The unique circumstances of military claims

In the event a current or former service person has a claim against the military, the decision to go ahead can be a difficult one - and the process of the claim itself highly complex. Here, Natasha Orr, head of military at Slater and Gordon, explains the process - and why she and the expert team are uniquely placed to assist.

In the case of serious injury claims, the process for individuals and their families to rebuild their lives is often hugely challenging and fraught with hurdles along the way.

But in cases of these injuries happening in the military, the impact and trauma of the incident itself is compounded further still in the event of discharge from the Armed Forces.

Rather than a job or career, being in the military is a way of life, a community - of which, all of a sudden, an injured service person and their loved ones can find themselves no longer part.

So in addition to the gruelling rehabilitation and loss of a job they loved, the unexpectedly early return to ‘Civvy Street’ can be another major challenge to overcome.

But in doing so, and making a new life outside the realms of the Forces, the support of specialist advisors is crucial, says Natasha Orr, head of military at law firm Slater and Gordon.

Hailed as a leading advisor nationally in military claims, Natasha herself is from a Forces background, before becoming a lawyer. Her husband is currently serving in the Royal Navy, meaning she has unparalleled insight into so many facets of what Forces families face and the challenges they have to contend with. 

“I get military life. I’m living it now, and have previously been in the Forces myself. I understand the journey, which is quite complex, so I’m well placed to support others who are part of it,” says Natasha.

“Military claims are really different, and that’s why you really need a specialist. We have real expertise in our team and some really outstanding technical expertise. But as well as the legal support, we’re there for our clients and their families emotionally, too. We get it.

“It’s a huge thing to make a claim and we understand that. But by coming to specialists like us, you can be confident you’ll be supported every step of the way.”

Access to rehab and support

While injured service personnel are given access to rehabilitation for injuries by the Ministry of Defence (MoD), with the widely-acclaimed Stanford Hall supporting the more seriously injured, sometimes that may not be sufficient or timely for what the person desperately needs.

One case Natasha has recently worked on involves a man in the Royal Navy whose eye was punctured by a helicopter aerial.

“Initially, he didn’t see the need to speak to a lawyer because he said he was being looked after. He was really reluctant,” says Natasha.

“He had been told it would be about 18 months on the NHS before they could remove his eye - but in the meanwhile the sight in his other eye was being affected as the damaged eye was affecting the functioning of his good eye, and for a period he was pretty much blind and in a lot of pain.

“We got involved and eight weeks later, having secured an interim payment, he had his eye removed at Moorfields Eye Hospital and was given a really good prosthesis.

“This is the difference we can make, and what we can add. While the MoD might be supporting with rehabilitation, in cases like this one, people can’t wait that long. It’s about getting someone the right treatment, care and rehab to get them back on their feet as quickly as possible.”

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is another key factor which service men and women can be supported with by Slater and Gordon.

“PTSD is a massive problem, and one which isn’t always well addressed,” says Natasha.

“With this man who lost his eye, he returned to work eight weeks after his initial injury but he wasn’t able to cope due to his ongoing psychological symptoms. He had PTSD as a result of the accident and returning to work so soon greatly worsened his mental state.

“PTSD was a big factor for him, as it is for many clients, the majority of whom are young men. They have suffered a really serious injury and you ask how they are, they always say ‘I’m fine’. But then over the course of loads of meetings, we finally can broach the topic of mental health.

“There was one guy who came in with his wife and mother and they said he had completely shut off to them. He wouldn’t talk to them at all about what had happened to him. But through his work with us, we are able to speak to him - which resulted in him getting the treatment he needed. He had therapy and counselling.

“Now, after a lot of work, he’s doing really well. And I’m really pleased with that. It shows the massive importance of PTSD being recognised and the appropriate support being given.”