MoD recognises hearing loss in veterans
MoD recognises hearing loss in veterans
Until now many ex-military personnel who have claimed that they have suffered hearing loss due to their time serving in the Armed Forces have had their claims opposed by the Ministry of Defence (MoD).
However, the MoD now accepts that it has a “duty of care” to veterans and that exposure to noise in the military has been a cause of hearing loss.
Military training and service repeatedly exposes personnel to loud noises. Noise from gunfire, bombing, and the roar of armoured vehicles and aircraft can all contribute to hearing damage.
Between 2012 and 2020, the MoD paid £72 million in compensation for military hearing loss, settling more than 9,000 cases. But it’s likely a new court agreement will result in many more service people receiving payments, with up to 10,000 currently making claims.
A handful of cases will go to trial next year, to determine the level of compensation veterans should receive. Any claimants should be able to resolve their cases without the need to go to court if they can show their hearing loss resulted from service in the military.
Claimants must have served at some point after 1987 when a change in the law suspended legal immunity for the government in cases involving service personnel.
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