. We are a leading law firm in Wales, Shropshire and Herefordshire.
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