Military Injury
While most military injuries actually happen during training, they can also arise from direct enemy action in a combat zone or during off-duty periods.
Some injuries heal quickly with treatment and rehabilitation. Others can lead to long-term health conditions that affect deployability, employment, family life and future wellbeing.
Common Military Injuries
Although musculoskeletal injuries are among the most common, service in the Armed Forces can also result in blast injuries, hearing loss, psychological trauma and environmental injuries.
Training injuries | Combat injuries | Training or combat injuries |
Musculoskeletal injuries, including sprains, strains, back, knee and shoulder injuries | Blast injuries from IEDs, mortars, grenades or explosive munitions | Fractures, dislocations and crush injuries |
Load-carriage injuries from carrying heavy kit over long distances | Shrapnel wounds and penetrating injuries | Traumatic brain injury or concussion |
Falls, obstacle-course injuries and physical training accidents | Gunshot wounds | Hearing loss and tinnitus from weapons, aircraft, machinery or explosions |
Heat illness, freezing/non-freezing cold injury and environmental exposure during exercises | Burns caused by explosions, fires or combat-related incidents | Vehicle and transport accidents (most actually happen off duty) |
Training-related overuse injuries and stress fractures | Psychological trauma and PTSD linked to combat exposure or operational incidents | Respiratory or environmental conditions linked to dust, smoke, fuels, chemicals or asbestos |
Psychological Harm and Military Moral Injury
The Armed Forces can also expose personnel to events that affect their mental wellbeing. Discrimination, prolonged stress or experiences linked to moral injury can occur in all military settings, on or off duty.
After a Military Injury
The next steps after a military injury will depend on the nature of your condition, how it affects your ability to serve and the support you need during your recovery. Some people return to duty after rehabilitation, while others may experience changes to their medical status or transition out of the Armed Forces.
- Medical Downgrading: Following an injury, your medical fitness for service may be reviewed. Medical downgrading can affect the duties you’re able to carry out while you recover or on a longer-term basis.
- Medical Discharge: Where an injury has a lasting impact on your ability to serve, medical discharge may become part of your journey. Understanding the process and the support available can help you prepare for the transition.
Financial Support After Military Injury
A military injury can have financial as well as physical consequences. Depending on when your injury occurred and the nuances of your situation, you may be entitled to compensation or other financial support linked to your service.
Different schemes apply in different situations, so understanding which route is appropriate is an important first step.
Armed Forces Compensation Scheme
Provides compensation to serving and former UK Armed Forces personnel for injuries, illnesses or death caused by military service on or after 6 April 2005.
War Pension Scheme
Provides compensation for veterans whose injury, illness or death was caused or worsened by military service before 6 April 2005.
Military Injury Claims
A legal route for serving personnel and veterans to seek compensation for injuries or illnesses caused by medical negligence, unsafe conditions, defective equipment or inadequate training during military service.
How We Can Help
Veterans Welfare Group can help you understand your options after a military injury. This could be medical discharge, rehabilitation or wellbeing support. Or, it might be legal guidance on compensation schemes or military injury claims.
Unsure what help you may be entitled to? Our team can signpost you to the right support and help you take the next step.