Military Injury Claims

Military Injury Claims UK — Armed Forces Compensation Solicitors

You served your country. You put your life on the line, followed orders, and trusted that those in charge would keep you as safe as possible. If that trust was broken — if you were injured, made ill, or left with a lasting condition as a result of your military service — you have every right to claim compensation.

At Regent Law, our specialist armed forces compensation solicitors are here to help you understand your rights, navigate both civilian and military compensation routes, and secure the settlement you deserve. We act on a No Win, No Fee basis, and your first consultation is completely free.

Can You Make a Military Injury Claim in the UK?

Yes — and more service personnel are entitled to claim than many realise.

Since 15th May 1987, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) is no longer immune from personal injury claims. Under the Crown Proceedings Act 1947 (as amended), all serving and former members of the armed forces have the same legal rights as any civilian employee when it comes to health and safety at work.

This means the MOD has a clear duty of care to:

  • Provide properly maintained and safe equipment for all tasks
  • Maintain a safe working environment on base and during training
  • Provide adequate training, including manual handling instruction
  • Supply appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE)
  • Protect personnel from known occupational hazards, including asbestos exposure

If any of these duties were breached and you suffered injury or illness as a result, you may have valid grounds for a military injury claim UK against the Ministry of Defence.

What Types of Military Injury Claims Can You Make?

Our armed forces compensation solicitors handle a wide range of claims on behalf of current and former service personnel. Whether your injury happened during training, on base, or on active deployment, we can assess your case quickly and honestly.

Training Injuries

Assault courses, live-fire exercises, physical training, and weapons handling all carry inherent risk — but when accidents occur due to poor supervision, faulty equipment, or inadequate safety measures, that risk becomes negligence. We handle army accident compensation claims arising from training injuries across all three armed services.

Military Road Traffic Accidents

Being involved in a road traffic accident whilst driving a military vehicle, or as a passenger in one, is one of the most common grounds for a military injury claim. Whether on public roads or on MOD land, you may be entitled to compensation.

Equipment Failure

If a piece of military equipment malfunctioned and caused your injury — from weapons to vehicles to safety apparatus — the MOD can be held liable where proper maintenance procedures were not followed.

Asbestos and Occupational Disease

Many serving and former military personnel were exposed to asbestos during their service, particularly those who worked in ship engine rooms, barracks, or older military installations. If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestosis, or another asbestos-related condition following military service, you may be entitled to significant compensation from the MOD.

PTSD and Psychological Injury

Psychological injuries sustained during service — including PTSD, anxiety disorders, and depression arising from traumatic incidents — can also form the basis of a valid military compensation claim where the MOD failed in its duty of care.

The Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS)

In addition to pursuing a civil personal injury claim against the MOD, you may also be eligible to claim through the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS) — the MOD’s own compensation programme for service-related injuries and illnesses.

The AFCS replaced the War Pensions Scheme in April 2005. Key points to understand:

You can claim under both routes simultaneously. The AFCS and a civil personal injury claim are not mutually exclusive. Our solicitors will advise you on which route is appropriate and pursue both where applicable.

No fault required for AFCS. Unlike a civil claim, AFCS does not require you to prove MOD negligence for most injury types. This is particularly relevant for combat injuries.

Guaranteed Income Payment (GIP). If your AFCS claim succeeds and your injury is serious enough to affect your earning capacity, you may receive a Guaranteed Income Payment — a tax-free, index-linked monthly payment.

Limitations of AFCS. The scheme does not cover all consequential losses, has restrictions around multiple injury claims, and does not compensate for all financial expenses arising from an injury. A civil claim can often recover costs that AFCS does not.

Our armed forces compensation solicitors will assess both routes and ensure you receive the maximum combined entitlement.

Time Limits on Military Injury Claims — Act Now

The law imposes strict time limits on compensation claims, and missing these deadlines means losing your right to claim permanently. For civilian personal injury claims against the MOD, the standard limitation period is three years from the date of the incident — or three years from the date you became aware that your injury or illness was caused by your service (the "date of knowledge"). For AFCS claims, the time limit is seven years from the date of the incident. These deadlines apply without exception. If you are unsure whether you are within the time limit, contact our team immediately. Even cases that appear time-barred can sometimes proceed — but only if legal advice is sought without delay.

No Win, No Fee Military Injury Claims

Regent Law operates on a No Win, No Fee basis for military injury claims. This means: You pay nothing upfront You pay nothing during the case You only pay a pre-agreed success fee if your claim succeeds, deducted from your compensation If your claim is unsuccessful, you pay nothing We believe that no service personnel or veteran should be deterred from claiming compensation they are legally entitled to because of financial concerns. Our No Win, No Fee arrangement removes that barrier entirely.

How Much Compensation Could You Receive?

Every military injury claim is different. The value of your claim depends on several factors, including the severity and permanence of your injury, its impact on your ability to work, the cost of treatment and care, and your rank and earnings at the time.

 

As a general guide, army accident compensation settlements in the UK can range from several thousand pounds for minor injuries to seven-figure awards for catastrophic or life-changing conditions. Our solicitors will provide an honest assessment of your claim’s likely value during your free initial consultation.

 

Compensation can cover:

01:

General damages

for pain, suffering, and loss of amenity

02:

Loss of earnings

past and future income lost due to your injury

03:

Care costs

the cost of professional or informal care you require

04:

Medical expenses

 treatment, therapy, rehabilitation, and aids

05:

Travel costs

to and from medical appointments

06:

Home adaptation costs

if your injury requires changes to your home

Why Choose Regent Law as Your Armed Forces Compensation Solicitors?

Regent Law is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA ID: 657682). Our specialist military claims team brings deep experience in both civil MOD claims and AFCS applications — and we treat every client with the respect and transparency that serving and former service personnel deserve.

When you instruct Regent Law, you receive:

  • A free, no-obligation case assessment from day one
  • A dedicated claims handler who manages your case from start to finish
  • Plain-English communication — no legal jargon, just clear honest advice
  • Dual-route strategy — civil claim and AFCS pursued simultaneously where appropriate
  • Regular case updates so you always know exactly where you stand

 

No Win, No Fee representation — no financial risk to you

We are not a claims management company. We are qualified solicitors who build evidence-led cases designed to maximise your compensation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Speak to Our Armed Forces Compensation Solicitors Today

If you or a loved one has suffered an injury or illness as a result of military service, do not wait. Time limits are strict and the earlier you seek advice, the stronger your position.

Regent Law’s specialist military claims team is ready to help — with honesty, expertise, and the respect your service deserves.