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Military Law
Since 1987, members of our Armed Forces have been able to pursue civil claims against the Ministry of Defence if they have been injured either in the UK or overseas in an accident that was not their fault.
Hilary Meredith Solicitors has decades of experience and a proven track record pursuing traumatic personal injury claims on behalf of the Armed Forces Service personnel whose injuries may be catastrophic and life changing, often with permanent injuries requiring an extensive hospital stay and long-term radical changes to lifestyle, mobility, professional care - and earning ability.
We understand that all military accident injuries whether catastrophic or less serious can be devastating and life changing.
Types Of Military Claims
Our specialist military solicitors specialise in ALL types of military claims, including:
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Accidents on tours / exercises
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Occupational Diseases
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Non-Freezing Cold Injury - NFCI
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Hearing Loss - NIHL
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Exposure to Asbestos
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Criminal Injuries
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Lariam
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Road Traffic Accidents
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Blue on Blue incidents
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Inadequate/Faulty Equipment and Machinery
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Parachuting Accidents
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Bullying
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Heat Injuries
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Mental Health or Psychological Conditions
Claim For A Military Injury
You can claim compensation for your pain and suffering caused by the injury and illness. In addition, you can claim for any past and future financial losses such as:
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Past and future loss of earnings
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Delay or loss of promotion
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Pension loss
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Care costs
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Aid and equipment you might need
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Future treatment costs
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Adapted housing
It is important to recognise that you usually only have three years from the date of the accident to claim compensation for a military accident. You CAN and should claim against the Ministry of Defence whilst still in Service and we have reassurance that this will not affect your Armed Forces career.
“The military careers of Armed Forces personnel who claim under the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme or through the Court should not suffer as a result of that claim.” Baroness Taylor
In addition to a civil claim for compensation you may be able to make a claim under the non-fault Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS) which covers all regular and reserve personnel whose injury, ill health or death was caused by service on or after the 6th April 2005.
Success Stories
£10 million Pinzgauer troop carrier claims
Hilary Meredith Solicitors secured substantial damages on behalf of 3 former service personnel who suffered severe injuries when their inadequately armoured vehicles struck roadside improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in Afghanistan.
The claims raised difficult legal issues regarding the scope of the defence of combat immunity. The vehicles in question were Pinzgauer troop carriers, manufactured by BAE Systems PLC.
Taking into account the awards already made to each claimant under the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme, the global value of the 3 claims totalled over £10m.
£7.2 million for Navy Pilot
Hilary Meredith Solicitors secured a settlement worth almost £7.2m on behalf of a Navy pilot who suffered catastrophic injuries during the course of his duties.
The pilot had landed his Merlin helicopter on the aircraft carrier HMS Illustrious at night-time, and was completing his post-flight inspection, when the flight deck lift was opened without a warning being sounded, causing him to fall a significant distance onto the deck below. As a result, he sustained a severe brain injury, together with multiple fractures and internal injuries.
This was a very challenging case, requiring skilled management by an experienced legal team over a prolonged period, in order to secure the best possible outcome.
Six figure settlement in Noise Induced Hearing Loss
Hilary Meredith Solicitors represented a 29-year-old soldier and secured an out of court settlement of £420,000 as a result of damage to his hearing which resulted in him having to give up his career in the army.
The soldier, a Private, was on a training exercise in Kenya when pyrotechnics were exploded very close to him without giving him sufficient warning to put on his hearing protection.
Six figure settlement for solider in terrifying mid-air ordeal
Hilary Meredith Solicitors secured a high value settlement for a long-serving soldier who was convinced he was going to die after a terrifying mid-air ordeal.
Soldier B was one of 187 passengers in a RAF Voyager aircraft flying from RAF Brize Norton to Camp Bastion in Afghanistan.
At 33,000ft, the plane suddenly plummeted towards the ground, subjecting the passengers to a terrifying ordeal. Following an admission of liability, we issued court proceedings on Soldier’s B behalf and the Ministry of Defence agreed to settle the claim.
Non-Freezing Cold Injury - one of the highest ever settlements
Hilary Meredith Solicitors secured one of the highest ever settlements in a Non-Freezing Cold Injury (NFCI) claim.
Our client, Soldier D, joined the Army in 2006 and was medically discharged in 2016 as a result of his NFCI. Taking into account the different aspects of the claim, including general damages and special damages, Soldier D’s claim settled for a figure in excess of £800,000.
