Legal News

Veterans who have lost limbs in live combat or suffered other life-changing injuries while serving in the Armed Forces are not receiving the care promised by the government, say two leading professors.

Prof Neil Greenberg from the Royal College of Psychiatrists and Prof Tim Briggs – who is an orthopaedic surgeon – told BBC Radio that ministers are failing to honour their pledge that seriously injured veterans from Britain’s campaigns in Afghanistan and Iraq would be cared for .

The two professors say that former serving personnel with mental health problems and those who have undergone amputation do not always receive the treatment they should.

The Armed Forces Covenant states that veterans should receive priority NHS treatment for injuries sustained in the line of duty.

The latest report published on Thursday (30/10/14) flags up failings in both physical health care and mental health care for military personnel.

MP Rory Stewart calls on the government and MoD to do more to support former military personnel with physical or mental health conditions:

“Our men and women have displayed great courage and gallantry throughout the conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq – hundreds have lost their lives and thousands have been seriously wounded.
“British society has a unique debt of gratitude – and an obligation to look after citizens who have risked their lives for their country.

“We need to have the confidence that the MoD will continue to look after these people and their families should they ever suffer from any ill-effects of their service.

“The MoD has made some significant steps in the right direction over the last few years, but more needs to be done – particularly in relation to mental health.”

The report also calls for more to be done to help former military personnel claim the support or compensation they are entitled to – flagging up a “shocking” backlog in the processing of claims for War Pensions and compensation claims under the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme.

Ministers say veterans need more support navigating “overlapping bureaucracy” in the health system, with the Defence Recovery Capability already overstretched.

Prof Briggs – who recently wrote a report on problems faced by servicemen and servicemen in the NHS – told the BBC that he had been moved by the sacrifice made by veterans who had attended his clinic.

“I was concerned about veterans, he said. “They weren’t aware of the Armed Forces Covenant and finding access to specialist care was sometimes proving difficult – and as result, some veterans were falling through the net.”

Prof Greenberg said that the government “needs to be a bit more honest about what it is delivering and what it says it is delivering, because the two are definitely not the same thing”.

Health Minister Dan Poulter says that if a veteran comes into contact with the NHS and there is an equal need and an equal clinical priority with a civilian patient, then the veteran gets priority. He added that the government had set up 10 specialist centres for veterans who have lost a limb – with 10 teams also providing mental health services to veterans.

Duncan Lewis Personal Injury Solicitors – Military Accident Claims & Claims Against MoD

Duncan Lewis is a specialist firm of no win no fee personal injury solicitors and can advise servicemen and servicewomen on how to make a claim for compensation for injuries sustained in military accidents as a result of negligence – such as lack of equipment, military vehicle accidents, command failure, cold weather injuries and accidental or negligent discharge.

Personal injury claimants usually have three years from the date of injury or diagnosis in which to make Claims Against MoD, including claims for:

• Amputation
• Crush injuries
• Facial disfigurement
• Fracture injuries
• Genital injuries
• Head and/or spinal injury
• Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Duncan Lewis can also advise the loved ones of a member of the Armed Forces who has lost their life as a result of negligence on how to make a no win no fee Fatal Injuries Claims.

Claims can be made under the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme or through the civil court on a no win no fee basis.

For sensitive and expert help with Military Accident Claims and Claims Against MoD, call Duncan Lewis Personal Injury Solicitors in confidence on 020 7923 4020.