We recognise that this is a period of adjustment and change for many service personnel, whether it be returning home, or perhaps transferring to civilian life.
Adjustment to injuries is also a challenging task and we wanted to highlight the work of our Military Injury Claims Team who continue to assist scores of service personnel to secure compensation in claims against the MoD and other parties. These claims can be pursued in addition to the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme.
In November 2013 the existing Irwin Mitchell (IM) Armed Forces Team was joined by the experienced team at MPH Solicitors. The combined team comprises solicitors with over 20 years experience in military claims, four solicitors who have served as Officers in Her Majesty’s Armed Forces and two of the six solicitors within the Royal British Legion Solicitors Group.
We hope that this first edition of Focus on Military will also tell you about our wider activities and support for the service community generally. Many of our former clients stay in touch and we are proud to be associated with military charities they support such as Pilgrim Bandits, where Ben Parkinson is Patron and Ambassador.
Do also look out for details of the Rehabilitation Conference which we shall be hosting in March 2015. The conference will be focusing on how military doctors and medical establishments have led the way in areas such as multiple trauma.
Recent Settlements
We have recently had the following settlements for clients;
- £1.25 million for a Soldier injured during training in Afghanistan when his left foot was crushed by an armoured vehicle which lead to an amputation. There were complications from the surgery and the Court Order allows the client to go back to Court if certain risks develop in the future. Uninjured, our client would have had a full military career and gone onto the Private Security Circuit. There was a substantial claim for loss of earnings, prosthetics, future care and housing. Our client retained his AFCS benefits.
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£175,000 for a Lance Bombardier who suffered cold injury to his feet on a training exercise in Germany. Although he remained in Service for several years afterwards the introduction of PAP10 resulted in his medical discharge. Following his discharge he had to return to the UK where he found work as a security guard. The damages reflected the loss of his Service career and associated benefits.
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£2 million for a member of the Parachute Regiment who was injured in an explosion of an 81mm mortar round. Our client suffered serious injuries to his body, had severe scarring and sustained a psychiatric injury. We were able to overcome the defence of Combat Immunity and to obtain damages for loss of Service career reflecting a realistic prospect of Special Forces Selection. The significant damages were recovered in addition to the client’s AFCS lump sum and GIP.
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£280,000 for a member of the RMP who was injured in a vehicle rollover. Our client had wanted to pursue a career after military life in the private security industry which was taken into consideration.
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£3.5 million settlement for a Soldier who sustained a serious brain injury following the negligent discharge of a grenade from an under slung grenade launcher. The award allowed our client to purchase an adapted bungalow and put in place a comprehensive care package.
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£2.5 million settlement for an Army officer following a road traffic collision in Iraq that resulted in our client sustaining a severe spinal injury and being medically discharged from the Armed Forces.
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£5.5 million settlement for TA soldier who was injured following an explosion while on exercise in the UK. The accident resulted in the soldier losing sight in both eyes, the loss of his arm and sustaining a brain injury. The compensation package put in place a 24/7 care package that enabled him to continue to spend time with his children and family,provision for an adapted home and mobility aids and equipment that ensure our client can be as independent as possible.
Finally, we hope that you enjoyed the Invictus Games. We were proud to have four client’s competing in the events who inspired us with their motivation and dedication.
Geraldine McCool
National Head of the Military Injury Claims Team
For general enquiries
0808 291 3524
Or we can call you back at a time of your choice
Phone lines are open 24/7, 365 days a year
