Ministry of Defence Pays Compensation for Injury to a Captain
After 1987, an army officer is entitled to claim compensation under civil law for any injury caused to him by any act of the armed forces, even if it is not an injury caused in war or any other conflict.
The government further came up with the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS) around four years back. This scheme intends to compensate Regular and Reserve Forces officials for injuries, sickness or death that may occur in course of duty. This scheme was created to substitute the War Pensions Scheme, and it is in addition to the civil remedy that an official is entitled to claim, though the amount given under civil law can affect the amount awarded under AFCS.
These provisions came into light recently when an army Captain suffered an accident while coming back from the Middle East, and was awarded a compensation of £150,000 under civil law. The Captain was picked up by a soldier at the airport. However, the soldier slept on the wheel while driving the Captain to the barracks and the car crashed into the back of an HGV. The Captain got trapped in the car and could be taken out only by fire-brigade personnel.
The Captain’s left leg was broken and a ligament was torn in the accident, though these injuries have healed now. However, though the Captain has gone back to his job, he still suffers from the effects of the car crash. He has Deep Vein Thrombosis, which is going to last throughout his life. His right leg has gone numb and one of the fingers of his left hand does not function. The accident has also left him with chest pain and back pain. T
he Ministry of Defence admitted its liability in a civil proceeding and agreed to pay compensation after the Captain sued it via a solicitor specialising in forces negligence claims.
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