Army Injury Claims

Along with the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force, the army is the land-based part of the British Armed Forces. As Ministry of Defence (MoD) employees, army members are entitled to reasonable health and safety measures to protect them from accidents and injuries.

Common accidents that can occur within the army include training accidents, vehicle accidents, slips and trips, friendly fire incidents and equipment malfunctions. If the MoD contributed to your injuries by acting negligently, you may be entitled to army compensation.

To find out if you have a valid army injury claim, call 0800 470 0474 or request a call back. A friendly personal injury solicitor will provide a free consultation to discuss your case and legal options. If you have valid grounds to claim, they will offer their services on a no win no fee* basis.

Find out if you can claim

Call 0800 470 0474 now or request a call back below:

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By submitting this form you agree to be contacted by our partners. Find out how we handle your data in our privacy policy. With no win no fee you typically pay 25% of your compensation if your claim is successful, but the fee can vary. Termination fees may apply if you fail to co-operate with your solicitor.

Table of Contents

• Can I sue the army for negligence?
• Military duty of care to prevent injuries to serving members
• Common accidents that may lead to an army injury claim
• What type of army injuries could I claim compensation for?
  • Physical Injuries
  • Mental Health and Psychological Injuries
• Will making an army compensation claim affect my career?
• Frequently asked questions:
• What is the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS)?
• What is the time limit to make an army injury compensation claim?
• How much compensation could I receive in an army accident claim?
• Can I claim army compensation under a No Win No Fee agreement?

Can I sue the army for negligence?

Yes. It is possible to claim army injury compensation if you were injured during service due to someone else’s negligence or wrongdoing. The easiest way to find out if you have a valid case is during a free assessment with one of the specialist personal injury lawyers we work with. If they take on your claim, they will offer guidance and support through all the steps of the legal process.

The typical stages of an army accident claim include:

Investigation. Your solicitor will begin by determining how your accident occurred and the extent of the injuries you suffered. They will refer to the relevant legislation, such as the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, to prove that the MoD breached their duty of care towards you and you suffered losses as a result. This stage involves gathering as much evidence as possible to support your case, including:

• Medical records that show your diagnosis, the treatments you received and expected recovery times
• Official reports or documentation that provide details about your accident and its date, time and location
• Statements from witnesses such as training instructors, fellow military personnel or commanders
• Visual evidence, such as photographs or videos of the accident scene, equipment, vehicles, or hazardous conditions involved, before anything is moved or repaired
• Your detailed account of the incident, the injuries you sustained, and the impact on your life
• Financial records of all the losses you incurred due to the injury

Once your solicitor works out who was responsible for your accident, they will inform them of your intentions to make an army injury claim. The other side can conduct their separate investigations and accept or deny your claim.

Rehabilitation. If your injury is severe, your lawyer will arrange any medical care or recovery you need as soon as possible. They can help you access private care and treatments that are not always available through the NHS to make sure you make the best recovery. Your solicitor will also consult with specialists to understand the ongoing effects of your injury and long-term medical needs.

Compensation. Once your solicitor has all the evidence they need, they will work out your army injury compensation award. This figure will take into account your injuries, pain and suffering, as well as all the related financial losses and expenses.

Resolution. If the MoD admits liability, your solicitor will try to negotiate the best possible settlement. Both sides can make multiple offers until they agree on a figure acceptable to everyone. If the defendant denies liability, court proceedings will begin. However, that does not mean your claim will actually go to trial, as most cases settle out of court.

If you are awarded compensation, you will usually receive a lump sum payment within a few weeks.

Military duty of care to prevent injuries to serving members

Like any other employer, the Ministry of Defence must comply with the health and safety regulations to ensure all personnel are safe from avoidable risks on duty. The main piece of legislation that protects employees at work is the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. This Act requires the MoD to protect you from the risk of accident and injury as far as reasonably possible. For example, it should:

• Provide adequate training information for you to be able to carry out your role;
• Ensure military equipment and vehicles are properly repaired and maintained;
• Carry out regular risk assessments to identify hazards that could lead to accidents;
• Provide effective and free equipment and armour, and make sure you know how to use it;
• Verify that the environment you work in is safe and signpost any hazardous areas;
• Establish and enforce safety protocols and guidelines for various activities, exercises, and operations;
• Conduct regular inspections of equipment, vehicles, facilities, and living quarters;
• Offer access to health and medical services, including regular check-ups, preventive care, and prompt treatment for injuries or illnesses.

If you suffered any injury due to a breach of duty, you may be eligible to sue the army for negligence.

Common accidents that may lead to an army injury claim

Working in the army comes with a unique set of risks and challenges. Injuries can happen in various ways, during training, combat and off-duty and can range from minor to life-changing and, in the most unfortunate cases, they can be fatal. The most common situations from which a compensation claim may arise include:

• Road traffic accidents, on or off-duty
• Accidents involving other vehicles, such as tanks or trucks
• Slips, trips and falls caused by uneven terrain, wet or slippery surfaces and other hazards
• Accidents during physical training, obstacle courses, or combat drills
• Accidents during weapons training, including firearms and explosives
• Defective or malfunctioning equipment causing injuries
• Environmental hazards like extreme heat or cold
• Medical negligence leading to an avoidable injury or the worsening of a condition
• Injuries sustained during sporting or recreational activities
• Assault and harassment from co-workers, superiors, or while serving abroad
• Accidents resulting from inadequate training or lack of supervision
• Exposure to unsafe noise levels causing hearing damage
• Fatal accidents due to friendly fire, unsafe work practices or other causes

This list is not exhaustive, as many other accidents could form the grounds for an army injury claim. If you believe your employer was negligent in their duty and you are entitled to compensation, speak to a legal adviser by calling 0800 470 0474 as soon as possible to find out if you have a valid case.

