The Ministry of Defence will increase the limitation period during which troops can claim compensation for personal injuries suffered during active service, as part of a series of changes to the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme announced this week.
The change is just one of several recommended by the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme Review earlier this year. The majority of the changes that were recommended require legislative amendment to the Scheme and will be implemented by February 2011, but some changes can be made more quickly and will take effect from 3 August 2010.
The improvements include:
- An increase in the period in which injured servicemen and women can claim personal injury compensation from five year to seven years from point of diagnosis (effective 3 August).
- An increase in the maximum level of Bereavement Grant from £20,000 to £25,000.
- An increase in the maximum level of Bereavement Grant for reservists who are not members of a reserve forces pension scheme to £37,500, to help bring their benefits in line with their regular forces colleagues.
- An uplift of the majority of awards for hearing loss by one tariff level.
Awards already made since April 2005 will be automatically revisited and will receive an uplift after all recommendations have been put into legislation.
Related links:
- Service Personnel and Veterans Agency
- Armed Forces Compensation Scheme improved (Ministry of Defence)
- Armed forces face sweeping reforms to combat modern threats (Guardian)
- Personal injury law (FindLaw UK)
- Find a solicitor who specialises in personal injury (Contact Law, a free solicitor referral service)
