Military Cold Injury Claims

Non-freezing cold injury (NFCI) is a common condition among Armed Forces personnel, often resulting from exposure to cold and wet conditions during training exercises. A key factor is the inadequate provision of appropriate protective gear.
If you left the military after 1987, contact our specialist Veteran Client Liaison team and we'll review your claim.

Assisting Active and Veteran Military Personnel To File NFCI Claims

It is estimated that tens of thousands of ex-service members in the UK are suffering from Non-Freezing Cold Injuries (NFCI). Are you one of them?

We are a group of United Kingdom Armed Forces veterans dedicated to assisting fellow service personnel in claiming compensation for NFCI sustained during service, particularly when proper cold weather protection was not provided by the Armed Forces.

Having faced similar training and operational challenges, we understand what you’ve been through. We’ve partnered with a select group of professional legal experts who have a proven track record of handling claims for Armed Forces clients. Together, we form a formidable team committed to securing the compensation you deserve for your injuries.

The legal firms we recommend operate under a Conditional Fee Agreement, commonly known as a No-Win, No-Fee Agreement. This means that you only pay legal fees (at a pre-agreed rate from your compensation) if your claim is successful.

If your claim is unsuccessful, you won’t be liable for any costs.

Check Your Eligibility

If the following applies to you and your military service, we could help you claim compensation for your injuries.
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1. Have you served in the United Kingdom Armed Forces, including the Army, Navy, Royal Air Force, or Army Reserves?
2. Was any period of your service conducted after 1987?
3. Do you suffer from hearing loss or tinnitus (ringing or buzzing in your ears)?
4. Do you have arthritic pain or injuries from exposure to cold and damp conditions?
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Start your claim

How Do I Know If I Have An NFCI Claim?

Those serving in the British Army usually sustain a non-freezing cold injury (NFCI), also known as ‘trench foot’ or ‘cold weather injury’, on winter training exercises, often carrying out duties such as sentry duty, manning an observation post, or setting an ambush.

NFCIs usually affect the body’s extremities, such as hands and feet. Symptoms can include:

  • Pain
  • Numbness
  • Swelling
  • Discolouration
  • Tingling
  • Excessive sweating

Left untreated, NFCI can lead to permanent damage to nerves and blood vessels. Some injuries mean sufferers can’t work outside and may end up being medically discharged.

If you think you’ve suffered a non-freezing cold injury, you may be entitled to ‘military cold injury’ compensation under the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS) or through a civil-military negligence claim, even if you’ve been turned down for an AFCS payment.

Non-Freezing Cold Injury Compensation Claims

Non-freezing cold injuries (NFCI) are among the most prevalent injuries sustained during exercises by members of the British Military.

These injuries should be preventable, as the Ministry of Defence (MOD) has a duty of care to protect you by:

  • Limiting unnecessary exposure to cold environments
  • Providing adequate cold-weather PPE during exercises
  • Conducting risk assessments for planned exercises to minimise the risk of cold injuries
  • Routinely monitoring and enforcing PPE usage and adherence to safety protocols
  • Addressing complaints related to cold exposure and inadequate protection

If the MOD has failed in its duty of care, you may be entitled to claim compensation for your injuries.

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What about the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme?

While the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS) is a valuable resource for military personnel and offers one-time payments, it often falls short of covering the full extent of your losses.

If you have already made a claim through the AFCS, you can still pursue a civil claim for your hearing loss through our expert panel of lawyers, even if your AFCS claim was rejected. Your veteran client liaison will help you through the process.

Meet Our Team

VFV is a dedicated team of seasoned veterans from every branch of the military, committed to helping fellow veterans secure the compensation they deserve for service-related injuries.
Alan Baxter
The Royal Irish Regiment
John Lackenby
The Parachute Regiment
Paul Haddock
The Royal Irish Regiment
Richard Spence
The Royal Irish Regiment
Shannon Smart
The Royal Anglian Regiment
Justin Bowker
The Royal Logistics Corps
Kris Sackey
Irish Guards (Guards Para)
Meet the Team

The Claiming Process

Make Your Claim In Six Simple Steps

Frequently Asked Questions

If you have a question we’ve not covered below, give our team a call - they’ll be delighted to talk to you.

Client Reviews

We've helped thousands of Veterans and current service personnel to claim for their hearing-loss and cold-exposure injuries. See what some of them have to say.

The VFV team understands my unique struggles and provided the guidance I needed to navigate my claim. Genuinely refreshing service.

Mark R.

I had no idea who to speak to about my hearing loss but within a few mins of speaking to the chaps at VFV they settled my nerves.

Alan T.

Really happy with the support VFV gave me in answering all my questions about claiming. The process seems daunting but the team were great.

Lisa M.

Fantastic what this group of veterans is doing to support the military community. Every thing was quick and painless.

James W.

My hearing has been bad for two decades but always put it down to age deterioration. VFV arranged a hearing test for me and it displayed all the symptoms of MNIHL, so they helped me get my claim in. Thanks guys

Tom B.

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Contact Us, and We’ll Call You Back

Submit your contact information through our form below and one of our experienced team of Veterans will call you back to discuss your claim, in full confidence.
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