What type of army injuries could I claim compensation for?

You may be eligible to claim compensation for a wide range of injuries that you have suffered as a result of your service in the army. Some common types of injuries seen in an army accident claim include:

Physical Injuries

Some of the most common physical injuries sustained in the army include the following:

• Musculoskeletal injuries, including fractures, sprains, and strains
• Burns, scarring, and disfigurement
• Cuts, bruises and lacerations
• Traumatic brain injuries and head injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Amputations and limb wounds
• Hearing loss and tinnitus due to exposure to loud noise
• Vision impairment or eye injuries
• Overuse injuries from intense training or physical activities
• Cold-related injuries such as hypothermia and frostbite
• Wounds caused by the negligent discharge of firearms

Mental Health and Psychological Injuries

As well as physical injuries, such as those listed above, army personnel are also susceptible to various mental health conditions, such as:

• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Anxiety and depression
• Mental health issues caused by misprescription of Lariam
• Other mental health conditions arising from traumatic experiences during service

If you suffered any injury during military service, you might be eligible to sue the army for negligence. The type and severity of the trauma you suffered and its ongoing effects will determine how much army injury compensation you could receive.

Will making an army compensation claim affect my career?

The Crown Proceedings (Armed Forces) Act 1987 was implemented to pave the way for military personnel to claim compensation from the Ministry of Defence. Under the Act, you can start a military injury claim if the MoD has failed as an employer in its duty of care towards you without fearing it will negatively impact your career.

Working in the army can be an extremely hazardous job. If you recover from your injuries and can return to work, the MoD does not look unfavourably on personnel who claim compensation for injuries suffered on duty.

If you want to start an army compensation claim and are worried about the consequences, you should speak to an experienced solicitor. You can arrange a free consultation by calling 0800 470 0474 or requesting a call back.

Frequently asked questions:

If you are a member of the armed forces and are thinking about making a claim for a military injury, it is natural to have questions and concerns about the process. Our aim is to make the process as straightforward as possible, so you can get the military injury compensation you rightfully deserve without any added stress.

We have provided answers below to some of the common questions we have received about making a claim against the MOD. This includes claims for people currently servicing in the armed forces and veterans no longer in active service. If you would like to discuss your case with a trained legal adviser, call free on 0800 470 0474 or use our online claim form to request a call back. The service is completely free, confidential and provided with no obligation for you to proceed with making a claim.

What is the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS)?

The AFCS is a government scheme that provides army compensation to military personnel injured during service, including reservists and their families. It is a no-fault scheme, meaning you can claim even if your accident was not due to negligence from the MoD.

The AFCS offers a lump sum payment and guaranteed tax-free income payments in case of severe injuries. It uses a tariff-based system to assess the severity and type of military injuries and determine the appropriate compensation amount. Making a claim through the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme does not affect your right to start an army injury claim under civil law but may affect your final settlement.

What is the time limit to make an army injury compensation claim?

Typically, you have three years to start an army accident claim, starting from the date you suffered an injury or when your injury was diagnosed. Nonetheless, the sooner you speak to a solicitor, the easier it will be to gather evidence and build a comprehensive case.
Exceptions to the three-year time limit include:

• If the injured person does not possess the mental capacity to claim, the time limit is suspended. In this case, a litigation friend can start proceedings for them anytime.
• If you lost a loved one in an army accident, you have three years to claim starting from when they passed away.
• If you have been the victim of a violent crime while serving abroad, you have two years to claim under the Criminal Injuries (Compensation) Overseas scheme.
• You have seven years to claim army injury compensation through the AFCS.

How much compensation could I receive in an army accident claim?

It is difficult to say how much you could receive if you win your army injury claim without a full case assessment. Your solicitor will consider all your losses to ensure you receive a fair settlement. Two categories of damages are included in every claim:

• General damages are intended to compensate for non-monetary losses and include pain, suffering, emotional distress and any other short and long-term effect of the injury on your daily life. These are awarded based on guidelines from the Judicial College. You can refer to our compensation calculator to get an idea of what your compensation payout might look like.
• Special damages are quantifiable financial losses you have incurred as a direct result of the injury. These damages are meant to reimburse you for out-of-pocket expenses and financial hardships caused by the accident. Special damages may include medical bills, lost earnings, adaptations to your home, medical aids or care costs.

Can I claim army compensation under a No Win No Fee agreement?

If you have grounds to sue the army for negligence, your solicitor will offer you a no win no fee claim agreement. Under this service, you do not have to pay a single penny upfront for legal representation. Furthermore, you will not be left out of pocket if your claim is unsuccessful.

Under this arrangement, you will also benefit from After the Event (ATE) insurance. The ATE insurance will cover all your legal expenses and disbursements if you lose the case, including the defendant’s costs and solicitor fees.

Under no win no fee, you only pay the cost of the ATE premium if you win the army compensation claim. In this case, your solicitor will also be entitled to a pre-agreed percentage of up to 25% of your settlement for winning your case.

To start an army injury claim or find out more about the legal process, call 0800 470 0474 today to speak to a legal adviser. Alternatively, you can arrange a free case assessment by entering your details into our online claim form.

Last edited on 14th Jul 2025

With over 15 years’ experience in the legal sector, Nicholas Tate (LLB Hons, LLM in Health Law) has extensive experience across all areas of personal injury and medical negligence claims.