By their very nature, military training exercises can be gruelling and tough, but the MoD still has a responsibility to prevent any unnecessary risk. If this has not happened, and you’ve been injured as a result, you may be able to seek compensation.
It is often presumed that, as military training exercises are by their nature physically demanding, any injury caused during training is to be expected. However, this is not always the case. The Ministry of Defence has a responsibility to ensure that all training exercises are carried out safely, taking every reasonable step to reduce the level of risk wherever possible.
If you have been injured in a training exercise in the Army, Navy, RAF, Special Forces as either Regular or in the Reserves and you believe the incident could have been avoided, you may be eligible to making a claim for compensation to aid in your recovery.
Our specialist military injury lawyers have many years of experience in helping those injured in military training accidents and work hard to ensure you receive the compensation you are owed.
As many military training exercises are designed to prepare you for combat, each activity has the potential to carry a high degree of risk where proper care isn’t taken. Some of the most common causes of training injuries include:
Defective military equipment
A lack of adequate training on how to properly use military equipment
Inadequate safety procedures during training exercises, including poor risk assessments
Failure to provide the correct equipment or safety gear (personal protective equipment)
Failure to follow procedures
Who can claim compensation for a military training injury?
If you’re a current or former member of the Armed Forces – whether Army, Navy, RAF, Special Forces both Regular or in the Reserves – and you’ve been injured in a training exercise, you could be eligible to make a military training accident claim.
While former members of the Armed Forces can make a claim, there are time limits in which a claim should be submitted. If you wish to make a claim through the civil court, you must do so within three years of the date you sustained your injury. If you plan to make a claim through the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS), you have seven years to do so.
Military Injury Claims with Natasha Orr
Slater and Gordon are specialists in military injury claims and have a long-standing connection with the armed forces community. We're uniquely placed to understand the challenges of military life.
Military team leader, Natasha Orr explains military injury claims and how Slater and Gordon can help navigate these claims.
Found this useful?
Share this video:
How do I make a military training injury claim?
The process for making a military training accident claim 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 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.
Speak to us about your military training accident claim today
Really helpful and always on the other side of the phone if needed. Quick and easy service.
Ashley
Your support and professionalism were always a source of reassurance. I appreciate your guidance and the effort you put into resolving this matter. I greatly appreciate the outcome and I am so relieved that this chapter is finally behind me. Once again, thank you.
Client testimonial
“Thank you for your diligence, dedication and compassion.”
Frequently asked questions about military training accident claims
Will making a claim for a military training injury affect my career?
Making a claim should not affect your military service in any way. There are strict rules in the MoD to ensure a person is not discriminated against following a personal injury claim, which are designed to protect every individual’s right to bring legal action where unnecessary harm has been caused.
It is also important to note that making a claim will not affect your entitlement to a pension.
What is the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS)?
The Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS) is a government funded scheme managed by Veterans UK. Its purpose is to provide compensation for military personnel and veterans who have suffered injury or illness due to military service.
Importantly, it is a ‘no fault’ scheme which means that, unlike a civil claim, there is no need to prove that negligence on the part of the MoD caused your injuries. All that is required is proof that your injury was caused by your time in the military.
Is there a time limit for making a military training injury claim?
The general rule is that a civil claim should be made within three years from the date the incident occurred or the date you were first aware you had suffered an injury or illness.
If your claim falls outside of this three-year limit, you may be able to make a claim through the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme, which has a time limit of seven years from the date the incident occurred, or the date you were first aware you suffered an injury or illness.
Claims to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority must normally be made within two years of the assault and claims under the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme must be made within seven years of the injury.
Really helpful and always on the other side of the phone if needed. Quick and easy service. Ashley
Your support and professionalism were always a source of reassurance. I appreciate your guidance and the effort you put into resolving this matter. I greatly appreciate the outcome and I am so relieved that this chapter is finally behind me. Once again, thank you. Client testimonial
“Thank you for your diligence, dedication and compassion.”