The work undertaken by UK Special Forces (UKSF) can be extremely dangerous and it's generally accepted that there’s a high degree of risk involved in serving in these units.

But the Ministry of Defence (MoD) should still be taking every precaution to ensure you can do your job as safely as possible. If you've been injured or a loved one was killed because of an oversight leading to an accident, our solicitors could help you claim compensation.

If you think your injury was caused by a failing or negligence on the part of the MoD, then you may have a case. Contact us today for a free initial consultation and we'll discuss your accident and give you expert legal advice on your options.

As well as handling claims for Army, RAF, and Royal Navy personnel, our lawyers have acted on behalf of regular and reserve members of:

  • The Special Air Service (SAS)
  • The Special Boat Service (SBS)
  • The Parachute Regiment
  • The Royal Marines
  • The Special Reconnaissance Regiment (SRR)
  • Bomb Disposal.

Why choose Irwin Mitchell to represent you in a Special Forces injury claim?

Our military injury team includes several former military service personnel. Because of this, we understand the concerns that members of the armed forces may have.

We're particularly aware of the need for confidentiality when making Special Forces claims. We’ll make sure your claim is managed with the confidentiality and sensitivity it deserves.

Our support services will also be on hand for you at any point during your claim. Our Support and Rehabilitation Coordinators are trained clinical specialists who can help you to access the help you need. We’re proud supporters of various military charities and organisations, including:

We offer a personalised and flexible way of working with our clients, aiming to keep stress as low as possible for you. With offices all around the UK, you can visit us at a location that’s most convenient for you. If you’re unable to travel, we can visit you at home or in hospital, or arrange phone or video calls.

The financial experts in our Asset Management team will be there for you once we’ve settled your claim. If you’ve any concerns about managing your compensation, they can give you tailored guidance on making sure it lasts for the rest of your life, as well as investment advice.

Your injuries may entitle you to means-tested benefits, and our expert team can help you to calculate and access these. To make sure you get all you’re entitled to in means-tested benefits, we can keep your compensation separate from your other finances by setting up a personal injury trust. This stops your compensation being factored in when calculating how much you could claim in benefits.

25 years' experience acting for Special Forces soldiers
Former Ammunition Technical and Intelligence Operations Officers among our team of lawyers
Active members of The Royal British Legion Solicitors Group

No Win No Fee*

Call our experts FREE on:

0800 022 3321

Or we can call you back at a time of your choice

Phone lines are open 24/7, 365 days a year
Simon Harrington
Simon Harrington Partner & Deputy District Judge Meet the team

More information on Special Forces injury claims

Ray Lowrie

Getting the support from Irwin Mitchell with my adapted house has given me the encouragement and independence I needed to get out there and find other things I am interested in."

Ray Lowrie

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can claim compensation for Special Forces injuries?

If you've been injured in an accident that you believe was caused by negligence on the part of the Ministry of Defence (MoD), then you may be able to make a claim for compensation.

However, as you’ll have signed a particular confidentiality clause, you will need Express Permission authorised in writing before you instruct us. Our lawyers have years of experience in this area and can help you find the appropriate person to authorise this.

Even if you've already received a settlement through the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS), you may also be able to bring a civil claim against the MoD.

Due to their roles, our former clients can't be identified. But we've helped many specialist unit personnel who've been injured in accidents such as:

Recent cases we've worked on have involved injuries that took place during training at home and in the US. We've also represented personnel who were on deployment in Africa, Oman, Iraq, and Afghanistan. Injuries that we've helped clients claim for include:

You usually have three years from the date of injury to bring a claim for compensation. In the case of fatal accidents, the family of the deceased have three years from either the date your loved one died, or the date you received the post-mortem results.

If you're unsure whether you'll be able to make a claim, it's best to seek some legal advice to find out exactly what your options are. Contact us today for a free initial consultation. There's no obligation to continue – you're welcome to just ask us for our advice.

Could claiming put other members of my unit in danger?

We understand that you may have concerns about pursuing a compensation claim as a member of a specialist unit, whether past or present. Previous clients have been concerned that public exposure or a loss of funding may put their unit at risk.

Any settlement award is paid by the Ministry of Defence out of a specific budget that's set aside for exactly these sorts of situations. It won't affect your unit's budget at all. It certainly won't have any impact on the amount and quality of kit, equipment, and other resources for your friends who remain in service.

The claims process is also kept as private and confidential as is possible. Your solicitor owes you a strict duty of confidentiality and won't discuss your case with any third party without your express permission.

All court proceedings are generally a matter of public record. However, the names of those serving in the UK Special Forces can be kept from appearing in court documents where justified, such as if it would put you or your unit at risk.

If you’ve any other concerns about confidentiality, or about the claims process in general, contact us today for a free initial consultation and we'll be happy to answer any questions you may have.

Awards and Accreditations

We're always proud to be recognised for the work we do for our clients and have been named as a leading firm in the latest legal guides - which provide information and recommendations about lawyers and law firms in the UK

Legal 500 - Top Tier Firm2025
Legal 500 - 2024 Top Tier
Leading Firm 2023
The Times Best Law Firms 2019
Chambers & Partners 2020 logo
Strong client care ethos
Excellent and well known team that acts quickly and is a pleasure to work with." 
Head and shoulders above others
They make themselves available to their clients and are willing to go the extra mile."

What Our Clients Say

We truly value and appreciate the feedback we receive from our clients, as we look to improve the services we offer on an ongoing basis.

Read More Feedback
5
Efficient and courteous

Efficient and courteous , did exactly as we requested and provided good advice.

Derek Millichip
5
Gillian Coverly was outstanding in her …

Gillian Coverly was outstanding in her professionalism, in her knowledge but also in the manner in which she worked with our family as a time of great shock and distress, even out of hours when we needed help. Her sensitivity and empathetic nature helped us worked though what was a time pressing ...

Jackie Freeborn
5
Top Solicitors

Four and a half year's ago was the most darkest time of my life after my wife died while in the care of the Norfolk & Suffolk Mental Health team. After contacting Irwin Mitchell and told them of my story I was passed on to a solicitor Mr Tom Riis-Bristow who listened to what I had to say, took my ...

MARK A DAVIES

Royal British Legion

 

We're proud to be part of The Royal British Legion Solicitor's Group


Our Armed Forces Expertise

Since 1987, our specialist military injury team has helped hundreds of injured personnel from the Army, RAF and Royal Navy to claim compensation. We are considered one of the top law firms in the country for military claims and several cases we were involved in were recently featured in the Chilcot Inquiry.

We work closely with a number of Armed Forces welfare branches and organisations, and are the PAX appointed legal representatives under the PAX Personal Accident Insurance Scheme. We're also proud supporters of:

  • The Royal British Legion Solicitors Group
  • Help For Heroes
  • SSAFA Forces Help

Several of our solicitors were part of team that recently won The Claims Innovation Award for Legal Service Team of the Year (2016) for their pro bono work within The Royal British Legion Solicitors Group (TRBLSG).


Our Offices

Our offices are located in major cities throughout the UK and have excellent transport links.