Military Cold Injury Claims

We are a UK organisation made up of former members of the Armed Forces who understand the long-term impact military service can have. Our team brings together experience from across the services, with a shared focus on supporting veterans in a clear, structured, and respectful way.

Your claim remains confidential, safeguarding your privacy. If the claim does proceed to litigation then the result of this is public however you would always be notified before this happens. If you’re currently employed, it would be unlawful for your employer to penalise you for pursuing a claim against your employer.

If you’re able to meet the requirements of the job, pursuing a claim shouldn’t impede your prospects for future employment.

Typically, between 2 – 3 years, however, the complexity of the case will influence this.

The average payout of NFCI cases can vary dramatically however the cases which have been settled and become public record are six figure settlements.

We estimate these cases may take 2-3 years to resolve, though settlement out of court could potentially shorten this timeframe.

Yes. As long as part of your service in the UK Military was after May 1987 then we can help, regardless of where you are in the world now.

Noise-Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL) is permanent hearing damage caused by exposure to loud noise, often without proper protection. In the military, this can result from gunfire, explosions, or loud machinery. Symptoms include muffled hearing, difficulty understanding speech, or ringing in the ears (tinnitus).

This refers to tissue damage from prolonged exposure to cold, wet conditions above freezing (typically 0–15 °C). It’s different from frostbite (which occurs below 0 °C) and includes conditions like trench foot. Common among military personnel, symptoms include numbness, tingling, pain, swelling, and long-term sensitivity to cold. It can lead to chronic issues if untreated.

Apart from your legal representatives and the Ministry of Defence (MOD), your claim remains confidential unless you have to go to court, then this would become public record however most claims do settle out of court.

No, claiming will not affect your pension such as AFCS or War Pension. If you are on benefits, the compensation you are awarded would count towards savings which may effect your benefits, however there are ways we can assist you with this in the form of a trust to ringfence your income.

All claims are covered under a no-win-no-fee agreement, which is covered by ATE insurance. This ensures that all legal costs are covered in the event of an unsuccessful claim. Unless you are materially deceptive or misleading during the process, you will not be liable for any costs associated with the legal proceedings. Legal costs are recovered from your award at the conclusion of your case, at a rate of 25% of the total award plus an insurance premium.

Crown Immunity protects the Ministry of Defence from liability for injuries sustained by servicemen and women before 1987.

All claims are covered under a no-win-no-fee agreement, covered by ATE insurance. In the event of an unsuccessful outcome, the insurance policy will cover all fees. If your case is successful, a success fee of up to 25% of your damages (including VAT) and the insurance policy premium will be deducted from your final amount. In some cases, your law firm may recommend After the Event (ATE) insurance. This is a policy designed to protect you from certain legal costs and expenses if the claim does not succeed. ATE insurance is generally arranged on a deferred basis, meaning there is nothing to pay upfront and the premium is only payable if the claim is successful. Where applicable, the insurance premium is charged in addition to the success fee referred to above and will be deducted from compensation recovered at the conclusion of a successful claim. The cost of any ATE insurance policy will vary depending on the circumstances of the claim, and full details will be provided by the law firm before any agreement is entered into.

Yes, you are still eligible to pursue a civil claim irrespective of previous outcomes regarding War Pension or AFCS.

Your case will be evaluated individually based on its specific merits and the availability of a local audiology test. If your case is strong and there are no issues in scheduling a test in your area, your legal representatives will arrange a test for you.

In order to pursue a claim for Hearing Loss, it is necessary that there was at least some period of your service that occurred after 1987. For instance, if you enlisted in 1986 and concluded your service in 1995, more than half of your service tenure would fall after 1987. In these circumstances, you could pursue a claim for your period of exposure from 1987 to 1995.

The Royal British Legion recommends consulting a solicitor to make a civil claim for negligence. Our team of veterans will discuss your claim with you to ensure your eligibility and help you proceed quickly and efficiently, after which we work with our partner law firm to represent you in your claim.

You may be eligible to make a military injury claim if you served in the UK Armed Forces (including Gurkhas and Reservists). Unsafe training, poor equipment, or lack of proper protection are all grounds to make a claim.

No, you can still be in active service or a reserve. Making a claim should not negatively impact your relationship with your employer.

Every hearing loss claim is assessed on its own facts, so there is no single set of circumstances that guarantees a successful outcome. Instead, the strength of a claim is usually determined by a combination of factors, including the nature and duration of the individual’s exposure to noise, whether suitable hearing protection was provided and consistently used, and whether proper instruction was given on how that protection should be worn. Medical evidence also plays an important role, particularly where hearing test results support both the existence of an injury and its likely cause. In addition, the availability of supporting records and documentation from the Ministry of Defence can help establish the relevant circumstances of exposure. Ultimately, each claim is considered on its own merits, with the overall outcome depending on the weight of the evidence available across all of these areas.

It is important to submit your enquiry with us as soon as you become aware of your eligibility to claim.

We estimate these cases may take 2-3 years to resolve, though settlement out of court could potentially shorten this timeframe.

You have the right to cancel your agreement with the law firm within the 14-day cooling off period and, if you do so, you will not usually incur any charges. However, if you choose to cancel after this period has expired, the law firm may be entitled to charge for the work already carried out on your case. Any such charges would be calculated in accordance with the hourly rates and terms set out in the Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA) provided by the firm at the outset of your claim. In addition, costs may be incurred if a claimant fails to cooperate with reasonable requests during the claims process or provides information that is false, misleading, or materially inaccurate. Full details of any circumstances in which charges may apply will be explained by the law firm before you decide whether to proceed.