Cold injuries, including Non-Freezing Cold Injuries (NFCIs), are a significant concern for those serving in the UK Armed Forces. Training and operations often place personnel in extreme conditions, where prolonged exposure to cold and wet environments can have serious consequences.
NFCIs can lead to long-term health complications, impacting quality of life and career prospects. Below, we’ll explain the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS) and broader legal rights available to you following cold injuries.
Understanding Non-Freezing Cold Injuries (NFCIs)
NFCIs occur when the skin and underlying tissues are exposed to damp, cold conditions over extended periods without reaching freezing point. The damage is subtler than frostbite, but can be debilitating, with symptoms including chronic pain and heightened sensitivity to cold.
Military personnel can suffer these injuries during exercises in harsh environments such as the Brecon Beacons or Arctic training operations. If you’ve suffered a non-freezing cold injury, you should immediately seek medical attention before deciding whether to take legal advice to explore compensation options.
Legal Avenues for Compensation
Service members affected by NFCIs may be eligible for compensation through the AFCS, which provides financial support for injuries attributable to service. Under most circumstances, you must claim within seven years of the incident or diagnosis. Compensation may include a one-off lump sum for pain and suffering or Guaranteed Income Payments (GIP) for more serious injuries affecting your long-term earning capacity.
Beyond the AFCS, personnel can also bring civil claims against the Ministry of Defence if negligence can be proven. They apply when you can demonstrate that inadequate protective equipment, training practices, or failure to follow health and safety protocols directly contributed to the injury.
Challenges in Pursuing Claims
Pursuing claims for NFCIs can be a complicated process. Many cases are initially misdiagnosed as conditions such as Raynaud’s disease, delaying treatments, and also making it more difficult to link the injury to service. Navigating military service records and gathering medical evidence can also be challenging.
Collaborating with legal experts specialising in military injury claims can simplify the process. They can help build a robust case by obtaining expert medical reports and witness statements to demonstrate the link between the injury and military duties.
Support and Resources
Several organisations provide guidance and welfare support to service members dealing with cold injuries. The Veterans Welfare Service assists with claims and rehabilitation access, and the SSAFA offers welfare advice and practical support to veterans and serving personnel and their families.
Seeking support early can help you secure the financial compensation you need to access treatments and rehabilitation. You can use it to arrange long-term care arrangements without having to worry about paying for them out of pocket.
