Have you ever served in the armed forces? You could be compensated.
Whether you're still serving or a veteran, if an injury or illness was caused or made worse by your military service, you may have a claim — either through the government's Armed Forces Compensation Scheme or through the civil courts against the MoD.
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Two time limits apply depending on which route you take. AFCS claims must be made within seven years of the injury, illness or the date you first sought treatment for a condition that was not immediately apparent. Civil claims against the MoD have a three-year limit. In both cases the clock may run from your date of knowledge rather than the incident — if you've only recently connected your condition to your service, you may still be in time. Check now rather than wait.
Two routes to compensation. We advise on both.
Military injury claims are more complex than standard personal injury claims. There are two main legal routes — and in some cases both are available. We assess which is most appropriate for your situation.
Route 1
Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS)
- Government no-fault scheme — you do not need to prove the MoD was negligent
- Covers injuries and illness caused by service on or after 6 April 2005
- Open to regular forces, reservists and Special Forces
- You may be able to recover compensation for your injury, loss, or suffering, with the amount assessed based on the individual circumstances of your case.
- Guaranteed Income Payments (GIPs) available for serious injuries — tax-free, monthly, index-linked
- You can claim while still serving or after leaving
- Managed by Veterans UK
The AFCS uses a fixed tariff — awards are set by injury type, not by your individual circumstances. This can mean the award undervalues your specific losses, which is where legal advice adds real value.
Route 2
Civil claim against the MoD
- Requires proving that the MoD breached its duty of care
- Compensation is calculated individually — your specific earnings loss, care costs, and pain and suffering
- Can result in significantly higher awards than the AFCS tariff
- Covers accidents, negligent training, equipment failures, medical negligence and more
- Three-year limitation period (from incident or date of knowledge)
- Injuries before 6 April 2005 may be covered under the War Pension Scheme
A civil claim takes longer and requires more evidence, but for significant injuries the individually calculated compensation can far exceed the AFCS tariff. Both routes can sometimes be pursued.
Who can claim
Military injury claims are available to a wider range of people than many realise.
- ✓Currently serving personnel — Army, Royal Navy, Royal Marines, RAF. You do not need to have left to claim and your unit is not affected by settlement costs.
- ✓Veterans — no matter how long ago you left, your claim may still be in time depending on when you connected your condition to your service.
- ✓Reservists — Territorial Army, Royal Naval Reserve, Royal Marine Reserves, RAF Reserve and Special Forces reservists are all covered by the AFCS.
- ✓Where a service member dies as a result of a service-related injury or illness, eligible family members may be entitled to a bereavement award under the AFCS, subject to the scheme's eligibility criteria.
Injuries and conditions we handle
Military service creates risks that civilian workplaces do not. We handle the full range of service-related injuries and illnesses.
- Training accidents
- Combat injuries
- Noise-induced hearing loss and tinnitus
- PTSD and other mental health conditions
- Musculoskeletal injuries
- Head and brain injuries
- Spinal injuries
- Injuries from defective equipment
- Injuries sustained on overseas deployment
- Military medical negligence
- Asbestos-related conditions (historic service)
- Fatality — bereavement and dependency claims
How the AFCS tariff works
The AFCS uses a 15-level tariff system where Level 1 represents the most severe injuries. Understanding the tariff is critical - awards can be reviewed, reconsidered, or appealed if the tariff level does not appear to reflect the medical evidence.
| Tariff level | Severity | Lump sum range |
|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | Most severe (e.g. catastrophic injury, permanent severe disability) | £650,000 |
| Levels 2–4 | Very serious injuries | £115,000 – £365,000 |
| Levels 5–8 | Serious injuries | £24,000 – £91,000 |
| Levels 9–12 | Moderate injuries | £5,500 – £18,000 |
| Levels 13–15 | Minor injuries | £1,236 – £4,600 |
Guaranteed Income Payments (GIPs) are also available at Levels 1–11 for injuries causing a lasting effect on earning capacity. These are paid monthly, tax-free and index-linked for life. Awards may be revisited if an injury unexpectedly deteriorates.
How it works
Free eligibility check
We assess your situation — the nature of the injury, when it occurred, your current status, and which route (AFCS, civil claim, or both) gives you the best outcome. No commitment required at this stage.
We build the case
We gather service records, medical evidence and expert reports. For AFCS claims we prepare and submit the claim form to Veterans UK. For civil claims we manage the full litigation process against the MoD.
Award, review or settlement
Many AFCS first awards are too low. We advise whether to accept or challenge, and run the review and appeal process. For civil claims we negotiate settlement or take the case to trial if needed.
What clients are saying
"Legal Advisor handled my housing disrepair case from start to finish. I received £4,200 in compensation and didn't pay a penny upfront."
"Professional, compassionate, and incredibly effective. My claim was settled for significantly more than I expected."
FAQ
Depending on the circumstances, there may also be other legal options available, such as a potential civil claim against the Ministry of Defence, subject to factors including the evidence available and applicable time limits. Contact us for guidance on the options that may apply to your circumstances.
There are strict time limits for challenging AFCS decisions, so it is important to seek advice and understand your options as soon as possible.
What Happens After You Contact Us
- Free eligibility assessment
We review the injury or illness, when it occurred, your service status and the available legal routes. - AFCS and civil options compared
We explain whether the AFCS, a civil claim against the MoD, or both may be appropriate. - Evidence collected
We gather service records, medical evidence and any expert reports needed. - Claim prepared
AFCS applications are prepared for Veterans UK; civil claims are built against the MoD. - Initial decision reviewed
We check whether an AFCS tariff award reflects the full injury and its effects. - Review, appeal or settlement
We challenge low awards and negotiate civil settlements, taking the matter further where necessary.
Common questions
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