Making a claim for defective military equipment

Serving in the Armed Forces is an incredibly hazardous job, and the equipment and tools you use have the potential to cause a great deal of harm if not used correctly or maintained properly. No matter whether you are serving in the Army, Navy, RAF, Special Forces as either Regular or in the Reserves, you are entitled to expect the equipment you use to be safe.

Unfortunately, there are times when standards slip, and poor maintenance or inadequate safety procedures result in injury. Some of the most common causes of injuries by defective military equipment include:

• Poor and inadequate maintenance
• Irregular inspections
• A lack of safety guards
• A lack of training on how to handle dangerous equipment
• Failure to provide personal protective equipment (PPE)
• Failing to carry out appropriate health and safety assessments

What injuries caused by defective military equipment can I claim for?

The military uses a wide variety of equipment for training, travel, maintenance and in combat, all of which have the potential to cause minor to severe injuries if the proper care isn’t taken while handling them. Common injuries include:

• Lacerations and scarring
• Broken bones
• Amputations
• Partial or full sight loss
• Electric shocks (electrocution)
• Paralysis

Whatever the injury you have suffered due to defective military equipment, you could be entitled to make a claim against the Ministry of Defence if you believe negligent practices and deviations from procedures played a role in your accident.

Speak to our military solicitors today

What is the process of making a defective military equipment claim?

The process for making a claim for defective military equipment can be quite complex, so it is advisable to get the support of an expert military solicitor to ensure your case is managed smoothly and successfully.

To start a claim, the first step is speaking to a member of our dedicated military team. We’ll ask a few questions to determine the details of your case and be able to advise you on the best way forward. This could be bringing a civil claim against the MoD, which will involve proving the MoD’s negligence was at least in part to blame from your injuries or submitting a claim through the AFCS.

In either case, it is best to gather all relevant documentation and from there, we can help guide and assist you through the entire legal process, working hard to ensure you receive the compensation, rehabilitation and support you need.

Why choose our military injury lawyers?

At Slater and Gordon, we have a long-standing connection with military personnel, and all of our cases are handled by specialists with a great deal of experience in dealing with military injury cases.

Our dedicated military injury solicitors are headed up by Natasha Orr, Senior Associate and an APIL (Association of Personal Injury Solicitors) accredited Senior Litigator, as well as a former member of the Armed Forces. She also has first-hand experience being the spouse of a service person, and the unique demands and difficulties this carries. Her first-hand experience gives her an extensive understanding of the challenges faced by military personnel and fuels her passion for assisting the military community.

Our military law team have received numerous accolades and recognition across the legal industry, such as Chambers and Partners and Legal 500. We work closely with several charities, such as HASAG and Mesothelioma UK, who provide a specific service for military personnel diagnosed with mesothelioma.