Injury compensation news -
27/07/2009

MoD seeks to reduce compensation payments

There has been widespread criticism of Ministry of Defence (MoD) attempts to reduce injury compensation sums awarded to soldiers injured in the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. Indeed, Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth will go to the Appeal Court this week in an attempt to scale down the compensation awards of two injured soldiers.

Former prime minister Sir John Major has been at the forefront of the criticism, reprimanding the MoD for failing to meet its injury compensation "obligations" to injured servicemen.

Furthermore, the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme has been described as "inadequate", with awards negotiated under its auspices typically much lower than those negotiated by no win, no fee solicitors representing claimants in the civil courts.

Sue Freeth, director of welfare at the Royal British Legion, commented on the injury compensation system, saying, "People who are putting themselves in harm's way for their country feel cheated. These injuries affect people for the rest of their lives, but for many the compensation system fails to address that."