Military and MoD Accident Claims — No Win, No Fee
Last reviewed: September 2026 · EA Personal Injury Solicitors
Service personnel injured in training or non-combat activities, and civilian MoD employees or contractors injured at defence establishments, may be entitled to compensation. EA Personal Injury Solicitors can help you claim on a no win, no fee basis — if the claim succeeds, a success fee may be deducted from your compensation.
TL;DR — Quick Summary
Key Points
- The MoD owes a duty of care for training, equipment and non-combat activities
- "Combat immunity" limits claims from actual combat but not routine training or equipment failures
- Civilian MoD employees and contractors are owed the same duty as any other worker
- Relevant to defence establishments and shipyards across the North West
- No win, no fee — if the claim succeeds, a success fee may be deducted from your compensation
The MoD's Duty of Care
The Ministry of Defence owes a duty of care to its service personnel in relation to matters such as training, the provision of safe equipment, and non-combat activities, broadly comparable to the duty owed by any other employer, albeit adapted to the particular demands of military service. This duty is more limited where an injury arises directly from actual combat operations — the doctrine of "combat immunity" generally prevents claims arising from decisions made in the course of, or in preparation immediately before, active engagement with an enemy. Combat immunity does not, however, extend to routine training, barracks life, equipment maintenance, or other activities removed from the immediate pressures of combat.
Common Types of Claims
- Training accidents — injuries during physical training, exercises or weapons handling caused by inadequate supervision, poor risk assessment or unsafe exercise design
- Defective equipment — injuries caused by faulty vehicles, machinery or personal equipment that was poorly maintained or unsuitable for its purpose
- Vehicle accidents — non-combat accidents involving military vehicles
- Manual handling injuries — sustained loading, unloading or carrying equipment
- Civilian workplace accidents — MoD employees and contractors injured at bases, dockyards, shipyards and other defence establishments, following the ordinary principles of employer's liability
- Noise-induced hearing loss — covered in more detail on our military deafness claims page
Civilian Employees and Contractors
The North West has a significant defence industry presence, including shipbuilding and naval engineering. Civilian employees and contractors working at MoD or defence-related sites are owed the same duty of care as any other worker under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and related regulations, and workplace accident claims follow the same principles as claims against any other employer or site occupier.
Evidence in Military and MoD Accident Claims
- Incident or accident reports completed by your unit or employer
- Training records, risk assessments and exercise plans
- Equipment maintenance and inspection records
- Medical records, including service medical records where relevant
- Witness statements from colleagues present at the time
What Compensation Can Cover
Compensation covers general damages for pain, suffering and loss of amenity, and special damages including lost earnings, medical treatment and rehabilitation, and care costs for more serious injuries. We will also advise on how any compensation claim interacts with Armed Forces Compensation Scheme entitlements, where relevant.
Typical Compensation Amounts
The figures below are indicative brackets for the injury itself (general damages), based on the Judicial College Guidelines used by courts and insurers in England and Wales. Financial losses such as lost earnings, treatment costs and care (special damages) are claimed in addition, and in serious cases often exceed the injury award.
| Injury | Guideline bracket |
|---|---|
| Moderate neck/soft tissue injury (up to ~2 years) | c. £2,300–£12,900 |
| Simple arm or wrist fracture | c. £6,000–£16,000 |
| Moderate back injury (good prognosis) | c. £12,000–£27,000 |
| Severe back injury | c. £36,000–£160,000+ |
| Moderate brain injury | c. £40,000–£205,000 |
These brackets are a guide only — the value of your claim depends on the severity of your injury, your prognosis and your financial losses. We cannot promise or predict a specific outcome. See our full guide to compensation amounts or contact us for a free assessment of your claim.
No Win, No Fee Military and MoD Accident Claims
We act under a Conditional Fee Agreement. If your claim is unsuccessful, you pay nothing. If the claim succeeds, a success fee may be deducted from your compensation.